imaginarymuse

This. I was told of all the opportunities as a nurse if you left bedside but they won't let you leave bedside. I can't even transfer in my own hospital they won't let me out of Medsurge the nurses are needed so bad. And I do have a BSN. I've applied for doctor's offices, sales positions etc. the experience they want is ridiculous. I'm also in my 50's and want out. As for the animals stuff that's a very hard field to get into. My best friend is a vet tech. Every teenager out there wants to work with animals. So they have an unlimited amount of people to choose from. The only way to go that route is to volunteer a few days at a shelter and get to know people and work your way up. And I know our days off are tired and you may not want to go that route but you are not alone.

Honestly this is a non-question at this point. There are no other compensations or examples of gratitude that we would appreciate. None. Pay us what we are worth and staff us properly, instead of working us like a five dollar mule.

Everyone tells you learn your assessments in school. And even here everyone says assessments. But you can't even begin to grasp what that means. It's literally everything. So yes assessments. And learn to trust what you see and hear. Better to ask and be wrong than be silently right. With a good assessment you can practically nail every diagnosis. Eyes looking funny? Ask. Lungs sound maybe like you hear something? Ask. Heartbeat sound not quite perfect? Ask. Trust it. You don't even have to know what is wrong, you only have to know it's not right. So many seasoned nurses skip the head to toe. Don't do that. Ask when the last bowel movement was, look at their feet, turn them over, look in their mouth. I'm a newer nurse and I have found AAAs, people who have been in the hospital for over two weeks with no bowel movement because everyone just charted "normal for patient", I've found people were blind in one eye, had a stroke, had a dvt. I had the best trainer. She said don't be that nurse, actually do the things. So yes, the assessment, you will be slow at first, you will not be sure, but do it and ask about anything and everything. You could literally save someone's life. And while all the other stuff is very important as well, ultimately, your patient is there to be seen and checked out.

I'm 52 brand new RN, 1 semester to go to my BSN and then on to NP! Second career! Some days I feel old. LOL but I love the work and learning!!

I'm a new RN at 52. I almost have my BSN, then on to NP! Girl you've got this! You need a brain sheet. I'm orienting and almost every day I want to go home and cry. LOL. BUT I bought a 6X9 notebook clipboard. I made a check list sheet, and it has a notebook pad to take notes. I don't care if it's a cup of ice I write it down or I'll forget. I just write the room number. I use my Apple Watch to set timers, I keep a sticky pad in my clipboard. Wear good support hose! And every week I rewrite my "brain book" to tailor more as I learn. Sadly I leave my brain book in different rooms. But there is an answer for that too!! I found a very strong and small magnetic belt clip. I'm going to glue a small metal plate to the back of my notebook and it will stay attached to me. Get there early, stock up your pockets with everything you need. I jokingly told someone I was going to get some of those clear plastic shoe cubby door hangers and make a cape out of it. LOL. I said I'll look like a walking supply closet. ? and search Etsy for nurse brain sheets, watch you tube for time management for nursing. Take on the Marine moto! Improvise, adapt, and overcome! Oorah!!