Nurse Alexa MSN, RN

With experience, your recommendations will come. I would start first with lab results - being able to look at a patient's labs, related to their diagnosis and recommend medications. It's important to give yourself grace in a time of growth, and ...

Patho. I have taken through Doane University online. I was hoping for an easy A, but received a B+. It's difficult taking any course online. Quick advice - it would be easier if tests were open book. For me, they were not and I wish I knew that befor...

There is a spot in the NIHSS to document receptive aphasia. You need to document the NIHSS accurately every time - and that can wax and wane throughout the day, esp. at night. This patient's receptive aphasia will add to their NIHSS, resulting in a h...

I think "burping" the bag is the old school way of learning priming the tubing. However, I do believe it is important to get all the air out of your pressurized tubing before connecting it to the patient. If "burping" the bag isn't your thing, t...

I love the idea of new cocktails in CRNA. I think this should be put into practice so patient's can receive the most evidence-based treatment.

I am not a male nurse, but I think you will fair well. If nursing is something you are passionate about, I wouldn't let gender deter you from continuing. While it can be weird to be surrounded by women all the time, I think men tend to stick out in n...

For second medications double-checks are mandatory. For example, at a facility where I have worked you had to sign off for every Heparin drip dosing change. Currently, in the facility where I work, narcotics do not need to be double-checked unless wa...

I took Kaplan when I took my NCLEX in Summer of 2016, and I thought that was great. My friend from school would also go over NCSBN questions with me, which were great and they are the people who make the exam. I have heard UWorld is also good, but ne...

Minimal experience going into a DNP program might offer you to feel very comfortable. I believe it's important to have your experience (in your specialty) and then continue your education. Most NPs work fairly independent on a doctor. Think of w...

Hello! I haven't worked at Montefiore but I have worked at NYU Langone, which is a beautiful facility. I know it's difficult to say where you'll be in five years - but if you can it's important to think about where you want to be. If you woul...

When I'm frustrated at work I tend to eat - then I tend to workout like a beast the next day LOL We all need to develop good coping skills. Try to knock down the days a week of shopping to just one. And fill those extra hours when you're off w b...

Acute care all the way. I think that will assist you in taking care of more acute patients and less chronic. I would also look into a critical care residency program once you meet all requirements to be applicable for a program. This will be a g...

This is something that I feel like is important to talk about. It is difficult sometimes as a staff nurse to perform all tasks in the ways we wish too. While tasks are performed in the best of our ability - we all get into nursing to make a diff...

I think in the nursing speciality itself - there appears to be a degree of sexism. I see male nurses with less experience get more praise and acceptances to positions that others with similar or more credentials have not. It's something that...

I am so sorry for your difficulty with the NCLEX. The select all that apply really can be a killer. In my experience - I think it is important to get used to practicing difficult questions. When I took my NCLEX I passed in 75 questions and reall...

I would look into your policy at your healthcare facility. Most allow 1/2 inch w no acrylic and not artificial nails. In my experience they do not enforce it daily, but when DOH arrives it is something to be aware of. The main point of short ...

I think you should use You Tube materials and your textbooks to go over weak points in your practice. Talk with other classmates and converse about nursing topics and also how they feel about starting a new job. It is also helpful to apply for a...

While I am currently on tract to be a CRNA - I like the idea and think it is very innovative to have a foot care group of RN's/NP. Podiatry is a very big components of patient care - especially now with our patients who are Diabetic with neuropathies...

Hello, Most agencies will understand is the impression I'm under because life happens. I would look over your offer letter to make sure there's nothing in the fine print about their being repercussions for cancelling. In this situation, I ...

Endo sounds like a great option for you. Something more fast-paced. I would say it seems like GA bores you, so try working at a site with shorter cases and more turnovers. With that being said, going back to school is always an option - with a pay cu...

I'm sure the CDC and DOH is going to make the COVID vaccine an annual shot, not mandated. I think it is fine to do this and for people to have the option to get the shot. Individuals who feel like they are more at risk or fearful of these infect...

I hope that everything works out for your daughter and this clinical interaction did not have debilitating effects for her. This a difficult experience to go through at the whims of others, which definitely should have been treated differently by the...

It's important as a nurse in a new contract to understand the risks of breaking contracts. I agree with the above highlighted content in relation to this topic. At times due to family issues and obligations contracts have to be broken - but it's impo...

I think having a tutor is an asset when you struggle with tests. Group studying is also something that has really helped me over the years - speaking out questions and going over why answers are right or not is very helpful is critically thinking abo...

Needlesticks happen during clinical all the time. It is most important for her to tell her instructor and take the proper steps to protect herself and make sure she has not contracted any blood-borne pathogens. However, I do understand the concern fo...