MsDemeanor

Personally, I think those nurse would find it amusing and entertaining on a good day that a student would want to enlighten them...even if you are correct. On a bad day? I realize you are only trying to help, but that would be the role of the charge nurse, educator, or the manager. Really I must agree with Carol- none of us really know exactly what that nurse was doing, until you have done it 100-200-300 times. Even then, it is pretty hard to really tell what someone is doing/feeling when inserting an IV just by watching. I've many a time misjudged a poor Paramedic students IV start and told him/her similar things, about pushing through a vein, only to go and have the same thing happen on the same patient with a different vein. Through that, I've learned to be very careful about things I see and what I say. At times I insert the catheter the entire length, This is so I can approach a very short vein and have the catheter seated properly. No, this is not the best approach, but it is a good one for specific patients in specific situations.... One thing that would be interesting would be to say, "I noticed you threaded the entire needle, is that how you were taught?" Or "I noticed you threaded the entire needle, whats the advantage in that?" You might be surprised at their reasons. And for sure the baffeled look comes from having a technique that has worked well in the past. I know because I have had it a few times on my face, when sticking an easy vein and nothing comes out. It happens to everyone once in a while. If these nurses always missed IV's there would not be that look of absoloute surprise on their faces....It only comes from being a pretty decent sticker and flubbing it. :chuckle

Tape recorder is a good idea. Going to student services to get help with study skills also not a bad idea. 6 credit hours is really part time. I'd agree with your Mom (especially if Mom is footing the Bill for school). A job would be in order, and depending on which one you got, could forward your interest in nursing. Take this time to learn to organize yourself. Nursing school is not overly difficult concept wise, but it is very time consuming- so if you are having trouble now, take time to learn to organize, because it will not get easier.

Crunch, I'm surprised that you had a reaction to prozac in 3 days. Generally it takes several weeks to feel any results according to the physicians and websites. I just found out I can't do the drug screen until 30 days before I come, soooo, I have several months to get on and off the medication... so, maybe I'll try it.

I think you would need to go full time during your orientation. You are going to have an adjustment from being a student to being an RN responsible for a number of patients. This usually requires a full time committment. However, after orientation, I imagine you could drop back to a 20 hr or part time schedule.

Yes, I was wondering about it as well. And my Doctor was a bit hesitant to prescribe it. Then he decided that I might need it to concentrate properly at work...but most of the places I do agency at are really boring, and not challenging... I tend to do pretty well with stress, and I am already starting to feel human again, soooo.... we'll see. I dont know what to do, cuz I dont want to mess up the drug screen...

Hey, a traveler referred me to this site, and I think I might actually have the courage to ask my embarassing question here. I've been under a ton of stress lately- 2 of my close friends have died unexpectedly in accidents (unrelated accidents), I switched jobs only to have the job not work out at all, so now am working agency, and hoping to get my old job back. We moved- not across country, but still having to get stuf all packed up and we are still looking for stuff!!! So, I went to the MD this week and I was complaining of being tired and lethargic etc. He asked me a bunch of questions about all this stuff going on in my life and said that if I wanted to try zoloft for a month or so it might be helpful. He told me he wasn't sure I needed it but that if I wanted to I could try it. He said I had good coping skills and he imagined I'd snap out of it soon, as I have had similar stressful moments in life and done well without meds. So, I thought well sure, why not. BUt then I remembered I need to do a drug screen in a few weeks to go through the paperwork to go back to my job....so I looked on line and apparently Zoloft does someties show up as amphetamines, or benzo's. Firstly I find it strange that it could show up as BOTH of those sice they are sort of opposite. But The sites seemed legit. I don;t particularly want the organization to know that I started the zoloft, and they do their own testing (BIG hospital). Should I wait until I do the drug screen?? or what. I know a lot of people take these drugs, but I feel like there might be some stigma associated with it still. Has anyone done a drug screen while on Zoloft? Did you list it as a medication? DId you have a problem.... or am I just being overly stoic and paranoid. I think I can get along ok without the medication but I think i might feel a lot better with it... What do you guys think???

I am surprised that your nursing program did not require you to have BLS. Usually if they want ACLS for the job, you can get it within one year or 6 months of hire. Here is a list of places where you can get the training: Hospitals in your area (You do not have to work there) Ambulance companies Fire departments sometimes the community center but be careful that it is not the heartsaver class. The on line stuff is relatively new, AHA has it so you do the test on line and then come in and do the pumping and coding. I liked doing it on line as I learned a lot. But a lot of those companies are not accepted by all hospitals. Also and FYI: ACLS and BLS are not licenses, they are certifications.