HHW2006

I spent seven years as an EMT with my local volunteer fire dept. prior to entering nursing school - even though I wasn't a paramedic, I think my training has definetely been a benefit to me as I have begun my nursing career. (I work in a med-surg ICU) Once you have run a trauma code in the front seat of a car or treated an AMI in the field dealing with an emergency situation in the hospital just seems much more calm and controlled. I have found it much easier to keep my wits about me than I think I would be able to do otherwise!

The only way I got through nursing school was with the support of not only my husband and two children, but my mother-in-law and sister-in-law as well. At first I was reluctant to accept their help, but finally came to the realization that they wouldn't offer if they really didn't want to help. My point is, take advantage of whatever help and suppport family and friends are offering you. Best of luck to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just a question for all of you L&D nurses... I am 36 1/2 weeks pregnant. I have been contracting since 31 weeks and spent five weeks on partial bed rest. My contractions are now regularly 5-10 minutes apart (for several days), but my cervix is only dilated 2 cm and apprx 50% effaced. I have made 2 trips to the hospital thinking that I was going to have a baby, only to be sent home. I am at the end of my rope!! Sleep has become nearly impossible and I am very frustrated. I am looking for any tried and true at home labor inducers. At this point I am almost ready for the castor oil. Oh, this is baby number three for me and I didn't experience anything like this with the other two. Thanks for any help you can give me!!

Our CEA patients generally have morphine ordered for the first 12 hours or so, then either tylenol #3 or lortab. I do make sure that I get a base line neuro assessment before I give any narcotics to these patients.

I love twelves!! They are long days, but you can't beat only working three days a week!!!!!!!

I love twelves!! They are long days, but you can't beat only working three days a week!!!!!!!

We have recently developed and implemented a sepsis protocol at my hospital for our ICU. We are currently working on expanding the program to include the ER and med-surg floors.

I started in a med-surg icu right out of school and it was the best decision I could have made. I love the fast pace and the high degree of critical thinking that is involved. There is also a much greater degree of autonomy given to nurses in critical care (at least at my hospital) once you have proven yourself to be competent. I must admit to that I am a bit of an adrenaline junky - having spent 7 years as an EMT with my local volunteer fire department.

In our ICU visting is open with the exception of shift changes (7:00 - 8:30 am and pm). As nurses we can use our judgement to restrict visiting as needed based on the condition of our patient. I find the open visitation to be a bit much at times, as it is more difficult to make family members understand that sometimes their loved one just needs to be left alone to rest when it is posted right on the door to our unit that they can pretty much visit anytime they want!

I did an internship while I was in nursing school. It was a great experience. Make sure that all of the nurses on your floor know that you are a student and eager to see and do as much as you possibly can over the ten weeks you are with them. I found that by doing that the nurses went out of their way to involve me as much as possible in as many things as they could. The one mistake that I saw my classmates (also interns) make was to act like they knew it all - that is a huge mistake to make - you don't know it all and acting as if you do will only work against you. Don't be afraid to ask questions!!!! Good luck - enjoy your internship.

I found out I was pregnant about two weeks after I finished my new grad ICU orientation - surprise!!! I was scared to tell my manager, but she was very supportive - even arranging a day shift position for me when nights became too much for my pregnant body to handle. I am currently off work due to some (alot!) of preterm contractions and some cervical changes and my manager is still being supportive. I would tell your manager ASAP - chances are he or she will be happy for you and support you. Good luck!!

Our post CABG pts are 1:1 for at least the first twelve to twenty-four depending on how they are doing! I guess I am spoiled at my facility, because I have never been given an assignment that I felt was unsafe.

I started as a new grad in ICU almost nine months ago. It has been a great experience. I wouldn't recommend it for someone with no prior hospital experience though - all applicants at the hospital where I was hired had to have prior acute care experience as a nurse tech.

I am sorry that you are having a bad experience with your co-workers. I started as a new grad in ICU 9 months ago and have had nothing but support and encouragement from my fellow nurses. I wish everyone could have that!

The AACN has a program online called Essentials of Critical Care Orientation. My hospital required (and paid for) the course during my orientation. It is time consuming to complete, but I felt it was worth it - it contains lots of great information. Go to the AACN website and I am sure you can find all the info you need about the program.