HHW2006

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 o...

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...

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 would...

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 critica...

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...

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...

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 pregnan...

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 experi...

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. ...

I love the fact that our 18 bed icu gets such a wide variety of patients. I agree with Abel - I love the challenge of doing different things all the time. I think it helps me to keep sharp the skills I have developed and the opportunity to develop ne...

We use propofol in our ICU with daily wake ups done on everyone as appropriate. Occassionally we have docs who will order sedation stopped and then we have issues with the pt becoming extremely anxious. I say keep the pt sedated until you are ready t...

You will be amazed at what you can do when you have to. We had five patients our last semester of school and while it was overwhelming at first - it did get easier. Remember that if you are going to work med-surg after graduation five patients will b...

I too started as a new grad in ICU, but I had a wonderful preceptor. She really took alot of time making sure I understood not only how to do things, but why I was doing them as well. I am now three weeks out from my orientation and am just beginning...

We were required to purchase PDA's as well as Tabers, Davis Drug Guide and Rn Labs for nursing school. Of course, we all complained about the expense at first, but it really was a good thing. It meant three less books to lug around and they are great...

We were required to purchase PDA's for nursing school. We also had to have Taber's, Davis Drug Guide and RN Labs installed (at our expense). We all complained about the expense at first, but it wound being much nicer than having to lug around three m...

I had my first baby with a doc and my second with a CNM and if I ever have a third it will definetely be with a midwife. My experience the second time was so much better - due in large part to my midwife. I just can't say enough about how wonderful I...

I had 75 questions - took me about 45 minutes to complete. I used Saunders (book and CD) and NCLEX-RN Made Incredibely Easy. My school offered the ERI exams after each lecture section(OB, Peds, Psych, etc..). We were also able to do the ERI NCLEX re...

Don't reschedule!!!!! You will be fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I started in ICU (medical and surgical) a few months ago right out of school. All of the advice you have received do far is right on target. I am nearing the end of my orientation and there are still days when I question if I am actually ready to be ...