heaverboo

I have a littman stethescope, so don't have a cheap one. I listened to patient's lung sounds today of course doing my assessment, heard abnormal things but couldnt really describe them, ugh! Feel like i'll never be proficient at them!

I worked in orthopedics before taking this current job on a cardiac telemetry unit, which really gets any person who needs monitoring.

I've been a nurse for almost 3 years but patient's lung sounds have always been a challenge to me! Everyone just sounds normal. The only abnormal sound I can pick out is wheezing. Can anyone help? I had a patient yesterday who I knew they wernt normal, had a second opinion and said he had rhonci, crackles, rales. I'm just so lost when it comes to this. Help!

I just started a job on a step down unit which all patients are on monitors. I'm about to start my arrhythmia class but wondering how in the world am I going to learn everything? It seems very complicated and looks overwhelming. How long did it take everyone to feel comfortable looking at the monitor and knowing your patients status?

I've signed up for 2 classes for the fall semester, both being online: US history and Art appreciation. I've never taken online classes before and was wondering what your thoughts were of this? I know people take classes online all the time but just wanted others opinions.

I'm 5'2 105 pounds and agree the hardest part is finding scrubs that fit and doesn't look like i'm playing in someone's closet. And limited at what I can buy on top of that because we have to wear blue pants and white shirts.

Usually pack leftovers. Try cooking the day before I go to work so i'll have the leftovers avaliable. If not I always fall back onto tuna from under the cabinet, or just buy a wrap at work.

Any suggestions/comments/websites that will help me start my new telemetry job in july? I've never done tele so I need to learn the rhythms, common drips etc. I know I need to freshen up on my cardiac meds! Nervous about change but excited about the learning experience!

I've been a nurse for a little over 2 years now (LPN for 1.5 year, RN will be a year in june) Been in orthopedics since being a nurse, ready for a change to tele/icu I think. But It's hard to believe how much work we do and the amount we get paid. I'm making a little less than 22/hr and work my butt off at work. You go to school and stress so much and thinking your going to get paid well like everyone says you are, yes 22/hr is a good amount but seems like it takes forever to move up in the pay scale. What other things are out there in the healthcare field? I'd love to know what Pharmacist, NP's and PA's know but unsure if i'd want to practice as one. I'd like to know more of why things happen and treatment aspects and so forth and how to tie it all together. I'm sure the school is WAY more intense than nursing. I'm about to turn 22 and just wondering my options in the healthcare field. I plan on going to talk to someone soon about starting prereqs for my BSN or possibly masters in something in the fall. I like the bedside nursing and enjoy the patient interaction but then some patients you give your all too and you get no respect or even thank you. I like my job just would like to know other options or courses out there. Please give your opinions/comments. And as nurses we are getting more responsibility from day to day and if the doctors would do their job like their suppose to it'd make our job easier as well.

My floor is trying to come up with a sheet with keeping track of I&O's/vital signs/blood sugars etc. Any suggestions or links to ones you've made of your own?

I would say I like my job. The people I work with are great along with the manager. The patient population isn't too bad and I usually see a progression of the patients from day to day. Although, I'm ready for a change to telemtry or some type of ICU I think.

I feel as if I have trouble calculating daily I&O's. It's hard to keep up with, espeically when dietary comes and picks up trays shortly after handing them out! I try but find it difficult. Or when family brings the patient in beverages from outside the hospital? What are some suggestions or what do you do to help keep track of your patients intake? I feel as if this is important, especially when one has a low urine output, cardiac history or some kind of kidney problems.

I agree, I'm afraid they'll ask something ridiculous and I wouldn't know and feel like a retard! They did pull one of our nurses away and spoke with them for a couple hrs! They had to break for lunch then they came back to speak with them more! I would have totally freaked!

JCAHO came to our hospital this week and super happy they're gone! I'm one who gets nervous under pressure and glad they were on our floor on my day off :) So guess we can say we're safe for 2 years now.

I've been a nurse for 2 years now, 1.5 yrs as an LPN and recent RN this past summer (Hooray for me). I've been doing orthopedics since becoming a nurse. Not a big fan of having the same patients every day, but like the people I work with, the manager, doctors, flexibility and the work environment. I'm ready for a change to the critical care environment and up for the challenge, i guess i should say. It looks great on your resume but liery about the job switch due to that the people that I work with are great! Also, some of my future jobs I would like to have (PACU, a lot of L & D floors want you to have this) What if I switch jobs and hate the unit and/or people I work with. What's your input on this situation? I'm sure there are many out there that feel the same way. I think I feel more confused about switching to another unit because they're so many options of what/where to go. I'm also nervous about the change because I'm comfortable at my job, know the routine/doctors and so on. :icon_roll