breakin_moon

Do not give up! I had no problem getting into another program; in fact, I applied to three, and was accepted by all. I was more selective with my next choice in programs. Do everything you can, and then move on - considering the source. Don't allow anyone to get you down. I am graduating May 15. I am a very persistent person, but, I also know what I have to offer this field. :heartbeat

Hello all - I chose another school awhile back - I'm graduating May 15. Getting into another program was no problem - my grades were good, and the credits transferred. It's impossible to keep me down - I just looked at the source. I knew then, as well as I know now, what I have to offer this field. :heartbeat

Straying a bit... but, why don't they teach us how it's done in the "real world," instead of by the book? I prefer the book myself, but someone will always say "that's not how it's done in the real world;" or "for test purposes..."

Amen!

Thanks for all of the great tips! I will remember them all.

The instructor should have asked me what other site would have been more suitable, with more muscle, for that particular client. Otherwise, she should have instructed me to get a shorter needle. That could have been prevented in the correct manner, not by sticking the needle slowly in until it is in 50% of the way. Also, she didn't look at the bevel of the needle, or instruct me to do so. There is nothing in any of my textbooks about hitting bone.

No need to apologize; I didn't state that in my original message. What size needle length would be best under these circumstances?

Yes, I knew. I could feel it stop, then a pop sound. The lady was so sweet; she said she was fine. Also, I did pinch the skin.

I know! We never covered any of this "just go in so much" stuff in any of my classes. Very imprecise - Thank You.

Oh, wow... I hit a bone! I was injecting an older, thin lady with 0.5mL pneumococcal vaccine IM in deltoid. I used a #23, 1 inch. needle. After seeing the client, my instructor told me to insert 1/2 of the needle. It went in her skin like butter - all the way. I heard a pop sound. My instructor stated "you didn't go in half the way." I have administered numerous IM injections, mostly in the deltoid and ventrogluteal sites without any complications. I thought I was doing a great job - until this! I'm thinking I should have gotten a shorter needle, or chosen a different site. I don't know if I can just stick the needle in 50% of the way. Any comments are appreciated.

Wow! Sounds bad. Have you tried Zoloft? And yes, you can enter another nursing program. If the school goes on a points system, you can get all of your general stuff out of the way (microbiology, A&P, etc.) while wracking up points to get in. You could do this part time if your totally stressed. Don't give up! I failed my first clinical. I am entering a new program this fall. --Those who dare to fail miserably can succeed greatly. Robert F. Kennedy

My patient was in the process of having a BM. I performed an accessment when she had finished. All of the charting was done on the computer. Unfortunately, when I mentioned the charting at the hearing, and how it was proof of procedures, vitals, times, etc., the instructor stated that I could've gone back in and changed the times. It was all unbelievable. I suppose a dishonest person would think that way. I received no credit at all. And yes, I did find a working thermometer.

Thank you. I did have a hearing. The director of the nursing program told me that it wouldn't matter who I brought in to testify on my behalf - they always go with the instructors last say. I did get credit for Pharmacology though.

This was in response to your questions.

Oh... I was there to turn in my case study which was due that day. I told the instructor that I was sick when I turned in my paper.

My final grade WAS purely subjective. None of my procedures performed, injections/meds. administered, paperwork, careplans, case studies, Fundamentals class - which I had an A in, labs (completed and passed), etc. were taken into consideration. I really don't know why she said that about not being able to take vitals; the broken thermometer was the only thing I could think of. I bucked the teacher when I refused to take vitals while my constipated patient was finally going to be able to use the bathroom. I know - it's insane.

Thanks Tweety! I think that's great advice.

Wow, I typed all of it out and it's gone!! (I don't know how to do this.) The clinical instructor said that I didn't know how to do vitals (I made an A in my CNA class - I have been doing vitals for a while. A thermometer was broken once; the nurse couldn't get it working either??) She said that I refused to participate in treating a 3rd degree burn patient. I had bronchitis, and was running a temp.; I only came to turn in my case study. I explained to her that I was really sick. I shouldn't have been in the same room with the patient. I stood at the door, hacking with kleenex in my hand. I shouldn't have been there. We couldn't miss. I had a doctor's excuse. I didn't think I should take my patient's vitals when she was finally going to move her bowels (she had been constipated for 3 days). She said that I wasn't a team player (because I didn't sit around and gossip with other students). I know - do what ever they tell you, and don't tell anyone anything.

I previously failed my first clinical. My classroom and paper grades were excellent! My clinical instructor lied about everything! Not one other student stood up for me. I had two doctors who said they would testify for me at a hearing I requested. The director of the nursing program said that she goes entirely on what the clinical instructor says. There was so much jealousy, and backstabbing in school. I am starting another nursing program (at a different school) in the fall, and I am a bit nervous about it. Any advise?