Adrena

We make $1.25/hour here. Nope, not worth it. I find that it depends on the staff that I'm working with though - sometimes it's okay but there have been times where we've been short and I've been not only in charge but the only RN on the unit (staffed...

I work on a medicine unit. I had one day of orientation (7-3 pm, although I was hired to do both 7-7 days and nights) and then one day (7-3 again) with another nurse "available" to me. I've been there for 4 months, had 1/2 a shift of orientation (we ...

Hey Pam, I don't really have any advice. I just wanted to extend my empathy. It sounds like a real rough situation. What about a staff meeting? Concern box or something like that? I feel for ya and I hope that it works out soon.

Thanks for sharing this. :)

Thanks for the info. Interesting! :)

What about starting in peds if you like kids? Take advantage of the nursing shortage for yourself. :)

Hey Kelly, I am by no means an expert (! just graduated in April) but the tips I have are heat the arms, and take your time palpating and choose the vein. If you can get away with inserting a 22 gauge do (if the person's Hgb is stable for example) an...

No way you're not alone Seven! I think 21, 42,... are insanity... I can't even imagine how tired I'd be. 3 is the limit for me definetly. I know people that routinely do 4 in a row though and it works for them.

I thought that it was the oxygen saturation level.

Hey, glad to hear that you're liking your new job so far! Thanks for sharing - I like hearing what other nurses do on a day to day basis. Take Care.

Does anyone know if there are there any prophylaxis treatments for Hep C?

Hey... I got pricked by a dirty needle on Saturday night. The patient was (she died on Sunday) an IV drug user and Hep C+. I'd just given her a subcu injection and then pricked myself. This is my second needlestick incident. The first was a needle t...

We had to do this at our hospital as well *prior* to interviewing although they stressed to us that it didn't matter how we did, the purpose was to gear our orientation to areas that we may be lacking in. The thing is, orientation consists of buddy s...

Hey Tara, I feel for you! I got stuck by a needle last year. The pt. was extremely sick and it was very scary. I don't really have any advice. You just need to take care of yourself and try to relax until the next bloodwork is drawn. I'm sorry, ther...

Hey Shanta, sorry to hear about your work experience. It sounds awful and I'm sure that it was. I don't know about guidelines or regulations in your state but perhaps you could check out union rules (if you're in one that is) and ask nurses on the f...

Any medicine or surgery floor is a good experience as well because you get a variety of different diagnoses and treatments. I did a general surgery unit for my final preceptorship and it was great. But, like Brandy said, pick something that you are...

Sounds truly awful. Congratulations (seriously) for standing up for yourself though. I have no words of advice or anything but I just sympathize with having co-workers that are completely unreasonable. The fact that they wouldn't even call the House...

Hi, I graduated in April and had a hard time in school with constantly feeling scared during clinicals and feeling that someone else (a "real" nurse) could give better care than me. Now that nurse is me and I still feel the same way. I thought that i...

I just wanted to thank everyone who took the time to reply to my concerns. I really appreciate all the great advice. It definetly helps a lot. :) All the Best to everyone, Adrena

Hi there, sorry to hear about your bad experiences. If you're interested in case management you should call home care agencies in your town. I think that 2 years experience is preferred but in this time of nursing shortages I personally know of new g...

Seven, I went to school in Edmonton. Don't quit - it's not worth it in the long run. The best advice I can give is milk your clinicals for all you can, do lots of reading on your own and don't be afraid to ask questions when you're done. Honestly, e...

Hi, I have no experience myself with the Joint Commission but yeah, it sounds kinda ridiculous to me! (like you have nothing else to do, right?)

Baby powder definetly helps and I've also heard other nurse talk about using gloves to help ease them on. ? Never tried gloves myself though. Good Luck! It just takes practice.

Yep, did 4 years of nursing school this way. Honestly, I feel like I was cheated out of an education! (It could be because we were the "guinea pigs" but still... it was very, very bad).

Hi Reyna, tried to email you privately but it didn't work. I know exactly how you feel - I just gradded a few months ago and am constantly panicking before going to work. The only thing that really ever works for me is realizing that I'm trying to do...