RNOkie

Run..run hard, run fast, run like the wind and get the heck out Dodge. The fact that you came back after the first day speaks volumes about your character; either that or you are really glutton for punishment. (just teasing). Some facilities are a cess-pool and it sounds like you fell right into it. Just know that is NOT a normal practice; don't only resign, but tell admin to stick it you know where and never look back. Please don't allow this horrible first job ruin your view of nursing as a whole. It can be a very rewarding career, but it's not all wine and roses. Be ready for short-staffing, disgruntled patients, families and doctors, long shifts and lots of back biting. Sounds like you've got big shoulders and can handle yourself well, however. Also, one tid-bit of advice for future employment...if they pay better than most surrounding facilities, there is usually a reason why. Good Luck

Hang in there. I'm about to graduate RN in May and am scared witless. One of our clinical instructors recommeded the NCLEX 4000 CD. Don't know if that will make a diffference or not; it's just more questions. If your nursing school does the HESI thing, maybe you could ask to pay for a few more HESI exams. Our instructor has recommened taking them as many times as possible to get comfortable sitting for boards. Either that, or as the previous post mentioned, do the Kaplan or Pearson or whatever review. Also, remember that tests are so subjective; I hate them. They are no measure of your intelligence or your ability to be a good nurse; just whether you can read the questions correctly. Some people just suck at test taking, me being one of them. Sounds like you need a hug..believe me, no one will kick you harder than you are kicking yourself right now. Good Luck

I totally agree; plus you will get all the geriatric care you want in a hospital. If you are happy where you are, then stay. But it sounds like you are missing "getting your hands dirty". Look at doing Med-Surg at least for a year. You can lose so much knowledge and skills by not doing so directly out of school.

The Lord's Prayer for Nursing Students Our Father Who Art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name You see, I've got this test tomorrow.. And I need You to keep me sane. The hypo's and the hyper's Have got me running scared, And trying to keep all this stuff straight, Has left my memory so impaired. So, please, Dear Lord, forgive me, For it's not a lack of Faith; It's just that all this cramming, Has really strained my brain. I know You'll see me through this Lord, In this, I have no doubt. And when this last semester’s over, You'll watch me twist and shout. So, please, God in the morning, Open up my mind; Guide the pen that's in my hand, And leave no one behind. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory, Forever and ever, Amen. Written by Jesus and SoonerLPN, SN March 3, 2010

Don't roll your eyes when I ask questions. It's nice to know someone gets it, but some of don't and need help.

Med-Surg is very overwhelming especially if you are a brand new RN without any prior nursing experience (you didn't mention whether or not you had been an LPN or CNA; just assuming:) However, a good solid year of M/S will give you the foundation you need for most any other advancements or specialty areas you might be interested in down the road. It is difficult and sometimes seems likd Helter-Skelter on steroids. I'm not sure where you are from, but i'm from SW rural Oklahoma and worked for a long time in a 30 bed hospital. We didn't have specialty units; just got what walked through the door. Also, we still did team nursing, which helped alot. However, if you decide not to stick it out, I tend to agree with the above posts; psych nursing may be your best option. Just know that what you are feeling is completely normal..I know that probably doesn't help, right now. I feel as if that is why there is such a nursing shortage is that you get thrown to the wolves and yes, sad but true, we do eat our young..which isn't right at all. Lots of potentially GREAT nurses leave the profession due to the situation you are in right now. In the past, I have been guilty of not sticking around in one place very long; but because of the nursing shortage, I've found that, although it's not a good habit to get into, most employers are willing to overlook it just to fill a schedule. The advantage to this is you will never have any difficulty securing a position in another facility before the ink gets dry on your resignation letter. Like the others have mentioned, try to extend your probation period or switching shifts. If that doesn't help, maybe a smaller faciltiy would be a good starting place for you. But, I do feel M/S is a crucial foundation for a good, and eventually satisfying career. Good luck and best wishes.

A little anxiety is good; that means you're taking your job seriously and yes what you are feeling is totally normal. If you were'nt scared about it, then that would be a problem. I got my LPN in "99. It scared me so bad, i went to work in a donut shop. I'm not kidding..then took a job in hospice b/c just as the previous post said, i thought at least I can't hurt them.. but I will say this: I lost so much in those first two years by not going directly to med-surg that I feel it really hindered my growth as a nurse..you can onlly retain so much info that is crammed into your head during school, most of which you will never, ever use. I am now about to graduate RN school in May. I feel more confused now than when I started. I used to be pretty good at Care Plans, but after having to re-submit so many of them, i'm questioning myself on that also. And yes, that old familiar feeling of being aboutsolutely PETRIFIED is once again rearing it's ugly head. I'm scared to death b/c now it's my responsiblity, and I don't have the cusion of the RN, and I'm thinking "no way are they turning me loose with these pt's." But, in retrospect, I haven't killed anybody, there will always be someone there for support and I don't want to make the same mistake as I did before by not jumping in with both feet. It's good to be a little scared, but don't let it hinder you. Glad I saw this post, now I don't feel so alone.

oh my!!!, ruby vee, you truly are my hero!!! i wonder if we are long lost cousins or something because you took the words right out of my mouth.:yeah::redbeathe:redbeathe

I would like to loose the totally useless care plans. I have never understood their value in the first place. (except for taking up valuable time that would be better spent in other areas, like, oh i don't know, SAVING A LIFE")

I also spent a LOT of time in college; actually got my PA ( party animal) degree. I figured as long as I was in school, I didn't have to get a job.:) However, I would agree with the previous posts; nursing is a very forgiving, for lack of a better term, profession when it comes to one's past/background and often directors take much of that into consideration. I would strongly encourage you to pursue this career choice. With a double degree, especially with one in business management, you would be invaluable and highly marketable in health care administration, if you chose to pursue that field. God knows we need all the administrators we can get that have a good nursing backgroud and have actually walked the halls, not just looked at numbers. Good Luck.

You know, I had never really thought about it that way..looking back, I swore once I get my LPN license, that was as far as I wanted to go with it, but am now an RN to be. I tend to get a little defensive whenever I hear the word "mandatory". ( although I grew out of most of it, I am still a little rebellious;)

thanks guys for putting my mind at ease; alot of my fellow students have already checked into it and if those are their aspirations, great, i wish them all the luck in the world. It just doesn't sound like it is something i would be interested in pursuring. Glad to hear it's not a new rumor...

Thanks guys, it really set my mind to ease to know this is not a new proprosal. Makes me wondering if it's a marketing strategy for additional funding??

I'm thinking the EXTREMELY high profiled health care reform situation has got everybody a bit apprehensive about taking on new employees. I know I'm a bit freaked out about it, especially since I will graduate RN school in May. who knows what the heck's going to happen??? Having a hard time adjusting to not being able to just walk in and being hired on the spot. Miss the good old days.

That's more or less how I felt about it.. if they think there is a shortage now, wait until this goes thru. I just hope I graduate soon enough to be grandfathered in..otherwise a rural mailman sounds like a cush job:) Thanks for the heads up on the Atkins thing..will certainly research it.

Hi, i'm a 15 year LPN about to enter 4th semester RN school, projected grad date in May, '10. I have noticed multiple posts regarding advancing education to BSN. Our instructors have now given us new info regarding proposed legislation which would make it mandatory that ADN's progress to BSN within 10 years of obtaining licensure or lose your RN license. My problem with this is due to my age (41) and locale (rural SW oklahoma), I really have no desire to continue to 4yr program. I really don't see myself in administration, and in this area, the pay scale for BSN is no different than that of ADN. It's not that I have a problem with continuing ed, and kudos to those who have pursued thiers. However, what I do have a problem with is having my choices taken away by legislation. Any thoughts/info on this?

CHEGG'S ROCKS!!! Thank goodness my nursing instructor turned me onto it. By the way, good luck with the psych nursing. It is just not my forte, and hats off to those wonderful nurses who can do it.

Short story shorter- nursing school sucks. They take your life, make (what you perceive to be) totally unrealistic expectations of you and quite frankly scare the hell out of you. After a little hindsight, you realize it's to your benefit. I'm 41 years old, been an LPN for 15 years and am entering 4th semester in the RN program. I wish I had been as mature at 20 that this young lady seems to be. As fas as "being too sensitive", I'm unclear if that means you feel unable to take critisim, being yelled at by doctors, ect. Or, if you mean that you really care about pt's. One does get desensitized over time and you find that things don't bother you quite as much as you they once did. Being unsympathetic and letting your emotions control are two entirely different things. You do however, have to check your emotions at the door, otherwise, you loose your objectivity and you are unable to provide the best possible care to your patients. You do your crying on other nurses' shoulders after your shift or on your husband's shoulders when you get home. And you think "what the heck was I thinking getting into this". And then you get up and go back to work the next day. You did not mention whether or not you have worked in the healthcare profession before..if not, my suggestion would be to take a job as a CNA or tech or whatever they are called in your area. Yes, it's the bottom of the ladder, but at least it might give you an idea as to whether this is for you. Whether or not to pursue this career MUST BE YOUR CHOICE. Not your parents, not your friends, YOURS. One point to ponder....you will NEVER be unable to find a job. And in today's world, that's something to consider. No nursing school is not fun, nor is it meant to be. Hang in there. But, if you really feel in your heart of hearts, that this is not for you.. then by all means, get out. But at least give it a chance.

I am so glad to have found this discussion because I have the same questions; just had no idea how to start a new thread:( I have no idea what's on the table and probably would not understand the legalese anyway. Perhaps someone could explain it to me... I realize that Medicare/medicaid are gov agencies that, unfortunately are now practicing medicine rather than letting the MD's do their job. But, what has the goverment EVER gotten their hands into that has been effectively managed? Yes, the health care system is a mess, and no, I have no solution. But, if I understand this correctly, among other things, if this thing passes, citizens can actually be FINED for having no coverage. If they could afford a fine, perhaps they could afford coverage. Maybe the government needs to focus more on getting a handle on the riduculous premiums and claim denials instead of passing yet one more law. SOLVE THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF MAKING NEW RULES. My point being is this: the Government now owns Wall Street, The Big Car Companies, and goodness knows what else. I'm sure to some, socialized medicine sounds like the solution, and who knows, it may be. But, I for one, both as a patient and a nurse do NOT want a governmental official making medical determinations on my life or the lives of my patients; when, where and what provider they see; what procedures are allowed, who gets seen first, who has to wait? Already the recommendations of breast cancer screening has been changed. Does this mean scientific research has now determined that the risk for breast cancer has decreased after the age of 40?? What's next?? It just appears to me that we are moving away from foundations on which this great US was founded upon, and more and more towards total governmental control. But what the heck do I know; I'm just a nurse. This may not be the appropriate site for venting my frustrations, but thanks for letting me do so.

I am a 15 yr lpn who is about to enter my 3rd semester in RN school. Keep in mind, however, I live in rural SW oklahoma My last job prior to entrance in RN program was as a home health field LPN. I was making $17.00/hr at that time, and new hire RN's @ $25-28. Of course, your HH always pay better than hospitals. However, I never have really cared for home health. (Just a personal prefrence) I have also been pounding the pavement looking for a hospital job to get throught the xmas break. No such luck. Low census everywhere you turn. It seems to me that the new school of thought is leaning more toward keeping pt's out of acute care and more in-home nursing management. Which is rather scary for those of us who prefer hospital nursing. If home health is something you might like to pursure, they do pay considerably higher than the hospitals. (in my area, at least). You might also want to consider a state job such as Health dept, ect. The pay scale isn't that of other areas, but the retirement and benefits are UNBELIEVEABLE. The world is your oyster.

Lately I've been feeling that nursing has taken away all my compasson and that pt's sole mission on earth was to to suck what little life is left in me..as horrible as that sounds, I sometimes feel that it is simply a matter of self- preservation. Thanks for the story. I needed it about right now. You have also reminded me that as nurses', it's our job to treat the patient and not the disease. We were given big shoulders for a reason, and you just reminded me why. May you never lose your gift.

I'm so very sorry that you are hurting so badly. Tragedy ALWAYS seems to strike at the worst possible moments. If it's going to go wrong, it will happen during nursing school, huh? I tend to agree with the post that mentions not asking for the point; if they make exceptions for one, they will have to make exceptions for all. There are always other schools, even if it means starting over. Many times, other directors are sympathetic to your plight and might take whatever credits you have under your belt. If not and you do have to begin again, at least you will have a good knowledge base and dazzle them with excellent grades. If this is truly what you have your heart set on doing, then let NOTHING stand in your way. Good luck and God bless.

I am so happy to see that I am not the only one with assertiveness issues. Except mine are more prevalent with the nursing staff due to the fact that as an LPN, I don't have as much personal contact with the MD's. I was taught to respect your superiors; you may not have to like them, but you do have to respect their authority. However, in the rural hospital that I am currently employed, it appears to me that the techs have more authority than the LPN's or RN's, for that matter. A recent incident involved 2 LPN's that simply ignored and refused the RN's instructions to mix an insulin drip and add KCL to fluids WHILE IN AN EMERGENCY situation.(Pt was in DKA). Unfortunately, these 2 have got managment in their pockets and nothing was done about it. So, long story short, I have never, in 12 years of nursing, seen the insubordination and absolute disrespect that are exhibited in this facility. Am currently in RN school and would like to know, for future reference, how to handle this type of situation. "Charge" nurse is an oxymoron in this place. Not only are my techs insubordinate to me, as their LPN, they are also insubordinate to my and their superiors alike. Management apparently has no problem with this....What do I do????

The only thing I can think to add to RN1989 wonderful advice is to be diligent in recording BM's esp the color, consistancy and frequency. This can be very important not only for pt comfort, (remember, what goes in must come out) but also in diagnostics. For instance, black tarry stools can be indicative of a GI bleed or unusally malodorous diarrhea could be C. Difficile which requires antibiotic therapy. Be sure and report any unusal findings to your charge nurse. I'd like to commend you on the initiative shown and wish the best of luck in your career.