fleur-de-lis

I graduated in august from an accelerated BSN program for 2nd degree students. Passed NCLEX earlier this month first try, and start my 1st RN job Monday (woot!) I don't think it is a matter of learning more or less in an accelerated program versus traditional, it is a matter of pace. The board requires that all nursing students take the same number of clinical hours, and the same coursework must be covered in lectures so students will have a chance of passing the NCLEX. The difference between my 15 month program and the traditional program was that we take 2-3 clinical courses per semester rather than one, and we have classes and clinicals during summer semesters. We also take more hours per semester (15-18). If you can handle a VERY fast pace and keep up, if you're willing to virtually give up having an outside life for the duration of the program, and if you are willing to work your tail off to get it done, go for it. I would not recommend these programs for someone who has to go over and over material before you get it - there is just not time for that. You have to get it on the first try or if you don't you have to seek out assistance and FAST or you'll be lost. One thing I did to see if I could handle the pace was take a&p and micro together in the summer semester when I was doing my prereqs. If you can't handle that fairly easily then stick to the traditional track.

well, monday is the general orientation for my first job as an rn (woo-hoo!) i have read all the paperwork and asked hr and cannot figure out what i am supposed to wear. the exact response from hr, "you can dress comfortable. you will sit all day." what would you interpret this to mean. i am thinking not scrubs, but no too dressy business attire either. i cannot imagine that jeans would be ok, so i was thinking comfortable khakis and a casual button-up top. whatcha think?

Here is a pic of the butterfly/Caduceus tattoo that I found on the internet and have thought about having something similar done. nurse butterfly tat.doc

I have family who lives in close to Brownsville Texas, just minutes from the border and literally everyone who lives down there goes into Mexico for their dental work and prescription meds (yep, you can get almost anything OTC without a script). These people live on a golf course - they can easily afford their meds and regular dental work! Makes me nervous though, I would not buy aspirin there much less something stronger that you have no idea what is really in it!

Oh believe me, I've read them all - just looking for new tricks.

Do you swap back to a day schedule after your 3 shifts, and if so how? Thanks - loving the tips as I will be starting nights in October!

Thanks! I am taking it in Texas, I hope it is the same way. I might call Monday to check. Starting to get nervous and excited all at once!!!

I am taking the NCLEX-RN on Sept. 10 and was wondering if you are allowed to have scratch paper for the calculations. I heard they have calculators, but I use the dimensional analysis method to set up which is pretty impossible to do in my head unless it is a really simple setup. Thanks and good luck to everyone studying!!!:balloons:

I agree with everyone that the CNA sounds awful, but the shaving cream is a trick I learned in clinicals in the ICU. Believe it or not, it really softens the skin and smells great! It rinses easily also, whereas soap is hard to get off in a bed bath situation. In my opinion, you did learn something in this sad situation. At the very least, you learned that you can learn something from everyone. Even if they seem to be useless, they may have some little nugget of information that you will use later as a nurse. Or, if they are completely useless, at least you are learning how you do not want to practice nursing. I'm glad that you are questioning practices that seem off the wall - don't lose that! Good luck!

I have toyed with the idea but not found one that I like enough. I did see one really cool picture on the net of a caduceus used as the body of a butterfly. Kinda subtle but still medical. I have thought about getting a small heart on my wrist, where my watch can cover it when I need to.

I had a patient tell me his last hospitalization was for "sore hoses" - that one took me a while... he meant cirrhosis!

I am from Louisiana, where the symbol of Cajun French culture is the fleur-de-lis. I also have one tattoo'd on my ankle :wink2: It is starting to be a popular symbol in decor and jewelry/clothing right now, which kinda ticks me off because it used to be "my thing". It is also the symbol for the New Orleans Saints! http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/ArtGA/3310~Fleur-di-Lis-Posters.jpg

There are other threads on the topic if you search for concept maps. You might try this website also, I never used it but another student recommended it http://cord.org/txcollabnursing/onsite_conceptmap.htm Good Luck!

no doubt! i learned that lesson when an md ordered a k rider for a new admit with a k level of 5.5!!! uh, i'm not hanging that one! big thanks to everyone who responded. i will definitely keep my healthy fear but realize that we are human as well. thank you!:flowersfo

Thank you for the responses so far. This is the same thing many other nurses have told me as well. My near miss was in drawing up IV push ativan. The ordered dose came up to 1mL but I draw out all 2mLs that were in the vial. Preceptor asked me what the dose was and I immediately knew what I had done. I was horrified and really shaken up about it, but she was wonderfully supportive. I know I was a little "off" all day with a killer headache, but that is absolutely no excuse. I knew what the dose was, I just was not paying close enough attention. It is back to the 5 rights for me! Even though I know that in all likelyhood I will make med errors over the course of my career, I want to do everything I can to minimize them and prevent harm to the pts.