pupnurse

Hang in there, it will get better. I'm in my 9th month of working in the ICU, I'd say in the last couple of months I've become comfortable. I actually look forward to going to work. Switching to nights has made a big differene. The pace is much slowe...

I'm graduating this May from a RN program, in the bay area. I know that I may have to move out of the area as new Grad positions are getting to be pretty difficult to get. Can anyone suggest hospitals preferably around LA, that are accepting new Grad...

I'm in my 5th week in an ICU orientation. My preceptor turned around said that she thinks that I'm not ready for the ICU. I knew she was thinking that I was too slow.I was very slow, as I wasn't comfortable with all the different lines, PA, Central, ...

This is a flow sheet that I'm using. I've adapted it from a flow sheet that someone else posted here. I use the first sheet when I'm getting report. I later add my own assessments in a different color. The second sheet, is a to do list, I cut it so ...

I know you must be frustrated. It is challenging to find a new grad job in the bay area. I found a position but I'm driving an hour to work.What I had decided earlier is to move to southern CA to get a year's experience and then move back. Have you ...

Thank you for your response, I agree with you, ICU is a very hands on and technical environment. But technical skills come with time, but it's the critical thinking that's more challenging to learn and I think that's where my strengths are. According...

Definitely, write that you enjoyed the tour, and mention one specific thing that you noticed on the unit, and how your skills would match the unit, be very enthusiastic about why you want to work there. During my interview, my manager was wondering i...

Hi kolt, Could I get a copy of your brain too? Right now I just write on the back of our patient care summary.But it's not very organized, I've been meaning to sit down and make one.

Hi Dawn, I understand what you're going through. I'm in the 5th week of a 12 week rotation in the ICU and my preceptor basically said that I may not be cut out for the ICU. When I spoke to my manager she suggested I work with another preceptor. Can y...

Thank you all so much for your advice. I think technical skills are important and I may not be fast enough right now.However, I'm going to try and see what happens with my new preceptor.

Thanks Suzanne, I feel so supported on this forum. It's wonderfull to have this place to come and vent and get advice. I'm just going to try my best and not worry. Take one day at a time, that's what my mom always says!

I took my NCLEX RN today. finished with 75. But I got the same question 3 times, well definitely twice, an infection control/precautions. The questions may have been worded slightly differently, but the answers were exactly the same. What worries me ...

What I would suggest is becoming a CNA and working through nursing school. You'll definitely have an advantage while in school during clinicals as you're familiar with the hospital environment. Also when it comes to getting a job, you'll have a defin...

I changed careers too. Getting into nursing school is competitive. The best thing you can do is maintain a 4.0GPA for your last 30 units (at least for Evergreen community college). Evergreen takes 50% of it's students by GPA, everyone else is by rand...

Thank you so much, you guys are great! I also started the new grad program in the ICU. And that doesn't seem to be going too well either. I'm not getting along with my preceptor, she basically told me that I'm too slow and she feels I'm not ready for...

I just got hired into a New grad critical care program for MSICU. I was asked mainly behavioral type questions, very few clinical scenarios. Why do you want to work for us? What have you heard about our hospital? Make sure you research the hospital...

Thank you for replying, this is such a great forum for learning as well as emotional support

I'm currently on my second week of orientation on a medical surgical ICU. I feel so overwhelmed, especially about the multiple lines running. I know this may seem like a dumb question, but how do you recognize a CVP or a PA line? I'm always confused ...

Thankyou, Janfrn and Moonshadeau, You guys are great. I understand now. Moonshadeau, I read the articles on central lines and PA lines on the ICUFAQ web site. But I was having a difficult time recognizing them on a patient. I knew theoretically(well ...

Thankyou, Moonshadeau, It's getting clearer. So with the stopcocks, before an infusion, I'm turning off the CVP measuring, and infusing fluids. And I guess the same thing when you draw blood. My preceptor said that you'd never put any of the drips su...

On a tripple lumen central line, which would be the CVP, which would you use to infuse meds through? You're never supposed to infuse drips through a CVP, right? Only maintance or IV antibiotics? I seem to understand the theory behind the lines but wh...

I received an offer from CPMC for their New Grad program in ICU, I'm very excited but worried about the drive. It'll take me about 50 mins to get there, maybe a little less as it's a night shift.But it's an amazing opportunity, I'm just worried about...

I wonder if any of you can help me. I'm graduating on May 23rd and I've been offered a position in a new grad program that starts on June 9th. According to our Dean, historicallyy most of the students have gotten their IP at the end of June or beginn...

Hi, I live in the Santa Clara County area and I'm in the second year of Nursing school. I've been reading the posts and getting worried about getting a job next year when I graduate. Any suggestions about how to make myself more marketable? I have a ...

Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I'm definitely going to think of volunteering but fitting it into the busy schedule of nursing school will be a challenge. I just wanted to let other nursing students know, there's a class in medical spanis...