TX_TeleRN

I agree. Planned OT is easier to handle than last minute OT -- and it shows your boss you're a team player when you occasionally pick up an extra shift. Unless I have to go to work, I turn my ringer off at night. And if work calls when my ringer is o...

Frankly, you are doing alright! MY ! Some nights will be good ... Some nights will be long ... And some nights will be very daunting... Just hang in there! The only thing that I would recommend is: talk to your preceptor to review what you could have...

Can you make arrangements with your family members to see if they can have you shadow a nurse at their current/former employment entities? You won't be able to do hands-on things due to liability issues but it is possible for you to observe procedure...

If you think "the notebook" is bad... Check this out. One time, we had a pt on our unit who had a laptop and camera setup in the room so that family can watch (record?) pt care. Sadly, I cared for this pt for at least 2 consecutive days, and NEVER...

I sure hope that orientation would be longer than 4 days! But irregardless, it is great that your managers and HR are willing to help you find another job rather than terminate you. My orientation class consisted of approx. 13 GNs going into Med-Su...

I concur with Bx_RN2B and GooeyRN. You're taking too many OT shifts. Stop or limit yourself to 1-2 OT shifts per month. You need time to recover. From your posting, it does sound like you are well overdue for a vacation in order to recharge! Turn you...

Bedside nursing is not for everyone. I, for one, cannot see myself doing bedside nursing forever, and yet I think I'm fairly good at it because I communicate well with people. I was originally hired to work nights along with another classmate. I hav...

You should definitely deflate the balloon whenever a patient complains of pain. Echoing others who have replied, advance the catheter 1-2 in. more before reinflating. I would request for a UA, if there is not one already ordered to ensure no UTIs. ...

You may have to look at GN positions or positions with orientation for newhires. Acute care and critical care setting is a bit different from LTC. In this case, networking with other RNs is a best way to find out who can your resume to the right hiri...

Check with your local hospitals. Some of them have programs geared towards volunteers by high school students interested in health care. Also, ask around to see if you know of any doctors or surgeons who is willing to let you shadow them for a day ...

Janfrn gave a very good list. I would also add: Don't be lazy. I sometimes see preceptees sit/web surf instead of working/learning. You're not hired to play/goof off. Use this time to learn. Also, it's very important to learn to work with PCTs. ...

At our hospital, we use computer charting as well, and we practice giving report in front of the computer screen with pt's chart open for proper handoff. You'll get the hang as to which RNs need/give too much details and which RNs need/give little i...

I would recommend starting out any change of shift reports with either "Will you be back tomorrow morning/night?" and/or "Have you taken care of this patient before?" These questions can help you determine how to direct details of your report. If it'...

I agree with Chocolateheals' advice as well. I took advantage of tutors (at my school, it was done by teachers too), and I think there were only 3-4 people who used them. My tutor would even formulate test questions at end of tutor session and help...

Pharmacology was very overwhelming to me while in nursing school. During clinicals, a RN once told me that it gets easier when you practice, as you will learn (look up those drugs you are not familiar with) as you go. There will be some drugs that ar...

You have received (as have I!) many good technique advices with your post. My advice is more for your self confidence: Don't let your failures get you down. Bring in RNs who are good with IVs and have then help you as you KEEP TRYING! I recall my...

I am glad that you have found a preceptor that stood out and influenced you in a positive way. During my orientation, I had 2 primary preceptors, and they were both great. I gave both of them a thank you card and a spa gift set as a token of my appr...

I concur with abbynurse28 and rbezemek. I had a fellow classmate who started work with me. This classmate was very book smart but was shy/nervous to jump on opportunities and worried too much about memorizing implementation steps. Skills can be learn...

I concur with most of the replies you have already received. You will be fine. If they did not feel you are ready to be on your own, they would have extended your orientation. I remember my first day off orientation: 1 week before Thanksgiving. I cl...

Depending on how many years of experience you have under your belt, you could consider case management, work for insurance companies, school nursing, or even consider home health to set your own hours, etc. Good luck.

I'm still a fairly new RN on days, and I especially forget things when my orders change. Just do the best as you can, but the key thing (as many others have already mentioned is to find a management system that works for you. I use a separate repo...

I concur with Timothy. I used to fumble very badly in receiving and giving reports until I made/use my own report sheet. It helped me be more organized to ensure that I have information on all the systems. In addition to his advice, I usually start m...

I don't know how to attach my file, but I use two forms that I made to help keep me organized during my shift. It's in MS Excel. If interested, PM me and I'll send it to you via e-mail. The first form is a table/grid that I can organize my tasks for...

I agree with this response. Perhaps the shift coordinators for both shifts can get together to communicate issues and concerns of their respective nursing staff. Maybe a realistic list of tasks can be prioritized between the two shifts to alleviate ...

I feel your struggles. I too changed from another completely different field into nursing. Many family and friends challenged me for giving up a lucrative career to go into nursing. So, in regards to this portion, I concur with "jessi1106" that perha...