Peanutter1

I'm in Denver...graduated in May 2010 and started working in September-only because I knew people who got me a job! It's ridiculous here, I have friends who still don't have jobs. If you're willing to drive, I know of a few people who got interviews and offers at nursing homes in the Boulder area. Good luck, it's tough here! I have one friend who is driving 4 hours to Lamar, CO each week for work...she has two little kids and a husband who stay in Denver!

I had an advisor in nursing school (I've only been out since May 10) who told me opportunities will present themselves in nursing. She said it's great to plan that next step, but not to worry about the details. It's hard, because I'm always thinking about the next step even though I've only been a bedside nurse for three months now...but, I think she was right. I was really worried about planning to start a family, and going back to grad school, and which direction to take (CRNA? PA? NP? CNS?) but for now I'm contenting myself by learning as much as I can for my current job, being well aware of the programs in my area and their pre-req's/admission requirements, and know that an opportunity WILL present itself. My advisor was really great about this. She told me she has never known a nurse who didn't have so many opportunities for career advancement thrown in their laps.

I'm with you. I oriented on an ICU unit for 6 weeks as a new grad, and had to ask for two more. I had my first night solo a few nights ago...I think it went okay, but like you, am constantly worried about missing something. I had a pt who was admitted with hyperkalemia...I was giving insulin and D50 and I asked, shouldn't we be worried about giving this insulin? Then I figured, well, we're giving lots of D50 as well, and this is the normal treatment...long story short, this pt's mental status was touch and go all night, so in the morning when she wasn't oriented, I called the doc and then day shift dealt with it (since it was at change of shift when I called the doc...). Turns out her blood sugar was 47. I felt so stupid for not checking and giving her more D50. It's tough though when you're running around like crazy trying to get all your charting done, and get everyone their meds, and make sure everyone is turned, and clean, and on and on... I figure at some point it really will start coming together...I hope and pray nothing too serious happens between now and then.

Funny...I have only been a nurse for 8 weeks and I was thinking...you know, this is really stressful! I started in the ICU, and now I'm thinking home health would have been a nice option. Obviously it has its own stresses, but I understand to some extent where you're coming from. I was driving home last night thinking...I don't want to be SO stressed all the time. I don't want to be in a position where every decision I make can mean life or death. Home health now...sounds great! Mon-Fri, 8-9 hour days...helping people, in a totally different way! Good luck )

My preceptor has informed me I need to quit asking so many questions...(I really don't think I ask too many, just ask for clarification and reassurance if I'm not 100% sure of something I'm going to do...).

I'm with you. I feel the same way. I work nights, and recently discovered the earlier I get up before my shift, the worse it is. If I wake up and have to wait 4 hours before my shift, I can't do anything first because I spend the whole four hours anticipating what my night will be like. I get to the hospital and my stomach gets all nervous and weird. I usually am very shaky when I get to work (combo of coffee and nerves!). And...as mentioned, once I do something wrong or get yelled at, it become worse. I think this is normal to an extent. New grads are always nervous. My experience is exacerbated because I am getting 7 weeks training as a new grad in the ICU. I've been terrified at times, never really feel like I'll be able to handle it, and am in pure survival mode. Some nights are better than others...but I always feel a bit nauseous. I've been told it takes 6 months to a year for that feeling to go away!

As a BSN New Grad (May 2010) from Denver, I can tell everyone the job market is tough! Most of my friends from nursing school do not have jobs yet. Many of those who do have relocated to other states. Any others who have jobs have them only because they either had lots of networking opportunities during clinicals, or have friends in units who were able to help them out. The new grad program at UCH received around 500 applications for somewhere around 15-20 openings. SkyRidge had 200 applicants in a two day window for six positions. They are interviewing 12. Having a high GPA, excellent resume, good references seems to mean nothing...it's who you know or luck mostly. These are just my observations. As for those with experience relocating...well, there seem to be plenty of positions stating they will hire. I know the salary is less than some expect though...just something to consider.

Seriously, you have to write about withdrawl? There are no actual withdrawl symptoms. If I HAD to write about this topic, I would probably go in the direction of anxiety. Those who are used to being stoned all the time and suddenly stop being stoned all the time might have some anxiety. Other than that, there really aren't withdrawl symptoms to be managed. As mentioned in previous posts, counseling and support???

Thanks so much for all of your replies! I go tomorrow to be fitted for my hearing aids. It's nice to know there are people out there with the same difficulties. I have been able to get by okay, but am starting to feel embarrassed by the amount of information I'm missing while in clinicals or speaking to patients. Thanks again!

Sorry to hear about your struggles with your nursing instructors. Along with the advice given in the above response, I think it's important you know all nursing students experience to some level your struggles. Of course, your's might be to a great extent given your history. Maybe you can find another support network? Is there not a single instructor you feel you could confide in? Maybe even the Dean? Clinicals are a huge source of anxiety for all nursing students...I used to have trouble breathing through one entire rotation! I have a friend in nursing school who has bi-polar. I also have a couple of friends who have had depression in the past, and/or have post-traumatic stress. They are all doing great now and we are about to graduate! Second semester of junior year was the hardest for all of us. Senior year is better, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Even though some of the coursework is hard, by then you know how to study for it! Only you know how far you can push yourself, but hang in there!

Hi all, I have searched older posts, and searched the internet, but find very little information about nurses (or nursing students) who wear hearing aids. I am about to get my first set. I have mixed feelings about them...I was wondering if anyone else has hearing aids (or hearing loss). If you have hearing aids, what kind do you use? What stethoscope do you use? Are you able to leave your aids in while using the stethoscope? For anyone with hearing loss, how do you manage? What are your struggles? Thanks, Danielle

I'll have about $80,000 out when I graduate. This is more than many students in my class, but there are a few who have close to the same amount out. My plan is to live the same way I have been living (like a college student...eating and living simply) for the first few years I'm a nurse. I'll put as much of my salary as possible into paying down my loans. I had to take out the loans because I got accepted to a private school. I live in Colorado and getting into nursing school is very competitive so I felt like I had to go for it or risk not being accepted somewhere else. I am really worried about the student loans, but I figure it will work out. Nursing is a good career and I plan to advance my education in a few years, which will help with the debt. Good luck!

Just wanted to let you know I am in nursing school right now with others who have children. One of the women is in her mid to late thirties, a single mom, and has four kids ages 4-9! Another woman is married with 4 kids, one who has a serious chronic illness, ages 10-19 I think. A couple of the young girls have two small kids (both under the age of two!) There are others with kids, but the point is, while the curriculum is difficult, the studying hard, and the time commitment is crazy, it is doable! You will do great in nursing school and will make it work. Find creative ways to study, prepare meals ahead of time and freeze them, don't care so much about clean house, and find a few people to build a support system! Good luck! :nuke: