ffweste

Thank you everyone for your responses. I obviously am not working while I am on the medication (can't wait for the extraction on Monday - but the infection has to be resolved first per my oral surgeon). I know that people call in, but like I said this totally against my work ethic. In my innermost gut I know that I am making the right decision. I just hate leaving my co-workers short (knowing full well that I am not capable of working at the moment - like I said, I won't even drive my car!). I just feel bad calling in for "just a toothache". Knowing the nurses that I work with, there are judgments being made. Having not been on the unit for very long, I know that they don't know me well enough to know that this is not normal for me to miss a week of work. So, thank you everyone for taking the time to help me resolve my inner-guilt and reassure me that I am doing the right thing. :)

Cherybaby - U r right, I did. I am just not that kind of person to call in sick to work. Thank u!

Okay friends I am laying on the couch missing my 3rd and final shift this week and feel SOOO GUILTY!!!! I fractured a root in my upper molar and it abscessed up into my jaw bone. I have been prescribed high levels of antibiotics and Vicoden. Since I don't routinely take pain meds, I feel uncomfortable working while taking the meds. HECK, I haven't driven my car in days!!!! Would you work???

I also used ATI, Kaplan, Mosby's NCLEX review, Saunder's NCLEX review, a Lippencott Flash Card set. I can honestly say I utilized Kaplan and Saunders the most.

Gene - You will do great. You have done everything that you need to do to pass this test. Just say a big prayer before you start (I have to admit, I said more than one prayer while I was taking the test approx one Hail Mary for every question). It's time to Let Go, Let God and have faith not only in God but yourself. :) GOOD LUCK!

Thanks Suzanne. I know that I don't need to remember the questions, I would just like to look up a few and just see how I did. But on second thought, that might just really make my anxiety set in. I think they told me at the testing center that OK participates in the quick results. They said I should know by Wednesday afternoon. Thank you, I am really trying to relax and have a great evening, but it is sooo hard.

I had the same problem but my 'ole G4 isn't new!! I got it 3 years ago. I ended up having to use my husband's PC for Saunders. If you use Kaplan qbank (just an extra FYI), your computer won't let you do any of the alternative format that involve putting in order. You can do the dosage calc, hotspot and others, just not the order ones.

This is all good advice - I played with my kiddos, watched some football, and yacked on the phone all night. I really should use the running around the block several times.....I will do that tomorrow.

Debbie - Good luck, you are right hard work and determination are key. I always work hard and made studying for NCLEX my job since graduation (graduated in Aug) and I have worked. Took last week off work to focus my energy solely on studying. I answered the q-bank - all of them, took all the question trainers, used my ole' ATIs, and answered questions from Mosby's and Saunders nclex review. I also had some Lippencott flash cards which were really handy at work or while I was on the go with the kids. Not to mention watched the Kaplan review videos....

Congratulations!!!! What great news!

Thank you everyone for your support. Hopefully, only 36 hours until I find out....not that I am counting or anything.

I am sure that you didn't fail. You did everything that you could do to get ready (you made me feel bad when I read everything that you have done!). My school has a high pass rate too and I don't want to be that person.

Mine shut off at 78 questions. I had one put in order, a few SATA, and TONS of meds. I pretty much have come to the conclusion that I failed. ~sigh~ I am impatient by nature and this is horrible. It is going to be a long few days, thank God I work tomorrow.

I hope so for you too! I didn't have any dosage calc questions. I had several priority, med questions (lots of those), and some SATA. I am horrible at remembering a test even 2 minutes after I take it. The only question I remember is that stupid last question about lead exposure. DUMB QUESTION - I will remember it of the rest of my life. I am sure that you did fine. At least at some point you have felt - not for one minute have I felt good.... And so we wait......

Took NCLEX-RN today @ 8am, finished by 915am (78 questions) I never thought that I would want that test to keep going. I answered some bizarre lead exposure question and then the screen went blue (my mind said NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!). I know I am not alone waiting. So now what to do while I wait other than look at my calendar and plan what I am doing the 1st week of November.......

Bolus Of Courage - Have you inquired about scholarships from a local hospital? I know here in Tulsa both St. Francis and St. John's offer scholarships to students attending nursing school in return for a 2 year contract. I know it isn't a lot but it was around 7,000. Basically it's the signing bonus and they distribute it equally over the semester. That would take a little hunk off the total cost. Just something to think about.

Is it usual to be working a different schedule than your preceptor? I have to work the same schedule as my preceptor while I am in orientation. Is that a possibility for you?

Congratulations!!!!

Perhaps you could try an externship. It is a pretty minimal work commitment, gives you face time to get the coveted L&D job and gives you a pretty good idea if you are going to like the work. I did an externship and was offered a position full-time after graduation - I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER!!!! ( I can't wait for 8/18). @ the facility where I work (HAHAHA!), they taught me how to use the U/S. The starting pay is the same @ this facility no matter which area you work (nothing impressive - $17.50/hr + differentials). I see you live in FL, you will probably get paid more.

Sorry I haven't gotten back to the board yet, but I don't see those students until this Monday. SORRY!!!!!

Congratulations!!!!!!

I attend OU and know a few people that have been in the collaborative program. Since they attend OU their senior year, I have gotten to know a few. I will ask them what they think when I see them on Monday night. I will tell you what I do know. They said that sometimes it is difficult to get answers. This is a new program - I think that you will be in the 3rd class. I know that the collaborative students are represented on the University of Oklahoma Student Nurses Association, they have 2 representatives. So, if you want that sort of leadership, you can do that. Classes are taught at TCC by I want to say, OU instructors. I know your pharm instructor was my pharm instructor. But they have to say that they really like paying TCC tuition!!!! I wish I had that Sorry I don't really have more info, but I will get back to you on Monday night.

ffweste - graduate from OU ABSN tulsa program working L&D - not sure which hospital in Tulsa yet. We are graduating with pssbly 27 maybe 26. We had one person transfer from OKC this Spring.

Given that information.... Risk for fetal injury related to decreased placental perfusion - obtain baseline FHR electronically or manually. Also assess variability. - position the client sidelying making sure to avoid supine - turn off oxytocin when infusing plain IV solution, increase NS IV rate. - administer O2 by face mask - Initiate continuous fetal monitoring using internal devices. Risk for maternal infection r/t invasive procedures - the nurse will administer pain medicine to the client as prescribed by the dr - the nurse will assist the client to turn, cough, and deep breath q2hrs while awake - the nurse will place anti-embolism stockings or SCDs while the woman is on bedrest - the nurse will monitor respirations on the client who had an epidural or spinal opioids q2 for the 1st 24 hrs. - Teach the client to perform pelvic lifts lying supine with her knees bent repeating 10 times, 6 times per day. - Teach the client not to drink carbonated beverages and avoid the use of straws.

1. Pain related to the effects of uterine contractions - nurse will teach the patient simple breathing and relaxation techniques to help with pain prior to labor. - the nurse will assist the patient into changning positions such as standing or sitting or leaning forward, over the back of bed, side-lying, or on hands and knees every half hour or when the patient feels the need to change position - the nurse will encourage the patient to void q1-2 hrs to decrease discomfort - the nurse will monitor pain experienced by patient on pain scale q 1-2 hrs - the nurse will educate the pt on progression of labor, including what to expect during the active labor process and the different stages of dilation process. 2. Ineffective individual coping related to unfamiliar or stressful environment - identify the patient's understanding and beliefs the experience - identify and respect the patient's coping mechanism - assess availible/ useful past & present coping mechanisms - analyze resources and support systems avail to patient - assess level of understanding and readiness to learn needed lifestyle changes 3. Knowledge deficit : breathing techniques - assess the willingness of the patient to learn effective breathing techniques before teaching - in stage 1 of labor begin with first stage breathing which involves teaching her to take cleansing breaths before and after a contraction. Tell her to inhale and exhale in comfortable way (through mouth or nose) until these breaths do not relax her. - if cleansing breaths are not effective, teach slow paced breathing during stage 1 of labor teach slow paced breathing during stage 1 of labor until this is not relaxing. - when slow paced breathing is not effective, teach modified paced breathing during stage 1 of labor until these do not relax her. - if the woman wants to focus on the pattern or number of breaths, teach patterned paced breathing = teach second stage breathing during the pushing stage of labor. 4. Anxiety related to unknown events of labor or lack of support. - Encourage enrollment in childbirth classes and tour hospital/birth centered - suggest a birth plan written by client that is amenable to the specific care setting and reflects cultural expectations - teach clients to practice proper breathing techniques for decreasing pain perception - encourage client to enlist a labor partner - teach the client nonpharmalogical methods of pain management ~ There is also risk for infection for mother