lacnola

I'm currently working at an icu and about week 3 in orientation. The first week was all fine and dandy, it seemed like my preceptor was going to be great and that I was really going to enjoy icu. (fyi- I've been a nurse for about 4 years) After that, I feel like all hell broke loose and ive been thrown to the wolves. I was told that their motto is to let their orientees sink. Am i crazy or is that not the most ridiculous thing to ever say? Honestly, it scares the s**t outta me that they can let a newbie in the icu take full care of critically ill patients and "let them figure it out" when people's lives are on the line. I am new to the hospital also, so this makes me feel like I don't belong in a hospital like that with the care that they are providing. After the first week, my preceptor has totally cut me loose. She is not available, and anytime I do approach her with a question she asks me why she should tell me how to do something again if she has already showed me once before. Also, anytime I ask her to come in the room with me to just make sure I am doing something right, she refuses and says I need to just figure it out because no one will be there to help when I am out of orientation. Another thing I found out was that we are often stretched to 3-4 icu patients to 1 nurse when there is not enough staffing. When I asked my preceptor how can they expect nurses to take care of 3 people "circling the drain" when sometimes it is hard to deal with 2, she just laughed and told me to again figure it out. Sorry for the long rant. Overall, I just feel like this is not the place for me. I am a nervous wreck every shift, not only for my patients but for my license. I feel that no one is "guiding me to be an icu nurse". I have just been thrown in there because their staffing is critically low. I have been battling with myself trying to figure out if its just new person jitters or this is completely all wrong for me. I believe i figured out that I need to quit. My question is, would you advise someone who knows deep down its not right and quit asap, or give it more time because the icu is a whole new level of stress?

Hello!!! Im looking to get some insight on these 2 routes on getting a DNP? Is one route better then the other? Are the Post masters dnp programs easier to get in to?

Hey, Does anyone know where I can find some patient scenarios to practice writing care plans? Thanks!

Hello!!! I recently tested in Atlanta and had a bad experience and will be retesting hopefully soon. I keep hearing from alot of people that Lubbock is a great site. I was looking to get some feedback from any one that has tested there and how was your/their experience?? I'm from Louisiana and after I failed in GA tons of people have been telling me that I should have never went there in the first place bc most people from LA fail there... I don't really know what that's all about. Also, if anyone has any great feedback on any other sites please let me know. At this point I'll go to any site as long as they are FAIR!! Thanks!!!

I always see on here that you can call and ask about a cpne date... but who exactly do you call? Lol stupid question but i still don't have a date and want to speak with someone

Same thing for me too

how much did it cost at kinkos?

Im officially cpne eligible wahoooooooo!!!

I cant wait to actually apply.. it just doesnt feel real yet lol. its been a long and bumpy road and I cant believe yet that i am here :) the hardcore studying for the long awaited cpne will finally begin!!

I was the same way.. i took it yesterday to just get it over with. Im glad i did but now im in suspense til the grades are posted.

Hello! I just took my fcca final yest, i am hoping to hear the good news that i am FINALLY CPNE ELIGIBLE! I had to repeat one of the fcca classes so i am more than ready, its been a longgg wait. :) any one else also at this point, hoping to be cpne eligible soon?????

Yessss.. i think I'd really love to end up on peds/picu or even nicu. I do feel that I've been leaning more towards the hospital fulltime bc i only go about 1 shift a week or so so it doesnt sound that bad to me bc I'm not there alot. But when i was there it was miserable!

I think i should definately be able to stay prn with the peds. but i feel bad because I was always begging for more hours and consistent hours. so i feel like a bad person if i just randomly am like ok.. i am only gonna work here sometimes because i am going fulltime back at my other job.

Hello!!! I have found myself in a dilemma and im looking for some advice. I have been an lpn for almost 2 years and my first job was on a medsurg/stroke/tele unit. I hate the floor im on and medsurg is not where i ultimately want to be. Im not sure yet where i'd love to end up quite yet but I know this isn't it lol. however it is very good learning experience and im doing excelsior to get my rn and im getting close to the end of being done. Well back in february I decided to go prn on my floor, and started also working prn at a pediatric home health. I love the peds job but lately i have been feeling like i just want to go back to fulltime on the floor and do 3 12s. the peds job has very unreliable hours and I have absolutely no benefits/insurance for either job since they are both prn positions. i live in new orleans and last week we had the hurricane.. well all of my ped patients evacuated and here i am left with no hours or paid vacation time. this week i've had no shifts with them because they aren't all back in town. another thing is the peds job is mainly m-f.. and im not really the person that likes to get up and go to work 5 days a week and im finding i am just sooo bored with the job itself. as much as i used to complain working fulltime on the floor i sure loved 3 12hr shifts. so my question is, should i go back to being fulltime on the medsurg floor, get benefits back and potentially work there when i get my rn to get my feet wet until i find a floor where i want to be? or stay doing doing the peds job thats unreliable. I am just torn bc i have really formed a bond with all the kids/parents and I just feel guilty. i know no one can make the decision for me, but i love to hear some opinions about it. i am just totally lost right now!! Thanks:specs:

I do all morning vitals, meds, assements etc first... then I do my morning coffee which is usually about 930ish unless it is an exceptionally crazy day