dmn1012

My NM bugged me all day yesterday to come in today to work overtime.. well I had some personal things that I had already planned to take care of, so I told her I would be able to do a few hours ( 7-2). Needlesss to say I came in and was given 8 pts! (2 vents, one in restraints). I mentioned again that I was leaving at 2 and I dont think I could get everthing done. Was told dont worry we will split your team at 12:30 among the other two nuses. (Surgical Floor 27 pts 3 Nurses- No float or any other nurse coming in until 7p) I never took lunch, still didn't get to give report until 1:40, didnt get to do my 2 meds. still had notes and orders to pick up. One nurse says "well you are leaving early the "least" you could have done was your 2 o'clock meds. I am very bothered by this, and NM did not even support the fact that if I wasn't there how much more chaotic it would have been. Don't think I want to work O/T again! I am off orientation for only 6 weeks. Was I in the wrong???

Hey Victoria703, I Know the money being a server is easy and hard to give up.. I worked as a server through nursing school myself a single mom w/ 2 kids, school became very demanding and I had to give up a lot, I slowly gave up shifts and I guess just got used to what I had, eventually found something in the Nursing field which gave me experience in Nursing ( actually got the job beacause I knew the family from coming into the retaurant!) . So maybe cut back your shifts a little at a time you will get used to it. Oh, I am still working for the family, now as a nurse w/homecare, I work part time at a hospital and well, I still cant give up my weekends at the restaurant, my boss works around my schedule! The money is too easy and besides my friends all work there and its like a night out for me. Good Luck, school needs your attention, believe me, the money will come back to you!! You need time to study..

I have been off of oreintation for three weeks now, some ok days and days like yesterday, I had my first emotional crisis...I am on a med/surg floor I had 8 pts, 2-vents 1 who condition is slowly deteriorating, vent alarm going off every 15 min, kept having to call resp, helping the docs who were in and out, my other vent pt crying telling me she wants to give up, spent a lot of time trying to console and comfort her, 1 pt in bilat wrist restraints which I didnt find out in report saw this when I walked in the room, later got out of restraints, knocked over Iv pole, peg feed all over, called for help, no ativan or anything ordered took doc 4 ever to come evaluate, one pt on bladder training ---clamp, umclamp take pt to bathroom ( aide was too busy...) every two hours, and well I guess my other pts were pretty good on this team. I broke down when I went in to tell my nurse manager I needed help...She tried but she was real busy too.. I left thinking of all the things I forgot to do..and I left two hours later than usual. Oh forgot to tell you how it all started.. I was crushing meds w/ this dumb hammer and yes I hit my little pinky!!!! Just looking for some consoling I guess, I feel incapable right now.

Hi LUVtxNSG, not bad my second day off of orientation I was on nights 12 patients, and then when I gave report in the AM got blasted for not having a new IV bag on a pt! I dont know every place has their horror stories one worse than the next, I am dissappointed this is something I always wanted to do and I am very frustrated...

Hey llg, thanks for responding, I was told one or two nights , 5 nights of the 10 days I will be working. I guess that was what I was trying to avoid, "complaining", yes I need to clarify (thanks). The other problem is I dont think there is a norm for this unit. (When other people I know ask what unit I am on, they roll their eyes at my response. Well I guess I am learning a lot after accepting my first nursing job. I almost feel as though they told me what I wanted t hear just so I took the job! Thanks again, and I will clarify..

Hi, I was hired for part time days w/ rotations, at the time they told me a night here and there, which to me meant maybe 2 nights a month. Well now that I am off orientation and on my own I find out next month I am working 5 nights and my second holiday. I already worked Memorial Day night and they have me scheduled for 4th July night. I dont know if this happens everywhere or am I being taken advantage of? I think they have a staffing and scheduling problem. I was already asked twice last week to work late. I did one day. Help guide me to find out what I should do. I dont want to wind up a disgruntled emplyee!!!

Well, it is my second night tonight off of orientation, I call this period nusrsing boot camp! Hang tough and become a trooper!. I love what I do, i am on a surgical floor, ortho, gyno, general mixed w/ some medical ( I dont know what is going on where I am but lately we seem to have just about everything.) My first night off orientation I had 8 pts two were vents! I just took my time w/ unfamiliar things , still asked a lot of questions (someone is always there to help) I had a routine w/ my preceptor but once you are on your own you find you own method to the madness.. If I have touched one person in a way that made them feel better on my shift, I leave knowing that I did a good job, even on the crappiest shifts!!:trout: :pumpiron:

yay congrats!!!! DALE:balloons: :balloons: way to go............

Hey, Hamburg Im Prosting (I don't know if it is correct spelling) for you.. I think you did ok... I just passed w/ 75 . didn't have a clue how I did. You go enjoy your trip, have a few Spatens for your support crew here in the forum! Good LuCK!!!:beer:

YAY MALIRE.......:balloons: :balloons: :monkeydance: Congratulations... I'm sure you feel much better..I passed too and flying high!!! good luck

Hey InkBha, I used Saunder's 3rd edition Q&A, boook and CD, read all the strategies on how to answer questions quite a few times andswered over 3000 questions, also NCLEX 3000. Read rationales, they are very important (the correct ones and wrong). I is important to understand what the questions are asking, take your time. As far as content my school pretty much had me prepared for that so just reviewed weak areas.. Know lab values ... questions , questions, questions... Pay attention to prioritization, analysis and review infection control... If I think of more I will post it... Oh yeah I was also held prisoner to my computer and desk for about 2 months!! Forget about the house work, 48hrs after the NCLEX you will have plenty of nervous energy to clean it!!! The 2 days before I did not answer any questions, just went over lab values.. Good Luck :sofahider

Wow, what can I say, everyone here has been so helpful and supportive. I PASSED w/75. The weeks before and the two agonizing days after this forum has helped me so much! I can now move on with my life. I will be here to support future test takers and offer any tips that have helped me out!! Love you Guys Luck to all who are taking the NCLEX :angryfire

Hey, Zoemoe, Dalegirl...Hang in there, I think if you mostly delegation/proirty and I also had meds I never heard of..They are most likely higher questions..You probably both did well! Keep us posted.. I know that feeling, the NCLEX feeling is something that is hard to forget Best to both of you..

I was a wreck for the last 48 HRS.... I DID IT!!! :monkeydance: :monkeydance: :monkeydance: :monkeydance: :monkeydance: That test was evil:angryfire , but I faced fear in the face and conquered it!!!!

Hi You can't bring anything into the room. They give you a dry erase board, earplugs, if you need a candy or gum it has to be unwrapped on a tissue, they give you tissues if you need. You are offfered a break after 75 q, if you need another you raise your hand. The clock keeps going.. Good Luck I am waiting for my results any hour now.. say a prayer for me....