merCful

To allnurses.com staff and members, I thank God for this website. I first discovered this site when I had recieved my acceptance letter for nursing school. I would frequently visit the student forums throughout the two years of the program just so that I could remind myself that ..."You are not alone." I cried through many posts and shared with many of the members frustrations of nursing school. I was not alone. You all were here. And you are still here. I graduated on December and I took the NCLEX @ 1pm Feb. 23rd. I couldn't sleep the night before because so many things were running through my mind. I kept thinking outloud the lab values and pathos for different diseases. I nearly drove my husband insane. I finally did get some shut eye, but it was only for two hours. I had a dream that the questions would consist of GI disorders. My nerves woke me up and I was back at the computer reviewing the GI disorders I felt that I was weak on. When it was time for me to leave for the test.......I was too tired to panic. I read a scripture from my Bible - Psalms 121. Then I said a short prayer. My scheduled time was for 2pm but I got there an hour early because I wasn't too sure about traffic. The guy at the front desk asked me if I was ready to take the test. OMG, what???? I'm scheduled for 2pm and it's only 1pm???? I freaked out. I said, "Um...I guess so." I read the rules and got my fingerprint and photo taken. I suddenly had an urge to pee so I asked for the bathroom key. While peeing I though out the patho on acute renal failure. Then while washing my hands I thought about whether I needed to wear a mask when caring for a patient with measles. The walk back to the room seemed like forever. I felt like I was going to the death chamber......DEAD MAN WALKING. I got back to the room and I was taken into the glassed room. I was seated at a corner booth. I plugged my ears and I took off my jacket because the room was pretty warm. I chose not to wear a bra because I normally study without one and I didn't want a bra irritating me during the exam. I don't know where the cameras were but I really did not care at this point. Just let me at it already!!! I remember that I kept staring down at the number to see how many more till I get to 75. To me, the exam questions were so much like ATI in that I was not absolutely certain on the answers. I had so many SATAs, prioritization and delegation, no math, a couple pharm and safety precautions. When it shut off after 75, I was relieved. I looked down at the clock......2:15pm. Hmmm. I quickly put my jacket on and raised my hand. I got my things and left the building with my head down. Thoughts of "OMG YOU FAILED" bounced in my head. I called my husband to let him know that I was finished. He said that I need not worry because he was SURE that I passed. At about 12pm today I went to the pearson site and checked if my results were in. I put in my credit card number and clicked next. PASS. Praise be to God!!! :bowingpur:bowingpur I am so happy that its finally over. Thanks to all who have posted in this site for your encouraging words and wonderful studying tips. I hope that my NCLEX story will be as helpful to anyone. Good luck to all of you who are waiting to take the NCLEX. :redbeathe

Thank you so much Jolie for taking the time to research. I found the site that you posted very helpful. As far as I can remember, the scenario in the exam did not state a specific Coombs' test. Thanks, once again. I'll let you guys know if I get the 2 points LOL

We had a question on our exam about the administration of RhoGAM to a Rh negative mother. The doctor ordered RhoGAM to be given. Before giving the shot, what would the nurse do? This was all the information given in the scenario. I chose the answer stating for the nurse to verify that Coombs' Test was negative. The correct answer, according to the instructor, is for the nurse to verify that the newborn is Rh positive. According to her, for this case, it did not matter whether the Coombs' Test is negative or not. My question is, would the nurse administer RhoGAM if the Coombs' Test were positive? No, right? The textbook does not go into detail about the Coombs' test, but it does state in the nursing considerations, that before adminstration of the drug, nurse must verify that mother is Rh negative, that the Coombs' Test is negative and that the baby is Rh positive. In that order! I sent an email to the instructor asking for her to review the question and told her that I agree with the answer but that the Coombs' test answer is also correct. Sigh. Thanks for listening.

I'm a nursing student currently doing my OB rotation. I am doing a term project on Adoption and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with open or close adoption cases on the L & D or PP units. Thank you.

http://labtestonline.org This site was posted in one of the threads. I found it very useful.

Oh goodness, what a tough question. I would go with C because of the saftey issue of "falling out of bed". I wouldn't place the possibilty of the catheter being pulled off on the top of my list, though it is serious. Hope you got the question right!

It is tough being a mother, wife and student. My son was in the 5th grade when I started my pre reqs. I had a full time day job and my husband would pick him up after school while I attended evening classes. I managed to ace all my pre reqs which proved to my husband how much I wanted to be a nurse. He was frustrated at first when I decided to go on-call at work and be a full time student to finish up the core courses. Now that I got into the nursing program, my husband is so supportive. My son on the other hand has been my rock. He is in the 7th grade now. He keeps me focused on my studies, testing me before my exams. He has learned so many medical terms and is such a helpful volunteer patient for me to practice some of my assessment skills and other nursing procedures. I wish you much success in your studies and hope that you have great family support to help you out with your child. One of my biggest concerns was financial. I hope you signed up for financial aid or scholarships. Take care.

Hi Laura, I'd keep my gloves on for this procedure. But then, I'm a germaphobe. You probably can remove the glove on your dominant hand after application of the condom. Then hold up the member with your non-dominant gloved hand and place adhesive on the condom at the base of member with your dominant hand.

Great post Daytonite, thanks! I too am learning how to write up careplans. Focusing on the 2+ edema, I too would go with Ineffective tissue perfusion: peripheral r/t mechanical reduction of venous blood flow AEB 2+ edema. outcome: Within 1 wk. pt. will demonstrate adequate tissue perfusion as evidenced by absence of edema. outcome: Within 2 wks pt will identify changes in lifestyle that are needed to increase tissue perfusion. intervention: elevate edematous legs as ordered and ensure that there is no pressure under the knee. intervention: observe for signs of DVT intervention: teach the importance of wearing compression stockings, elevating the legs at intervals and watching for skin breakdown on the legs.