MelBel

So I'm just a few days shy of my one-year anniversary. I can't possibly write everything here that I have learned in the past year, or explain just how much my life has changed because of nursing. In my first year, I wanted to quit my job, and looke...

I work 12s (7p-7a) and our weekend is sat/sun night (sat/sun for days). I have learned to make an effort and when I put in my schedule request, I will work Fri/Sat/Sun on "my" weekend, so then I can request off Fridays on my weekend off. Otherwise ...

I would NOT do it if it was against the policy, unless it was a truly life or death matter for the patient. If something had been wrong with the meds, you would have gotten in a lot more trouble for not following policy. And as nurses, we have to b...

I'm glad you posted this, because I've had several patients with pretty bad stage IVs, and NEVER considered that this might happen to me! I expect some bleeding at times, but not like that! At least now if it DOES happen, I can think back to this and...

Short answer...everyone is different. I completed my entire RN in 2 years, doing nursing and gen eds at the same time. I worked full-time during the second year (part-time the first), and actually managed to have a LITTLE bit of a social life. (I als...

I'm just wondering if anyone else has or has had this problem, and can give me any advice! I'm young (22) and look ever younger (people tell me I'll appreciate it later). I'm an RN, and I get a mix of emotions from patients and their families when I ...

So for some unknown reason, this past week my unit was more OVERstaffed than understaffed. I averaged 5 pts/night this week, and no more than 6. (8-9 is our norm) Things that happen when we have enough staff: - My meds are passed on time. - I don't ...

The other interesting part of this is that last night I had 4 patients. We only had 1 PCA, but it didn't make too much of a difference because every nurse had few enough patients to do their own total care. 3 of my 4 patients thanked me profusely fo...

I just wanted to share that I am now officially on my first vacation after starting nursing! Started in June, have worked a 36+ hr week since then, and now I have no work for 2 full weeks. Just wanted to give something for others to look forward to.....

I'm 22, was 21 when I started working....another new nurse is 23, but besides us, everyone on my floor is over 30. I was used to working jobs where everyone was about the same age as me, but it didn't take long for us to just become another nurse, as...

On nights we can get up to 8-9 patients per nurse. If the ER tries to send more, I always call the supervisor before accepting to see if they are aware. If we are having a good night, I tell them that we are going above our ratios, but I will accep...

We just hired a nurse on my unit who has been a nurse for about a year, but mostly in long term care. She is entitled to the same length orientation as the new grad we just hired. But that has to do with our union contract....so I'm sure it depends...

I've been charge since coming off orientation...on our floor SOMEONE has to take charge, and we only have 4 staff nurses on nights...3 of us started at the same time last June. If the more experienced nurse is working, she does it, otherwise it is u...

I've realized that everyone needs a different kind of schedule...so experiment and find what works for you! On my first day on, I go to sleep about 2am the night before, wake up at 8, run some errands, and then nap about 12-4. I make my "half days" m...

My second preceptor had the style of "do it for yourself, come find me when you need to". But she was ALWAYS available, and she also always knew what was going on with my patients. She made me think through things, and never just gave me the answer...

I think if you notified the MD and documented, you did all you can. I probably would have asked the MD if they would want some Lasix given...but other than that, exactly what you did.

I thought he was more gray than blue....but that is just me :)

I personally love the hours! I work every 3rd weekend, and 1 out of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years; and then 1 out of Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day. Other than that, the schedule is very flexible. I can plan my weekends WAY ahead...

I hate my job somedays, but I really do like what I'm doing. I enjoy caring for people. I enjoy the challenge of a difficult patient. I find many medical diagnoses incredibly interesting, and I really enjoy poking people with needles, sticking tubes...

1. What degree did you get? Eg: AA, BSN.. Have you had other degrees in different fields? Associates...planning on the BSN and MSN eventually 2. Why did you pursue this career (demand, family request, your own interest, money, passion, etc) woke u...

I don't have mandatory overtime...which is nice because I can pass my report to whoever shows up, and I can leave. The bad part being the same thing also happens to me on occasion. We do end up working short quite a bit. I don't think I would work a...

I worked Fri/Sat this weekend, and have to go back tonight. Friday night was BUSY BUSY...9pts, charge, transfusion going, 1admission...things were ALMOST under control when at 0445 my patient who was supposed to be discharged to home at 0800 (ride...

8-9 pts on my med surg floor is pretty typical (nights). This weekend I've had 8 or 9 along with charge. I've been a nurse 8 months. The other 2 nurses I've been working with are travelers. Friday night I had a patient fall, last night I had a pat...

Working geriatrics, we get a lot of "expected" deaths. We also have a hospice room...people come to that room to die. We also get younger patients who die young for one reason or another. I thought I wouldn't handle it well, but death is a natural ...

I know of someone who just moved to be with her boyfriend after about 8 months at her first job. I know that she had NO problem finding a new one, and from my experience, being about 8 months in, it was definitely not a wasted 8 months! 8 months sou...