JBGC4

I have chronic low back ache. I have learned Danskos make my back feel like a million bucks!!! No back ache!!! I do say, they need to be broke in. I wore mine around my house for about a week before clinicals started and that helped a ton.

Tube feedings: We've been told YES, give meds together when they are compatable. The rationale is that they all end up in the stomach together. Is your question based on the fact that you are giving crushed and dissolved pills and are wondering about the patency of the tube? I still think you could mix them together and give them. It's been awhile since I looked at those details, (summer break and all). YES, it does say in the text to give meds one at a time, and that is what you would put as an answer for NCLEX. Head to toe: I learned from a very experienced ICU nurse show me how she does her quick head to toe. She actually did her assessment, then told me which was crazy b/c I didn't see her do anything, she was that good! While she was asked some questions she casually had her hands on the womans feet checking pps etc. It was amazing!!! I think w/ experience you will learn which head to toe assessment aspects are vital at the time pertaining to the patient needs. I think as students, we are so afraid to miss a thing and are just learning, but that someday, we too will get there. Vitals- I believe this is hospital policy and/or dr's orders. The hospital that I have done clinicals for are q4hrs. However, we need to vitals and assess every time we give a med.

The students in my program find errors on test all the time. The instructors rarely re-write the tests, so when given to us in 2010, some things (although not many) have changed. There is always a time and a place to discuss these things w/ the instructor, in their office. It's up to the students to see their tests after grading and see what they missed. It's at that time they can maturely discuss any differences in view.

I'm not a single parent. I just wanted to put that the single parents that I do know and are doing this get my full admiration. They are an inspiration to me. Everytime I think I can't do this, I think of those who are doing it your way and I shape up. There is no greater parent who can put their best feet foward and take care of themselves and face the challenges for their childrens benefit. Best of Luck!!!!

Humor- even w/ things/people you distaste.

Yes. I have two children both under the age 5 and under. Some women can do it all. I'm not one of them, although I wish I was!!! I have to pick and choose the chores that get done at the house. My very supportive husband works many hours, most of them at night, so house work for him is a little out of the question. I don't complain as long as he keeps the kids out of my hair when he is home and I need to study. I hate how my house feels but keep certain areas clean, like the kitchen and bathrooms. I don't cook the way I used to. We eat frozen meals and take out. These things do bother me, don't get me wrong, but for me, any extra time I do have outside of school I put towards my family quality fun. Getting and education and spending time w/ my family are priorities. The house can wait but school can not. The house will still be here, but someday my kids will be living their own lives. Right now, they are all mine. You can get through this. The majority of people in my program are parents. We tend to get better grades than the ones who are not. Why? I figure b/c we aren't trying to keep social lives in the schedule, lol!

If you google Dosage Calculations, you will find thousands of websites you can sort through and find what it is you are looking for.

I need to hit the books and videos from last year. I feel like I've got summer break fog. I think I've forgotten some skills. Let me know I'm not alone. lol

I don't regret it, but I do have days when I seriously look at myself in the mirror and say, "what have you gotten yourself into." Then I remember that the only person that can stop me from becoming a nurse is myself, not my school. I try my best to keep a positive attitude and use humor to get me through the tough instructors.

I don't have alot of advice here other than what some of the other posters have posted. I just wanted to say that it IS okay you feel saddened for yourself despite your grandmothers ailments. You can feel any way you want. I just ask that you don't give up!!!

We were told from our director during orientation not to expect to get straight A's. I think it's possible as we get a few students a year that get straigt A's. Seriously, a few. I think they warn us so that students don't become too distraught during core classes. Anything is possible. One of our past students who got straight A's spoke english as her second language for Gods sake. Can you imagine? She was the only straight A student that year. I think it depends on the school, personal situations, attitude, instructor. Not that I'm blaming instructors. I love all mine, but some are much, much easier than others. We have two grades. Clinical and lecture. My clinical grade is the grade I watch the most.

Look in your medical diagnosis handbook.

For the most part, my instructors have been amazing. The only thing I would say is, "I'm an adult learner, so please, treat me like and adult. I'm a wife, a mother of two, not some kid in HS w/ very little experience of daily living."

All the time.

I know you have to have your CPR. There was no question mark behind my comment. I was merely making a statement. I understand by making conditions worse by moving a person, such as broken bones. But if they're not breathing, clearly their biggest need is Oxygen, as it is always number. I like what one poster said about even just being human and holding a hand. I'm not at all saying you did anything wrong. I've never seen an accident before so I'm not sure what exactly I would have done. I like to think I would have stopped.