Leesha

Is it worth it to get certified in infusion therapy when you already have experience on a Med/Surg floor? I feel like I have experience with hanging fluids, antibiotics and with different types of access. Just wondering if anyone has thoughts on this. Thank you!!

Has anyone ever been told that evidence based practice suggests that new grads do better when precepted by new nurses? And by a new nurse I mean nurses that have been in practice less than one year. Any feedback would be appreciated. Leesha 😷

Just wondering what everyone's policy is regarding supplementing potassium where you work. I work in a large hospital and there is one nurse in particular that insists that everyone's potassium should be at least 4. My thought is that as long as they are 3.5 to 5 and their magnesium is 1.6 to 2 then that should be good. The only exception I see is if they are on tele and have a significant cardiac history then their potassium should be at least 4. I'm curious about how other nurses feel about this. Leesha BSN, RN-BC

I don't think age should prevent you from pursuing your passion. Only you know what you are capable of handling. Nursing is very mentally and physically taxing but there are a variety of areas available to work in. I personally applaud your desire to go back to school. Best of luck to you!!

First of all you don't have any idea what I have or intend to do to facilitate change. There is a right and wrong way to speak to people whether on a public forum or not. Not everyone has that ability which is sad.

I agree that the managers job is tough and thankless. From what I understand being there less than a year these problems have always existed. I know there are problems everywhere. I appreciate those of you that have given constructive advice. I'm not looking to leave where I am, just trying to find ways to stay positive. I have been a member of this forum for many years and sometimes we just need to vent which is what I was trying to do. I will be deleting this post and from now on will just read about other people in similar situations. Hopefully those that are critical will not find themselves in situations where they need to vent or seek advice. Thank you to all of you that understand and can relate.

It is a managers problem to fix when all of their staff are leaving. We know what the problems are and have made them aware but they are not fixing it. I'm not unhappy there nor have I said that I was. I am sad and discouraged that so many good nurses are leaving. I'm trying to stay positive among so much negativity. This is a forum to discuss these things among peers but not to get slammed with judgements. Maybe we should all just post about rainbows and unicorns?

True, but it's not my problem to assess. Management is aware of why people are unhappy but nothing changes. I don't agree that the grass is always greener somewhere else so I choose to stay and am trying to find ways to stay motivated to do that.

I am currently working in a large hospital on a very busy Med/Surg floor. I have been a nurse for 4 1/2 years and have been at this hospital for 9 months. Since working there I have seen 9 nurses leave. I have no intention of leaving myself but my question is how do you stay motivated when things seem to be falling apart around you? Everyone is very negative and unhappy. We are always short staffed, the acuity of our patients is very high and we have a non-confrontational manager. There are currently 4 more nurses planning to leave. I'm feeling very discouraged.

I think that many of the "non-health" related requests can be delegated to the nursing assistant. Seems like a pretty easy fix to me and certainly not worth getting up in arms about in my opinion. We will all have these patients no matter where we work...they are everywhere!!

I attended Grand Canyon for my BSN. I chose them because they were the least expensive. I had some frustrations along the way. They kept changing their minds in regards to which classes I would get credit for from my Associates degree. They also changed my counselor 3 times. The program itself was not difficult....just time consuming which I'm sure they all are. Good luck in your decision!!!

Why would you maintain a lower license?

Maybe I'm confused but it's always been my understanding get that if you get a higher licensure it trumps all others. So if you had your LPN previously and then obtained your RN then the LPN license is no longer valid.

Thank you Flames9_RN!

I just graduated today from Grand Canyon University with my BSN 😊 Good luck to all of you going through it! You will be great!

This all happened after my transcripts were submitted. And 2 of the advisors gave me different answers. I am very frustrated and disappointed with their program. I should be graduating right now

I had a problem with my laptop crashing and then I went and bought an iMac....problem solved :)

I would feel much better about almost being finished if I didn't still have 3 classes to test out of Has anyone else been told they were 6 credits short and then towards the end of the program get told that they are 12 credits short?? I have also had 3 different advisors during this program. I have to say I am less than impressed....

We need to take every patient situation as a learning experience. We only have so many medications and interventions at our disposal and sometimes despite our best efforts it just isn't enough. I have always felt that my co-workers are a tremendous resource. Many times it takes someone else on the outside looking in to think of a new approach that you haven't thought to try. Best of luck to you in the future :)

I would say to find a Hospice service that has a good reputation and apply. I have been with my Hospice company for almost a year and I LOVE it!!!! I was hired without any previous Hospice experience also. :) Good luck!!!

At my company we pick up what we can. During our RN meetings they pass around the calendar for the upcoming month with the shifts that they need covered and we pick up what we are able to do. For the most part we have regular PRN nurses that pick up quite often.

I also worked in a nursing home on the rehab side for a year and a half. I was also getting bottom of the barrel pay the same as you. I just recently started at a hospice facility. I am still in orientation but I can tell you that it seems less stressful and the pay is certainly better! Good luck! Leesha-RN

I just recently started with Heartland PRN. I am still going through orientation but so far I like it and everyone is very supportive and helpful. I am attempting to work full time instead of just PRN now. Leesha-RN

I am also working at a similar facility. I'm not thrilled with it either...although I have made it there for over a year now. I recently took a PRN position at a neuro-rehab hospital. For me it's the best way to try out a new place without leaving my full time job entirely. I am able to work my full time job Monday through Friday and pick up at the hospital on weekends. I hope you can find something similar. Good luck, Leesha

I typed up a list of all the tasks that I had to finish in a shift. I laminated the list and then use a dry erase marker to check of each item as I complete it. It worked well for me until I got everything memorized and created a system. I hope you find something that works for you. Good luck, Leesha