2banurse

These are the stories I love to hear...hearing about phobias of sticking needles and winding up becoming a specialist in just that. Thank you, Kris

Hi Laura, I have to agree with many of the posts that have been posted. I, too, worry about the stresses of nursing school and also have some of the self-doubt you have. About whether or not you should be a nurse, is a personal decision. But keep in mind that with nursing you have many avenues once you are finished with school. No one says that once you finish nursing school that you have to spend upteen years working as a bedside nurse, if that is not what you want. Perhaps, it can be a springboard to other avenues. With your BSN, you will have even more options than someone with an ADN. There are so many ways that you can be advocates to your patients. Take one day at a time...don't worry about tomorrow yet. If things are really overwhelming, take a semester off. Maybe you can get some CNA training and work for a while to see if nursing is for you. Think also of what you want to accomplish. This way you'll know that this process of going to nursing school is just that...a step to take to bring you to your goal. Kris

I definitely don't think you did anything wrong. I know as a patient I would definitely appreciate your being there versus the doctor. I think his acting out like he is his problem. You did everything in your power to make sure that he was aware of his patient's care. I would do what mother/babyRn suggests since you will be working with this MD, but I wouldn't let it get to you. Good job! Kris

Of course you feel overwhelmed...it is new for you, but before you know it, you will be precepting a new nurse and you'll be sharing your experiences. And like you said, the doctor was a jerk...unfortunately some still believe that they are next to God, the only thing they are next to is a smarter nurse. Kris

It is such a reflex but I would feel uncomfortable not saying Mr. or Mrs. ____. I still call my best friend's parents by Mr. and Mrs. although I've known them for almost 40 years. I actually cringe when other friends of my best friend calls her parents by their first name. I would definitely call a patient Mr. and Mrs. and would only change if the patient really stressed that they would prefer to be called by their first name. Kris

Hi Evi, as a returning student I felt the same way and I always do during the first week or so of class. I honestly feel that it is a way for the professors to let some students know that they are not in high school any more and more studying will be required. It is usually until I have my first test when I know how it will go, then I always can breath a little easier. You've received a lot of great advice on studying. You will find that even when you don't have a book or notes in front of you, you will think about A&P. When it came to memorizing the bones and muscles, I would break them down to smaller groups and get them memorized and then I would work on the next small group. It was one of the classes that I really had to apply myself to and study hard, but it paid off. Also, A&P2 is nothing like A&P 1. To many students, A&P2 is a breeze compared to A&P1. Also...YOU ARE NOT ALONE...I can bet that there are many students feeling the same way you are feeling now. Good luck! Kris

I think that until you really start working as a nurse, not doing your clinicals, you will not get the full experience. If med-surg is not for you, it's not for you. Since you have said that you did well with the OB rotation in which you included NICU, you'll never know until you get further into it. Don't give up heart...who knows? Do what you enjoy, that's the most important thing. Kris

Although I definitely don't agree with the View and its depiction of nursing, I don't think that it will have an effect on those wanting to become nurses. Those that really want to become a nurse will like many on this BB take exception to this view. Those that do "change their career direction" because of this depiction weren't very into nursing in the first place. What they should do is have some patients go on TV and tell about their experiences in the hospital, specifically who their chief caregivers were and how very briefly they see their doctors. Kris

Yesterday, I had to go myself for blood work and I was totally amazed at the phlebotomist who took my blood. She did it so fast (and absolutely no bruising at all). For me, I thought it was a great lesson. Hesitation makes it more painful because it gives the brain more time to receive this information. I have a friend who is working as an ER tech and phlebotomy is a major portion of her position. The trick is to do as many as possible. Good for you. Now that your first stick is done (not to mention your doing it on a loved one), subsequent ones will not be near as anxiety prone. Kris

Hi dianah, I too, would like to thank you. I've always been interested in radiology, and should I be accepted into the ADN program, this is the route I wish to go. Thank you for giving a clearer view of what a Radiology RN would do. Kris

You are a Godsend, -jt, thank you very much. I was going by what I saw on both the NYU Medical Center and Mount Sinai Hospital Websites, both of which seemed to emphasize BSN. Thanks, again, Kris

Great advice cyberkat, it is amazing how expensive it can be for legal fees. Kris

I haven't taken any online classes myself, I need to be physically present. However, if this is for a English Comp class, it'll pretty much be comprised of a lot of writing, essays, a paper, etc. It might be worth considering. Just make sure that you are the self-disciplined type.

-jt, first thank you for the information which is most appreciated. Second, is it possible to get a position in one of the NYC hospitals if you receive your RN through an ADN program, or is a BSN a must have. I do plan on getting my BSN, but I would love to be able to work in the city once I finish my ADN. Thanks in advance! Kris

Well, it is my intention that when I finish my RN, I will move back up to NY (I can't wait!). The thing is, to work in Manhattan, most hospitals require a BSN. I myself am trying to decide if I should get my BSN down here or go back up to Long Island (my home) work and go to school for my BSN up there. I myself have been looking into Adelphi which seems to have a good nursing program. It is amazing the differences in salary between here in Florida and in NY, and believe me, the cost of living isn't all that different (Of course I'm comparing Long Island and Florida, not Manhattan).