Darlene K.

I did it. Not much time for sleep or fun - but it can be done. Question, if you have completed all of your prereq for your RN, why not just go for it? It sounds like you could have your RN in about the same amount of time you would need for your LPN. Good luck either way!

Look at this way.....In a 12 hour shift there are 720 minutes - divided by 86 residents = 8.3 minutes each. What was the question?

When I used to work M/S, I made up my own report sheets on my computer. I had an outline for everything that I thought I would need to know. Such as: Recent labs/studies___, IV __, MD__, Consults__, Dressing changes__ and so on. All I had to do was fill in the blanks. I always held on the these report sheets from shift to shift for quick reference in case I had the patient the next shift. I did this so I would be prepared for whatever I thought the on coming nurse would ask me. It worked well for taking report too. I hated being put on the spot and having to go to the chart to try and look up the answer in the midst of report. Try to pace yourself so that the last hour of your shift you can prepare for the on coming shift (to tidy up so to speak). Eyeball your patients one last time, glance around their room and so on. In my experience, nurses that try to make you look (or feel) stupid, usually will do this to anyone not in "their circle". It's their personality. Don't bother trying to impress them, because you won't. Just have your facts ready for report. If you don't have the answer to one of their questions, if it's that important they can look it up themselves, your shift is over. As you do your walking report, you shouldn't have any surprises because you just checked each room prior to shift change. Best of luck to you.

You did the right thing by letting your preceptor know what had happened, that took courage. No one should yell at you period....but should have spoken to you privately. Best of luck to you.

I have to agree with all the above posters. Seems inappropriate.

I believe that Hep B vacs are given in a series of 3. Shot #1 then 30 days later shot #2 then 6 months later shot #3. Not sure about the liability situation. But I find it hard to believe that documentation was "forgotten" three times. There should be some financial record to go along with the medical record to help research this. I believe it is usually better if you are unsure or don't know the answer to their question, to tell the patient that you will call them back when you do have the correct answer. We have all been there and done that with an accidental "slip of the tongue".

I work in a surgical prep area. If time allows I will usually get them started. If not, Anesthesia will start them in pre op holding.

You are right. As long as you pass NC1 on the first try, you can skip NC2.

When I worked in an area that required an RN to "cover me", the RN's did not get extra pay. The assignments were divided so that the RN had 4-5 patients and I had 6-7 patients. This was to allow the RN more time to assist me if needed. We were not allowed to give meds I.V. push, so I almost always would hang my meds in a "mini bag". If I did need to call the RN to assist me, I would offer to help her with something. This way we developed a win/win relationship.

1. Check your patient(s) arm band everytime. 2. When you take medication from the pixis - take the time to look at it, make sure it's the correct medication. Pharmacy isn't perfect, I have found many medications in the wrong bin of a pixis. 3. Be extra careful when dealing with narcotics. Don't witness a waste, that you didn't witness.

Really? I work for a magnet hospital and haven't seen any of that!

I work in Surgical Prep (full-time) and Pediatric ER PRN.

What town do you live in?

I work at TGH - Pay is is pretty good. Benefits are excellent.

I get 8 hours of PTO per pay period (every two weeks) comes out to 26 PTO per year. I believe it's adequate. I also get professional days, for example to renew ACLS, PALS and so on.