JMDRN09

Oh thank you....I feel like I am sitting right in class...I am so envious of all the knowledge you all have. I hope to one day be your shoes. I really enjoy the heart and feel this may be a direction I may focus on in the future. Again thanks so much. I am definately going to be visiting this site more often. Everyone is so helpful in my understanding of what goes on with the body.

OH YEAH....I thought that was what that was...agonal just couldn't place it. So when this type of breathing occurs it is detrimental to do something asap if called for? I see this type of breathing a lot with our hospice patients and you are right it is pretty quick to progress to death. Thanks so much for all the insight out there. I am so grateful for the information. I feel as if I don't know anything...how long does it take for a confidence to emerge in your practice post graduation? Also when you find your "nitche" does it happen like a "WOW" moment or do you tend to gravitate to your strenghts and let things just flow...

Oh thank you...I will definately ask the RT person...I have sooooo mush to learn. The last particular person was end-stage renal failure with mets. When I came into the room he had apnic breathing (whats the other name for this type of breathing again) with his eyes rolled back and no carodid pulse. I told the RN she better find out if he is full code asap (she herself was a new grad...did not think she should have had a pt with such a high acuity..) and got him ready for CPR. He was a full code but unfortunatley he passed...

I am a soon to be RN graduate. I work on a med-surg floor and have a question that not one of the nurses who work with me can answer. When a person codes where does the fluid that RT suctions out come from...most times it is dark brownish,coffee ground appearence. This is my theroy...I understand when a pt goes into heart failure their ventricles, for whatever reason, do not pump effectively and blood may pool or get backed up into the lungs. This causes congestion in the alveoli which then causes further congestion in the capilaries filling the alveoli with more fluid and congestion. I also think that the LES sphincter lets loose and stomach/GI contents may find their way back up thru the mouth needing to be suctioned to prevent possible aspiration. Please correct me and fill me in on this burning question. Any and all responsed would be appreciated. Thanks!

I found LPN school to be challenging during the course of it but now going into the second half of the RN portion of it the LPN aspect of it was much less challenging. Word of advise-do your readings and really listen during lecture and get a job on a Med-Surg floor. Doing those few things will really help you with the transition between each section. For me it was like a huge slap in the face! I had a really hard time with the inital transition and the increased base of knowledge was almost overwhelming. You can do it though, keep your chin up and think of how much better you will feel about yourself and the confidence you will have. It is worth it. Wish me luck graduation is around the corner!!

I too look forward to not being soooooo broke! I have 4 kids and an ex that has been laid off for almost 2yrs and my husband can only work so much. Going to school full time does not leave me any free time to work except on the weekends. So to be home every other Sat./Sun will be nice, paying my bills ON TIME and buying a house are high on my list after graduation. Also, I'd like to buy my hubby a newer truck for all the hard work he has put in the last few years since I have been in school. One more thing, won't it be nice to go shopping and not have to tally up your order prior to getting to the check-out so you know you have enough to cover it? Happy Day!!

Thanks for info. I am in the midwest and currently hold an intern position on a med-surg floor but am told there is a hireing freeze going on and am not guareenteed a position upon graduation. I work for a very large heathcare corporation and am given the opportunity to move to another location as a transfer just was not sure if specialty areas hire new grads. Again thanks for the info. Good luck with your life journey.

I say go with your gut. If you hate something and can not make it work you should let it go. I understand your time and effort would be wasted but to be totally honest you only have one life and I for sure would not want to go about in such a miserable state. I also think that nursing is a field that takes utmost devotion and if your heart is not there it will show in your patient care. I do not think you a horrible person just someone finding your way. I would hate to see all your hard work get thrown out the door so may I recommend talking with others to see if your degree may be applied toward and area of interest that may be more satisfying. Good luck with your life journey.

I am a nursing student and woulf appreciate a few bits of advice. My plan is to work med-surg for at least a year after graduation and thought that I might want to get into a specialty after that. I am interested in cardiology and GI. I love Med-Surg but to be honest it seems to be one of the most demanding realms of nursing with the worst schedule and pay. I want to know what else is out there and where should I look. I want to plan ahead in the most efficient manner possible. I know I am really "green" and hate to ask others their pay but I would ideally like to make $30hr. Is that possible? What should starting pay be for a new grad and what can I expect. Also what are the thoughts on 8hr shifts vs. 12hr? What about burnout?

I say take it with a heartfelt "thank you" and save the info you need and let go of the stuff you don't. New nurses need all the help they can get and if smart take it from all willing teachers. Love the ones that paved the way for you and learn from them, they have invaluable info and in all fairness really want to see new nurses succeed.

Thanks for the advise. I think I am on the good road just having a hard time seeing the end. I don't strive for perfection but want a good grasp on the material and am "ok" with learning to fine tune once I get on the floor. Is this realistic? Going back to the beginning reading the material in our textbooks is (what I think) essential to success. Too many students get by without opening a book and I think you need to know why something is happening in order to get a handle on how to fix it. Ex. why is someone going into diabetic hyperglycemia-is it not important to understant why this is happening not just how to fix it? Maybe I am old school. . . hope old school leads me down the yellow brick road and to the emerald city with bells on! Thanks for all the help- God knows I need it.

You are what I strive to be. I read as much as my brain will tolerate and find a lot of info from surfing the web.

"Everyone that takes the exam is going to get 50% correct and 50% incorrect. The level that you get the majority of the passing answers at determines if one passes or not. " can you explain this to me. What am I not getting about this. The level that you get the majority of the passing answers at determines if one passes or not. What!

JENNIFER THANK YOU!!!!!! I have been having that debate with students in my classes for weeks! I work at one of WI major metro hospitals and you need to know what is what in the nursing world if you don't want to look like a blubbering idiot in the real world. Thank you a million times over. Getting by is not what I want and I hope that the students surrounding me and coming up want the same or we are in for a lot of trouble. (Or should I say our future pts are in for trouble).

Don't quote me on it but I thought that the test will and can shut down as early as 75 questions if it is determined that you passed/failed with a 95% certinty. IF you are tetering it will continue to give you questions in areas that you are weak in until you pass or fail with the 95% certinty. That is what I have been told. Good Luck!