cyncopia

I just had to post and tell everyone how much I am liking the OR. I still have 4 months left on Orientation, but I cannot believe what I know now that I did not know when I started such us spending 2 hrs picking one pref card or setting up a room and now being completely aware of my sterile field. Things are starting to make sense. I get that my nursing process and duty is the same for every case, but yet what happens in different each one. People are nicer than I expected. I had some problems with a CRNA but she had apologized. I always thank the Techs if they tell me to start over saying I contaminated, even when I am super annoyed because they are hovering Some days I have come home crying and some days I have cried under my mask, but I had such a good week and I am realizing how can I be so hard on myself? The OR I never learned about in school, except one lousy day and some assigned chapters, I Had NO IDEA what to expect, but I have to say thus far I am happy with my choice. I cannot wait to see how far I have come in the next few months. I am just proud of myself for understanding how to work a bovie, the towers, or a D&C machine. Thanks to this forum for being so supportive and just giving wonderful advice as I go foward with my OR orientation.

I am about one month into my orientation and I am getting the hang of things so far. However one of the surgeons complained to my manager that I am mispronouncing procedure names during my timeout. I feel so stupid, buts its not like my preceptors do anything or help me as I am butchering the names. Is it normal that some stuff in the OR makes me feel plain stupid? Some of this stuff is so complicated and I am getting frustrated. Everyone says to give it a year and it will click, but I am seriously so mad at myself because I know I am a very competent nurse, but mis pronouncing procedure names and not knowing how to hook up equipment makes me look and FEEL so dumb.

hi everyone, i graduated in may and have finally found an rn position with the hospital i have been with for the past three years. i must be a new grad because i am jumping up and down with excitement and nerves for my new position in the or that begins this monday. i have so many questions. i know they will be teaching me through the periop101 course and the orientation period is about 6 months long. i am nervous because i know it is a totally different side to nursing than my general medical-surgical floor. i am so scared as well. maybe of being new and having to fit in? m i am not sure. any advice or tips that might make this first week a bit easier would be soo appreciated. cynthia

Hi All, I will be taking mine July 28. Too be honest, I keep telling myself I will review 100 q/a day and I am lucky if I even look at content. I don't see the need to by 400 dollar review I find it to expensive and wondering if it is really worth it? Can anyone vouch for a good review? I did purchase the NCSBN online 5wk review and a few books. But tonight is the night I will start reviewing... I just have to make myself.

:chair::hdvwl:Hi Everyone, I am in my last semester. Hopefully graduate in 3 months. HOPEFULLY. I have always been a B average and like most schools we have a minimum passing B 80% average. I took my first test for complex health alterations and got a 70%. I am kinda just freaking out because now I have to really work my lil but off to average an 80 on the last few exams. Our section we are covering now is Critical Care (ie vents, ARDS, PE, Burns, Shock) If anyone has any good websites or resources or just wisdom I would totally appreciate it as I just want this done and over with!! Cynthia

You have a patient who is being admitted for DKA with blood sugars in the 600's. The orders are to start an insulin drip at 0.1 units/kg/hour. The patient weighs 132 pounds and the concentration of the insulin drip is 125 units in 250 ml. What rate will you set your pump? I got 25ml/hour- is this correct? Thanks! :redbeathe:loveya:

You have a patient who is being admitted for DKA with blood sugars in the 600's. The orders are to start an insulin drip at 0.1 units/kg/hour. The patient weighs 132 pounds and the concentration of the insulin drip is 125 units in 250 ml. What rate will you set your pump This is what I have so far 132ibs/2.2= 60 kg 60kg*0.1u/1kg = 6units/hour Our ordered dose - 0.1un/kg/hour Our available form - 250ml Our available dose - 125unit Our Patients weight - 60kg un 0.1un 60kg 1 kg 1 = 6units ml 250ml 6u 60kg 1 60min 1mg hr 125un min 1 1hr 1000u??? Thanks!!

Hi Everyone, Here is the question Sarah Klaus had a thyroidectomy to treat hyperthyroidism. The physician ordered a tracheotomy tray to be kept at the bedside. Why is Sarah at risk for respiratory complications following a thyroidectomy? Answer this question in terms of electrolyte imbalances. I understand why she may be at risk for respiratory complications such as damage to nerves, spasms, shock...but when I brink in electrolytes and respiratory acidosis?? or alkalosis?? I think acidosis I start getting to confused. I just need to be directed in a direction to think in simpler terms before I start getting all confused with these concepts. :banghead:Thanks!!

Hi Everyone, I am working on a case study and I am having trouble understanding the concept. Here is what it says... "The client provides a stool sample to test for bacterial and has an IV of 0.9% N/S solution started at 125 ml/hr in her right hand with a 22-guage IV. The client is admitted to the hospital with the diagnoses of dehydration and hypokalemia. The next day a flexible sigmoidoscopy reveals severe ulcerative colitis. Her am labs show: Hgb & Hct is 8.2/dL and 30.4g/dL, her serum potassium is 2.9 mEq/L." Now I would have assumed her H & H would have returned to normal after being rehydrated. Or due to blood loss and inflamation--would her H &H have dropped? I thought dehydration caused an increase in the H & H. I am so confused. Than I have to start to think about what type of fluid deficit she was in.. hypertonic or isotonic? I would have assumed isotonic since she is being given isotonic fluid replacement?? Could someone please guide me in the right direction. The question I need to answer is Why the sudden drop in her H & H? Thanks guys!

At 1130 hrs, your patient has 150ml left in IV Bag. It is infusing at 30gtt/min. Drop factor is 15 gtt/min. Do you have enogh IV solution left to go to 30 min lunch w/out changing IV bag? The Iv bag will need to be changed in how many minutes? I am not sure what formula I need to use for this since the GTT is 15 and 30. This question really confused me. Thanks.

I know how you feel--Nursing skills are a scary thing sometimes. I actually got a 100% on our math review which floored me, but that was with a calculator. I am not as far along as you are with injections but doing dosages in my head...not gonna happen :) Math is tricky!! Keep your head up. I checked off on my wound care skill today and made it... but still it sucks when you are shaking and sweating with nerves. I often wonder if I can make it as well. This is only first semester ... But you have to know you will make it one way or the other. I think to myself, this is it and this is what I am born to be. I am also a mom (2 year old) and 24. But age has nothing to do with it. We struggle at all ages. Good luck. Getting support of this site keeps me sane :)

I am in my first semester in the nursing program and I failed my first skill check-off, Wound Care because I crossed my sterile field and contaiminated...blah blah and I just start bawling in front of the instructor who is checking me off....I am not sure if I can take more semesters like this. I am not stupid, I am actually a smart girl, but this demonstration stuff is kicking my butt. She tells me "Obviously you are not prepared..." Well I was, I spent over 10 hours practicing the skill and with the nurses I work with at the hospital! I just get nervous and my confidence is non existent when I have to perform. I know I will make it through. It is just hard to start on a "failure" note. This is my first post ever, and its a complaining one I am just sad. Anyone else go through this...and if yes...any words of advice? Thanks, Cynthia