Dancin'Mom

Last night I had to put down a Dobhoff-weighted NG tube on a patient with moderate dysphagia and confusion who had pulled out his previous NG tube. I have only done this 2 previous times and this was my first night on my own, just got off of a 12-wee...

I recently had a trach patient who was on the blender receiving up to 90% oxygen, with sats in mid 80's, had pneumonia, COPD and many other diagnoses.( I understand the whole oxygen issue with COPD patients.) We were suctioning her as needed and sti...

I've been a nurse for about 10 months, still perfecting my IV technique. How does one avoid twisting of the catheter when attaching the luer-lock tubing to the catheter? I sometimes have lost blood flow after attaching the tubing to the actual cathet...

I work a busy telemetry also, night shift though. I also work the same days every week-F,Sa, and Su. If patients haven't been discharged, I get the same 4 (occasionally more) patients every night. I get to know them, will go home at times, and review...

I work in Omaha, NE-just graduated last December. I was a Medical Technologist-did all the lab testing, drew some blood for 12 years prior to the nursing switch. I make 18.75 plus 15% shift diff on nights, another 15% shift diff for weekends because ...

I work F, S, Su night shift, 12 hours. I have 2 girls both will be in grade school in fall. I do this to save money and have more consecutive days off with girls/husband. It is not ideal but what really is when you work and raise a family. It's diffi...

I know of another nurse who does stairs at work when she has a break. You could work out on days off or just make yourself get up, exercise, and go back to bed if need be. You might find that exercising give you a little energy boost. Also, at my wor...

I was just wondering if you'd considered looking for an RN position elsewhere? Do you work 12-hour shifts? I work the same 3 days every week and I feel I have lots more time and energy for my kids and other fun things in life. I can understand that ...

I guess everyone has a different perspective on nursing. I actually worked in the lab as a Med Tech for 12 years before going into nursing. If you want a career with little respect, low pay, few rewards, then consider the lab. On a positive note, it ...

I worked in the lab for years before becoming a RN. When I wanted to brush up on my phlebotomy skills, I volunteered to go work at an outpatient draw station with other experienced phlebs. You could also volunteer to work at a health fair.

Having just recently graduated last December, I have yet to subscribe to any nursing journals. I look over my nursing notes/books when a topic comes up that I need to review. I would like to stay current of new nursing info that comes out. Any ides?:...

high-tech waitress: A lot of what we do involves filling water jugs, taking meal trays, providing comforts such as repositioning, adjusting room temp, changing beds, general conversation (therapeutic communication). Service, service, service.:redbeat...

This is my 3rd week on my own on a Med Surg/Telemetry floor.........I can't say I get sick before work, definitely butterflies in my stomach, but haven't thrown up yet. What has helped me is asking a lot of questions, volunteering to do as many IV's,...

Could anyone out there recommend a good nursing reference pocket book (I work on MedSurg/telemetry). I'm wanting fast info on IV drugs, other drugs, basic cares of different diagnoses, foods included in different diets, ect. I would like it to be sma...

Today I got off night shift 1 hour and 15 min. late due to charting and some last minute items that I wanted to take care (I called a Doc about getting weaning parameters for epidural, wrote and carried out order). The day shift charge nurse told me ...

Yes, my student loans were cost of living loans. I have a family so I had more than a single person might have. PM me for the recruiter's name, if interested. Good luck!

The accelerated BSN I got was even pricier than the one you are looking into-tuition was 36,000 for the year. I would see if they have any tuition repayment programs with the hospitals the school is affiliated with. I went to Creighton in Omaha, NE a...

First of all, I admire you for going to school with kids. I also have 2 kids and went through an accelerated BSN program, took 1 year. This program required a previous bachelor's degree plus the necessary prerequisites. I would encourage you to get y...

I actually wanted Med/Surg for several reasons after graduating: 1) I thought it would be a good area to learn the basics of nursing, organization skills, get good at interpreting heart monitoring/rhythms since I am on a telemetry floor, 2) I like be...

I just got off of orientation of med surg/telemetry floor so take my input for what it is worth. I've given IV push lopressor, lasix, benedryl, zofran, reglan, dilaudid, haldol, morphine,off the top of my head. I'm sure there are many more but that i...

I also love the 12-hour shifts. I work nights, every Friday, Sat, Sun to save on daycare and spend more time with family during the week. My nights go super fast, I usually eat while I chart. The more experienced nurses have more time for breaks, but...

:wink2: I just finished an accelerated nursing program last December. I went to school with 40+ others who all had previous degrees/careers and found it interesting how everyone got into nursing and how their previous lives related to nursing. I was ...

I am also in my mid-thirties and just finished accelerated nursing in Dec of '07. Once upon a time I was a pre-med major. My first degree was in Biology/Medical Technology and I worked in the lab doing patient testing for 12 years. I decided to go in...

It appears that you are more organized than you think or give yourself credit for. I am also working on med surg/tele and am off orientation in 3 days. I trained on days but am working nights. I like to be organized also. I am one of those types that...

I just graduated in December from an accelerated nursing program that was 12 months. It also required a previous bachelors degree and other prerequs. It was good for me because I have a family and I needed to get done quickly to start making money. I...