whiteoleander5

Hello everyone. I graduated in May '10 with my ADN, and passed my boards in August... I applied everywhere for an RN job, even in other states, and found nothing. Then a few months ago, I found a job as an Medicare/Medicaid RN provider taking care of a young child who has round the clock nursing care. Basically, I am self-employed and the state pays me as a private duty nurse... I am thankful that I have this job and TECHNICALLY I am called a "nurse", but where the heck is my hospital job!?! I feel like a glorified babysitter, and only 10% of the care is actually nursing-related. I get no benefits, no health insurance, no vacation time, and VERY MINIMAL experience. Most of the time, I don't even feel like a nurse. I am still religiously applying to other places, but I am slowly starting to give up. So much of my time over the past few months was seriously just sitting down and sending out resumes, cover letters, applications for hours...and hours.. and hours, for days and days. It nearly drove me to insanity, and on most days drove me to tears. Life post nursing school has just been terrible for me. Having this job really isnt doing anything for me other than giving me a paycheck... I feel like its just such an unprofessional environment, and that because I have no direct supervision from another RN who can vouche for me to say I'm doing great, can I really use this job as a stepping stone to something better? On top of this, I cannot be in the RN to BSN program because in order to do so, you need an RN job where you have a nursing supervisor above you who monitors what you are doing. At my current job, it's just the parents who are there watching me... they are the ones who showed me how to do everything. I love the irony of it, because most of us new grad RN's cant find hospital jobs so we decide to continue our education, and yet... we cant continue our education because we dont have an RN job... Well, what options does that leave us then? I thought that by this point in life after school, I would at least have a hospital job, gaining experience, feeling like I knew what I was doing... I dont know, something more than this. Instead, I am simply a babysitter who occasionally gives a medication, which anyone can do. Honestly, I know that I should be grateful for at least having this job... but, really, you don't need a nursing degree to be a babysitter. Does ANYONE know where they are hiring new grad RN's for hospital positions? I will relocate. Also, has anyone even heard about Medicare/Medicaid RN providers? I miss nursing school. It was tough, but I knew what was expected and I knew how to get through it. The disappointment of not finding a "real" nursing job is just terribly unsettling for me and very difficult to swallow.

Hello all, So a friend recently traveled to Bermuda, and was told that RN's are in demand over there... You can get a 3 year working contract, plus they pay for your apt right next to the hospital, etc. I understand that many places do this, not just Bermuda... As a graduate nurse waiting patiently to take my :eek:NCLEX:eek: (::FINGERS CROSSED::), how does one even get started working abroad? Do any of these places even consider graduate nurses, or do you need experience as an RN first?? And if not, where do I even begin...? I'm young, and I want to travel--Working abroad as an RN would really satisfy me on so many levels... And any information on this topic is greatly appreciated. Thanks!:)

Hello all-- I just graduated from the SCCC nursing program in May '10 ... Just wanted to wish you all luck who just got accepted! Its tough, but not impossible. And it goes by SO fast, I feel like I just started. If you guys need any help or advice feel free to contact me! GOOD LUCK:redbeathe

I am going into my final year of an ADN program, and can tell you that clinicals do get better. Not that it gets easier, but you get more comfortable with the routine of it. My very first clinical was in a nursing home and we had two students to one patient... We just helped with bed bath, and morning activities. But i was shaking like a leaf. You will always remember your first patient, though. Although I do still get nervous in clinicals... (Its not walk in the park! ) , I am happy to look back at how nervous/terrified/uneasy/unknowledgeable I was in my first semester and realize the progress and personal growth I have made! Just remember that everyone else is nervous too, and that it will pass. I wish you the best of luck!!:redbeathe

Thank you so much! Also, another question regarding infusion pumps... I know you can round to the tenths place, but that is only if a medication is added to the solution, right? If the situation doesnt involve a medication, you would just round to the whole number..... Am i right? If not please correct me.

Hello all, Im doing practice questions, and came across this one... Its throwing me for a loop!...Please show me how to do it. :wink2: ***The nurse checks the physican order that reads: Ancef 500 mg q 6 hours. The premixed solution from the medication room contains is labeled: Ancef 0.5 gm in 100 ml solution to be infused over 30 minutes. The nurse is administering the IVPB using an electronic delivery device or infusion pump . At what rate would the nurse infuse the solution?***

So on my first medsurg exam I got a 72, with a class average of 74. I am completely bummed about this because I KNOW that I have more knowledge than what my 72 reflects... I really studied so hard for this and I am doing all the reading, and staying on top of everything. I feel like my 72 makes me feel inadequate. I was told that the first exam is the easiest, but I know from personal experience that my first exam grade is ALWAYS my lowest-- So I hope this still applies for Medsurg exams. My friend told me to be proud of my grade (I did work hard for it...), but as someone who usually does really well, I cant feel anything but discouragement. I am having a bad week, and just need some words of wisdom.

Why where these "kids" not paying tuition? Every single one of them had scholarships?... I think not. There are plenty of immature little snots in my program, BUT there are also plenty of immature older people as well. Try another program. Preferably a community college program that costs way less money.

I think Ive lost another 5 lbs on top of last semesters 5+ lbs. I cant even say that I dont eat or am eating extra healthy... I feel like the stress of it all just burns it away. I'll have breakfast at 9am and be starving by 11. And that usually never happens... Oy vey!:icon_roll

I am in my second semester, and can say that going through nursing school is so much harder when personal issues get in the way. I also notice that even minor personal issues seem exacerbated while in school... Meaning that a tiny fight that I would normally have with my boyfriend turns into a huge one, and if it is not resolved before I go to clinical the next morning, I am just extra cranky..haha. And it is all because of the stress that nursing school brings. There are many times when I just want to crawl into a hole, even when Im not going through any personal issues!... But it passes. I cant really tell you what to do in your situation. I wouldnt give up on nursing school before you have even tried it though... However, if you feel that your personal issues arent going to get better anytime soon, then nursing school could always wait. You really have to do whats best for you... The biggest thing I have learned in nursing school is that you need to focus on yourself sometimes too, that you are still a person and you have to make sure your mentally and physically ready to go through the program. I do believe that everything happens for a reason, though. Please keep me updated, I hope you find an answer soon.

WOW what a week. I thought my week was bad, but you win the prize...

Good point. Perhaps I was just venting for myself.... LOL.

I am doing a postop care plan of my patient who recieved ACL reconstruction surgery. I have to list two collaborative problems (w/ interventions), and then five complications (w/ rationales) that the PACU nurse can expect. Arent collaborative problems and complications interchangeable? Cant "PC: SSI" be listed both as a collaborative problem, and a complication? I am slightly confused here.. since I am not sure what the difference is, and even after reading my notes and textbook, cant find a good answer.:icon_roll

I am in medsurg right now, and honestly, could cry at this very moment. My eyes burn because I am so exhausted, and Im starting to get a headache. I AM SO FREAKIN TIRED! So, oh yeah... I feel that way right now. But when all is said and done, I know that I wont actually quit because its too hard-- I'll just have a good cry, check out allnurses.com, and hope for some encouragement GOOD LUCK! (Dont quit.)

I dont understand clinical instructors. I feel like pretty much all of them are the same, that I have seen/heard about: obnoxious, condescending, intimidating. We are there to LEARN. Not want to go home crying and want to quit. I feel like the way they approach us about things does not help us become better nurses, it makes us afraid to ask questions. Is it "Tough Love"? I dont know... Just wondering.