CarolinaGrl

Mom is a nurse as are her two sisters. I wouldn't have anything to do with nursing my first time around in school (I think it had something to do with the nursing stories at the dinner table!!) but I went back for a second degree in nursing and I can now tell those stories while eating.

Just have to say thank you for posting this. I have sleepless nights worrying about the same thing. This is my 3rd week of working as a new grad in an ICU and find that on my days off I go through my last shift and make mental lists of things that I want to do better next time I work. I know my husband is tired of me taking about it but I just can't help worry about how I am doing taking care of my patients. Good luck to all the new grads out there starting new jobs!!

It is nice to read that I am not the only one making stupid mistakes. I know I have made my share of them. But by far the funniest thing that I know of happened to a girl in my class. A female patient complained that she was smelling "down there". The student asked the nurse what she should do. The nurse handed her a small spray bottle with a blue liquid in it. After helping the patient bathe, she proceeded to spray a liberal amount "down there". As you are probably guessing at this point - it was really room deodorizer. Just one of those lessons I guess!!

I would not turn the person in. But I don't think that I would help him/her again with school work. I have several reasons for saying this: (1) I'm not a CRNA, but it was difficult enough to get through my accelerated BSN program with the grades I wanted. My friend and I helped eachother out - not whole papers but research, study guides etc. I consider both of us very ethical nurses at this point although teachers would not have supported our actions. (2) Another person I know is in anesthesia school - she has actually paid me to do a little research and typing here and there (granted not writing papers or anything). She is also an ethical person and nurse. My point is that sometimes help is necessary and I see it as teamwork. Your case is a bit exaggerated, but turning someone in to clear your conscience would probably cause more problems than solve. The saying that keeps coming to mind is something like - If it happens once, shame on them. If it happens twice, shame on you. Just my opinion.

NewNurse2Be, I am a new grad also from UNC-CH. I haven't started working yet, but I will next month at UNC. Just my opinion after doing clinicals and talking to nurses from many of the hospitals mentionened, so take it as you may. I just finished my practicum at WakeMed in Raleigh. If I had not already accepted a position at UNC, I would run to WakeMed in a heartbeat. It is a large community hospital that is doing everything possible to advance itself. Although it is not technically a teaching hospital, UNC has med teaching teams functioning there, giving you the best of both worlds. The morale seemed very upbeat and staffing appears to be better than both UNC and Duke. On the other hand - I am very excited about the learning opportunities at UNC and don't regret making the decision. Are you a new grad (NewNurse2Be)? Feel free to PM me if you have more questions etc. Welcome to the area.

I am also grade conscious. It seems though that even many of the nursing instructors at our school look down upon students who are not happy with anything but the best grades telling us to not worry about grades. I try not to listen to them - I feel that you never know what you will want to do in the future and some fields require that you have excellent grades. Better to leave the door open than close it prematurely. CarolinaGrl