nurstudnt546

You're very welcome BookishRN. I'm just curious myself. You mentioned that you'll have 8 patient but it's not couplet care. So what type of patients will you be receiving? Post-op GYN pts, c-section, etc.? I hope you get an offer that you can't refuse and that you'll be happy at your new position. I also commute approx. 35-40 miles to and from work (about a 35-40min).

I'm a recent new grad RN - graduated in December 2004. Prior to graduating I was a nurse extern on a "step-down/intermediate care" unit for 6 months. I was not one of those nursing student who knew exactly which specialty I wanted to go to (but I knew I really didn't want med-surg), basically I could see myself in just about any area of nursing ... so I stayed in my unit after I graduated because it seemed logical to help with my transistion as a new RN. Now, 6 months later, I have recently switched to post partum. I was getting tired of all the stress that my previous had brought me on each shift (the endless calls, stat orders, confused patients, complete/total care patients, finishing late, etc.), I literally still could hear IV pumps beeping in my head when I got home. So the "boring-ness" that others consider PP to be is now a blessing to me at the moment. I also am not the "ER personality" type, although I love to watch those shows on TV. What I like about PP is that it's A LOT more laid back, there's more time to spend with the patient, pt teaching, the patients can do their own ADLs, most things are not that urgent (of course the main ones are ABCs) and this is what I need right now in my life (who knows, maybe I will get bored later on but I can always go back to critical care, etc.) as my 5yr old is going to be starting kindergarten and we are trying to conceive. BTW, my PP unit is couplet care and the ratio is 4:1 with no CNAs. :) Hope this helps!

Hi bemory. Unfortunately I do not have a solution as I am in the same boat as you (except for I'm a new grad w/ only 4 months experience on a step-down/progressive care unit). But I can definately relate to your situation all too well. I get behind every time I work and when I do, I'm in a bad mood and all the joking and friendliness disappears. One problem I noticed for myself is that I don't like to start charting my assessment until I've assessed everything too - and if I started charted at 0900/1000 am, there's no way I've seen everything (i.e. gait, skin on bottom, etc.); some things I don't notice until later on in the day. Anyway, I'd love to hear other's tips/tricks on time management. BTW, what exactly happened to your friend's pt that caused her to lose her license??? (so I can learn from it) - this is one of my worst fears.

Hi jrwest. I know exactly how you feel when a really bad day comes along. I'm thinking "that's it! There's no way I can take this anymore!" Maybe I'll try nightshift or move to a different unit ... maybe it'll be better there!??? I'm trying so hard to be strong and to NOT be a quitter but those bad days can really knock the wind outta me. Thanks for posting - now I don't feel so alone. :) I hope things start improving for you soon. :)

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. :) Sunstone, you're right about me - I tend to sweat the big and small stuff. Forgetting simple things for patients (like the toothbrush or apple juice they asked for two hours ago) just really irks me. And missing a turn or oral care right at that 2 hour mark sometimes shatters my whole day. I feel like since I'm missing the little things that maybe I'm missing the big things as well. It's hard keeping everything together and have not quite found "my way" of organizing my day. I hope I find it soon but in the mean time, it's really frustrating! :angryfire

Hi jrwest. I am a new grad working on a step-down unit (day shift) and feel the same way as you do. Everyday I feel like I'm drowning in new orders, trouble shooting IV pumps, phone call, family, and never ending call lights. Yesterday was such a nightmare! I felt like I was getting behind every hour that I just had to go to the bathroom and CRY!!! Most days I don't even take a lunch break in hopes that I'll catch up and go home on time (I don't know how I last a whole day w/out food, water, or bathroom breaks). I too forget things and often find myself not even fully listening/thinking about what the person who's actually talking to me at the moment because my brain is busy trying to remember everything said to me prior and all endless things I'm about to do. I have only 4 more days left with my preceptor (orientation total of 3 months) and I am terrified. The thought of being on my own fills me with unbearable stress. There are some days when I love nursing but most days I wonder why I chose this career and am beginning to think of what degree I can acquire while wkring as a nurse as "way out" eventually. I am stressed out and unhappy!

I used NCLEX 3000, Kaplan CD, and Saunders CD. Scored average of 60-75% and passed first time w/ 75 questions as well. Good luck to you, it sounds like you're on the right track! :)

Hi Melanie, Thank you for the very thorough post. It really is shame that we have to be "ofensive" in our charting in healthcare today. (I sometimes hate the fact that while I'm charting, I have to think about that cute little old lady sitting in a court of law with a jury to decide my fate). I've heard the same thing in regards to charting too much which I definately have a tendency to do because #1 I'm fresh out of nursing school and #2 I was also praised for my documentation as well. I was also a bit shocked at times when my instructors would use my work as an example and am now wondering what they were talking about since I'm having a hard time trying to find that "middle" ground between charting too much and too little. I hope that I'll find "my way" of charting and in the mean time, I hope that I don't do anything that will put me in the courts trying to defend myself with words I charted years from now. *crossing my fingers* Thanks again for your post and for your advice regarding the nonverbal patients - which I always seem to have a to find creative ways to compensate the computer charting for. :)

Hello my fellow nurses! As a new grad RN (who recently passed boards) entering this profession during a time of a "sue-happy" society, I am fearful of not only ultimately making mistakes as I learn but also of being sued. I've heard many a horror story regarding the smallest mishaps during the "shift from hell" but am trying to be more proactive instead of passive in my first year of practice. So, I am asking all of you, both veteran and new nurses to share/trade your best "CYA charting tips." I'll start with a few of my own: Even though my hospital is moving toward a paperless charting system with everything being on computers with lists & lists of checkoff boxes, I always find myself wanting to chart certain things that just do not fit into a "pre-arranged" list of check boxes ... 1) when I have a pt with an NGT who is on tube feedings and/or receiving meds, I always chart that I checked for placement by auscultating an air bolus and that I checked for residual prior to administering meds 2) For safety risk patients, I like to chart that I oriented pt to the call light, room, and left bed in the lowest position possible ... that's all I have for now. I'd like to hear from you .... thanks!!! :)

*PICURN* I was about to say the same thing: "How were you able to test without them having your transcripts?" Anyhow, I know asking this question is not therapeutic for you as you wait for your results, so ... I will keep on waiting with you and send good (((vibes))) your way and hope that it won't be too much longer (in the mean time, I'll keep my party hat on so we can celebrate together ). Keep us posted! :)

Hi kamee. I'm not sure how long it takes for the BRN to send any type of mail correspondence however I've heard that it could take anywhere from 2 days to a few weeks for your name/license to be posted on the web site. Also, one of my classmates recently told me that the BRN was/is having some technical issues with posting new licenses on their web site. So with this in mind, I am hoping that your name will appear soon. Just keep checking (as did I) and keep us post! :)

eperey, I'm sorry that you have to wait longer to find out. I actually found out from one of my classmates that the California BRN was having technical issues and somehow was not able to post names/new licensees on their web site (she had taken them on Feb 10th and waited almost two weeks for her results/license to be posted on their site! :uhoh21:). I know the wait is stressful, so let's hope that is the case and that soon you'll also be seeing your name as well, let me know. :)

Hi eperey. I took my boards the same day you took yours. I went to the California board of registered nursing and clicked on "Permenant License Verification" (located on the lower righthand side). Then entered my name and ran a search - if you passed the NCLEX, your name and license number show up. Here's a link: http://www2.dca.ca.gov/pls/wllpub/wllqryna$lcev2.startup?p_qte_code=RN&p_qte_pgm_code=7800 Hope it brings you good news as well!! :wink2:

Hi *PICURN*! I just wanted to let you know that my results finally posted! I PASSED! Yay! I'm officially an RN. They finally posted my license on the BRN web site. I'm not sure what the hold up was but I don't care anymore. Now I'll wait patiently for you to tell me your good news as well.

Thanks for the response *PICURN*. Two WEEKS!!!? Ugh!! That's going to seem like two months of waiting!!! Oh well, at least it still gives me hope that I passed the NCLEX ... I was really thinking that I failed because it's been more than 2-3 days and yet my name is not posted yet. I suppose we'll be waiting ever so *anxiously* together!!!

Anyone know how long it takes for the testing to go through to the California BRN and for them to give you your license. I took the NCLEX this past Tuesday and have been checking all week long to see if my license will appear. I'm beginning to think that I failed the exam. My friend who took the boards the week before me received her results within 48-72 hours. I sure hope they're just taking a little bit longer for some strange reason.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You must feel extremely relieved and super happy. I'm so happy for you. Now can enjoy your Valentine's Day. Have a good one!

I admire your caring and work ethic and as a new nurse myself (graduated in Dec2004), I am also struggling with this area of nursing. I have confidence issues and am gradually increasing my skill in discussing pt concerns with the docs. I know it sounds stupid, being so nervous just to communicate with another human being, but I just get so nervous. Well thanks for setting just a great example for me and for sharing your wonderful experience with us. Keep on doing a great job! You sound like an awesome nurse! :)

Here's another site for heart sounds. It even has a section to quiz you on various heart sounds as well. Pretty neat! http://www.familypractice.com/heartlab/heartlab.htm

Here's one my instructor told me about for lung sounds (has a alot): http://www.vh.org/adult/provider/internalmedicine/LungSounds/Sounds.html enjoy!

Congratulations !!! You should be so proud of yourself!

Hi NurseWeasel, RN :) Congrats on passing the NCLEX! You mentioned that you used the Saunders and Kaplan disks for review. I am using the Saunders CD and text to review for the NCLEX myself and at the time cannot afford the Kaplan disk/study course. Do you feel the questions on the Saunders disk and in the text are sufficienct enough to pass? Thanks for your opinion and advice, I appreciate it. Nervous RN grad about to take the NCLEX soon here, nurstudnt546

Whew! Thanks for your input NurseWeasel. I can stop freaking out so much now. I pretty much know the "must-know" lab values (i.e. K+, Na+, ABG's, BUN, Creat, etc.). Congratulations on getting that question correct. I'm sure that I will probably head straight to all my nursing books after taking the NCLEX to search for answers/rationales. Lol* :chuckle

Hi everyone! I recently graduated Dec 18th and finally been putting in some serious study time. I'm using Saunder's Comprehensive Review but I a question regarding lab values. Is it necessary to know all the lab value ranges in preparation for the NCLEX? I'm asking because I was told by my program that NCLEX will not ask about normal lab values due to so many sources having different values - which is true. I know the concepts behind an increased/decreased value in relation to various patient conditions but am wondering if it's worth my time to memorize all the different lab value ranges - especially if there's a chance that it may not be necessary. So could those who recently took the NCLEX concur or disagree with this? Good luck to all of those who graduated recently as well and I wish you well on the NCLEX. (I have not scheduled mine yet due to increasing anxiety!) :)

Congratulations to all the December grads! I just took my final exam today and my pinning ceremony is this Saturday! Yay! I'm so happy. I'll be working on a step-down unit where I did my externship.