tiggerdagibit

I know how you feel. I have one main preceptor but sometimes work with others when scheduling conflicts come up. It's sometimes hard because the main one and I have a routine down, where she knows what I can and can't do on my own and the others don't. On the other hand, I like working with several so I can see how people do things differently. That way I can decide what works for me and what doesn't. I get along well with everyone I have worked with so far, but if there isn't a "click" it would be nice that you're not stuck with the same person for your whole orientation. I guess there are good and bad things both ways.

I'm a new grad and have done 4 shifts so far (on a stepdown ICU.) The first 3, I basically followed my preceptor around. I was trying to learn the equipment, the specific routines they have, the paperwork, etc. The 4th shift, my preceptor "gave" me one of our patients, but was there with me for most things. I did the assessments, FSBS, IVF changes, charting on the flowsheet.. stuff like that. I still kind of feel like a student because I'm so dependent on her, but I'm working on trying to do some things on my own when I can. It's very overwhelming because this unit is so much different than the ones I had done clinical on, but I'm enjoying it. Several nurses have told me that this is a tough unit, but everyone I've worked with has been very nice, which helps a LOT. I know it's only been a little over a week, but so far I'm very happy. I'm working nights, which I feel I'm better suited for (I HATE getting up early and would rather stay up late) and I think that helps too. I hope the rest of you are having good experiences!

cool! i have a friend that is in paramedic class. i'll have to ask him what books he uses. i'm actually lucky enough to have a 6 month orientation. that was one of the reasons i wanted the job so bad. i felt more comfortable with that, rather than the normal 12 week orientation on med-surg units. i wish you could teach me the ghost and rabbit ears! lol that sounds like something that would help. maybe i can look at the rhythm strips and figure out some things like that on my own. thanks! that looks like it will be useful.

Thank you all so much! I'm gonna write everything down and get what I can. I feel like I'll be in school again, but at least it will be specialized and I'll be getting paid for it. Much easier to pay bills that way! I definitely need to work on my ECG strips! We didn't get very deep into them during school and I had a hard time with what we did learn. I guess all of this will come to me with time and practice. I just wish I knew it all now! lol

After I pass the NCLEX, I will start working in a stepdown ICU. Are there any good resources that you could recommend to take with me to work (or to read at home?) I have RNotes as a general guide, but I'd like something that is aimed more specifically toward critical care. Also, do you use a PDA and which software would you recommend? Thanks!

Wow! I can't imagine trying to take more days than allowed. I always saved mine for the end, in case I needed them.. except for one semester when I went to a concert and didn't go to clinical the next day. It was well thought out and I told my instructor beforehand, and worth it to me. Don't get me wrong.. I'm a responsible person, but I think if you have days you can miss, you should take them IF you want to, without being looked down upon.

Absolutely!! I just graduated in May. I went to a student open house at a local hospital in December and got an interview. I was offered a job in January. Many of my classmates graduated without jobs because the local hospitals had already filled their new grad positions. I wanted to have one waiting for me so I didn't have to deal with that stress along with the NCLEX.

Wow. We were allowed to miss 1 or 2 clinical days per semester, depending on if we went once or twice a week. Everyone I know missed those days. If we didn't need them for emergency use during the semester, we took them as skip days at the end. Interesting to see how other schools do things.

I graduated a couple of weeks ago and will start working soon after I pass NCLEX. I went to a hospital open house for students in December and was offered a job in January.

Ok.. say these are your grades and what each category is worth.. Exams 75% 95, 92, 94, 92, 94, 90 Quizzes 2.5% 100, 87, 80, 100, 70, 100, 100, 70 Paper 2.5% 76 Final 20% unknown Find the average of each category and multiply it by the percentage it is worth. (exams.. average is 92.8 x 75%= 69.6) So after doing that for all categories.. 69.6 + 2.2 + 1.9 = 73.7 Divide that number by the percentage fulfilled so far.. 73.7/ 80% = 92.125. That is what your current average is. Hope that helps. I use an Excel template that I downloaded from microsoft.com and just enter my grades as I get them so I don't have to do the math after every grade received. You can find it here... http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/TC010197731033.aspx?pid=CT101436151033

I understand exactly how you feel. I have always done well in school with very little effort. Nursing school is a totally different beast. lol Trust me on this though... it will get easier. Well, maybe easier isn't the best word, but you'll figure out how to adjust. First semester was the hardest for me because it was so different from anything I had ever done. You'll develop a system and figure out the best ways to study and all that. It just takes some time. Honestly, every semester takes a few weeks before I get in the groove of it. Each schedule is a little different, each instructor is different and you may have to readjust a few times, but it will get better. Be proud of that B!! I had to learn that. Coming into nursing school, I was always disappointed with a B. Now I accept it with a smile. I've made A's, B's, and C's on tests and I learned to be happy with whatever I got because it meant that I was passing. Some topics will come easier than others too so it kind of balances out. My family and I have made huge sacrifices for my opportunity to go to school. We all understand that it's for the best in the long run. Sure, I have had to turn down nights out before a test and sometimes my husband has to take my daughter to girl scouts, etc... but it's ok! You're not a bad mom or wife. Please remember that!! You just started last month. Give yourself some time. :heartbeat

I think it's a great idea. My school requires us to have our CNA before starting the nursing program. I didn't work very long before starting, but even if you don't actually work, the training will definitely come in handy. Some of the working CNAs in my class understand some of the procedures and equipment better because they are around it all the time.

The TEAS is Test of Essential Academic Skills or something like that. Many nursing schools use it as an entrance exam. It's reading, math, science, and something else. Geeeeez how quickly I forget. lol

Congrats!!

I don't know how supportive your husband is, but if you work 9-3 and do ALL of the cooking, cleaning, and caretaking now, how well will he adjust to taking over some of that when you are in school with a new baby? All schools seem to have different schedules, but this is what the majority of students have this semester at my school. Monday and Tuesday, clinicals from 6:30am to 2:20pm Tuesday and Wednesday, classes from 9-2 and 9-3 Then you add in all the studying and reading time at home...

I really think it depends on each individual situation. We had 2 girls that got pregnant in school. One had the baby on a Saturday and was back in school on Tuesday and one took a semester off and picked back up in the one behind us. As far as a "cut off for a good relationship" I don't believe in that. My kids are 6 years apart and they get along better than my sister and I did at 2 years apart. Of course, I feel lucky in that way. lol My kids are older (9 and 15) and very independent, but I still depend on my husband for a lot.. taking the little one to girl scouts, fixing dinner sometimes, etc. Ultimately, you have to decide what's best for you and don't let anyone pressure you into making a decision based on what THEY want. :heartbeat

I took this August '07 and I don't remember the exact details of how it works, but I remember that it was the 40th percentile (meaning you have to finish in the top 40% of the people that have taken it) not 40% like you usually think of for a test. That makes it easier, imo. You can't take it for another year? Are you sure? That doesn't sound right to me. I'd double check that with the school. I could be wrong, but I don't remember the rules being like that. My school just started doing this test the semester before I got in. They said the reasoning behind it was that there were so many people having a tough time in the program, they thought this would help. Ummm.. ok.

Wow.. we found out our score before we left the test. That sucks that you have to wait. Have you tried logging onto the ati site to see your score? Mine still shows there.

I understand your concern for his and your health and as a smoker, I agree that it stinks. I truly hope he is able to quit or you guys can reach some kind of compromise that works for both of you. The thing that strikes me the most is that you knew that he smoked when you met (just social or not) and he knew that you were very anti-smoking. Also, you've been together for 8 years! You knew that he smoked when he asked you to move in with him, but you agreed anyway. You both knew what you were getting into. Either way, I can't help but wonder why you would even consider dating someone that smokes, being as anti-smoking as you are, and stay with him for 8 years! That goes for him too. As I said before, I smoke and I can't imagine being with someone that felt like you do and being told that I couldn't smoke in my own home if I want to. Smoking is a huge issue and I know very few people that could take it or leave it. Most are either pro smokers rights or anti-smoking. I'm not trying to attack you or anything, it just doesn't make sense to me. As for suggestions, I was going to suggest Chantix, but you said that he won't stick with it. I've also heard good things about that book. I hope it will work for him (and you!)

If you look on the main page of this section, there is a sticky about IV therapy and nursing procedures. Here is the link.. https://allnurses.com/nursing-student-assistance/any-good-iv-127657.html On post #5 Daytonite has a long list of helpful websites. Toward the end of her post is a table of commonly used iv solutions. She sent it to me once and I printed it out and put it in my clinical notebook. I don't know if it's exactly what you're looking for, but it certainly can't hurt. lol

My ADN program has 5 semesters. Four of them are 16 weeks and the summer semester (for me, it was 3rd semester) is 10 weeks. We start with 72 students both spring and fall. We lose some each semester, but add more in from students that failed or for some reason had to quit the previous semester. Also, 4th semester added in students from the LPN-RN program. Because of that, we usually get back up around 70 students each time. 1st and 2nd semester clinicals were 6 hours/week 3rd was 9 hours because of the shorter amount of weeks 4th was 12 hours (2 days) 5th is 15 hours (2 days) Lecture is usually 3 hours twice a week, but this semester is 2 hours, twice a week. Lab is 3 hours a week. Each semester has had different amounts of unit exams worth different percentages. This semester only has 6, but others have had around 8 or 10. There are usually 50 or 60 nclex style questions. The finals also vary. For example, this semester the final is 20% whereas last semester it was only 10%. There are 100 questions. You can fail exams, but must have an 80% overall average to pass the semester. We have had different projects to do each semester too. Some were presentations. Some were research papers. We also have a few quizzes added into the mix. These things added together were only worth 5%. Lab and clinical are both pass/fail. 1st through 4th semester has a LOT of clinical paperwork. 5th is so much less and we don't pick up a clinical assignment the day before. They are trying to get us adjusted to real life nursing. I can't imagine only having 3 unit exams!! I was shocked at only 6. lol I feel like you do.. the more you have, the better chance you have to do well. It's interesting to see how other schools do things so differently.

We were just talking about this in class the other day. My instructor said that many people think you should start off in med-surg to get experience. She said that she doesn't necessarily believe that. If you know where you want to be and have the opportunity to go there, do it! I tend to agree with her. If you want to be in the ED and get a job offer, I'd take it. Especially being a new grad, they will know that you don't have tons of experience and they often have longer orientations than for experienced nurses/general units. I will graduate in May and went to a few interviews in December. The TICU and ED both offer 6 month orientations as opposed to 12 weeks in other units. I got a job offer for TICU and I accepted it. I'm scared to death, but they know I'm a new grad and they have a great program for that, including the 6 months and sending me to several classes. I don't know how long your orientation was, but at my future hospital, I believe we have to stay on a unit for 6 months before we can transfer. That may be something you need to find out.

When I buy my syllabus, I skim through it, but don't really read it. We have an orientation the first day of class and they go over everything. It isn't quite as overwhelming as when I read it myself. lol We have to buy ours too. This semester is about 140 pages and it cost about $11. It has much more in it than the basic syllabus that we have for pre-req classes. It includes what to read for each unit, a calendar, clinical papers, lab papers, etc. I wish ours included powerpoints. I spend so much money on paper and ink to print them out for each unit!

Nope. I chose ADN for several reasons. 1. It was at a community college that I was familiar with. I had also heard good things about their nursing program. I didn't like the BSN school in town and didn't want to travel to the next closest one. 2. It was cheaper. Even though I am receiving financial aid, I didn't have to add any additional money myself. My sister is at a 4 yr school for a different program and even with financial aid, she had to get loans. I will graduate and not have any debt. 3. I can do RN-BSN and get tuition reimbursement from my hospital and still work/make money while getting my BSN. Plus I can do classes online. 4. There is no difference in pay. I plan on getting my BSN at some point in case I want to climb the ladder or go into management later, but for right now it's not a concern.

I got the same answer, but in a different way.... First make all conversions: 0.5 mg x 1000 = 500 mcg (I just move the decimal 3 places) 22 lbs/ 2.2 = 10 kg 60mcg x 10kg = 600 mcg allowed per day 600mcg allowed - 500mcg ordered = 100 mcg difference 100 mcg = 0.1 mg less