kelbh

I'm guessing another reason the doc asked about respiratory status is that poor oxygenation can lead to ventricular arrhythmias - I've seen it frequently in people who have undiagnosed sleep apnea. SaO2 is one of the first things I check when I have a patient with runs of v-tach or increasingly frequent PVCs (along with the other culprits, like K and Mg - but SaO2's something I can do at the bedside. :).

I posted earlier about the frustrations of being a new nurse, but I thought I'd share something that I *hope* gives you all hope! Last night, a patient said to me, "I can tell you've been doing this for a long time." Since I'm compulsively honest I replied, "Actually, I've been doing this for about six months." She replied, "Really?! You're going to be a great nurse!" :heartbeat So, for all the crappy nights where nothing goes quite right, the nurses I'm giving report to put me through the inquisitions and where I feel totally stupid... one patient comes along and makes it all better.

I've done the same, and it's very, very helpful. It doesn't change the attitude of some nurses (nothing will except time, MAYBE), but it makes me feel better going into report.

Thank goodness for this topic! I graduated in May, and I've been on a cardiovascular surgical unit since June, so I'm coming up on my 6-month anniversary in December. I work nights, and I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of things... but then I have a night like last night. I followed the advice of my charge nurse on something, and the day nurse I gave report to chewed me out, and... it's just frustrating. She's probably right, but I'm so tired of always feeling stupid. I'm trying so hard to do everything I'm supposed to do, and I feel like I'm supposed to be perfect and know everything ... but I'm not, and I can't. Why can't things be a learning experience (okay, do this differently next time), instead of a chance to make the new grad feel small?

Regardless, I don't see that it hurts to ask if they can do any better, given your past experience. The worst they could do is say no, take it or leave it. I asked for more, because of past research experience, and got it as a new grad.

It is such a relief to see other people saying this. I've been hired on 11-7, but I'm orienting on days for another week and I'm just floundering. I don't sleep well to be up at 4:30 to drive to work, and I am NOT a morning person! I also am not able to multitask well enough yet to deal with the million things that are going on, on days. I can't wait to start nights the week after next.

Do you have access to a Doppler stethoscope? Maybe try that to find the pulse, clean the gel off the area, then try palpating. Also, try listening to the apical pulse and counting that, then palpating at the wrist. This really DOES get better! It's important for you to be able to palpate pulses, but we all have our sticking points. For one of my new grad friends, it's Foleys. For me, it used to be manual BPS (I know, I know!). I found that when no one was looking over my shoulder, I started getting accurate BPs consistently.

I know it must be hard to see other people's boyfriends helping to support them while you're struggling, but in all honesty, your boyfriend isn't obligated to help. You say that your school doesn't have any loan programs, but what about local banks? I had to take out private loans to pay for nursing school in addition to the Federal Stafford loans, etc. Good luck!

I'm about to start work on a Cardiovascular Surgical Unit, and what they expect is that we will become ACLS-certified within two years of hire, and they recommend we don't even bother trying until after our first year (unless we're doing exceptionally well). I was told that there's just too much other stuff to learn in a critical care unit as a new grad to worry about it right now. Made sense to me!

Thanks for the advice! I've tried calling the board with little luck, but I'm moving forward as best I can. Overnight & certified mail are my friends! :)

Hi, all. I'm a new graduate from a school of nursing in MA, and I just accepted a job offer in NH. I'm very excited to be able to work as a GN, since you can't do that in MA. I'm a little confused by the licensing process in NH, though, so I'm wondering if anyone could help me out a bit. I obviously need to submit my application for licensure by examination to the state board. I know I will also have to submit the application for a temporary license. Do I have to submit the temporary license application after I have submitted the other one (it says they won't be considered until after the permanent licensure application is accepted), or can I send them in at the same time? I don't understand the fingerprinting thing. It's not a part of the requirements in MA, so I'm confused. Do I have to get the fingerprint card done and send it at the same time I send in my application(s) for licensure? Or can I send in the application at the same time I'm moving forward on getting the fingerprints done, and then I'll get my ATT (Authorization to Test) when everything's in? Also, do any of you have any wisdom with regards to which way is the faster way of getting the fingerprinting done and to the board? Finally (and I'm so sorry this is lengthy!), I assume I can just have my school send my transcripts in at the same time I am sending in my application. Any wisdom on this? Thank you all so much! I appreciate any insight you can give. Kel