SeattleKid09

I'm lazy and so bought all black pants. That way, any patterned top I grab at 4:30am as I'm half awake heading out the door will surely match.

I've been a nurse now for almost a year. I can tell you the first 3 months were a whirlwind. Left feeling like an idiot constantly. By 6 months, things were starting to click. Usually left on time without having to stay late to chart. It does get easier! Stick with it!

I'm finishing my first year of nursing. I like my job and the people. May not seem relevant but I'm getting there... I've struggled with depression and self-harm for years. In the last few weeks it has increased exponentially for no apparent reason. I want to get help but am worried about what getting help would mean for my nursing license. I practice safely and would never do anything that would impair my ability to care for patients. I am able to put personal issues out of my mind and totally focus on work when I'm at work as long as I don't slow down to think about anything else. I know I'm a good nurse. How do I get help without negative consequences regarding my career? Also, I called about seeing someone at employee health but the next appointment I could get was in 3 weeks. Quite honestly, three weeks is a really long time at this point. At least I'm working all weekend, that will help for a few more days. I don't know what else to do about it. Any suggestions and information are greatly appreciated. I'm aware this board isn't a place for advice but hopefully someone knows the licensing aspects of getting help so I know what can and can't be disclosed without risking the career I worked so hard for.

Throughout school I heard that professional organizations are important. Now, on the floor at my first job, I hear nothing about them. Should I be a member of one or two? Are they important memberships to have on your resume? Which ones are well thought of? What about participating on the committees in force on my med-surg floor? I like my job. I enjoy my coworkers. On the other hand, I do know adult med-surg is not where I will stay long term. Ideally I'll end up in PICU or NICU. What are things I can do to make my resume stand out among other new-to-the-specialty applicants when I am ready to move away from med-surg?

If there is someone that I know is going to be upset being woken up I will save them for last as long as I know they're ok. When I do need to wake someone up I still have to consciously remind myself "This is not a hotel." Yes, sleep is important in the healing process however adequate respirations/circulation/etc is slightly more important. When I first started med-surg someone suggested I do an assessment, chart it, and then begin my next assessment. It has yet to happen. I simply cannot bring myself to chart when I know there are patients needs that are unmet. If my assessment is not charted until 2-3 hours later because I'm busy with actual patient care...well, that's just the way it goes. Patients come before paperwork. If you find you're playing catch up with charting, make sure you take a moment to write down a quick review of your assessment - three hours later they have all run together!

We have 4-5. Seems like very little but my hospital does not have a med-surg intermediate unit so we're getting a higher acuity of patients on a regular basis.

My clinical was actually at Valley. A few of us spoke with the nurse manager about positions but she said they did not have any open. How do I find out who the manager is at the other facilities?

I've been going through various hospital websites with little luck. I have finished my first semester of school. How do I find a NAP position?

UNLV has changed their system. There are a few students still left in the matriculation system but any new students will be applying and chosen based on GPA and their NET score.

Our program also suggested a PDA with a $120 program on it. I have finished my first med-surg clinical and have yet to use the PDA. We went to the hospital the night before to collect our information and write our care plans. In writing the plan, I used my drug book. When I arrived the next day, I already knew what each of the medications was and why they were taking it and interventions related to the medications. It's possible as I get further along I'll find I need a PDA program but so far I haven't used it at all.

I used my bank - Wells Fargo. They did require my parents to cosign however. Also, you may want to check into apprenticeships. At my school, we are eligible to work in the hospital after first semester. Even if you don't work too much and don't make entirely enough to cover all your bills; a little something is better than nothing.

In reading a patient's Kardex I saw SL in the IV therapy list of her medications. It had no dosage or any other info. What is this?

I am a first semester nursing student. Our program does provide mentors for anyone who wishes to have one. The mentor contacted us within the first 2 weeks of classes. Now that I think about it, it would have been nice had the mentors contacted us prior to classes starting. After all, there were some things I wish I would have known prior to classes starting (like, it's better to buy a stretch band watch than a regular one). I think the biggest improvement that could be made to our mentor program would be a breakfast or quick meeting with all the new students meeting their mentor. It was odd to get a call out of the blue from someone I've never met, never heard of, etc telling me to call her if I had a question. In fact, 2 months into it and I still have not met my mentor though I've talked to her twice.

I just started my clinical rotations within the last two months. I know there's a student section but I wanted to get working nurses opinions. What is the worst procedure or patient care activity that you have to perform? I can do blood, smells, poop, even puke after it is out but I really don't like the sound of vomiting. I recently watched NG tube placement. It was pretty bad. I hope they aren't all that nasty and I hope that's one of the worst things I have to do to a patient. Please tell me what is the worst thing you have to do at your position and if you have any suggestions for me I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you!