pinkestar

Congrats on making the decision that is best for you. It's never easy to initiate change like that but you should not settle for a work environment that is unsupportive. Good luck. I hope things go well when you talk to your don. Nicole

I can assure you that not all nursing is this way. I graduated in May and have been working on a unit for almost 7 months now. I was terrified when I started and was about 90% sure I was never going to be able to make it. I have been given more support than I ever imagined and I could not be happier. For the most part my coworkers are amazing--they all go out of their way every shift to make sure that I am doing okay and am not too overwhelmed. I received encouragement all through my orientation and beyond. I am never afraid to ask questions and I'm never made to feel bad for wanting to double-check anything. My manager gives us new grads feedback on an almost daily basis and always lets us know that we can come to her for anything--even calling her at home to ask simple questions if need be. The few times I've had trouble with coworkers I have been able to discuss it with her and it was handled very professionally. PLEASE do not give up based on your experience in this particular icu unit. Not all units are as wonderful as mine but they are out there. Not all nurses are out to "eat their young" as I so commonly hear. Obviously, some are....but there is somewhere out there for you. Don't be afraid to look for it! Sounds like you're very determined, caring, and hard-working...find a work environment that will appreciate that!!

bmullins- Thank you for sharing your story. I'm so sorry that your family has had to go through this, and that you've met some less than compassionate doctors along the way. Hopefully by reading your story, some nurses may be a little less quick to judge anyone as "faking" their illness. Best of luck to you and your daughter. Nicole

Yes, exactly. If a patient tells me he/she is in pain and has a pain med ordered, they get the med. And if they don't have anything ordered, I call the doctor and ask for an order.

llg is absolutely right about presenting yourself as most interested in the patients and their care. I realize I didn't emphasize that in my earlier post. Because of the shortage, when I was interviewing at local hospitals around here last year, a job offer was practically a given with each interview. I was offered a job at every facility I applied to (as were most of my classmates). For many new grads, the first job, the quality of your orientation there, and the support you receive are absolutely vital to succeeding in nursing and being happy with your career. So do be sure to learn all you can about what the jobs will be offering to you for support and orientation...after the interviewee understands that your first priority is patient care. Again, good luck, keep us updated! Nicole

Sounds like you have a few good questions lined up. Getting a job on a unit that is a good fit for you is vital. A few other questions I found helpful: -Is it common for the nurses to float to different units? -If I don't feel that I'm getting the most I should be from my preceptor, or we don't make a good fit, what steps would I take and what would be done to improve the situation? -How flexible is the orientation schedule? If, at the end of my orientation, I feel I am not quite ready to work independently, can be be extended? -How often will I be meeting with my manager and/or educator to discuss how my orientation is going? -What opportunities will I have for continued learning at this facility? i.e. certifications, seminars, tuition reimbursement I would also suggest talking to the nurses working the units that you are interested in. I was lucky enough to do my clinical rotations at a variety of hospitals and units. As I was beginning to think of where I might want to work I spoke with many of the nurses, asking straight out if they would recommend working on the unit, how long they have been there, etc. I learned a LOT that way and it was very easy to see which facilities had the most sincerely satisfied employees. Of course that should not determine your decision, but I found it was a factor...and quite a reliable one at that! I absolutely love my job! Good luck to you. Nicole

That's how it is at my facility too. I saw the title to this thread and thought "Report on ER pts? What is that about?"

Certainly makes me appreciate my facility's reporting system. We get and give report via the telephones, using a system that records and plays back report. At times it can be a pain, but it cuts down on a lot of frustration and resentment between the shifts. And to echo what many others have said, overall it's not a problem with only one shift. At the hospital where I work, the day shift nurses are there at 6:30 am working, and can't punch in until 7a. They're generally getting organized and they end up waiting on the night shift nurses for report so they can be out on the floor asap.

I was always taught that you don't need gloves to flush. And then this past week I was flushing a line, the canula twisted right off the tubing that was attached to the site, and my hands were covered in blood. Wear gloves.

Congratulations!!! That's wonderful! Enjoy your Thanksgiving and be proud!!

Hhmm, interesting. On the unit where I work we push ativan pretty routinely in CMO patients. I'd never noticed it being any more difficult to push than any other meds.

Generally when I first meet the pt I call them Mr/Mrs last name. I then ask something like "Is that what you like to be called, or would you prefer something else". As everyone else seems to have experienced, most pts prefer to be called by their first name. If the pt is around my age or younger (I'm 26) I usually just use first name from the beginning. I absolutely HATE being called "sweetie", "honey", etc by anyone other than my closest friends. So I would never use one of those names to address a patient...or anyone else for that matter.

Very well said.

Well, from the way she responded, it sounded like actually going into the pt's room isn't something she does too often!

If I asked the prospective nurse why they are interested in nursing and their reply is about helping, caring, contributing, making a difference--any sincere and passionate desire to care for patients--I would absolutely recommend the career. It's insanely challenging and stressful...and rewarding. Those little moments of making a difference in someone's life make it all worth it.

At the hospital I work at, we leave report through a phone system, rather than face to face. Well last night I had a nurse I have never actually spoken to following my assignment on the night shift. She has a reputation for being extremely lazy but I'm really trying my best to form my own opinions of people based on my own personal experiences with them. Anyway, I saw her walk in so I introduced myself, told her I had the assignment she was taking, etc. She says "I've been listening to your reports," (she has?? I don't remember her ever following me before) "One thing you need to do is remember to tell me if they have hep-locks". I'm a bit puzzled because I always include any IV sites in my report. But I just respond "Oh, okay, thanks for the advice. I'm just about positive I left that in report for all the patients tonight". She says "Good. Sometimes I actually have to actually go look at the patient myself!" I just sat there, dumbfounded. I couldn't even respond to that. If it wasn't so scary and sad I would've been laughing!

Unfortunately that's the truth.

Congrats!!! The ability of our bodies to withstand the abuse we put them through is amazing. I'm so happy for you--for the pregnancy and your success in recovery! You're an inspiration :)

I'm in a similar situation--B.A.in English and I want to be an APRN. I went the same route as Kat0430. I just completed my associates in May and am currently working as an R.N. I plan on going back within 2 years. I absolutely LOVE my job right now and I've completely changed my mind about what concentration I want for my masters. I'd highly recommend working as an R.N. first, but I'm sure you could do very well going straight for your masters too. Good luck to you either way!!

I am so sorry for everyone who has had a bad orientation experience. I think you're all amazing for being so determined and for being so professional in the awful situation. I just graduated in May and was terrified beyond belief about my orientation. After the first day, I knew it was going to be a good experience. My day shift preceptor was wonderful. She didn't always do things exactly by the book and there were times I thought she was going to drive me crazy. BUT, everyday she asked what I wanted for the day so that I could challenge myself yet still be comfortable. She never once got mad when I asked her questions (and I asked a LOT). She always told me that being my preceptor was her #1 priority while we were together, and she provided constant positive reinforcement, which helped to build my confidence. Every other nurse on the unit has gone out of her way support me. Now that I'm on evenings, my new preceptor isn't overly helpful, but I feel that I learned enough on day shift that I am holding my own now. And again, every time another nurse on the unit walks by they have asked "Are you ok? Can I help you with anything?" The support is so incredible. I feel awful that others are suffering what had been my worst nightmare, but please know that there are good nurses out there that don't "eat their young". We need to change things for the next generation of nursing students and new grads. It's a wonderful profession and people shouldn't need to be afraid to go into the field! Good luck to you all!

I graduated nursing school in May and I was terrified of starting work. All through nursing school I flew through the classroom part, but struggled with clinicals. I've always been more of an academic person--my B.A. is an English, and I somehow moved from there to nursing. The majority of my classmates loved clinicals and breezed through them, but really struggled with the tests. I was convinced that I had made the wrong decision and wouldn't cut it as a nurse--my classmates all seemed so sure of themselves and what they were doing. Now I'm working on a med-oncology floor and I absolutely LOVE it. I love my patients, I enjoy the work, I feel good most days when I leave. My coworkers are incredibly supportive, patient, and kind people. Many have worked on this unit for decades and still absolutely love the job! Of course some days just suck, some docs can be jerks, and sometimes I feel like a complete idiot when I draw a blank or encounter something I think I should know. But overall, I cannot imagine not being a nurse--I am 100% certain that I made the right decision going into nursing. And I see in my coworkers that the joy of nursing can be lifelong. Good luck to you.

I haven't tried Lyrica myself but I've seen it work miracles for many people, both in my personal life and working as a nurse. People react differently to different drugs. Because it didn't work for you doesn't mean that it won't for someone else, so I wouldn't discourage others for trying it out for themselves.

I see so much frustration in this thread. It saddens because I am having such an incredible orientation and so I realize that are better ways for it to be done, instead of what many of you are experiencing. I know have 5 pt assignments, I'll ultimately end up averaging 6. The difference is that I completely supported in my position. Everyone goes out of their way to make sure I'm doing. There is no person I would be afraid of to ask "a stupid question". We usually have just 2 aides, but they're truly amazing. There is no way I could get through my days without them! My orientation is going a million times better than I ever even hoped it could. I truly enjoy it day in and day out. So don't give up on nursing in general...look for a job where you'll be supported--with tasks and skills, ect--but also mentally and emotionally. My coworkers and manager go out of their way to boost my confidence all the time! I can promise you that this kind of job is out there--I'm so lucky to be employed at one. Most importantly, know that it's the hospital/management/veteran , who are coming up short on their end. Best of luck to you! Nicole

I just read through every single post of this 7 page thread. And this is the thing that jumped out at me the most. I think this truly is the most important piece. Offering healthy choices, being a good role model, practicing moderation...all vital, but often in vain if food becomes the sole focus. Live and love life, find what you love, enjoy these things...I think that's key for everyone--kids or adults. Food should be something that gives you energy to enjoy everything else in life. :)

When I was in nursing school they told us we really would have no need to get it when we started working. When I started my first nursing job in June, my preceptor very strongly recommended that I do get insurance for myself. She said that she's never had to use hers but that she feels it's a must-have. So I went home and looked into it. For $48 for the year through NSO, it seems like it would be silly not to protect myself. So I immediately signed up. Nicole