orangeroom

My arts and technology room (had to phrase it that way vs my t&a room....) was orange when I first logged into this site!

Wasn't the original question 'What's something that made your jaw drop?' Well, working in labor and delivery, many things don't even phase me. I tend to spend lots of time in the pt's room. You learn a lot that way. After a while, apparently I become invisible to pt's family members. The older laboring pt stated something snarky to her husband. He responds back with "We didn't have to be here. You had choices. You could've swallowed." OMG! It was so hard for me to keep a straight face and not react! He was not physically appealing at all! Blarg!

In my experience as a L&D nurse, attitude goes a long way, in any unit. We can tell if you'd rather be else where. However, make the most of where you are currently. Just as students want a co-assign nurse who is nice, co-assign nurses desire the same. If you are there to learn, act like you are interested. If you are there to assist, then assist. Behave as though you respect the nurse you are with. We can tell when you don't want to be in L&D. Report off to your nurse and (pt if necessary) when you go to lunch, come back and before you leave for the day. In some nursing schools your instructors let you get away with being an absent student nurse. However, your co-assign nurse will report back to your instructor about you.

Good luck to you. Being a mother is hard. Being a student in nursing school is hard as well. Combining the two is very challenging. It can be done. No matter what age your children are. If this is truly what you want, (at this point in your life) you will find a way to make it work. I originally started in nursing school when my girls were 2 and 5 years old. I had been a full time stay at home mom all that time. I realized three months into nursing school, that it had to wait. I finished the semester with an A, and dropped out. I returned when my children were 5, 10 and 13. They were all in school full time. I took one course at a time until I had all of my 'electives' done and started my core nursing courses 2 years later. I never regret the choice I made to delay nursing school. There are always going to be things you will miss by being in nursing school, or studying for NCLEX, or working (once you get a job afterwards). There will be holidays you have to work. You will be the low man on the totem pole. You need to understand that. If you make the most of the time you have with your children when you do have time together, then you'll be alright. You may have a different definition of 'alright' now versus when you were a stay at home mom...but this is your life now. Does your family have a big calendar? It's time your children started taking some responsibility for their projects. Color code for each child. You've already gone through elementary, now it's their turn. With teamwork, and working together, things will go smoothly. It may take a while to get into a new groove, but you can do it. So can your children. Good luck!

I agree with some who have posted. Focus on the positive. Honestly, would you like to be the recipient of the negative awards. Even though it was an instructor who suggested those, it's not professional. Most chipper in the early morning hours Most likely to wear a white nurses cap if offered Arrived early and most prepared Most likely to own the hospital in the future Most calming voice Best attitude

First off, good luck with your chosen career path and congratulations that you've been accepted into a nursing program! Like many nurses have stated already, do not waste too much of your energy or time trying to convince anyone just how big of a role nursing school plays in your life currently. Actions do speak louder than words. I used to volunteer to bake and participate in every activity in all 3 of my children's schools prior to nursing school. Unfortunately that had to stop when I entered nursing school. Some may say that your life doesn't have to stop just because you're in nursing school. However, for most that is true. There will always be those who skate on through anything they set their mind to. Nursing school is all consuming. IT JUST IS! You will have vacations that you can return into your former self and devote to your neglected family and friends. Some may not still be there for you. That sucks. They probably don't deserve your love and attention if they can't support you in your time of need. When I started nursing school there was a 1 credit course that attempted to prepare nursing students for being in their program. I learned to start saying "No" to people who attempted to take time or attention away from my goal; of becoming a nurse. It was hard at first; saying no. I had always said yes, seeing how I was a stay at home mom and girl scout leader. I learned how to rely on others more...even though they weren't doing things exactly how I would have done them. Don't get me wrong, I still refolded the towels and clothing. Some things never change! As for support, I was very lucky and had the full support of all of my family. They all supported me and I made sure I studied, graduated and eventually passed the NCLEX. It was not easy. I did not study at home, not with three children (7yrs, 12yrs and 15yrs) at home. I went to school early, stayed late and studied all day every Sunday...at college or my mother's home (when she wasn't there). I made sure that I didn't have access to a computer. Too much temptation to check my e-mail or facebook. I TOTALLY disagree with anyone who says "If it takes that much work, it's not the right career path!" I absolutely love my career, and it was the most challenging, mentally and physically exhausting thing my whole family has ever gone through. One person doesn't go through nursing school, your whole family goes through it. Whether that family be the ones you live with, are blood related to, or the ones you're temporarily thrust into nursing school with. Good luck and study your butt off!

Wow! You got quite a few responses already! What a hot topic for a paper. Good for you for stirring up the pot! Who are we to judge? But since we are, here's my opinion... smokers smell. I can't stand it when I enter a room and have to be in there for hours with a pt or family members who wreak of smoke. Asthma makes it challenging for me to deal with pt's, family or rooms like this. I have in the past requested a change of assignment d/t this. Can't care for a pt if I can't breath.

Dear CancerJuly, I'm sorry for your past losses. The best thing you can do currently, is contact your OB doctor. You will have answers quicker if you follow through and communicate with your doctor. He or she will most likely send you for an ultrasound. I've been in your shoes, multiple times. Blighted ovum as well, for some of them. I am 40 (born in July too) and may also be pregnant. Due to my past experiences, I'm to contact my OB as soon as I find out I'm expecting and after testing will be given progesterone suppositories that are administered for 3-4 months in order to assure sufficient quantities for placental needs. I hope all goes well for you. Sincerely, Orange room

I've been exposed to negative nellies of a different sort. My friends are older nurses who have chosen to be (at this point in their nursing careers) school nurses. I just graduated ~2 years ago. I got right into the unit I wanted in the hospital. New grads in the hospitals earn more (a lot more) than school nurses. My friends seem to be more upset about how much I make, compared to them, that it over shadows their desire for my happiness. As much as I'd like to share everything with them, raises, overtime, call pay, holiday pay... I don't. I've learned not to because their initial smiles turn into smirks and then I see their faces contort. I thought it would be fun to share all things nursing with my nursing friends, you know the people who really understand what I'm going through. Unfortunately, I can't. We all know that while in nursing school you slowly changed your friend base. Who would have thought that even my nurse friend base would have to change as well.

Dear Robin, I am sorry for your losses. It's unfortunate that you feel you weren't cared for appropriately the first three times you suffered miscarriages. Luckily you found a sympathetic nurse with your last. There are a few nurses who get emotionally involved with their patients. There are many who don't get attached at all. I am a labor and delivery nurse. I absolutely love my career. We are exposed to both wonderful and horrible outcomes. Usually things work out well. The majority of the nurses on my unit are sympathetic. Probably why they were hired and stay on my unit. There are many different personalities in the nursing field. I'm sure you see all types as well, which ever unit you work in. Some are just better at caring than others. Some just get the job done. No more, no less. 7a-7p and they're out. There's usually a reason why a nurse is interested in a particular unit. In DOSA (day of surgery) surgical settings, there's not a lot of time to forge a relationship between pt and nurse. Patients may be made to feel like "Next." In and out. I, too, felt numb and raw after three miscarriages. My tiny miracles were not meant to be. No one attempted to forge a short relationship with me at the time (I wasn't a nurse at the time). I was sad. They had a job to do. They're job did not involve my mental state. However, those experiences shaped me...and you. We both are better nurses and can sympathize with our patients because of what we've been through. We treat others how we would have wanted to be treated. We teach, a lot. You and I are similar and different. My personal struggles are the exact reason I went into labor and delivery. I teach what was not taught to me. I assist others and inform them what to expect, every step of the way. I am very passionate about what I do and hope to do it a long time. I can sympathize with miscarriage, c-section and lady partsl deliveries. I've had them all. I teach about sections and lady partsl deliveries. You never know which way baby is exiting until they're out. Technology and Science are amazing, aren't they? Congratulations regarding your two miracles!

Wonderful article! Everyone does experience loss differently. It took me years to understand why I turned into an emotional wreck every March. I had suffered three miscarriages, two of whom were due in the month of March. Once I realized why, it was easier for me to cope with and look for other positive aspects to focus on, and look beyond the negative of that month. No matter what I did, that month would still come, every year. I had learned to remember fondly, not with a heavy heart. March is coming up, and I'm alright with that. Not sad, but coping...even after 18 and 17 years.

I live in upstate New York, and find my Spanish knowledge to be a time saver and very helpful. I don't claim to be fluent, by any means, however, the years I took in high school, college and assisting my two children in HS, have helped in my career. In my unit we have translator phones in most rooms. If needed for more intense conversations, at least they're available.

I don't feel there's anything wrong with promoting nursing. The majority of nurses make a positive difference. Have you ever heard of the saying 'patience is a virtue' or it's worth waiting for? Who would you rather have as your nurse, someone who is wound up tighter than all get out, or someone who is patient? I love the commercial. Hokey music and all. Be proud, not picky.

When I graduated, I only had one particular unit in mind, Labor and Delivery. We all know how hard that can be to get into. However, I was persistent. I called the new grad recruiter once a week to see if there was a job available. Kept my attitude positive and upbeat each and every time I spoke with her. Each time she stated there were no jobs available on that unit. I continued calling and showed up to an open house in July. Due to my age (38 at that time), they assumed I was experienced, and started an interview. I was quickly referred to the new grad recruiter who after some time, gave me an interview and took me to Labor and Delivery. The nurse manager was a little flustered, but gave me an interview on the spot, at the request of the recruiter. NM reviewed my resume right then. After 4 weeks I was hired. To get what you want; Be patient Be positive Be persistent

[color=sienna]my name is quite simple, it's what i see when i look around our computer room!

Unlike others, I will not poo-poo your heartfelt realities. I will embrace them, as they are nursing. Nurses are a special breed. Not everyone can be a nurse and nursing is not for everyone. You have to really love taking care of others to be successful in nursing. What is successful? Feeling as though you've made a difference in a pt's or pt's family's life. No matter how big or small. You keep nursing. Keep loving your career, not just your job, or your paycheck. May the joy of the season show through in all you do!

Good for you! You've decided to be more. I'm 40 now. I started the return to school slowly. I took all science courses one at a time and had them all completed before nursing core courses. Your family will also experience a (nice) slow build up to you being in school full time. It is an adjustment; for you and everyone whose lives you touch. I learned to say "no." It's hard to do initially as a SAHM is used to baking, helping in the classrooms, and driving everyone everywhere because you don't 'work.' It's easier to say and your children learn that you're never too old to better yourself and your family's lives. I graduated nursing school 20 years after I graduated HS. I love my career as a Labor and Delivery nurse and wouldn't change a thing. There may be times when one of your children is home sick and you need to study. Feel free to include them. They can hold flash cards and test you, even though they're ill. Life happens, be flexible and make it work for you and who you want to be!

Oh...crn

Anyone who lives in Rochester New York, there's this wonderful place called Rochester Works. They give grants to assist you in nursing school. You have to jump through a few hoops to get money from them, but who wouldn't jump through a few hoops for free money?

I used multiple methods to study; 1. index cards (if you know the questions from the outline before the semester even begins, you can fill out the front of the cards with the question). Cards are portable and you can color code the tops for the different chapters and make different piles of those you know, sort of know and don't know at all and watch as the 'know' pile gets bigger. 2. a nice recorder; I used an olympus about $130 on line and at the store who matched their online price (once they checked it). I recorded all classes, with the instructor's written permission, and listened it on the way home and to school (as I had a 30 minute drive). 3. Study group that met once a week every week for multiple hours. I was a study whore. I'd study with anyone, anywhere, at anytime. 4. I learned to say 'no' to friends, family and people from my children's schools. Before nursing school, I'd volunteer for anything to help my children. If I couldn't say no to a person, my spouse did it for me. It gets easier the more you do it....saying no. I've heard some people say they breezed right through nursing school. For the vast majority that's not the case. The vast majority need to make changes in their personal lives in order to pass nursing school. Good luck to you!:)

i was in my mid 20's when i decided that nursing was for me. we planned to wait until our youngest child was in school full time for me to return to school. i ended up having a third child, so school was delayed until i was 36 years old. i did take non nursing courses (one a semester) before the core nursing classes. good luck.

People who advise future nursing students about how challenging it is, are attempting to prepare them. Most likely they've already been there, or know someone who has. Most nursing students do not 'sail through' nursing school. If you have a strong support system, study habits, and time to study, you'll survive. Make time to study. 7 and 8 credit courses are nothing to take lightly. They are not just twice as hard as 4 credit courses. Record lectures and conferences (with instructor's permission) and listen to them again and again, while driving to class, home from class, to clinical, while falling asleep. Make flash cards. If you have all of your objectives before the semester even begins, you can fill in the question half of your flash cards before the first day of school. Flash cards can fit in purses or coat pockets. As you memorize them, make three different piles; ones you know, ones you sort of know, and don't know yet. Bring them with you everywhere. When you need a pick me up, review the ones you know! Good luck and prepare yourself and loved ones. Buy paper products for your home in bulk before you begin the semester. Learn to say 'No' to loved ones and friends and bake sales. You will not have time to volunteer. Prepare mentally and physically. You will be a RN one day!

Even though math came easy to me in nursing school, one of my second semester nursing instructors gave us all a wonderful tidbit of information. If you know what the answer -in units- is, then that should help. For example if your answer is ml/hr, then you know you will need to cancel out any other units of measurements in the problem...kg, mg, or mcg. Hopefully this helps! Good luck!

A lot of pt teaching happens at d/c. You'll find that all pt's are given written material that is verbally gone over with them at d/c. In my unit, labor and delivery, a lot of opportunities arise for teaching. Some nurses are better at it then others. Some pt's are better at listening than others as well. For retention to occur, things generally need to be verbalized 3 times. If pt's don't want to hear what is being said, they tune it out. That's why it's best to have family or significant others around when teaching is done.

You know you've been a student nurse when; -you can discuss anything while eating -you're only friends are fellow students -you've gone through a few Christmas' without sending out cards to relatives, but still receive them from everyone -you send instructors funny e-mails -you listen to recordings of lectures and conferences on your MP3 player to and from nursing school -you have absolutely no clue what's going on in the real world -you divide your days into school days and study days; there are no other days -the only things you're counting down are; days to the next exam, and the minimum number of points you need to pass the final -the only thing you care about is building up a cushion for the final -you think your family's sole purpose is to keep you from studying -you spend 1 hr a day driving so you can study away from home (remember you too can listen to taped lectures on MP3 player) -you fall asleep listening to recorded lectures/conferences on said MP3 player -you've decided to take stock in AAA batteries (for MP3 player)