MissKitty21

Yes, it was discussed in the interview, but at the time I was with my husband. I expected that he would be there for me to tuck the kids in bed when I went to work. However, as I said, I am a VERY new single mom and this is no longer the case as he has decided to leave. I am hesitant to quit and move back home for numerous reasons. 1) I am a new graduate and it appears as though there is an abundance of new grads having difficulty finding jobs. This is why I feel lucky to be in a teaching institute that is open to new grads. 2) Back home, I have only my parents and my ex's family. My mom is currently undergoing chemo and I don't want to bring my stress to her door. Additionally, I don't want to impose on his family either. I really shouldn't have to explain myself. I was seeking advice and support. If you don't have either, then don't waste time responding.

Thank you all for your suggestions and concern!

I just started a position in ICU and in a month I am supposed to be switching to nights. No big deal- right? Except I have 2 small children... and I am a very new single mom... and I have absolutely no family or friends within 2 hours of me. What do those of you that are night shifters and single moms do? I am so stressed out about this that I am thinking about quitting and applying for jobs closer to my hometown. However, I would hate to do this as my hospital is a wonderful teaching institution that receives the sickest patients in the state and many from across the country. I really could use some help!:heartbeat

Can't you retake the course you failed next semester? I don't see how you can fail ONE course and be dropped from the program. And I thought the BSN program was 6 semesters...

Pre-reqs of A&P do not teach you "basic nursing stuff." Because you have no nursing /medical education your basis of basic medical knowledge is probably equivalent to her's. And it is true that it doesn't matter that you've not started school as to whether or not you should be giving medical advice. One way or another- you shouldn't. And you know that. That's the whole reason behind your vent, I assume. It does matter if you've started in relation to what information you are giving out. You will be amazed at how much you learn once you start school. You will also be amazed about how many things you thought you knew but were wrong. Hope your cousin's little man gets to feeling well soon!

CPR/ First aid wouldn't be of any benefit if your kid were to fall and sustain head trauma anyways.

In my ideal world, patients would be devoid of all poop, mucus, and vomit. But realistically, we know patients come with an assortment of wonderful fluids and delightful smells. Some worse than others. Although I love what I do, there are some things I could live without. Just for fun... If there were 3 things in nursing that you could magically never have to do again what would they be? What three things would you want to do all of the time?

I like "Disturbed Energy Field"-- seriously

Imbalanced nutrition: more than body requirements related to imbalanced caloric intake in relation to metabolic needs as evidenced by BMI of 36. Thank you for showing us what you have instead of just asking for an answer like so many others!! Good luck with your care plan!

The best way to come up with a diagnosis is to think of the symptoms that coincide with the medical condition. I'd suggest showing us the diagnoses you have come up with yourself, so that we don't feel as though we're doing your homework for you. Then we can work together.

The salts were given to pull fluid from the intracellular space. This pull decreases cellular swelling attributed with hyponatremia and increases extracellular fluid volume. The lasix was given to excrete the excess fluid that is attributing to dilutional hyponatremia. Once the fluid is expelled, the ratio of water to sodium is no longer so imbalanced and the dilutional hyponatremia subsides as the ratio normalizes. The salts will also substitute additional sodium excreted with diuresis, preventing further hyponatremia.

You can't sue people for being inconsiderate.

It isn't a 'good thing' to have a positive TB test. Although it may signify antibodies, it generally signifies antibodies because you have latent disease which requires 6 months of treatment. There are only two routes to acquiring antibodies- vaccination and infection and I have an inkling she didn't acquire it through vaccination. So although she may not be contagious, she more than likely has latent disease.

We need to remember that addiction IS a disease. It is hard to keep it in mind, but consider this--- why would anyone willingly CHOOSE to destroy their life with drugs? True that they initially chose to take the first step in trying these drugs, but after that their brains physiologically change. This is not just a moral lapse- it is a biologically founded disorder.

Report it to the next shift nurse???