Dorali

That's how we do it, but I'm not sure what the rationale is behind it. I will ask & find out though. I do know that when we put the gauze on, it's just barely damp.

Hi Everyone! Quick back story: I'm a fairly new LPN (August 2016). Was hired at a local hospital I did clinicals at in nursing school--a dream come true--and I've been working Med Surg for about 6 months on my own. Wound care is what our hospital is known for, we have a very good reputation. I've always had an interest in wounds. On Sunday, this past weekend, I was approached by an RN on the wound care team. She informed me that a full-time position had come open and if I would be interested. I said yes, but would need to think about it (my schedule would change-husband, kids, etc.) On Monday, I was approached by another wound nurse and asked again. I had decided to take it, so she helped me fill out the internal application and gave me a run-down on what would be happening. Got a call from HR that afternoon to schedule an interview. On Tuesday, I had a peer interview with the manager & a few of the wound nurses. I felt it went well, but you just never know. The manager didn't give anything away to hint one way or another so I was a little concerned. About three hours later, HR called and told me I got the position!!! Everything happened so fast!!! I'll start early/middle of next month. I don't have much experience other than clinicals & that's been a year ago now. I need to brush up on my terminology, I'd like to do some research on techniques--even basic wound care-- VACs, dressings, medications, etc. I have a couple of weeks before I start so enough time to do some studying. Can someone suggest some websites or books to read? Are there any supplies that I would need to buy? Basically, if you were new again what would you need or need to know to get started? Thank you so much!!

Funny you mention that! I just ordered this 4 colored pen today! With "fashionable" colors! Pink, purple, turquoise, and lime green! I'm hoping it will help.

Jotting things down is mostly what I *try* to do. Plan B is to remember that the pt did/went to ___ when I gave so&so they're PRN at 1130. Lol! So you're basically just starting one note per patient and adding to it throughout the day?Thats a good idea!

I'm new too! I'm about halfway through my 12 weeks of orientation and up to 4 patients now. I was a CNA before and passed meds in a nursing home for 5 years and I thought I had a good idea of what I was getting in to. I was very, very wrong! Lol! I have 2 essential things I bring to work with me every day: 1.) My clipboard. Most of the nurses I work with have one of these. I ordered from the website and had it engraved with my name so it won't get stolen, but you can also find them on Amazon. It is my most prized nursing possession!!! It folds in half and can fit in most scrub pockets, but I usually put it in... 2.) My tool belt. I got some good-natured teasing for having this thing strapped to my waist, but I love it! 2 other nurses I work with have them now. I purchased the small one initially, but my clipboard had to go in up & down and got in the way. One of those nurses I mentioned got the medium sized one and her clipboard fits in there perfectly, so I just ordered it and like it a lot better. I always have everything I need. It holds flushes, alcohol pads, pens, scissors, theres a velcro pocket that I keep my personal stuff in--like chapstick, and the little loop holds my tape and curos. We get report sheets at the beginning of our shift that have basic pt info on them. It has room to take notes, but I don't like them very much. Sometimes the information has changed (diet, whether they have a foley, etc) and isn't updated on the sheet. I have always used my own little cheat sheet and I have made my own that I will attach here. It may not work for you because I made it based on our report sheets, since most of the nurses do use them throughout their shift & I want to make sure they are getting the information they need at shift change. I check orders to make sure everything is the same as what I received in report and write it on my cheat sheet. On the notes section, at the bottom are "shift assessment" & "flu shot" because I already know I'll have to do it & check to see if a flu shot has been given to each pt. 'Tis the season! My work list of Things To Do I write from the bottom up & things I need to remember I write from the top down. This sheet is super handy when getting a report from another department. I can make sure I have everything I need to know. I *try* to keep track of when PRNs are given so I don't have to keep logging in to the computer and looking it up. On the area next to PRNs, I write down any out of range labs. I save this area for important things. Yesterday was my first day off after a SUPER CRAZY weekend. I had an admit from ICU mid-shift that coded and passed away right at shift change on Friday. Sunday I had another that was in restraints (meaning q2h documenting) and q1h CIWA. So I struggled a lot. Yesterday, I sat down with a piece of notebook paper and made myself a schedule of when & what needs to be done. Very generic: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0630-0700 - Get report. 0700-0800 - Check pt's charts for histories, code status, meds due, etc. 0800-1000 - Med pass. Try to do 1-2 shift assessments. ~~2 hours for med pass with 8 pt's (our max) = 15min per pt. More time if you have less patients.) 1000-1100 - Catch up on anything that needs to be done, check on next round of meds due. 1100-1200 - Insulins & med pass. Do a few more shift assessments. Lunch - Once I've reached some sort of stopping place, I have to break to eat. I'm usually starving by now. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Writing all of this down and SEEING what my day SHOULD look like, I'm hoping, will help me feel & stay a little more on track. We all know by now that this never actually happens, but here's to wishful thinking! I hope I didn't confuse you with my post. I'm on recovery day 2 from this hectic weekend! Ha ha! One of my struggles right now is keeping track of WHEN THINGS HAPPEN! Pt admitted to floor, discharged and left for home, left for a procedure, etc. We are supposed to be writing notes for everything, but I can never remember what time and rarely get to document as it happens. Any tips for that?? Cheat Sheet 2pt:pg.docx

This is great! Thank you so much!! Lindsey - I can definitely summarize! Geez that would be so much easier than the torment I put myself through trying to remember every little word. Sour Lemon - Thank you for your responses! You helped me a lot! And thank you all for coming up with examples, it makes it so easier to understand. I'll definitely refer back to this post!

Thank you both for your input! For the record, I didn't say anything about him being rude in my nurse's note. That was just to paint the picture for my post here. I knew better than to do that! So, I'm basically just stating the facts of what happened and the things that the PATIENT says. Not putting in the things that you say, is that because it could potentially be misinterpreted? I know I've had a few text messages unintentionally go bad! Same concept?

Hi everybody! I'm a new nurse, still on orientation. Documentation is one of my big fears right now and I have a question about documenting conversations between yourself & a patient. Basically formatting. Here's why: I had a pt a few weeks ago that was very non-compliant, rude, etc. He was given one more chance to change his behavior and my encounter with him, of course, was his 3rd strike. I had to document the conversation we had. I wrote it like you would read in a novel: I said, "Blah, blah, blah." He said, "blah, blah, blah." I did this and that, then he said, "blah blah." Etc. I had a nurse tell me a long time ago (I was writing a witness statement & asked him to proofread) to write down all the things the pt said, like in a list, then write everything I said below that. He said that whoever was reading it would figure it out, but that just didn't make any sense to me. So now, here I am over-thinking my documentation that probably doesn't matter this much! Lol I'd appreciate any tips!! Thanks!!

This is something that makes me crazy! Personally, I wouldn't want to wear something knowing that it was incorrect. My hospital has a statue of Asclepius in one of the flower beds out of front, which made me happy the first time I saw it!

INeedToPass -- None of us used Kaplan. I thought about using it. Came to this site and read what others had to say and wasn't impressed. Based on the types of questions you had it sounds like you passed!! Have you found out yet??? LPNMama -- Have you gotten your ATT yet? Or tested?

Congratulations on your new job! I am also a brand new LPN & finished my 4th day of orientation this past weekend on my med surg floor! So far I love it! Just to wanted to say hi & let you know you're not alone!

Thank you, WereBadger! I can't even say how big that makes me smile!!!

Wow!! Good job!! That's awesome you made it through both! I had about 300 questions left of Uworld. Did you like the Mastery app or Uworld better?

There are so many things you could do with a nursing degree. Some people don't like direct patient care, some people are better with the office side of things. You've made it this far, I'd hate for you to bail. Do some research and look into other options. If the other types of work you could do with your degree doesn't help you feel any better, then by all means find something else. You only have this one life and you don't need to spend it doing something that isn't going to make you happy. Good luck in your decision!

Pinterest is a great resource for crockpot recipes. Also, AllRecipes.com is excellent! If you have time before starting school, I suggest preparing some of those meals, putting them in gallon size ziploc bags & freezing them. Put them in the fridge the morning before to thaw, and by the next morning you can dump it in your crockpot, turn it on and go! There are also crockpot liners you can get at the grocery store, they're usually around the aluminum foil & Saran Wrap. They're pretty cheap ($2/box of 4) and really help with clean up. No burnt gunk on the sides of the pot to scrub. I have lots of recipes, I'll see what I can find.