JenNJFLCA

It's funny to think what I was first like as a brand new nurse. I have come a loooong way. You do need a thick skin, but that doesn't mean you have to be mean. Confidence was a big issue with me- and still is. I have come a long way and know that I still have room to improve. It will come though, so just give it time!

Our techs, UC's, and tele techs control our floor. Nurses complaints fall on deaf ears. It's really discouraging, because in the end the patient really suffers. I am tired of busting my butt while others are chatting it up at the nurses station or are on personal phone calls and have the nerve to get mad at you when you ask them to do something. I am also pretty tired of the "Get here right now" or "answer my page right now" mentality. Do they ever think both your hands might be occupied or you are on the phone with someone regarding a patient?

Hi everyone! I am thinking about going to the ICU but they only have night shifts available. Any advice on how to cope with night shift and migraines? I know irregualr sleeping habits is one of my triggers. I am married and my husband works a normal 9-5 type job. Any suggestions? Can this be done without having one giant migraine all the time? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

In my opinion, pain is what the pt says it is. Period. If I notice their respiratory rate is too low or if they are hard to wake up, I won't give the pain meds, but if they say they're in pain, I'll give it as ordered. I deal with mostly post-op pts, so I am pretty darn sure they're in some type of pain. A lot of them also have neuropathy, which is very difficult to treat for pain. My mom has MS and she has chronic pain, but I would not consider her a drug seeker by any means. There are plenty of drug seekers out there, but I believe there are way more people with real pain. Keep in mind that I don't work in the ER. That's a whole different world!

I woke up one day and realized how much better I have gotten. I graduated 1 year ago and passed my boards 10 months ago. I have been off orientation 6 months now and it has been a few months since I have lost a lot of sleep regarding work. I still have bad days, but there are a lot fewer sleepless nights. I am not terrified to go into a pts room anymore (I am very shy and was anxious at first) and I am now even cracking jokes with them! A big step for me. I look back at what I have improved on in the past year and it has been tremendous. I will always be learning and still have A LOT to learn before I can even consider myself "experienced," but just keep doing your thing and you'll get there eventually! Don't be too hard on yourself, and be patient! I also don't work too much overtime. For a while there, it was hard for me to make it through 3 12hr shifts per week. As another poster said, use your days off to relax and unwind. You'll need it!

We handle codes on our floor as posted above. I know that if I ever have a patient that codes, I'll have all the other nurses there with me immediately. They are awesome!

If only this were true. People overeat for many reasons Depression Boredom Anxiety Low self-esteem OCD

I think it's a great idea to teach kids another language as they go through the educational system. As for adults, I don't think it should be a requirement to learn another language. I personally would like to, but not because I was forced into it. I agree with the pp. Come to the US to live, learn English. I wouldn't move to any country without learning the language. It would take time, but it's doable.

She is so young and shy I am afraid she will be eaten alive. AM I being to overprotective or should I be more supportive and encourage her even if I think it is a mistake? I used to be very shy. So shy, that it was difficult for me to even get up the courage to go into a patients room. Nursing has helped me get over my shyness. I am still shy, don't get me wrong. There are some pts, nurses, docs, etc that intimidate me, even though I know they shouldn't. However, I am MUCH better than I used to be and I've only been a nurse for a year. My sister has even told me that I open my mouth and speak my mind more than I used to. Look out world!

I got my first degree in marine biology. I would encourage my children to become nurses before I recommend marine biology. Nursing offers stability, opportunities for advancement, is personally rewarding, and the pay is not too shabby. It's not enough for what we do and put up with, but don't even ask me what I was making before when I worked in a lab. I have been a nurse for a year and applaud all of you that have stayed at the bedside for years. I know that I will not be able to do that because I don't want to hate being a nurse (another big applause for those of you that have stayed at the bedside and still love it). I plan on getting my masters. Who knows where that path will lead me. That's what I love about nursing. I have so many choices. Most of the time I love my patients, and I think all the ways that I can help them and work with them are wonderful. So, yes, I would recommend nursing to my daughter or SON! :)

This sounds like my floor! We give face-to-face reports, but sometimes I finish getting report and I suddenly come to find they have switched my patients or added another one. I put my foot down and they don't do this to me anymore without telling me first. It's irritating to get report (which can be lengthy depending on the pt and RN) and then come to find out you're not really getting those pts. It's also irritating at 0730 when I've already started my routine and I find out I have another pt. As a nurse you need to be flexible and roll with the punches, but common courtesy also needs to utilized. I can't believe that no one on your floor tells anyone that they're picking up another pt! That is abandonment to me. Think of how you would feel if that was you or your loved one?? Sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen.

I'm a new nurse and I got day shift right off the bat. I think it just depends on the demand.

I've been a nurse for 4 months and I think there is a shortage because of the poor working conditions and the huge retiring nurse population. Med Surg is a temporary thing for me. I am sad to say that, but the conditions are horrible and I am already tired of being treated like dirt.....

I got my first BS in Marine Biology w/ a minor in Chemistry. I can honestly tell you that nursing was a heck of a lot harder! :smilecoffeecup:

Man, I thought my migraines were bad! I was 21 when I started getting them. I haven't heard about the cauterizing a nerve, but I would def do some research about that first. One of my classmates in nursing school gets botox injections for her migraines. It sucks that insurance doesn't pay for it. Obviously it's medically necessary. :angryfire