r.oxymoron

JINKIES!!! Just reading your post made me nauseous. Nope, I never have, knowing my luck, I'm just too afraid something will go terribly wrong. I work with a nurse who seems to have no trouble cutting corners but is the first to point fingers at others even if they are not... especially if they are not. It's a nurse-eat-nurse world out there. Do what YOU think is right, it's your license after all.

I've been told it causes neck pain after a while, which makes sense considering the weight of some steths but I've NEVER heard of it being unprofessional. That sounds like the opinion of that particular instructor. I too have a "holster" for mine and it works quite well; I have noticed fewer HA's at the end of my shifts. In fact, I have a white, black and clear depending on my particular location at the time.

Try looking at it from the new grad's point of view. I was hired as charge right out of nursing school, and I flat-out told my supervisor, "You're kidding me, right?" I was HORRIFIED, but I needed the job. I was lucky to be surrounded by outstanding fellow nurses whose experience I could tap into. It's difficult however, to ask what their assessment would be without putting the final decision in their hands; my license was the one on the line. I agree with you, the slot of charge should be given to those with more experience. I muddled through because I work with a great team. Others aren't so fortunate.

I think you'll find that's pretty much the standard; it may help you in coping if you respect the cultural & religious practices expressed by the patient or the family whenever possible/allowable. Otherwise, it's a part of death, and it generally bother's all of us to one degree or another. When I was finishing my CNA training, we had to do post-mortems on patients. My instructor had problems with the zipping of the bags; I however, couldn't stand the sound of the head hitting the gurney, no matter how gently. Unfortunately, it's one of the aspects of our job with which we just have to deal. You're in my prayers & I'm zenning strength to you, take care of you, k?

It's not the easiest to find nursing jobs here in Colorado, even with experience. A lot of nurses are moving out of Colorado to find work; it's either that or take whatever you can get your hands on. GOOD LUCK!!!

I agree completely. In addition, it enables you to 'hang on' until someone can come in just in case your replacement doesn't show, which has happened to me in the past when I was working night charge. Due to a scheduling glitch, the day charge didn't come in for 4.5 hours and I was LOST to say the least. With some cross-training I would've been able to, if nothing else, have an idea of the many tasks I had to carry out. I know it sucks, but I think it's very wise for you and puts you in a better positon as a nurse. You understand the flow, and you have the comfort of knowing that you can be dropped almost anywhere and be able to hit the ground running; I envy you for that. Consider this a blessing. Understand it's temporary, take advantage of the opportunity for the extra knowledge, and stick it out. We're all pulling for ya & know you can do it!

I can see both sides- just to play devil's advocate. There's a balance between experience and new knowledge and technology. Second, and possibly third, opinions would be a good idea.

I'm so with you....

I'd like to see you're chart. The facility I'm presently at isn't yet computerized, so it can be a real challenge. If you'd be willing to email me something like the one you use, I'd greatly appreciate it. It's difficult not to feel 'dumped on' at times; I have some truly amazing charge nurses that can do anything, it seems, but they're on a different floor and I haven't the opportunity to watch and observe they're style. Whew, it can be a jungle out there!!

A friend of mine just got all 265 last week but also got the pop up. No surprise, she passed. Way to go!!!

Any pop up is good, so I'm thinking you've got a very good sign. :anpom:

The pop up is the pop up and I've not known it to be wrong. Don't hold me 100% to it, but I'd venture to say you're not looking at a fifth (except with your friends/family in celebration). Congrats!

I've not heard of a time limit, but I'm not completely sure. From all I've heard, as long as you haven't paid for the quick results, the pop up still applies. I hope you don't have to wait too much longer and you're in my prayers.

Very true. And anyone can pass or fail on 265

I've only ever heard of ONE person failing at 75 questions.

They say the worse you feel, the better you did, but we know that's not a good indicator! My prayers are with you!

Keep in mind that the number of questions ultimately has no bearing on pass or fail. Staying in and answering correctly the mid- to higher-level questions consistantly however, does. One can fail with 75 questions and pass with 265. I have yet to see the pop up trick fail, but I wouldn't stake my life on it.

I agree. Think of it logically. Since they're the ones giving the test, of course they're going to know the results immediately; it would only make sense that the system would not let one register again (regardless of what the pop up says). If one fails the exam, re-registration would be required at some point. My classmates and I have followed the accuracy of the 'pop up test' (as we call it) and it has been spot-on every time.

It's not a 'time management' situation. Most RN's are expected to do 16 hours of work in 12 hours and when it gets slammed, all the time management in the world won't help; if you haven't 'been there' so to speak, you just don't understand. I started out as a CNA and am irritated to still see each side blaming the other. Unless one has worked as a CNA, he/she shouldn't gripe about CNAs and unless one has worked as a RN, he/she shouldn't gripe about RNs.

macspuds has an excellent point that I hadn't thought of. It could very well end up in both HR folders. Hmmmmm......

I'm sure Connie would notice that I said, "I would've contacted the CNA directly to make sure he/she got the information," but there's no way for any of us to know the exact situation on the floor that day so none of us know whether or not that was her only option. None of us can also say if the CNA might've made the same remarks if he/she was asked in person; the CNA might've been having severe problems as well. On the days that the meconium hits the fan, every member of the team must put aside attitude, personal differences and anything else that can prevent the job from getting done.

I agree with just about every reply here, the CNA's behavior was completely out of line. I would've contacted the CNA directly to make sure he/she got the information, but the CNA's behavior is definitely call for write-up. The CNA's working under your license and the patients were abandoned, which puts your license in jeopardy and could cost the CNA his/her license. Thanks for you devotion to nursing and keep us informed, K?

I think it depends on your situation and preferences. I got an Olympus - I think it was 4100-PC or something. That way I could download the lectures onto my computer; it worked out really well. Also, just the process of listening and then typing really helped set the material in my brain.

Those things are truly priceless!!

That's impossible to tell until you 'get your feet wet'. Some of my classmates have gone through the last moments of parents', spouses and even childrens lives and I believe that gives them an edge on some nurses. If you can survive nursing school, think of what your experiences will mean to your patients and their families. You've been where they are and you know so intimately what they're going through; there are times when that means more than all the skills in the world. If you can handle getting through nursing school (which is brutal, I won't lie) you would be such a great asset to nursing. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers, just by considering nursing school says a lot about your heart and I wish you the very best. :)