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I have the STC and LOVE it! As a nurse in a Coronary Care Unit, this stethoscope allows me to hear all of those extra heart sounds (to the point where you can pick up on Grade I murmurs!). I have used the Master Cardiology III (a friend of mine has it) but I prefer the STC; I think you can hear heart sounds better.

There is really something to be said for the higher end stethoscopes. I work in a CCU and my Littmann (I have a STC Stethoscope) really allows me to hear those S3s, S4s, and murmurs. I left it at home one day and had to borrow a collegue's Classic II SE and I felt LOST. I couldn't hear anything but bilateral breath sounds. For my money, Littmann stethoscopes are the only way to go.

I've never heard of new grads being hired into a dayshift ICU position. I've heard of new grads being hired onto days in a med/surg or tele unit, but not ICU. The dayshift in the ICU is extremely busy and is not a really great learning environment for a new nurse. Nightshift is a little bit slower on nights and allows for teaching (plus, you have experienced "lifers" on nights who love to teach). I had concerns about working nights, myself, as a new grad... 5 years later and I am still on nights. I will NEVER work days as long as I am at the bedside. There are too many "personalities," managment personnel, and families on days. Consider working nights; it was one of the best decisions I ever made! I hope this helps! James

I know for a fact that at my facility the majority of male RNs are in the ICUs and the ED. I think I know of three guys who work on Med/Surg (on nightshift, anyhow). James, RN PS: I work in the Surgical-Trauma ICU.

I've always given IV Phenergan. As everyone else has already written, make sure to dilute it. Otherwise, you are "good to go." :)

Heck no! For any other non-intubated patient, it might be too much but for the patient in DTs (especially at night when everyone gets nuts) 7mg is not too much. I've even had non-intubated patients on Ativan DRIPS before.

Hi there! I have been on nights for about 5 years and LOVE it! I never was a "day person" so working nightshift suits me well. At first, nightshift was really difficult for me; I couldn't seem to stay awake and alert. After about 6 weeks or so my body got adjusted to the point where nights feels a lot more natural to me than days. My first day on, I usually take Benadryl about 10 or 11am and I sleep until about 4:30 or 5. Sleep is not an issue for me after my first night. A word to the wise, though--TURN OFF YOUR PHONE WHEN YOU GET HOME! You have NO idea how many people (even people who know you work nights) try to call you during the day. Remember, you deserve a good night's sleep as much as they do. Welcome to nights! I hope you come to love it as much as I do!!