cashew1

Clean the peristomal skin with warm water and clean gauze or wash cloth. Dry skin gently with gauze or washcloth. Allow skin to thoroughly dry. Do not use the skin with sure prep wipes, unless the skin is getting denuded. These wipes block the skin pores and this makes it harder for the pectin based adhesive on the back of the ostomy wafer to sink into the skin and seal correctly. DO NOT USE BENZOIN, this will block the pores. I have never seen this done! To help ensure good adhesion, apply slight pressure with a warm hand over the ostomy wafer (with bag on) for at least a minute (this helps to melt the adhesive into the skin, increasing adhesion) It's best to hold on 15 minutes minimum Consider using an ostomy belt (do not have belt tighter than underwear elastic) Ensure you empty pouch when about 1/3 full Generally, ostomy bags/wafers need to be changed 2xweek or PRN leakage, so change it on schedule before it leaks

I broke my contract and nothing happened to me. I had to move because of my husband's job transfer. I was so happy to get out of med surg. I Totally empathize with you. I also HATED med surg. It's often an awful unit to work. Try to take it day by day, stay focused on the priorities, chart as you go. You have acknowledged that your job sucks (which it does), and now get beyond that and try to focus on other things in your life that are going well and positive. Set goals so that you can advance your career and get out of your situation. Remember that if your brain is not fed you won't be as sharp and you won't be able to do your job as efficiently (thus prolonging the agony). So take a minute and force down a food bar, if you have to, to get some nutrition in you. Good luck!

I am a new nurse who works 12 hour shifts on days in Med/Surg. I am very annoyed that sometimes I am so busy that I can't take a lunch break. Sometimes the other nurse with more experience also go without lunches on my shift. Usually, we are so busy I never take a morning or afternoon break and I often have to work an hour or so of OT after my 12 hour shift. So, by the end of the shift I am exhausted, starving and my head hurts!!! Do I expect too much? Is it common to miss lunch breaks due to workload?

Thanks for your response. I'm in Texas now at a large acute hospital. I work in med/surg. I don't know what "IMO" means. Is that intermediate??? I hope I can get my RN license transferred easily to NJ. Please don't tell me I have to take the NCLEX again!!!

Hi I will soon be relocating to the Bedminster area. I have never been to New Jersey before this, so I am totally unfamiliar with the area. I currently work as a medsurg nurse in a very busy unit and have less than a year in experience. 1) Does anyone have suggestions for where I should apply for a RN position or places I should try to avoid. I am flexible and am interested in a hospital, clinic, doctor's office or school nurse position. 2) I will have worked about 6 months as a RN before we move. Since I have less than a year in experience should I try to stay in my current state for a little while longer or should I just move with my family and try to get a job in New Jersey?

Thanks for sharing. Your stories sound funny now, but I bet at the time you did not think so. It is good to hear you eventually stopped fainting.

Thanks everyone for your advice and for sharing your stories. Now I don't feel so alone!

Wow, thank you for the scientific explanation. I think that you gave really good advice about being hydrated. I know I was very busy prior to my near syncope episode and I think I was dehydrated. I will try to make sure I am hydrated and try to desensitize myself.

I am a nursing student a little while ago I was watching a lumbar puncture procedure and I started to sweat, my ears were ringing, and I almost passed out. Fortunately, there was a chair in the room, and I quickly regained my composure, but I was so embarrassed. I have witnessed other worse procedures on patients, so I don't know why this happened this time. Did this happen to any of you? Will I get used to this?

I got the email letter twice, too. I haven't received any large packets yet. I didn't hear anything back regarding my background being cleared I better call them tomorrow. Does anyone know if you have to wait to finish your CPR class in order to register? I am scheduled to take one mid July. I have all my prereqs and shots done. Thanks

I got my letter today, and I got in. I am so happy and relieved. Good luck everyone else. I can't wait to start! :icon_roll

Good luck Miranda819! I still haven't heard from anyone regarding the interviews.

Hi, I have an interview at UTHSC on March 26th. I talked to someone recently who said they had their interview scheduled for today March 18th. If any of you have completed your interviews how was it? Is this group interview a group of interviewers and one of you? or is it a group of applicants all at the same time with one interviewer? Sorry, I haven't heard of this type of interviewing. I'm busy studying for the TEAS! :wink2: