smarti15

I graduated in May as an RN and started working in a LTC facility. I only had 5 days of training. I didn't have any experience in nursing at all. Now, only three months later, my CNA's love me, my residents love me, and I have grown more than I thought a person could grow in three months. I grew because I was unafraid of performing new skills and making judgement calls (always on the side of caution, of course). My residents love me because I give them as much time as I can (sometimes not much at all and never as much as I wish I could) and I always smile at them. I gained the respect of my CNAs (many are waaaay more experienced than me) by listening to them when they give their recommendations, tell me about people I should assess, or just vent about the previous shift (all with a kind heart) and I act upon the issues they bring to my attention. I manage those that need managing, learn from those that have knowledge to give, and most of all....I think to myself that I could be out there flipping burgers for minimum wage. Always keep in mind that this is what you went to school, all those arduous months or years, to do. Have confidence but be willing to ask for help when you need it. Good luck!!!!

I work LTC and things tend to walk off. I carry a HUGE bag and have my name on everything. I have my littman and a cheap steth (to loan out), a manual BP cuff, wrist BP cuff, hemostats, two scissors, pen light, thermometer, pulse-ox, notebook, probably a gazillion pens (love the ones from my bank), bottle of water, bottle of gatorade, wallet, feminine products, and a big bag of candy for all of my co-workers...whew!

I have only done clinicals in the ER and that was enough for a laugh or two: rectal pain: patient states I had sex "back there" Abdominal pain: patient states that if we can't get through the scar tissue in his veins to start his IV, he can...and btw when can I get a breakfast tray? Some people.....

So, I have heard that a few states might start considering allowing medication aides to check blood sugar and then administer sliding scale insulin. The idea is that some facilities already allow the aides to check BGL and then report the results to the nurse. The nurses then administer the insulin based on what the medication aide told them. I am sure you all know how confusing it can get with so many accu checks. I was wondering if anyone else had heard anything about this, if any states actually implement this, and what everyone thinks about it. I myself am a do it yourself-er. I want to do my own accu checks and administer my own insulin.

Thanks everyone for these great ideas! When I go in on Wed I will talk to my mgr and see what has worked in the past

Thanks CNA2day! It's nice to get some feedback from a CNA. I do NOT want to be a bully, as I stated in my OP. And I agree about not giving candy to someone doing what they should already be doing. :)

I (very) recently started at a LTC facility. I am an LPN and will soon be an RN. This is my first job as a nurse, and I have very little experience in any sort of leadership/management position. Needless to say, this all very new for me and I am out of my realm. I know that as I become more experienced many things will become a lot easier. I am wondering if any seasoned nurses out there have any creative ideas about how to check your patients and make sure that the CNAs are turning patients q2h? I have noticed that the CNAs get very busy, and I know they are not getting to some of the patients often enough. I don't want to be the bossy newbie, but I also can't just let my patients lay in bed without being turned often enough. I have noticed that some of the patients have red bottoms, and I want to get a handle on this ASAP. I have heard of nurses initialing chux, giving candy as rewards, and other such things when CNAs get their patients turned on time. Any ideas you have would be very helpful. Thanks, The Newbie

love it!!!

The best thing you can do is learn everything you can in this closely monitored environment. Clinicals gives you the opportunity to get a feel for giving the care that you read about in your textbooks. When a clinical rotation gets a little crazy, just remember that your instructor is trying to give each student some hands on instruction. Your turn is there to glean the knowledge, you just might have to wait out the crazies for a bit

Seriously!? I agree...this looks all to familiar. Someone needs to close this thread. To the OP.....it's called reading, try it!

It isn't just the media spreading this garbage. Three of my instructors have told me that I don't need to worry because we are in a nursing shortage! I have applied to all of the positions that I am qualified for and I have been looking for almost a year. I was shocked that my instructors are still of the mindset that there is a current nursing shortage....some people!

LPN almost a GN: Hate: Not having a job Love: Not having a job

Where I am it's all about the experience and who you know. Hence the reason I've been looking for a job for almost a year. I live in a small city, and I am pretty sure I haven't kissed the right butts! Ha ha! It really depends on where you are as to whether experience is necessary.

It has nothing to do with age. I think it has everything to do with not wanting to be lazy. I always take the time to make sure my posts are at the very least comprehensible. I think texting has ruined us

I personally live with my mom. I think it depends on your relationship with your mom. My mom and I are best friends, and we get along really well. Nursing school has some crazy hours, and I can always depend on my mom to make sure that my kids get to school, she cooks for us, and helps with the housework. In fact, the only thing I worry about is school. I say that if you and your mom get along well enough, then stay with your mom. If your fiance can't support you and your kids, then he can help you out in other ways. He can help with yard work, dinner, studying, and moral support. I'm sure he will understand that this might be the best for you to get through school as fast as possible.

Contact precautions aside, my general rule of thumb is "if it's warm, wet, and not yours, wear gloves". To the OP: I commend that you took the time to give a back rub. I am in my last few weeks of nursing school, and very few of my fellow nursing students have ever given a back rub. It's nice to see that you care enough to give that personal skin to skin contact.

I'm all about procrastination, but.....sheesh!

I graduate in 11 weeks, and I have my second interview with the local hospital today...yay me!!!!! Don't dwell on the doom and gloom. Just be persistent, friendly, and willing to do a little foot work )

My school counts both. I failed cliniclas once r/t illnesses and had to repeat the whole semester. You should be able to refer to your student handbook and/or discuss the issue with the director of your nursing program. Good luck, and kudos to your for keeping at it!

I don't think you were harsh at all! I am in my last semester of nursing school, and I love it when nurses are so willing to teach. I had a nurse that really EMPHASIZED the need to flush saline locks at the very beginning of the shift. I never felt like she demeaned me, even though she was very....explicit about her opinions on IV lines. She just told me about her experience with a patient coding after a student didn't flush the line and it clotted. Let me tell you, the next day when I hit the floor, my locks were flushed immediately and I answered all of her questions about IV lines. I think that if a student wants to learn, they will willingly listen to any experienced nurse that will teach them, I also think that the instructor did those students a great disservice. In many clinical experiences there is a lot of finger pointing, and it is just this sort of thing that leads to hard feelings and lines in the sand.

As with all tests in the school setting, read the chapters that were lectured from, read your notes, and study any extra materials that came with your text (CDs or study guides). It's worked pretty well for me, and I only have 11 weeks of school left Another thing you can study is an NCLEX study guide. Good luck!

I am so blessed! My mom lives with me (she can't work due to disability) and she does so much for me. I have three kids that she takes care of (although they certainly have their chores), she cooks, she keeps up with light housework, AND she is my personal cheerleader. I couldn't have gone through school without her. God bless her soul, she hates mess too! I need to go hug my mommy....

Many hospitals are no longer hiring LPN's, so if you are considering starting off with your LPN, you may have a hard time finding work. If you have the money, and are sure that a career in nursing is what you want, I would suggest going straight for your RN. It will be well worth your time in the end IMHO.

Sweetyam01: I do believe the OP was asking about LPN to RN school, NOT whether to be a nurse or DR. While we are happy to see that you have made the decision to be a doctor (and given your horrid grammar that is probably the best choice for you), the OP has obviously decided to be a nurse. If you want to rip the nursing profession, you might want to find another place to rant and rave about it, because this site is filled with professionals who have made nursing their choice, and most of us really do love nursing!

White! I hate it! Just think marshmallow man from ghostbusters. We wear white bottoms, top, undies, socks, shoes. We can wear a wedding band and one set of stud earings. Tattoos can't show, and if your dog jumps up on you before you leave, forget it! They just don't care, they will soooo send you home. Of course, with the white, inevitably someone wears panties that say "juicy" on 'em, or something like that, and we all get reamed. You would think that they would just let us wear a different color. Common sense would tell us that white is probably not the best color choice for inexperienced nursing students. I keep an extra set in my car after a hemovac exploded on me (good times).