JennyJ
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I'm so sorry Luv. This is tough, I know, I've been there. When I didn't pass my boards I went through a major depression. My husband, bless his heart, was very supportive. He told me something that did help, and maybe you'll find some comfort in it too. He pointed out to me that the test WAS NOT a reflection at all of how good a nurse I was going to be, all it was was the result of how I answered that particular set of questions on that particular day, at that point in time. He also remined me frequently that when I do have my license and I'm holding a patient's hand through a difficult procedure or offering them whatever comfort I can, they aren't going to care one little bit how many times I had to take the exam, all that is important to them is that I'm there, at that moment, for them. Somehow, that made the waiting to re-take the test a little bit easier. I also learned a great deal in those three months that I think made me a better nurse and person in general. I wouldn't change the experience for the world. Hang in there! You're going to be wonderful, and we're all pulling for you.
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I'm sure I'll see some of you at work tonight, it sure sounds like we take care of the same people! My favorite was a gentlman who was in for "pain management". Nobody could figure out what or why, and he had no shortage of Docs trying to. Well, of course, his pain was a constant 10, despite the MS gtt, PRN everything, etc. Finally one of the docs put the pain scale in perspective for him. He told the patient "If I take your testicles and slam them repeatedly in between 2 bricks; that's a 10. What is your pain now?" I laughed myself silly when the patient replied " 3 ".
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I think we've all been there. I recall one experience, that maybe I didn't handle the best way I could have but it was effective. I had one huge family calling constantly about my patient. I literally talked to a different family member about every 10 minutes. I finally asked my patient who they would like to act as the go-between. I discussed things only with this one person, and explained to the family that they would need to get the information from them, because the more time I spent on the phone with family was less time I had to actually care for their loved one. Once it was put to them in sort of a "I could give my time to you or your loved one" manner, the family got the point and stopped calling me.
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My husband is currently in nursing school (the same program I graduated from 5 years ago) and in listening to some of the stories he has, I find a new respect for some of the difficulties for men in this field. For example, his study group consists of him and 4 women. He started driving his truck (complete with camper) to school so that he and the group could have a quiet, private oasis (we all remember how important that was in school). Often he will cook breakfast for the girls before they dive into the lecture notes and study. Well, he has been called into one of the instructor's office to discuss the "inappropriateness" of the fact that he is in a camper with 4 women. He says that he feels his actions are constantly being monitored, even more closely than his female counterparts. Nevermind the fact that he has yet to earn lower than a "B" on any exam, or not pass a clinical checkout. I guess I never thought that men in nursing are such a minority that they would warrent such monitoring.
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I went through the SANE training last spring. Since the hospital I work in, in fact the state, does not have a program (that I'm aware of) in place I figured who better to start one? So, I traveled to another state and at great personal expense, found the training I wanted. Unfortunately, I have met with a great deal of resistance in getting one up and going. "We simply don't have the funds available in the budget for a new program". " How can a nurse perform an examination better than a Dr?" These are only two examples of the numerous things I have heard as justification for not supporting a SANE program here. I was wondering if anyone else has heard of similar things when their programs were started, and if so, how were those "nay-sayers" overcome? Any input would be grand here. Thank you so much!