valsquek

Our nursing program didn't allow IV starts either. In our last clinical, we had a very nice and lenient instructor that let us start IVs on each other. Often I would ask the nurses I followed in clinicals whether I could take home IV start kits and they obliged. I have stuck my poor fiance the most, my mom, and my sister. Although some might frown upon this practice, I have to say it really helped me out when I got my current job in the hospital. I work nights and I'm looked at now as the go-to person for starting IVs, since we do not have an IV team at night & I'm actually pretty good at them. I say get all the practice you can by willing people =)

I absolutely agree about giving the PRN Morphine. If the order is there, the pt's vitals do not reflect too much pain med. administration, then the nurse should of given the PRN dose. At times it's hard not to pass judgment on patients, especially if you have taken care of patients that may have been "pain seekers". After getting a couple of these patients then it kind of hardens you against giving what you may think is alot of pain medications. That might of been what was going on in the head of that one nurse that you followed.

Just to clear the air, I was venting. In my head I was thinking botched surgery, nothing was said to the family along those lines. I can see how that could have been misinterpreted. ~ I am an emotional person, but above all professional. Thank you *nerdtonurse* for your story, it was heartbreaking, but insightful.

I'm definitely not liking the above two comments. I do know that criticizing doctors and getting emotionally attached to patients are a big no-no. Although I did neither, knowing someone died still affects me greatly. Thankfully I talked w/one of my friends (whom is also working as a new grad on the same floor), and she eased my mind; sometimes comforting positive comments are needed instead of hardened ones. I appreciate the above two comments for being honest, but a stern lecture is not what I needed at that time.

I almost cried two hours into my shift today. Besides being stuck w/an apathetic preceptor, I found out today that one of my previous patients died last week. The patient didn't seem that bad when I had him last. I had a hell of a time talking to his family about a botched surgery and why exactly wasn't he put on TPN sooner. What am I supposed to do when I think the doctor is totally dragging on a fragile patient. How am I suppose to react when I think that the patients surgeon is crappy and maybe making mistakes???? I feel such heartache for his family. He was such a nice guy. He was not supposed to die, he had so much life in him.

Sometimes on stethoscope.com they have Littmann stethoscopes w/engraving errors that are discounted. I purchased the Littmann Master Cardiology black edition last semester for around $165 or so. It was in perfect condition w/only X's over the engraved name. I would definitely spend the extra money to get a nice stethoscope if you are having issues hearing w/a cheapie one. I went through 3 cheap stethoscopes and finally broke down and bought my "stealth" stethoscope. Thus far it has been a great purchase, gone are those days of fidgeting w/the ear pieces and straining to hear.

If you are a CNA already then you have a big advantage. Like you I sucked at math. I was also ok in science and had 4yr gap after high school. I picked nursing on a whim and stuck with it. I was surrounded by stories of how difficult certain classes would be and in turn, braced for the worst. To tell you the truth, yes some classes were a challenge, but nothing I couldn't overcome with studying. As I look back on it all, it wasn't that bad. Take it one class at a time and only half listen to horror stories. The only one I have found to be true is the NCLEX exam =)

75 questions, what, no. This is what I thought when the screen went blank at 75. I did not get any math questions, hot spots, or put in order questions. It was strictly regular and select all that apply. There were definitely easy questions that I missed and it bothered me. I just knew in my heart I failed miserably. Try as I may I couldn't get the feeling of dread out of my chest . So, to make myself feel better and possibly lighten my mood, I joined allnurses in search for nclex failure stories. I needed to read an inspirational story about a repeat nclex taker pulling themselves up from the ashes of 1st time failure and prevailing. Although I personally did not find the story I desperatly needed, I did stumble upon the Pearson Vue trick. Trick? What trick? I asked myself. As I read about the Trick, my heart lightened a little. Would this be my relief so I could get some sleep? Soon enough I tried the Pearson Vue trick and came to the pop-up screen, it would not let me progress any further. No credit card page. I deeply wished in my heart for this myth to be true, cause if it is then I passed. Well, I had a fitful night of sleep and headed off to my retail job at 830 a.m. About 930ish I received a personal phone call and it was my friend (who took the test on the same day) telling me that I PASSED!!!!!! I almost screamed. So, if you ask my opinion the Pearson Vue trick is valid. It did ease my mind some to at least get 3hrs of sleep. To all of the future NCLEX takers, it is OK to miss some easy ?s, just think about all of the damn sata ?s that you got right. Also, it is ok to study a little bit the day before; just don't go overboard =)Good luck to all of you!!!