shadowrose45

thanks!

Hey David I don't think your statement was offensive at all. It is often easier to understand any disease or syndrome or injury when you see the bodies reaction to it. I think perhaps sometimes people forget that nursing is a field that has tons of information to learn and remember. You'll become familiar with disease processes as you experience more of them in your career. Of course as a new RN there are still things that you haven't managed to have completely mastered! Personally, I find it refreshing that you're here asking rather than just playing it by ear. It shows that you're dedicated to being the best that you can in your field. I believe that's the point of this forum. Ask away!

You'll have an advantage, actually. With a background in education--you are taught how people learn. Use those skills in your own learning :) The thing I've found is that it's harder to memorize things as I get older, though. Much of your early courses will be memorization (the pre-reqs) so you'll have to develop skills based on your learning type--visual, auditory, etc--however you learn best. Ultimately, studying using all routes is best.

some hospitals only carry one or the other. For instance, I was at a hospital that only had protonix.

always make flash cards--just the act of writing the material then reviewing it will help you learn it. That's one of the best ways to learn things that simply need memorized. As for mental disorders--simply write them down with a one or two sentence description that will give you the basic information that will connect with more details in your brain. Nursing concerns for mental health issues are going to be concerned with patient safety--for instance someone who is bipolar and is in 'depression' mode may become suicidal. Most mental illnesses can be simplified to one or two sentences, though.

Just a thought--any chance of changing instructors? I did that at Phoenix when I was working on my Masters

Ok, I'm confused. How can you teach anything to a 2 week old? Or am I really being stupid--and what you need is a careplan for teaching employees to care for this age group?

Ok--if you are trying to give 4mg of the med--you'd need to draw that up then add whatever you were using to dilute. Simply draw 4 from the 10 on hand.

Sometimes, it just helps to have a simple explanation. Remember, not all students learn the same way. Some can read till they are blue in the face and not get it without some sort of other aid--such as trick to remember the two that another poster gave. Think of RA as an Immune Disorder (Pain can be severe and it's genetic, too) There is a blood test to diagnose it. RA Factor. Osteo is quite common and isn't an immune disorder. Remember, RA is genetic, and very very often has a lot of complications that are internal, on top of the painful swelling and disfiguration that those with RA experience. Almost all adults will develop osteoarthritis at some point--women after menopause, for instance. People with RA are given immune suppression drugs--those with Osteo aren't. Osteo pts are given anti-inflammation meds--often just OTC meds. Visually, you can see the difference, actually. Osteo isn't always visible when looking at joints--RA usually is as the entire joint is not only swollen, it changes the entire shape. It can become a debilitating condition when not treated.

can someone tell me what PTEC is?

Only thing I can suggest is apply everywhere! Don't do the phone call routine. A lot of places won't even bother with calls. In Orlando, there are nursing jobs out there, I believe. Craigslist has them almost daily. You have to start somewhere--even if it's not where you ultimately want to be. Good Luck!!

hi i tried to answer your pm but apparently i don't have enough posts. type 1 diabetics produce no insulin at all. onset is usually during childhood. type 2 diabetics do produce insulin--just not enough. signs and symptoms can be the same--but treatments will vary. for instance, type 2 don't always need to be on insulin--sometimes they are on meds like metformin. others with type 2 are treated with diet restriction only. with the ever increasing number of children with poor diets--there are an increasing number of children developing type 2 diabetes during childhood. type 2 diabetics are often warned before they are diagnosed that they are insulin resistant and to begin a healthier diabetic diet. some type 2 diabetics that loose weight and keep their diet healthier no longer may need the meds they were previously on. my own type 2 diabetes, for instance, is now regulated solely by diet and metformin--i no longer have to take the second med i was on. when my type 2 father lost weight, he was allowed to go off his daily insulin. main difference: type 1 will always need insulin for the rest of their lives type 2 diabetics may not ever be on insulin--or may be allowed off it when they control their disease. does that help? if not--email me mod note, please do not post email addresses as per terms of service. please use the pm system once you have 15 or more posts. alternatively members can send via pm to you as long as they have 15 or more posts as you can read them before you have 15 posts

HI I refuse to put up with abuse. Simply say something like "I understand your frustration at being ill and can emphasize, but I've done what I can to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Please understand that this is what happened (explain your steps to correct his 'issue') and I'm happy to help as much as I can--but I'm not here to be verbally abused." And the biggie--while it's still fresh in your mind--DOCUMENT and document some more. There's a saying in the healthcare field -- if it isn't written down, it didn't happen. May tomorrow be a better day!

hi No, a suit isn't too stuffy. An Instructor should look professional to interview. I can't suggest what to do--when I did one for a medical assisting school, I did bloodborne pathogens--something sorely neglected in this field by entirely too many healthcare workers--and got the job. Pick a topic you're passionate about. My brother died from AIDS contracted in a hospital he'd worked at 20 years ago. As I'm sure you'll remember from when you were in school--mnemonics are great teaching tools--use at least one in your presentation would be my suggestion. Something to help students remember information easier. I've been an instructor for almost 15 years. It's important to keep your audience engaged, which is accomplished by using more than one method of presenting information. Use visual and auditory as well as hands-on if at all possible in your topic of choice. For bloodborne pathogens, I explained the stats, etc--and had the fellow instructors practice putting on and taking off gloves properly, and proper handwashing technique. People tend to remember something they 'do' verses something they 'hear' has been my experience via years of teaching all different ages from pre-school to highschool to adult learners. GOOD LUCK!

There are several prep courses in the Orlando area for challenging the state exam. Florida doesn't require students to take a full course--they can challenge the exam after taking a challenge course and pass with no problems. Check craigslist for them--several are listed daily. I know this is an old post--but thought others might want to know where to look. Those on craigslist often offer discounts.