lerabelle

I must agree with BlurgrassRN. Although you are a new nurse, it will seem that you always have the worst team of patients. The hospital when I worked, the nurses at night sometimes had up to 10 patients depending on staffing. And there was always that "one" nurse who always complained on her assignment. I know things seems discouraging and you feel you are getting the short end of the stick right now but you must remember, every nurse you work with were in your shoes at some point in their career. I always have a problem with delegating because I am the type of person who wants things done right the first time. It is hard to do. But you MUST do it. Delegate, delegate, delegate. If you are behind, ask for help. That is what your charge nurse is there for, plus your co-workers should be helping you and not playing on the computer! Once you get a pattern down you will have no problems. One person posted something about having a info sheet on every patient, like your report sheet. Keep it with you so that you know what is going on with your patients. Write down the med times at the start of the shift on that sheet. Little things like that will help. Good luck and you will be a fine nurse. Don't give up and ask for help!

That is what I put for my answer. UO 40ml/hr. I just don't know if it was right! Thanks for your input!!!

that is what I was thinking when I was reading my options. Like I said, I do not know the right answer because it was a online test. But one of them was correct. Or maybe the one option I forgot!! But I was wondering how you would be able to calculate the balance of intake vs output in a Burn pt since that was the question. But thanks for your input. We are thinking on the same level. lera:)

Ok, I am a RN student and I have a question. I had a question that involved fluid balance for a burn patient that was receiving IV fluids. How do you know this patient is maintaining fluid balance? I can only remember 3 of the choices. They were... 1. Compare to admission weight 2. Make sure urine output is at least 40ml/hr 3. make sure Input = Output. I do not know if I got it right or wrong, but I'd like to know the right answer considering we did not even discuss burn patients in our material. I know that burn patients loose a lot of fuids through their skin so I thought #3 was wrong. Anyone working with burn patients that can help me would be greatly appreciated. there were also several more questions about burn patients too. About pain control. Any input is welcomed. Thanks, Lera

If you are new to the medical field get used to the TB tests (PPDs). You will probably have to get one annually as well if you get the job. It's all part of life! Good Luck!

very nice!

non smoker, republican.

What I did was labeled a blank page, say of the femur, with a,b,c,etc with the answers on it and gave it to my husband and I had the one with just the letters and he would quiz me. I remember having to memorize every notch, line, suture, etc. He would just go over and over them with me until I know them. There were many pages because there was a page for every bone. ie, femur, tibia, skull, ribs, you get the point. And I did the same thing as SamRN with the tissues, I did make notecards for them. Repetition is the key. Don't waste your money on notecards for the bones. Like she said, calm down and you will get it. Just associate it with your body. I know you know the main bones, it's just those dang lines, notches, etc that is a pain in the butt. Remember, we all have been there. Good Luck!

I have been a LPN for 13 years and I an doing a LPN bridge to ADN. I do not care to ever be in management so an ADN is good enough for me because the pay difference between ADN and BSN is minimal. Hospitals pretty much just look at "RN". That has been my experience anyway in talking to other RNs and management. I worked as a staff nurse in a hospital for 4 years before going back to school. I doubt I will ever go for my BSN because I am 36 years old! I waited too long to go back to school as it is!! As for starting a family at 31, I do not think that is too old! Go for it, LPNs do not have much of a future in healthcare unless you want to be stuck in MDs offices or nursing homes!

When I used to take care for thoracic surgeons all we used was ABD pads and 4x4s. The surgeons said there was no need for xeroform.

I am a LPN, have been for 13 years. I have worked in MD offices and the hospital. I Loved, LOVED, the hospital. At first I was leary of the hospital too, but once I learned everything and got comfortable, I fell in love with it. I am now back in school for my RN. My advice, go back and get your RN. With a bridge program you can get it in less than 2 years. Do more, make more money, have many, many more options. Do it now, don't wait 13 years like I did!

Agree, the rubber stopper dulls the needle. I have always changed the needle. And I too usually use a larger gauge to draw up the med. It's just easier and quicker!

I feel your pain. I am a LPN too, and I have had many patients and more than that, their families, question my abilities as a nurse. With 1 year experience or 13 years experience (as I have) it does not matter, we are nurses! And we are shuned upon by many lay people and many in our own profession. I have read the responses and appreciate the support that you have received but the truth is that if you are not a RN you are not considered a "REAL" nurse which is truely sad because we give so much to the profession. Keep your head high and just keep proving yourself to everyone that you are the smart, confident, competant nurse that you are. Good luck tonight and do not let that family get you down, this to shall pass.....

I was taught to always use a filter needle. Unfortunately with cutbacks in hospitals, this is where it hits.....But I do not think it is safe and I do believe it is a liability. It only takes one time.

all I can say is...WOW....What a shame, the patient was judged before the facts were known. Unfortunately, this happens more often than we would like to think.