aqua_clementine

And, I had forgotten about that. But yes, that is correct. Thanks for clarifying for those who are looking for details about the cost of the program!

I started in December 2014 and finished December 2015. Took a one month break (June 2015). Probably could've gone a little faster--but there are two or three classes that take the majority of your time. Also, I'm a bit of a perfectionist and put a good bit of time into some of the classes. The ones that can take several months each (I worked on them all at the same time), are Evidence Based Practice and Applied Nursing Research, Community Health part 2 (there are two parts), and Organizational Systems and Quality Leadership (you have to do several hours of required online modules). For the most part, if a course just has a pre-test and a test, and no projects involved, you should be able to get through it as fast as you want. For example: Nutrition took me 3 days. Also, Care of the Older Adult took me about 3 days. So, really, it depends on the class and what type of work is involved. If you just need to take a test to pass the course--then you can just take the pretest, study and take the final. :) I would say, that 9 months is reasonable. 6 months--if you have a ton of time available. And 12 months was just fine for me. You pay the same whether you finish in 9 months or 12 months. The cost is based on 6 month semesters, they don't allow you to only pay for half a semester...so, if you want it to be the cheapest, try to fit everything in 1 semester. Hope this helps!

I hate when nurses/other medical professionals say "Scuds" instead of SCD's. Also, along the same line... "Cabbage" for CABG. [i've actually seen this written out on a report sheet--pt hx: cabbage. Lol!!

I would stay. And in fact, that's what I did when I found out how unorganized and crazy my M/S unit was. I promised myself I'd stay for 2 years. The first year was hell and I hated almost every minute of it. Then, I figured out what I was doing--and the last two years have been inspiring, challenging (in a good way) and I have learned so much! A few things that helped me: Build relationships with a couple of your coworkers. (Doesn't have to be all of them--just find a few and get to know them). Find a way to contribute to the environment in a positive way. (Be positive. Suggest changes. Randomly bring a bag of candy to share with staff on a stressful day) Learn new things. (Study up on diagnoses you're not familiar with, ask the wound care nurse for some tips, talk to the physicians about *why* they're ordering a certain diagnostic test, volunteer to attempt IV's on the "hard sticks") Take opportunities to float to other units. (Discover new places--and maybe you'll like them better!) Don't let the gossip/negative talk rule your life. So,maybe nursing isn't for you. But, MedSurg is valuable--and even if you hate it now, you might not in a little while if you can push through. Stay a while, get the most out of it, and if you still hate if after your contract is up, then make a decision. Good luck!

I agree that it was a kinda weird post. And, I looked back and the author has been an RN for six months or so. Six months. That explains it a little bit to me. A coworker of mine (new RN with zero experience) was pretty anxiety-free at about six months. Now, a year into it, the anxiety is showing itself at times. Still a well-controlled individual, still an amazing nurse, but it's not as easy to put up with all the stress--it's taking it's toll. I too held it together fairly well for the first year or so, and now three years into a very high stress MedSurg job, it's taking its toll on me. She's new. She doesn't know. Maybe she will someday, but maybe not. I find that the ones who think the job is the easiest and the least stressful are the ones who don't practice situational awareness and have no clue that their coworkers might be drowning while they sit in the lounge or the charting area on Tinder.

My FNP refers to her Medical Assistant as her "nurse" and it irks me so much. I am an RN, my NP knows this and she worked for a long time in hospitals and such and *should* know the difference. If I were in her position, I'd say--"the tech (or assistant) will be taking your vitals, then I'll be with you soon." Not, "my nurse..." I've put years into my education, and my license reads "Registered Nurse." I was also a LPN and my license read, "Licensed Practical Nurse." and before that I was a CNA, and my certification stated, "Certified Nursing Assistant." I agree that if your license states that you're a nurse, you can call yourself a nurse--otherwise, you're not a nurse and it's fraudulent to call yourself one.

Thirty sounds about right to me. Can be a lot more on a bad day--I think one day I spoke to the Pharmacy about 10 times regarding one patients medications. Admissions, getting report, patient's family (my least favorite phone call of all), not to mention that we make and receive calls between staff members frequently. Constant phone calls some days---I hate the phone I carry around at work. I really dislike interrupting patients or their family to answer a call. But usually, I can't just let it ring. If it's the unit secretary calling me, it could be regarding something way more important than what I'm currently doing. Never thought nursing would include so much phone-time. I honestly hate talking on the phone. Haha, oh well

Do it! If you really enjoy being a barista, do it!

Honestly, I didn't use any books. Just used the app that I mentioned and the AMSN practice test. I really don't think I would've done any better using a book to study. A few web searches of labs, and maybe a focused review of my weaker areas could've helped, but like I mentioned, it's mostly what you already know. I would suggest applying for the exam, then studying. Keep focused, and do your best. You can totally do it. I have a background in mostly Orthopedics with just recent experience with more Med/Surg nursing. If you're a Med/Surg nurse, you can totally pass the exam! Good luck!

Just took the CMSRN exam today. (And passed!) I downloaded an app on Android...Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam Prep by Upward Mobility, that had a lot of good review questions. I also took the practice test on the AMSN website last night. Otherwise, not much studying. Although, I feel like I would've felt a little better about the exam if I had reviewed Labs associated with DKA and Renal function. (Well, just renal and diabetes---in general). I work with diabetics a TON, but the test was very heavy in that area or so it seemed to me. Labs...know which specific labs are markers for certain disorders. But as others have said, it's straight-forward. If you work in Med-Surg, you should do well. The test is set up with scenarios that are just like your patients in the hospital, so it's easy to place yourself into the situation and ask yourself, "What would I do?" Good luck!

I would recommend keeping track of the occurrences and sending your Nurse Manager an email letting him/her know your concerns. A lot of times managers hire new nurses to get a fresh perspective on the unit--so, please tell, and please don't be afraid. A similar thing happened when I started my current job--a million things shocked me. Some strategies that I took (and honestly, this happened over the span of 2+ years) were to outright ask the nurses what the policy was regarding infection control, or medications (although I already knew). I also would hand a nurse a pair of gloves, "Are you a small or medium?" or a gown. Or if I saw medications left out I'd say to the nurse "Pretty sure you didn't mean to leave these out--so I locked them up in the cabinet for you." Once I started talking about some of these things, I realized that there really was no accountability on the unit. (Tread lightly, and be friendly...it might get messy). Sometimes if a nurse thinks that no one will confront her, she will continue doing what she knows is wrong despite knowing what is right. Do what is right. Be the nurse that wears gloves, that closes out a screen that is left open, and always wears proper PPE. Hopefully the environment will change. Be attentive, be trustworthy, be professional. Be a good nurse & teach those behind you to be good nurses too.

I had a situation like this recently. Patient in for pain/nausea and on the clock requesting high doses of narcotics. As long as his vitals were good, and he was breathing sufficiently, I gave him the medication when he asked for it. I neither judged him, nor 100% believed every word he said. The problem that I faced was when my report from the off-going night nurse was that the patient was close to sedated, BP dropping, respirations nearing 8, and she declined him the larger dose of the medication range. The patient was rating his pain a "5" yet still expected 3mg of Dilaudid. (Which as we all know is more concentrated than Morphine). The night nurse told me everything, the times, the doses she gave, how the patient rated his pain, his neuro/vital status each time...and then when the physician rounded in the morning and I was in the room, the patient tried to pull one over on me. He said he was awake and retching all night long--which was simply not true. When this happened, I interrupted him. I stated exactly what the night nurse had reported to me, in the presence of the patient, the physician, and the patient's family member who was trying to get us to give the pt even more medication. The physician listened objectively, we talked it all out, and the patient seemed to realize that we want to keep him safe--not deny him pain medication. The pt's family member even said, "We think it's best that he stays sedated while he's having so much pain." To which the physician straight up stated, "that is not going to happen." Once outside the room, the physician told me that it's entirely within my scope of practice to be certain that the medication that I'm giving the patient will not do him any harm. He said, "if you think the BP is too low, don't give the Dilaudid." He also said, "there is a range order for a reason, do not automatically give the highest dose, it's PRN for a reason...use your judgement." So, the moral of the story...we are responsible for the patient and to keep them safe. I'm not saying deny your patient pain medication, but I'm also saying do not believe every word they say. Use your judgement and be straightforward with you patients, the physician and the other nurses.