studentnurse74

Scissors, alcohol pads, tape, black ink pen, red ink pen, highlighter and chapstick or lip gloss. I keep my stethoscope on my neck. I also have a clip board with my kardexes on it, and it has storage inside that I keep my pocket drug book, our "cheat sheets" from work with order of lab draws, braden scale, etc, and a picture of my son and doggie. Guess I should put one of hubby in, too...

I did most of my orientation on days, and even though it was busier, it worked out okay. I had an excellent preceptor who took her time with me, and I hope you do to. If you feel like things are moving too fast, be sure to let them know. They should ease you into it since you are a new grad. And even after orientation, they shouldn't slam you with all highly acute patients. Try to stay calm...things should work out for you!

I just started working nights (7 p to 7 a) in May. I love it! I hate getting up early in the morning, I would be tired all day, and come home and sleep on the couch most of the night. Now I try to work my 3 in a row b/c it's much easier. The first day I nap about an hour or so before I go in, and my last day I come home, I make myself get up about 12 or 1 so I'm tired that night for bed, and am back on a regular up during the day and sleep at night schedule. I also like night because it's quieter and easier for me to learn. It's busy, but not chaos like day shift on our unit. I really enjoy it!

I'm just coming off orientation, and I've already had my share of oops! moments! I know everyone has to learn, but it's embarrassing! Anyone care to share? Last week, I hung a piggyback antibiotic, and connected it to the tubing BELOW the Alaris pump. The nurse who followed me brought it to my attention. It just flowed right in! It was only Flagyl, but I know better and wanted to hide. I was taking care of a patient who is an experienced nurse, and she called me in a few minutes after changing her fluids over to say the bag was leaking. I went in there, and I had spiked the bag. Oooops.... :chair:

thanks for the links! helpful! i thought i was hearing dim bases on 90% of the patients, and asked my preceptor if everyone is diminished or is it just me? she laughed, and said people usually are when they're in the hospital. i also learned to chart what you hear, someone may chart rhonchi, and it sounds clear to you. well, they could have coughed or had rt in there before your assessment and now they are clear. i'm learning to trust my judgement, but need more education on naming the types of lung sounds.

Write up all the classes- antibiotics, antidepressants, NSAIDS, etc. Then write the major side effects and contraindications, whether or not to take with food, etc. Study that first. Then plug in your individual drugs to each category. That way, you will only have to recall what group a drug belongs to, b/c you'll know what you need. Kaplan has some excellent video on their online course on drugs and categories.

i know how it feels! congratulations, rn!!! :balloons:

i didn't finish suzanne's plan, and i don't recommend not finishing it. i just stopped b/c work signed me up for kaplan. what i did do from saunders, i think helped with knowledge refreshment. i think kaplan helped with the questions, because they were really hard, and made nclex questions seem a lot easier after doing those. good luck to you, komeback kid! keep us posted! thanks, everyone! kelly, rn

Put your books away and forget it! I was told that, and as hard as it was, I found things to do besides study. I really think it helped me to relax, and helped keep my confidence! Good luck!

I did all 7 question trainers, and got in the 50s. They want you to have 65 to pass with confidence. I just passed with 75 questions, and know a few others who did also while scoring in the 50s with Kaplan. Kaplan questions are the hardest I've done, and found the boards to be a lot less difficult then Kaplan.

I just passed with 75 questions, and always assumed you had a doctor's order for everything. Kaplan also taught us to "contact the physician" with hesitancy; it's rare that will be the answer. They want to know what you would do, not the md.

I just passed on my 3rd try with 75 questions! Mine was mostly prioritizing, also. From what I understand, those are the higher level questions so that is a good sign. They were all who to assess first, who to discharge first, what is the priority assessment, etc. Hang in there! My name showed up the next day! I'm sure you're fine!

i passed!!!!

I failed twice at 265. This time, I started out doing Suzanne's program, and finished about 1/2-3/4 of it. Then a Kaplan course was offered through my work, and I didn't really have a choice in taking it so I did. I've been doing everything through Kaplan online since then. My work also had me meet one-on-one with an anxiety coach. I tested today, and the computer shut off at 75. I don't see how I could be a fail 75 with as much as I've done, but I'm nervous because it would also surprise me if I was a really good pass at 75. So the waiting game begins again.....I'll keep you posted. I won't sleep tonight for sure! :chair:

Good for you! Send it to the "higher ups" at Kaplan, and have everyone who is willing to sign it!