yooper13

I have been trying to figure this out myself, I have been working nights for about 4 months, and I think I am getting it down! Since I usually go back to a day schedule on my nights off, I try to stay up late the day before my "Monday" so I will sleep in...so I cook that night. I find a recipe (or more than one) to make, that will be good as a "leftover" lunch...usually works on both counts, I have good, nutritious lunch, and I get sleep! Other than that, I usually bring fruit/yogurt (I keep a bag of granola in my locker to mix in). Still working it out...I sometimes eat before bed in the am b/c I'm suddenly STARVING and then realize I haven't eaten much in the last 24 hrs...it's HARD to keep some sort of semblance of a schedule on nights!!!

Thanks everyone! I think it is the down-time that is getting to me...and I don't have a problem doing things like stocking and such to keep busy, but I'm so new I don't even know what should be stocked/where to get supplies! I go back tonight, I will ask. As far as the 3 nights in a row, that would be ideal, but for now I have to work the same shifts as my preceptor, which is all over the place (3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off, 2 on etc...). I failed miserably at staying up last night, lol! I'm going to try to nap this afternoon before going in, then do my best to find things to keep myself busy in the downtime.

Thanks all! I know there are lots of posts on the topic (I've read them all, I think!), but most are about sleeping during the day. I have absolutely NO problem sleeping...dark room, white noise, phone off, check, check, check! I konk out for a good 8-9 hours! My problem is at work, come 0100/0200 or so, even WITH a good amount of sleep, I just feel like I'm going to fall over! I don't understand it...just waiting to get used to it, I guess. Thanks for the replies!

I started a new job, and this was my first week on nights. Last night was my Friday (YAY!). I'm just orienting and trying to make my way through night shifts...I really am a night person, so I think it will work for me, but this first week was killing me!!! As far as the job, I love it! Good unit/coworkers/precepter, everyone helps everyone, so Great!!! I'm just having trouble adjusting...not to the unit, but the shift. Even with plenty of sleep (I get home from work and basically pass out, 9-5), I still find myself having trouble with nights...I know it will be an adjustment and I will get used to it, just looking for support, I guess! What are your strategies/norms for working nights? I think I am fine except for the 1st shift (sure, I can sleep just fine after a 12+ shift, but not the day before) Thanks!

I am also considering starting a RN-BSN program this fall, and it is basically the same. Most classes are online, and even in the class descriptions, most say "writing intensive". I am prepared to write many papers and do lots of research. It may seem silly, yes, but I won't let that deter me from continuing my education...you can vent and whine about it (as I'm sure I will be once I start ), but if you really want that BSN, you will suck it up and just do it. When all is said and done, you WILL have the BSN, along with the better job opportunities that come with it. If you want to throw in the towel because of a few "stupid" assignments, that is your free will, but I would say keep at it, JMHO. Four pages is nothing, I could do that in my sleep! Especially on one word that you mention, meaning there will be few (if any) references required...the part I hate the most about writing papers! (I don't know why, it just bugs me)...if you're going to give up, I guess now would be the time, before putting more time/effort/money into it...good luck with whatever you decide.

Thanks for the replies! jonesel9, I don't remember which exact ones I used (it was a while ago), but a quick search gave me some helpful links: https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/p-help-my-334360.html https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/huge-list-p-794727.html Enthused_Nurse2B, I took the NCLEX the end of September, job offer the beginning of February, sooo, 4 months (though it seemed like a LOT longer!) To all new grads who can't find jobs...Keep at it!!! Easier said than done, I know (I went on several motivational 'hiatus's', but got back to it after my own little meltdowns)

I have not posted much on this site, but I've been perusing it for years. Wasn't sure where to post, as I have been all over in my journey, so I decided "general discussion" was the best. I discovered AN while doing my pre-reqs...I was just SO excited and impatient to start nursing school!!! I got a LOT of help on here, finding many mnemonics/tips on endlessly studying bones/muscles/veins/arteries etc in A&P, plus micro. Very helpful links. Finally, the day came, I was an official nursing student!! Hooray!!! My focus became the "nursing student" and "student assistance" boards. I had heard it would be stressful, but I had NO IDEA. I thought: "I will keep it together...I won't stress out as much...these people are just high-strung...etc" Oh, so little did I know!!! I got help with care plans, time management, importance of doing things for "me" and taking time off. Stress relief: exercise? meditation? Who on earth has time for THAT while in NS??? So, I didn't listen, got even more stressed, made my entire life all. about. school. Then another important day came: GRADUATION!!! I MADE IT!!! FINALLY!!! Now, it will be easy-peasy!!! (LOL, hindsight makes things so clear!) I turned my focus to the NCLEX board. I got some great suggestions on how/what to study, got a few books that were recommended by other posters, made studying my job. THAT day came, and I was SO nervous...it's not a test that one can EVER feel fully prepared for. "did I study enough? Did I study the right things? Oh, crap! I forgot to go over (for the millionth time) fluid and electrolyte imbalances/side effects of EVERY SINGLE DRUG/endocrine system/(insert subject here)!!!" Am I good enough? Am I smart enough? Can I do it? ... self-doubt was rampant. Apparantly, I was, as the test shut down after 75. Self-doubt being the beast that it was, part of me thought "waaaaa!!! it only took 75 questions to determine how much I DON'T know, and I will surely kill someone if they give me a license!!!" Lo and behold, 2 days later my name is on the BON website with "RN" credentials. I couldn't believe it! I DID it!!! Now, with my fancy RN in hand, time to find a job...full of p**s and vinegar!! Little did I know that the HUNDREDS of resumes/apps I was sending were going directly into a black hole. "How can it BE??", thought I, "I am an RN! My phone should be ringing off the hook!!" (HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA *gasp* *sputter* HAHAHAHAHA HEEEEEEE HO!!!) My attention here on AN went to the "new grad/first job" board. With so many others venting their collective frustrations re:no jobs for new grads, I soon spiraled into a deep depression. My stressors became financial in nature, as I watched my (already meager) savings being depleted. I kept applying, but almost as habit...my enthusiasm/hope was also being depleted with every resume I sent. At least now I had time for that exercise/meditation regimen!! Finally, I made the choice to stop worrying (I think the meditation helped with that)...this too shall pass. Be it "good" or "bad", my dire situation was going to change, it had to!!! I put my trust in the universe that it would all work out. Then I went about my life. It was only after that that I interviewed at a LTC facility and was offered a job on the spot (last week)! ...just in the nick of time, too, as I had just the day before written a rent check that left me with ~$70 to my name (thank god for soon-to-be tax refund to carry me!!) ...the last few days I have been enthralled with the geriatric/LTC boards. I also have another interview this Friday at my hospital-of-choice, but even if I don't get an offer there, I have a job!!! HOORAY!!! Now I know, my stress has not ended. I know, first year can be overwhelming. I will be looking on the "first year of nursing licensure" boards to vent, find tips, etc. As hard as it will be, I am up for the challenge!!! I've come this far, I can keep going! If you are still reading this (rambling) post, thank you! Just wanted to share my journey... THANK YOU ALLNURSES!!!!! YOU ROCK!!!

Thanks for the responses! Yes, it was a homework question; scenario-type. I was not given the age of the child, since it was more about the unit, and how would I prioritize based on knowledge of that patient population (basically 2 months to 18/21 years...kind of a wide range). There was a third which I ranked as #1 (dropping O2 sats), I was just curious if I had put 2 and 3 in the right order of priority, and why or why not. Thanks for the good info, all!

Anyone have idea with rationale which ped's onc patient would be the priority? I believe the exact numbers were H&H; 8.5 and 13 for blood transfusion, Temp 39.9 C for IV abx I chose temp before h&h (even though it is really low), because in a pediatric patient the temp can spike within minutes, and can cause seizures and even brain damage, so I think it is important to give the abx, and of course assess and try to lower temp with whatever is ordered (or non-pharm interventions) Then again, the blood transfusion is also important; however, on a ped's oncology floor the h&h is expected to be low in general because of lymphoma, leukemia, anemia, etc... Anyone have a different take? Thanks

A&P (that was a pre-req for me and I took it looong ago, but just referred to it the other day while studying for a test), definitely med-surge, drug/lab handbooks, and if you have a care plan book it will come in handy. I still have my fundamentals book, but I don't think I've looked at it for 3 semesters or so...

LOL! My (non-nurse) MOM sent me this in an email, just knowing I'm in nursing school. I forwarded it to several (non-nursing) friends...they found it hilarious too!!

I would say go for it, if you have not much else on your plate (job, kids, etc) I took a quick micro class the same (summer) semester as fundamentals and did well. ...did well in classes, I should mention...as far as mental health, that's a whole 'nother story :rotfl: Just be prepared to work/study your BUTT OFF!!!

Two words: New job. Is it your problem that there are not enough employees right now? Is it worth risking your health and sanity to pick up on your employer's slack? ...I would be going nuts too...

Um, yes. Mine was ~2k (at a CC...of course I was on a waitlist for a while, but I prefer waiting to an extra 47k!)

I concur...I had NO healthcare experience going into school. I quit my (office) job a year ago to start my full-time program. In the middle of my 3rd semester, I got a job as a sitter at a local hospital. Did that for only 2 months, then applied for an extern position at same hospital. Started that last week...I am hoping that the experience I am getting with that will help me get a position after I graduate in August (tho I know there are no guarantees). BTW I did not know anyone in the hospital...just started at the bottom! WORK, STUDENTS!!!