icurn99

I am so sorry for your loss! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

I can't even begin to imagine how difficult it was to lose your mother. Probably even more difficult because you couldn't be there. I am so, so sorry for your loss. I responded because the OP's question had been answered many times over, and it seemed she was being accused of simply leaving without permission. Fortunately, they were able to come up with a plan that allowed her to be with her daughter. I have never worked in a facility that didn't vigorously try to arrange coverage if someone needed to leave...so initially the answer would have been no...then permission granted if a plan for coverage was obtained.

Just pointing out where she received permission...

I think some posters aren't fully reading this thread. The OP clearly stated that the orientee was only observing. The staff nurse and agency nurse switched sides to help provide the coverage needed, so the orientee's experience was not affected. I believe the OP is referring to the agency nurse as being the "extra nurse." She also received permission to go once coverage was obtained. As health care providers, we have an obligation to our patients so we can't just pick up and leave...as some have stated ad nauseum. So yes, the charge nurse can decline your request to leave. However, you obtained coverage and permission leave. Best wishes Nice Nurse...hope your daughter is doing well.:hug:

I took my OCN exam about a week ago...3 hour time limit...and I finished in about 2 hours. Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

We do daily drug holidays at 6 am. Sedation is stopped, then restarted at 1/2 the rate it was running when the patient reaches a riker score of 1....depending on how it's tolerated. We also do as the poster above notes...RT does a SBT...ABG's..

You could also check out the Mercy Hospitals and West Chester Medical Center.

If the oncology position offers no weekends/on call, better pay and atmosphere...I'd go for it! I work in an oncology ICU and I love it!

Is this the cap you used? I'm not sure I fully understand what you did. http://www.icumed.com/clave-connector.asp

The only thing I'd recommend is that you stay with the ailing patient instead of tending to the others. Meds can wait until the crisis is over. Once you got the primary nurse, you could have stayed and assessed the patient...lung sounds, RR...while she was present. Try not to beat yourself up...you're new and learning.

Yikes!!! $20,000?!?! I only paid $10,000 for my ADN. Have you checked out other schools?

I'm old....can't figure out how to PM. :chuckle I will graduate in March of 2011. Some of my co-workers will graduate in September of that year...depending on what extra classes they need. It's about 18 months. The Health Alliance has some kind of deal with UC...so our classes are paid in full upfront. I only have to pay for books. It's a pretty sweet deal. They usually start a group every year or 2, depending on interest. I'm really happy with UC and the professors I've had so far. I had no problem with transferring the credits I earned at Miami and Sinclair. Good luck!

I am enrolled in UC's RN to BSN program. We meet once per week...an instructor comes to the hospital I work at. It's pretty nice! I don't recall a 1000 hour work requirement.