Jess1990

At the moment 20-30 minutes, but as of next month I'll have an hours comute to look forward to

Stethoscope, pulse ox, 10mL syringes, NS flushes, scissors, haemostats, multitude of pens, highlighter, pen-light, paracetamol, tape, alco-wipes.

They told us at our graduation ceremony, "that today is only the beginning of your learning and the bachelors degree you have all just finished is only a pre-requisite." Boy, were they right! I wouldnt worry too much about feeling like you have to catch up on 2 years worth of work :) I'm sure you'll be an amazing nurse!!

There are some days where I walk out of work and just want to bang my head against a brick wall. It seems like nothing went right and everything I did could have being done better. That said, I love nursing, and I honestly wouldnt change any of it for the world. Yes its scary, especially as a new grad, but if you persevere eventually the good days start to outweigh the bad. Dont give up on the idea just because the job market is tough at the moment, it will get better soon :)

Clexane is another one that really stings... Usually about 5 mins after the actual injection and stings for about 15-20 mins. I felt sorry for all the pts I had ever given it too and said "This wont hurt, just a tiny prick"

As a patient i hated it when my nurses gave a bedside handover. I felt so violated in that everyone else in that 4 bed bay could hear everything about me, and i really didnt want it shared. I was 20 years old and just had a MI, i was terrified and that was the last thing i wanted to hear 3 times a day... However, as a nurse i LOVE bedside handover. And the majority of patients like it as well. It gives the patient an opportunity to feel involved in their care, and most if not all of them pipe up and contribute. And if the doctors are rounding at the same time they often like to chip in bits and pieces as well. It gives you that opportunity to introduce yourself to your patient and let them know that you will be looking after them for that shift, and also allows you to check your charts and make sure that all the meds that were due on the previous shift were signed for. I think as a nurse you have to use your discretion. Give the general handover at the bedside but if you have a patient that really doesnt like others hearing all their business take it outside, same if you have any information that really isnt appropriate for the bedside. :)

I did a placement as a student at a partcular hospital that encouraged team members working nights to have a nap while on their meal break. They even provided a room with a cot, all you had to do was change the linen when you were finished... I guess it just depends on the facilities policy :)

My Uni doesn't test, ever... but we have been warned that some hospitals will do random screens on the staff, and if you happen to be there, then your staff so you get screened. I've been screened once and it was a huge one, they took urine, blood and hair...

Try covering your windows with alfoil... Depending on the neighbourhood your in, you may get a drive by from the police everynow and then, but it works... It blocks out all light, and acts as insulation for your bedroom... I also agree with what everyone else is saying, try running a fan, or the radio playing quietly, exercise and healthy diet Try eating an apple, whenever i feel like im about to crash, it perks me up for a while, and i dont get jittery like i can do from caffiene :-D

I honestly wouldn't worry about it. I fanited in theatre, when i went down to watch one of my patients op's. and just last week I fanited twice, for no apparant reason... and I graduate NS in december... Everyone faints at least once while there on clinicals, so all you can do, is apologise, get right back up and keep on keeping on Good luck for the rest of your studies =) xox

In queensland its compulsory for all students to take maths in years 11 and 12. i took maths B which would be a nsw equivalent of maths extension 1 (i think). however maths b hasnt helped me at all i nursing, maths a or trade maths would have been more than sufficient. in uni you'll get told all the formulas you need to know and with enough practice you'll be able to work out maths problems without a calculator. If its any consolation, once your our on the wards, most pharmacies write how many tablets you need to give if its a complicated equation :)

In queensland, aus, we dont need to carry our stethoscope on ward with us while were on clinicals. most hospitals have ward scopes that were more than welcome to use. when im out on prac though, connected to my top i have my pen light and 2 black and 1 red pen. in my pockets i have my pt ID chart, alcowipes, 10ml saline flushes, alligator clips for the interlink IV's, notebook, pair of gloves, 10ml syringe, 'green' needle for the needleless IV's, and any paper my facillitator hands out on shift, and my 'Buddy nurse' report. all this in normal business slacks as we arent allowed to wear scrubs out on placement... Its also a good idea to keep a display folder in your bag, for any documentation or information tid-bits your facillitator hands out All the best for your clinical placements.

You could educate about Post-op cares Provide information about appendicitis (?sp) Its not much but may be a start :) Goodluck Also; Try this website, i find it really useful for interventions once i have my diagnosis :) http://www1.us.elsevierhealth.com/MERLIN/Gulanick/Constructor/index.cfm?plan=34

Hello all!! Just wondering if you have any ideas/methods for giving education to a newly diagnosed manic patient?? There is plenty of information out there for general bi-polar education but i havent as of yet been able to find anything specific to mania. All your help is greatly appreciated =)

When doing circ obs on a post-op spinal, he starts wiggling his feet before i even get the sheets off. I say, your a bit keen to prove you can wiggle your toes, to which he respons with, sweetheart, that isnt my feet thats keen It had me, my buddy nurse and the patient in stitches =)