alwayschanging

Hey guys, I haven't posted here in a long time, however i have been lurking alot lately... Here goes my question, so I have officially been offered a position with the state at the dept of health as an LPN about a little more then an hour away from my house. I dont start till they get my finger printing back, but The pay is 14 an hour, with full state benefits. On the flip side went for an interview today as an ER tech, at a local hospital, only about 45 mins away, no benefits, baylor shifts, and it pays 20.00 an hour. It hasn't been officially offered however the nursing manager stated she really liked me and felt I had a very good chance at getting this job. Her choice of words not mine. I wont know officially till next Monday at the earliest. My dilemma is I don't know which one to choose, so im hoping you can help me out with this decision. On a side note im currently unemployed, and have been for about 2 months. I am also a full time student and the job with the state will hinder my getting to class on time 1 day a week. Any advise is greatly appreciated!

Hey all, Graduating soon, curious any suggestions for NCLEX books, we got one in our books, but im thinking with the "updated change" to the Nclex, i want a variety of books. Has anyone found any good NCLEX books they like? Thanks!

Just thought I would post an update, Met with the teacher, let her know how i felt. She told me I'm ostrich sizing my self, and that I need to be more disrespectful. HAHAHAH! Yah no way, Im going to continue to be myself! I could care less about fitting in or having friends, Im not going to compromise my professionalism just so people will like me. Any who .. Im over it done..

Hi! Im not sure if this should go under infection control or wound care because its kind of both. Im a LPN student and today one of my patients I took care had a dressing changed by ortho. He's 89, and his skin is very frail, his wound is 3 deep incisions on his left thigh, he has Montgomery straps and the wound is packed with 4 4x4s (used to be beta-dyne) now Sterile saline. covered with 2 4x4, and a another heavy dressing on top of that. Sorry i dont remember the name. Ne Who, Ortho came in today because he is 3 days post op, they changed the dressing horribly! First instead of un-doing the strings on the Montgomery they ripped it off, not even using any unisolve, or alcohol to loosen the adhesive ( he has a skin tear below already from some tape that was ripped off) Then using the same gloves they used to take off the old dressing, they packed the wound. Then they tried to re stick the Montgomery strap back on, and it was very obvious she didn't want to be there doing it, and when it wouldnt stick she tried to tape it down instead of putting a new one on. I was livid! I let my instructor and the charge nurse know what i had witnessed and when the PA was question she came back saying it was not a sterile procedure, there for no need to sterile technique. I've never heard of this, when your packing a wound not being a sterile technique. Any who i just wanted feedback from some one else. I know i did the right thing by alerting the right people because now there going to look into how many other dressings have been changed by this PA and her minions. On a VERY IMPORTANT side note, He is on isolation for MRSA.

Just thought I would throw my in. We used the want over have times soulution, just like some of the other posters have used. And when it comes to IV math its not that bad..... They usually ask things like if you have 1,000 ml of NS (normal saline) running for 10 hrs and your Drop rate is 10, what are your Drops per min so you take 1,000 / 10 to get how much is going an hour = 100 then you need to find out your rate at a min so take your rate an hour which was 100 and divide by 60 (cause there are 60 mins in an hour) so 100/60 which = 1.66 SO then you take your rate per min x's your drop factor 1.66x10=16.66 and becacse you can only count whole drops your round, so your DPM is 17. And basically what that means is if you do not have a pump , you will stand there and count 17 drops in one minute to know you are infusing the fluid at the right rate. They also will ask for other information .. Like if 1,000 is hanging at 0700 what will be hanging at the end of your shift ( assuming your on a 8 hr shift)ml, just take your rate an hour xs 8 and subtract that from 1,000 which is 200, :) and you'll have to hang a bag before you leave. It sound like a lot but it really isn't just think them through. We had to pass our med math with 100%, I missed the first test by one question, and then i got it on the second try. Our Pharm teacher is the best, shes a really really good teacher. If you have any specific questions you need help working through you can PM me and i will see what i can do. You can do anything you set your mind to, stay positive and dont lose faith.

Thanks for the support guys! I really appreciate it. Our faculty seems to take things to a whole new level and they run with things. I'm definitely going to speak with them further on this issue, which wont be till later next week, unless i stop by after clinical. Im just as bewildered as you are. It definitely came out of nowhere, and i feel is very judgmental towards me. And I don't think they can really do what it is they are doing, I mean freedom of speech right? As long as your not using offensive language or putting someone down. I think the insecurities are a little out of control. there is 6 more months left of school, and 2 weeks in this clinical rotation, and there is a chance they may be mixing up our clinical groups... Im hoping for that. I dont i feel like this is high school like, and very immature. Oh they also stated that this would help me in the future when i get a job in the hospital.. Im going to be bruttally honest and say i just dont think people here know how to communicate, or be nice, courteous .. respectful... ahh its ridiculous..

Hey! Thanks for backing me up on this, Well the girl i think it is I used to talk to and hang out with. She had some issues with other people in the class, and i never took sides, but i was helping her out and taking her to clinical for a while, but she started using me, and i put an end to it. Now that i wont take her to clinical any more, and the fact that she is struggling, and she knows im doing well is why i think she is lashing out. She also had a fall out twice last week with our clinical instructor because she's failing. UGH the faculty shouldn't be taking this like this, and saying that i dont communicate effectively? More like they need to look into why they are having issues with me, When i have my meeting with them next week im planning on telling them that this is how i feel. I dont need to be monitored, and as long as im not being vulgar, talking anyone down, or being abusive, then yes please tell me im in the wrong, but i've had nothing but praise from my clinical instructors about my proffesionalism. And your right why is that such a big deal that i get along with the clinical instructor.

Hey guys! I was called into my schools office today because someone in my clinical group said i offended them this week. What offended them was me saying that I like our clinical instructor, since i had her in lab I think this rotation will be easy. So what did the staff do, Wrote a Care Plan, that stated that i have ineffective communication, and that I will have to meet with them once a week for a month to go over what I did that week. This is getting a little outrageous. I didn't say anything vulgar, I didn't talk bad about anyone or put them down. There is one person that is strugling, and Im almost positive it was her. I just dont get this jealousy thing. I dont parade my grades around, I keep to myself for the most part. I feel like im getting singled out and basically being told to sit down and shut up. I've been labeled by this person as a "know it all". When is it a bad thing to be smart, and for the most part everyone but 1 person comes to me for help when they have questions at clinical. And if I dont know the answer to something I let them know I dont know. They also put in the care plan that doesn't accept constructive critisim, communicates aggresivly. I think thats far from the truth, Im a shy, reserved person. Im not sure whats going on, but Im not really sure what to do about it? Any Ideas? Im thinking about going above their heads... I cant control how others interpret what I say. Dont you think they should be asking these people why what i say is bothering them? Dont you think they should investigate this a little further, since this is just one student making some random claim? Ugh! Im so over this school.. I work hard , i do well, And i really really love nursing. I want to be the best most knowledgebly nurse there is, if that means i ask questions and seek more knowledge, oh well. They stated none of the staff have any issues with me, but its just this student... Honestly guys what do you think i should do? Thanks

Hi guys! Thanks for the replies. I think i should just let it go, move on. Your right its immaturity, and after alot of reflecting its a case of jealousy at its worst, and it is what it is and apologizing isnt going to change anything. And what am i supposed to apologize for, putting the effort in and seeing the positive outcome. School isn't for everyone, and as much as I would love everyone to pass and move on to the next phases, and everyone graduate, truth is that is not always what happens. I care to much about other people and what they think of me, and thats not how to live life. Thank you for the replies, and letting me vent. Sometimes thats all you need is an outside opinion, and reflection time. I cant feel guilty everytime someone gets in trouble for being an ass. Life is to short to sweat the small stuff. Monday will prob not be the easiest day of my life. But showing up is half the battle... :)

Hi guys... So I know we all deal with drama and issues in the classroom/ workplace. Its just how it is, however it has come to an all time explosive high in our program. Faculty has now gotten involved, and a lot of people are upset. Basically after having some mediation we have learned that I unfortunately talk about my grades to much and in turn have made some people feel inadequate. Although it was never my intention to make any one feel this way, I feel horrible that this is the cause of the alienation and now want to make things right. I take full responsibility for what I've done, however i feel like that's not how the class is really feeling about the situation. There have been a lot of she said he said in the classroom, and a lot of issues with RESPECTING other people. My intial reason for speaking to my instructors was so i could find what the root of the issue was so i could correct it and hopefully move on. I realize I can only change my behaviors and cannot be responsible for how other people act. Our director has straight out told everyone in the class that from here on out there is to be no talking behind other peoples backs, that there is to be no disrespecting other people in the class room, and that we are all to work as a team, and if it continues you will be kicked from the program. Some feel that this was not deserving, some feel that I was seeking attention, some feel that I am jealous that "i do not have any friends". Im really not sure what to make of the situation, All i know is I want to be able to go to class, get the information, and do my best, without feeling like I get attitude from other girls. Im not saying they need to be my friend, but they need to respect me as a person, and know we all bring things to the table that we can all learn from each other. Just to give you a few examples that I brought to the faculty's attention and were addressed ..Which they apparently were already aware of.... 1. During class review time, anytime i raise my hand to answer a question and teacher calls on me, there is moans and groans from particular individuals. 2. I have specifically heard 3 students discussing how they dont like me because I am a know it all. I have also walked behind people who have been discussing something i needed help with in clincal to other students. 3. I look at people and immediately are given attitude, they don't respond to my questions, and turn to their neighbor and begin discussing myself, while i am well within ear shot. I was initially under the impression it was only a few people, but the faculty has now come to learn that the list is over 11 people and our class is only 22. SO if talking about my grades is what i did to push people away, i am willing to accept that responsibility and make a formal apology because that was never my intention. But honestly i am afraid of walking in to class on Monday because i feel like im walking into a lions den. Some say i should just let it go, but i feel like i should at least make the apology.

Sorry its taken so long for me to get back to this thing. I was a little upset about this question intially, and it wasn't a pass / fail thing for me, but i've always been such a black or white person, and its hard to see the gray when it comes to test. She seems to lighting up on us. Her final was so easy and i got a 95 on it. So i'll just keep trucking along... thanks for the replies, they were quite hilarious.

Congrats on Passing the final, how was your clincals? I also started clinicals this week... we did basic care, breakfast, bed bath, ready for the day, and lunch... and it took the entire time for my lil old lady. She was a total care with dementia and total incontinence. I was elbow up in poop twice, and one was in the middle of the lift from the bed to the chair. Poor thing. Loved her to death though.

Im not sure why your on the defensive .. the best advice i can give you is focus on yourself, your studies, your grades. Obviously if you have someone your really close with study with them discuss your fears and accomplishments, but dont let the cliques get to you. Its not high school, your in an adult program. Yes, there will be many that dont have that maturity level, but that's something they have to deal with and mature on their own. Worrying about whether the gossip is going to start about yourself, let them. They obviously have nothing better to do with themselves other then talk about other peoples problems. And like you said they are insecure with their own ability to succeed in the program. My program is full of cliques, it really sickens me that many of the girls still act like there in high school. We all have something that connects us to lectures, and keep in mind for some who share their story there prob doing so they can gain some closure on someone who they know have that disease or condition. Especially when it comes to Diabetes or Cancer. Where as yes it may slow the lecture down , but there will come a time when they will discuss something that either A. Has affect you personally or your friends and family, or B. Your really really interested in and have questions. So think of it as a learning opportunity. Im sorry that your class has become like this, but rise above it and be the bigger person. Bullies will weed themselves out, there will be a day when they need you, and you will show them that there words and ways dont effect you. And dont give into the gossip, its something we all do, but you dont want anyone talking about you, so dont talk about others. and SMILE! Nursing isn't for everyone, and they may pass, graduate, pass the boards land their first job interview, but if they never develop thoose personal skills and truly care about the people in their lives no matter whats going on with them, they wont be the best nurse they can be, and they prob wont be in it very long. This will only make you a better nurse.... sorry such a long reply...

Hey Guys! This goes out to those who are in school right now, and even if you haven't started yet, please feel free to enter your input. My classmates and I are encountering issues with one teacher in particular who teaches our fundamentals class. Take in to mind that we have only been in school since September and are still in the beginning foundations of nursing, and basic anatomy. Our test today was on nutrition and eternal feeding tubes. The first question on the test asked Which of the following is included in the GI tract? A:Pharynx B:Larynx C:Trachea D:Rectum Now the class was split about 50/50 half choosing Pharynx, and half choosing Rectum. According to the book, both are included, and they truly are. But Teach says no that's wrong, its the orifice, not the rectum, so the only correct answer would be pharynx.... but the rectum is a part of the large intestine. so in your opinion what do you think the correct answer to this question should be. She is frustrating the class because she says we should be reading before class making notes, and then filling in with what she says. Which i totally agree with, thats how i have always studied.. But the issue comes when its test time, and we take the test answer what the book says, and she says oh no books wrong , your wrong... It is driving me nuts. I have a half way decent grade, but i would love a better one, and im at my wits end, as to how to get a better grade... How would you deal with this situation? Not to mention, she comes into class and always says, oh this is sooo easy, this is easy i dont know why you dont understand.. But she just doesn't seem to grasp the point that WE ARE NEW and this is still a whole NEW way of thinking for most of us who aren't CNA's. Im not going to let this discourage me, im just frustrated, and i know not everyone in life you will agree with, but i dont agree with how she handles situations. THanks guys!

Hi guys! Just thought i would put out an update.. First week is over, start week 2 tommorrow.. Had my first quiz friday on body systems.. it was a breeze (it was pretty basic). Looks like we have a good group of girls and guys in our class, i think about 20-25. We have our first A&P test in the AM. I've made flash cards, bought an A&P self test book, so i think i should be more then prepared. WE have a quiz in nursing fundamentals, and test Tuesday. They are not wasting any time. On a side note, Im not at all being judgmental here, because i think once you have served your time that your past should not affect you any-longer. But lets be honest we live in a society that judges, and having a criminal history can effect every aspect of your life. About 60% of the class has openly admitted to having a felony. I was quite shocked by how open they were about this. I believe that they will have a very long road ahead to overcome this. I admire there perseverance but i think they are going to have a very hard time getting their licence and even if they did get their license who says there going to be able to get a job? Any who.. i wish you all good luck in your first, second, 30th week of school! Keep updating!