hburatti85

We are halfway through level 2 now! Wow, it's been insane. I am also proud of myself. I have managed to maintain As throughout the entire course! The thing that gets me the most is the Care Plans...Sometimes I just want to throw my Nursing Dx book out the window and throw out the care sheet forms.

I'm a student and I don't expect to find a job out there. I know the pickier you are the ability to find a job is severly reduced. I personally have decided that I have no problem working in LTC if it means a paying job. Also, schools such as UCLA (or other university medical campuses) have paid internships and new grad programs so you can get the experience to get a job in a specified area. The competition can be stiff for those problems but if you graduated with honors and scored well on your NCLEX you would be an ideal candidate. Also, volunteering while you are waiting can help with experience and looks good on your resume. I started nursing school after this recession started knowing full well that I may have problems getting a job, but my passion to be a nurse overrode that. No college is liable to help you get a job unless they give a promise to do so. Also, you said you applied with the VA. Especially if you submit an applciation you need to call to confirm they received it. Sometimes the people that receive the applications don't send them straight to the hiring person. Also, being persistant with a paticular job shows them you are seriously interested. I had to do that with a tech job at an acute hospital and as a CNA at LTC. Oh and an FYI about the VA, it's takes generally 6 months to get hired or even hear from them.

I know sometimes Dr.'s order things without taking in all the considerations the patient has. (and that's speaking at a personal level with my dad)

I actually covered this in class recently with oxygen adminstration and too much oxygen in a COPD pt can elevate the CO2 levels because the body has adjusted to working at a lower level of oxygen. I have to agree with the previous poster and use the above links, or if you have the ability to do so refer to your med-surg or fundamentals texts.

I have a pathophysiology paper due that is on Fluid and Electrolytes. I'm not sure what to do considered it's not an actual disease or singular process. I would understand if it was a patho on an imbalance but it's not. I've even referenced my Pathophysiology book, my Fluid and Electrolytes Made incredibly Easy, and my Textbooks. (Oh and ofcourse the internet)

State of California requires no more than a 15:1 on clinical instruction. Luckily my clincal groups are only 8:1.

I'm having the same problem with my foley check off. We practiced and then friday we will get checked off. I flubbed the sterile field completely. I never touched with my dirty hand but I accidently touched my uniform and crossed the sterile field many times! I just really nervous infront of everyone using the mannequin.

My first two tests I thought I had a 100 and nope it was a 90. It's hard to get in the mindframe of NCLEX style questions. Finding the "best" answer sometimes kills me. My problem is I constantly second guess myself. I'll know what the right answer is and then think "hey that was too easy that can't be right." and then I found out my first answer was right!

-Truest thing ever. Also, when you finally have a "break" night after a big test you still take your books with you just in case you can study at your friend's house. - Or, every family get together you are still found sitting on the couch with your books out. The most your sister can video tape of you, is you studying. - Everything you write is in "note" format and all your husband can say is "God your handwriting has gotten bad" and you actually took you time with it.

I have officially been in school for two weeks, and even with all the forums and post I read, I didn't realize how much you hit the ground running. Skills lab is several skills in one day and Theory is several chapters and starting next week several books. The reading is INSANE. I do enjoy it though, and the people seem to be pretty cool. Though, I've already dropped $$$ on study help aides and I'm getting ready to make some massive index cards. Oh, and we have to mantain an 80% at ALL times!

I scored really high on my entrance exam to nursing school and my brother said to my mom "If she is so smart why isn't she studying to become a dr?". I was so mad and hurt. I know I'm capable of being a dr but I think nursing can be more rewarding. It is because of the wonderful home-health nurses that my father has been able to stay home instead of going to a LTC. His doctor never would bother coming to the house, but said that the nurses are his eyes and ears. It's the wonderful hospice nurses that are making the transition to hospice a lot easier on us the family and on him as a patient. (My brother a 3rd year med student doesn't even know what hospice is.) I want to treat the patient and the family.

My brother is a 3rd year med student and he does everything a "real" dr does. He does have some severly distorted views on nurses and feels they don't do what they are asked. He only did "grunt" work his first year and for a short period time. He even expressed to me that if I was so intelligent why am I not going for my md! (I am a nursing student.) They aren't not taught how to do any basic bedside care.

I personally was till the last beat is gone or at the very least to where it is faint and I have to strain to hear it. It also depends on the nurse. I have been taught to wait till the VERY LAST beat is gone, but working in a hospital I have had other people tell me that it's when the last clear loud beat is heard. It's best to ask the teacher what they are doing differently and follow his/her advice.

I just had mine done on monday. It was a quick physical assessment but I had to get titers drawn. The titers for Hep B and Varicella (Chickenpox) were mandatory even if you had vaccination records for them. I also was checked for MMR, polio, and had TB test. Also, if your tetnus shot isn't up-to-date you have to get one of those. I kinda waited to the last minute though cuz I new from working in the hospital that I was up-to-date with everything. (I start March 1st)

I found out today that I will be getting my clinical schedule today or tomorrow! At least I will be able to plan a little ahead now!