VgsNrs

Thanks MHDNurse & Flare, unfortunately no I do not have any collaborating MD's associated with the school The prev RN had a friendly relationship with a parent who was a MD so that worked out for her. I am brand new so don't have that and I have the feeling of "figure it out" from admin I may bring this idea up to them because I think it would be great, one other issue I have is having parents have a Dr sign our Med forms with OTC meds to be given while at school and they commonly leave the Dr sig blank. Thx for the info and at least I have some ideas!

Yep, they still start school despite forms turned in. It almost feels like why am I working so hard! But I feel like I have to establish some rule to it even if it's just me 😣 I guess parents may be upset that their child cannot receive any OTC meds but I can't without the proper form, we'll see! Thx for the feedback, I guess I should take it easier on myself!

Hello, I am brand new to school nursing, I was a PICU nurse for 10 years prior. I am sooooo not used to all the admin paperwork, spreadsheets, emails etc. I work at an independent school with about 500 students. We require an annual physical and medication form (even for OTC meds) both signed by doctors as well as updated shot records. Our "deadline" for submitting was 8/11 and i STILL have less than half of students turned them in! Is this common to chase parents to submit paperwork?! I am killing myself staying 2 hours after each day trying to organize, log in paperwork turned in and corresponding with parents to PLEASE send them in or please get these shots! So stressed...am I alone or should this get easier? Thanks for any feedback!

Hi! I am actually having an issue with how I will obtain a new script for our stock Epi Pens when they expire soon (I work in an independent school) and we have several sets on campus. How do I find a physician who will write one? The previous nurse knew a doctor personally who agreed to write the script, but I do not. Any info would be appreciated!! Thanks

thanks for your vote of confidence! congrats on your boards too. i was just looking at a kaplan book today it seemed really helpful, but i just hate spending money on all these books and i wont ever use them again (hope i wont), after hearing that from you, maybe i will end up buying it. thanks for the advice....

Hey everyone, Just reading everyone's posts and so happy for everyone that has passed! I am taking my NCLEX either Jan/Feb 2005, and I am just freaking out on studying. I feel like I cannot retain anything, and the new format questions are also getting me all worried too. I have NSNA NCLEX-RN review book and have been going through it, but should I read cover to cover all the material? And where can I find good questions regarding prioritization and delagating? ANY feedback would be wonderful! Thanks -Worried RN student.... :rotfl:

I really appreciate the open and honest responses from everyone. Some have relieved a few of my worries coming into the real world of nursing. I just really want this to be positive experience, it is a little difficult coming into a field where you have little insight of what to expect outside of school. Thank you again though...

Hey there everyone! I am graduating as an RN in December and have had a few interviews to hospitals out here, but the slots for new grad openings are very skimpy, especially when it comes to a specialty area. (I really want to work with peds or maybe an critical care unit) HOWEVER, I feel like everyone is pushing us into working Med-Surg first, so we get the "experience"! Well why won't they hire us into other areas for this so-called experience?? I just dred the thought of having to work on a Med-Surg unit for a year to 2, just from the awful memories I have had in Nursing School. I mean, I feel like I would come home and cry after work by just being so stressed out...Am I wrong here? Is this experience in Med-Surg really that critical to my career as a nurse? And if I do happen to commit to working Med-Surg, what types of things should I look for in a good working environment? I mean I REALLY want to like my job, and enjoy coming to work (most of the time) ANY ADVICE would be greatly appreciated from any point-of-view. They say we have such a nursing shortage, but I have learned that it they are short in "experienced" nurses, not new graduates...

Thank you all for your great replies. I really appreciate it! -Erin

I just was curious, when you graduate, should you take a few weeks off to study for the NCLEX or have a job secured and study for the test during your massive orientation? What is the smarter thing to do? I feel like I can't decide and I dont wanna screw myself by not having a job until who knows when?!?!?

I just was curious, when you graduate, should you take a few weeks off to study for the NCLEX or have a job secured and study for the test during your massive orientation? What is the smarter thing to do? I feel like I can't decide and I dont wanna screw myself by not having a job until who knows when?!?!?

Thanks so much for some good ideas...

Here is my concern, I am a nursing student and I need to create a policy on my peds floor regarding standards or a protocol when administering breast milk to the infants. It was suggested to me to go to our NICU to see what standards they went by regarding this issue, because there have been mix up's in the past, BUT there is nothing in writing. The NICU nurses just have their own way of doing it. But I still need help on where to start because I have to make this from scratch. If you have a set of standards that you use in your NICU could you please share some? (ie- 2 RN's check names, checking expire date, organization within fridge, etc.) Thanks for any feedback!

it really does help to hear things like that believe it or not. i am glad to hear, or more like thankful to hear that it is okay to feel overwhelmed in this type of environment and it is not just me feeling this way. i just think that working here exposes me to so much more of a learning experience rather than med-surg atmosphere. i hope i will be able to be one of those "4 girls" one day too. thanks for your response!

Thanks LoriA! I have been working in the PICU in my last semester clinical as a student nurse since I wrote the first thread. So far it has been a lot to get used to and I still am trying to get my routine down, but of course, it never fails and I do stupid things as a nursing student does. For myself, I think I would benefit in the long run if I worked on the floor first and deep down, knowing that I WILL be working in the PICU soon enough. I just ask myself constantly, "how do these nurses do it, and do it so well??" I know it is all about experience and I guess I get frustrated wishing I was at that same level right now. I hope that I will be at that level some day, being able to precept a student that feels the way I do right now! Thanks for your words of advice...

Thanks Randy, I will do some research on the web too, just nice to hear from real life experiences once in a while!

Can someone tell me a sure and accurate way to assess for Phlebitis and thrombophlebitis?? I am still in school and when I ask nurses on my clinical floor, it seems their answers differ. It is just so hard to tell if the person's skin is already "loose" or whatnot from their age, weight, condition etc. I monitor if there is pain at the site or redness, but how do I really know what I should be looking for? I am always worried that I may not pick it up and I am running IV's through and putting danger to me patient. Please any input would be extremely appreciated...

Thanks for the response. It is just so overwhelming of the areas that are avalible to nurses and I feel like I do not know about 1/2 of them! I think I will be able to figure out somewhere to go soon! By the way, what is PCT? Sorry not familar to all of the unit abbreviations...

Hey everyone! I am having the hardest time deciding whether I should go onto Peds floor, PICU or somewhere else when I graduate. In some ways I feel that I would never be able to handle the "critical" part of the PICU but I think it would be an extrodinary place to learn....Or should I be on the Peds floor first since things are a little slower paced? I have no idea and ANY feedback would be really appreciated. Maybe if anyone could share their personal stories that might be helpful? Thanks so much - Nursing student in need of some guidance here....

I am just waiting for the day when I can walk onto a floor as a student and the charge nurse does NOT give you a dirty look! Sometimes I really hate being a student because seems like most of the nurses treat us like we are invisible (at least at some of the hospitals I have been at). But can someone tell me what part in the program did you feel like a 100% confident nurse? I am just so scared that I am no where near that feeling, (I am only about 1/2 through)......But I NEED some reassurance man! I think as nursing students, we all need some sometime. Thanks for letting me vent!

I am really interested in what other Grad Nurses have to say cuz I will be in your shoes come December 04 and I am wondering when you all actually started reviewing for the NCLEX? I am only in my third semester (I have summer & fall sem. left) but do you think I should be getting comfortable with some NLCEX stuff now?? I am already stressed with school, but i just wonder if it is in my best interest to start early? Any feedback would be super...Thanks and good luck to everyone!