Tobygo2

I'm debating on getting either my Oncology or Med-surg certification but I'm not sure how valuable they are. Any opinions? I'm not looking to change positions anytime in the near future but thought they could improve my overall portfolio. Any input is appreciated :)

You say you work in a hospital so why not speak with both a PA and a NP to see what they're opinion is. I work with a great NP so was able to grill him with questions about what he likes and doesn't like about his job as well as his schooling. If I was not married and trying to have a baby I'd get my DNP in a heartbeat!!!

Wbcs were 16. Platelets 275. She wound up going to ICU after she had chest pain during her transfusion She's stable from what I've heard but they still don't know what is causing this this. She's so young it just breaks my heart!

Thanks everyone! I only had her for half a shift but she really got to me as she's a young, otherwise healthy girl. Definitely no gi bleed and no active bleeding anywhere else. We wanted to transfer her to the main big daddy hospital in the state but of course they don't have any empty beds. I just hope she'll be ok! At first when I saw her counts I thought leukemia but then everything else came into play.

Recently had a pt with an H/H level of 4 and 15. MDs were leery of transfusions because everytime she has been getting transfused her levels would drop even more. I know you can develop antigens overtime occasionally but the MDs were utterly confused by her predicament. Any thoughts??

My day today!! Felt HORRIBLE at the end of the day

I was terrified my first six months or so!!! It's completely normal and it's also good to be scared at first. Anyone who isn't scared probably should not be taking care of people's lives. Give yourself some time and it will get easier. I probably didn't calm down until maybe a year in. Relax and just ask as many questions as you need to. Better to ask questions then make a mistake no matter how annoying you may think those questions are :) You WILL be ok and it WILL get easier! Take care of yourself

Congrats on recovering!! I too have struggled with an ED and know how hard it is. We're not technically allowed to eat at nursing stations either but since everyone else does I've joined in. You won't always get your break and besides you need to eat more than once on a shift, at least I know I do or else my sugars drop. I don't take messy meals just needy bars, yogurt, etc. Try to eat at the stations and if someone says something to you I'd be honest and explain your situation.

As the above poster said it can be very, very sad however you balance that with many happy endings as well. Just know you WILL see young people die and sadly many times pts you have known for quite sometime will pass which is very difficult. For the CNAs just understand neutropenic precautions and be compassionate :) Compassion is paramount in Oncology!!

Hi all, Do your significant others understand the stress that comes with being an RN? I'm an RN on dayshift working in a very busy med-surg unit. I typically don't get to use the bathroom until after 1pm, rarely get the chance to take a lunch and usually have five acute care patients. I LOVE my job! My issue is that I don't feel my SO understands the physical or emotional strains my job puts on me. He is constantly pushing me to work extra shifts and while the extra cash is great I'm left spending any time off sleeping all day. I do not get to enjoy any days off because I'm literally so tired I go from my bed to the couch. I'm not sure how to get him to understand that my quality of life is more important than money. Does anyone else experience this??

How do you deal with a difficult coworker? I'm not one who likes confrontation in least, in fact I avoid it at all costs. Said coworker is someone who seems to make rude, condescending remarks whenever I we work together. Basically someone who tries to make me feel bad about myself. I'm EXTREMELY sensitive and I've struggled with that my whole life so I've never once stuck up for myself and always think of what I could have said after the fact. Any advice??

I feel for you! I NEVER complain about getting an admit. That's why it's called "work" :)

I was 28hrs so three to four nights a week. I also was up until at least 2am watching television :) Plus my only "real" meal was dinner... Healthy RN here too lol

I have done both and while you feel like you've wasted your whole day before working evenings it was much better on my sleep/wake cycle. Nights didn't have as much stress and busy work of admits/discharges however it killed me personally.

And that's exactly how I feel! Do I choose a great work life OR a great personal life? How can you choose?? Of course I want both :)

Hi all, I currently work evening shift and have an opportunity to move into a day shift position which I've wanted to do for quite some time. Of course now that I have the opportunity to move I'm quite scared of the change. While I adore my evening shift coworkers I rarely see my husband or have much of a social life since my schedule is 3-11:30 and my husband works the regular 9-5 job. The day shift schedule would allow me to see my husband daily and socialize with friends more. I'm just nervous about two things: 1.) the chaos of day shift (but how different can it be than evening shift?) and 2.) leaving my evening shift friends. What do you all think? I of course like the people on day shift just do not know them very well. I'm just a nervous nelly!!

Ensure you wear PPE and double glove if you wish. As long as all safety measures are taken you should be just fine.

Just tonight I had one pt get platelets and 2units of PRBCs and sometimes I have multiple patients getting transfusions. However on other shifts they may not get any! All depends on the patient's condition.

Know what you're facility considers to be neutropenic. Ours is a cutoff of 1500 but I know other places differ. Know about ANC, H/H and platelet levels as MDs frequently call to check on these labs to decide on transfusions. Also become familar with frequent remedies for frequent chemo side effects. You'll LOVE Oncology!!

If it makes you feel any better I'm the EXACT same way

I know exactly how you feel about 8-he nights, they are BRUTAL. I'm working my last week of them before I change shifts. Stay optimistic though, a position opened up that I got much quicker than I thought.

Of course you can take medication! Half of the nurses I work with do, Lol. When I was drug tested I just showed them my prescriptions, no questions asked :)

Are you currently on any anti-anxiety medications? I take 20mg Lexapro and it helps but I'm still anxious quite a bit. I easily get overwhelmed at work and need to consciously make myself stop and take a deep breath. Try to catch yourself as soon as you notice your HR increasing and take some deep breaths. Walk away to the bathroom if you have to and just regroup. It's tough in nursing since it's nonstop but you have to realize if you can't take care of yourself you can't take care of your patients.