NSJodi

I take a student intern every year and I don't even get a thank-you from the academic institution or my hospital. I do not get any break in my assignment load. I take students because when I was a nursing student and new grad, someone (who was not paid extra) took the time to teach me. I do care about the next generation of nurses and want to ensure that they get as much experience as possible before graduation.

I work on an SICU at a University hospital and we hire new grads. However, my manager only hires a few at a time so the skill level is balanced and they do get an extended orientation. You may also have better luck at a teaching hospital, might get you experience with higher acuity patients.

Thanks everyone who responded and thanks for the tables! I should have given more information, but I was more interested in how to titrate for the future. No, this patient didn't have a swan line so I was lacking in information. Thanks again for the help!!

Tonight I had a patient on Norpinephrine, Epinephrine, Phenylephrine, Dopamine and Vasopressin with orders to titrate all of them to MAP> 60. My question is, does anyone have any advice when titrating this many pressors? I'm good with titrating two or three, but totally lost when dealing with this number. Granted in this patient's case she was maxed so titration really wasn't an issue, but in the future any advice? Thanks!

Hi. I am currently in the second semester at Mankato for the online RN to BSN program. I too applied to Metro state but they had too many prerequisites before I could start the nursing classes. Plus I have friends in that program and they seem to express a lot of frustration with it. For Mankato, all but one of the classes is completely online. The last class (Provider of care clinical) has the public health clinical component. There are tons of papers to write and it does tend to be time consuming but I think that is the same for all programs. As far as the application process goes, there are two apps. (1 for mankato and 1 for the BSN program). You can start the nursing classes right away. There are 8 nursing classes total. If you do apply to Mankato, you have to stay on top of them to get your application processed timely. It took about 3 months to get my acceptance and my DARS report from them. They are real slow about everything, but once you're in you're golden. Patricia Lipetsky is the advisor for the program. She's pretty good about answering e-mails. I do like the program and it is by far the easiest to do on a part time bases. Also , the cost tends to run about $300/credit which is less than Bethel. good luck! please feel free to e-mail me privately for any furthur questions.

First off this website has been a wealth of info for me as I have been deciding on trying for a commission. Thanks to all the contributors!! I am about a year away from completing my BSN. I am very interested in AFR or ANG as a flight nurse. Our local ANG has open slots for flight RN's however I think I would prefer AFR (there is both in my area). I know people in both and get mixed answers. Personally I want to get into CCATT as ICU type nursing is more my thing. Any pros/cons of each? How do they compare? Also, what makes an ideal candidate? I want to present the best credentials possible. I have 11 years CC experience and hold two certifications. Is that enough experience? What else should I have? Thanks for everyone's time!!

I've been asked out many times by my patients. It always amazes me to because I'm not thin or pretty. I figure it's because they think I'd take good care of them or something. Anyways I always deflect that one lightheartedly like "well the management might not like that" or something. I've also used the "thanks but I'm marrried" line. As far as the martyr syndrome. I think nursing still has this sink or swim mentality and it's wrong. As a new grad you have plenty of stress on your plate so don't volunteer for things right away. I've seen nurse managers prey on the new grads because the new grads are eager to prove themselves. Focus on learning the job first and then add things to your plate. Set the tone from day one, be consistent and you will be fine.

I'm currently trying to figure out the Mankato RN to BSN program. I'm admitted but it says all of the online courses are full. However I disctinctly remember ( and I also found it online) that the online courses had no enrollment cap. So what gives? I'm going to contact the program director on Monday to figure out what's up. I agree with the previous poster that the website is confusing. Hopefully the courses are OK. Actually I don't really care as long as I can get this BSN over with.

Hey thanks everyone for the responses. There's a large ANG unit very close to me and they always have postings for flight nurses. I'm planning to talk to them later on this fall. I just hope I have enough experience for them. Thanks again!!

Thanks for the info. I think that I like the flexibility of the Mankato program better.

I've been pondering Reserve or National Guard nursing for a while. I'm still a bit out from sending in a packet. I'm especially interested in air evac or flight nursing eventually, but I'm guessing it takes a while to get those positions. Of course, I have absolutely no civillian experience for these types of jobs as well. I do have CC experience (but not in trauma). My questions are these: Are there flight positions in reserves or just ANG? What should I do to start my gaining experience now? Thanks in advance for everyones response.

I've seen a lot people cry at work. They just get so frustrated and lose it for a minuite. These are experienced nurses too, it happens to everyone. You can't know everything about each patient and you have to get over the "super nurse" mentality drilled into you in school. It's not possible to do everything (although I know that is not how we are trained). Know the basics about your patient. Prioritize what "absolutely needs to be done" from what "would be nice to get done" and for gawd sakes GO TO THE BATHROOM !! Realize that there is no such thing as a perfect shift. Personally I'm happy if I got the important things done, my patients got some rest, their pain and nausea was fairly well controlled, they're still alive (maybe even slightly better) and I havn't screwed anything up. Anything more is gravy.

Thanks for the info!! I'm leaning towards Mankato at this point. I have all the generals done but have one prereq for the metro program which will push back my start day until spring semester now. Mankato lets you start right away. I did hear that the assessment class at metro was a joke. One of my friends went through it (he's a chiro and a practicing nurse). He felt it was a huge waste of time and money. As a bedside RN, I just wish there was a program more suited to my needs (but I know that is not the goal of the BSN programs). Just going to have have to suck it up for a couple of years and get through it. Thanks again!!

I'm accepted to both Mankato and Metro State's Rn to BSN program. Any insight into these? I am a career bedside nurse with absolutely no interest in management, teaching or public health. Just doing this program to finally get my BSN done with. Which program has the least amount of "BS" (I've heard Metro has a lot of it)? Which program might better apply to bedside nursing? Thanks in advance!!

Good luck to the MNA nurses!!

You may want to try coming in 15 to 20 minuites early for a while. Look up the latest labs, orders and read the admit and last MD note. May help you get a gameplan going for the day. Also, if you have a pyxis or other med machine, don't waste time standing in that line. Go do something else. There are truely very few meds that have to be given exactly on time and most hospital have an acceptable leeway (early or late) for giving meds. Some day RN's actually come in a few minuites early and pull out their non-narcotic 8 a.m. meds (I'm sure the pharmacy has issues with that but they can stow it). Find some trick you can use for a while to alleviate the anxiety and hopefully that will make your day go smoother. Good luck!!

Hey thanks for the advice! I didn't think I had a choice in any particular unit. I figured that I would just assigned to an open spot.

I'm a float, often may not know many of the staff, generally don't have an NA and can have anywhere from 2-7 patients; so I try to be proactive. One of the first questions I ask on my rounds is "do you have to go to the bathroom" (amazing how often the call light goes off 30 seconds after you leave the room because your patient has to use the bathroom). I also ask if there is anything else they need (and give examples, i.e. water, toiletries, blanket) when I am going out to get something. When I am late to a patients room I apologize for it and explain why (without breaking any hippa rules of course). I also am upfront with patients that are "healthier" than my other ones. I believe it's OK for patients to realize that they may not the sickest person on the floor and others may get more of my time. I also encourage people to care for themselves (participate to recuperate). Unless my patient is a quad, there is no reason they cannot do at least some of their own hygiene. This isn't a Hilton. On the time management side I try to reduce trips. I always grab an extra IV bag for each patient on my first round. I pull out my meds during less busy pyxis times (I see my patients first and then pass meds). Try to have my IV meds mixed early so I don't have to wait for them to dissolve (I really hate zosyn!). I also check to see that I have all my specialty meds up from the pharmacy at the beginning of the shift so I don't have to wait for them. I chart I/O, V/S and meds as I go, in the room because I'm in the float pool and frequently move with a half hour's notice. Admits, of course throw a wrench in things. Ask only the required questions (we don't need to know the name of their first pet). Better yet memorize the required questions you need to ask and start on them the minuite your admit walks into the room. Get as much info as you can from the ER and admitting doc's notes. Order the old charts as soon as you know the name of your admit. Finally, go to the bathroom (I call it the office). Sit there for a minuite and plan how you are going to work through the next few hours. I'm way more efficient when I have a plan versus just reacting to what is going on. Also remember, it will eventually all get done ... somehow.

First off thanks to everyone who has answered my other questions. I have decided to join the military in some fashion once I get closer to completing my BSN. I was seeking advice on how to strengthen my "packet" so I will have a greater chance of getting a commission. By next year I will have 11 yrs as a float pool nurse in the IMC cluster with the last 2 in the ICU cluster. However, I work at a university hospital that sees very little trauma and I'll also have no ER experience. I do train new staff but being a float have never done charge. I do have 2 certifications. Is that enough? What else should I do? Or, what would simply be a good experience that would benefit me later in the military. Thanks again!!

Hey thanks for the post (and thanks KathyPorter as well). I figured my feelings were common. I just like to excell at my job (well, who doesn't I guess). I'm also used to being the "go to" person at my work so that feeling of being a newbie is unsettling, but natural. I just hope I will be a good enough candidate to be accepted. Thanks again.

Hmm ... I'm the opposite. I gain 3-4 pounds at work then lose it on my week off. Of course I consider Mountain Dew to be a food group so that could be part of the problem. Tried to give it up but after 3 days my co-workers were considering placing me on the MSSA protocol for withdrawl if I didn't pick up the habit again (something about concern over potentially homicidal behaviour towards interns or something). Fortunately pizza can be eaten one-handed so my productivity doesn't decrease during break time .

I am wondering how training works for a direct commision reserve nurse with no prior military experience. I've read that OBLC for reserve nurses is only 2 weeks (although on this site I've read 4 weeks). My response to that was (huh? I'd feel way underqualified after only such a short time). Then what happens when I return to my home unit? Do I go on to the critical care training program (like AD nurses) or am I limited to weekend and annual drills (not including deployment training). I'm one who always liked being a bit overqualified for my job so undertaking something with so little training is a bit intimidating for me. It's not the bedside I'm too concerned about. It's the "not looking like a complete idiot" away from the bedside that concerns me. Especially considering I want to have the opportunity to deploy frequently. Thanks again!!

I'm 11 years night shift and I can count on one hand the number of times I have physically left the floor for a full meal break. The vast majority of night shift nurses I work with tend to count their meal break as that time where they chart with one hand and eat with the other. It's not a time management issue for us. We have been stripped to the bone. Excessive and frequent OT gets one a poor review and eventually fired. It's come to the point that we couldn't get everything done and charted if nurses got their proper breaks. I accepted this part of the job a long time ago. It's not right but it's not going to change anytime soon, especially in this job market.

Hi again! This is an offshoot of my original question. I'm an RN (ADN) with 10 years experience. I am in a RN to BSN program now but won't be done for 2 years. I was looking at 68W or 4NOX1 in reserves or the guard. A air evac unit nearby has openings. Granted there is absolutely no guarantees but that type of position in air evac interests me. I know I wouldn't be working as an RN in the military but it might be a stepping stone to it later when I get my BSN done. I could also get started faster. I have my EMT-B, ACLS already so along with an RN might be able to get out of some of the AIT (or maybe I'm delusional on this). I'm looking at these enlistment MOS's because I'd like to be "out in the field" while I am still relatively young. I don't want to be working in the hospital. However being female I know that a hospital position is most likely. I can financially afford a deployment on enlisted wages. So here's my question. Is enlisted for me just stupid? How long do I stay in my MOS before I can move to an officer RN position (which would be my ultimate goal)? Is there any way to control what type of work environment I go to as a 68W (or equivalent)? Thanks again for your time!!

Thanks everyone for their posts! I am really looking at Reserves only. I was concerned that I would have difficulty switching roles later if I enlisted. I've always been a "learn from the ground up" type of person so that is what attracted me to enlisted. On the practical (i.e.financial) side I could only afford a year's worth of deployment on E-2, E-3 pay. I'm 37 so the army or nat'l guard are likely my only choices. Looks like going in after BSN is the better option. Thanks again!!