JKindRN

I work at a hospital in CT and there's no difference in pay between ASN and BSN nurses.

krissyr....I feel the same way as you do. I just finished my third week (out of 12 orientation weeks) at my new job on an LTAC Respiratory unit, and I feel so uncomfortable, out of place, in the way and just deer in the headlights. I actually thought one of my four patients was coding today - turns out the patient was just heavily medicated the night before and the side effects carried over. Scared me to death though. I cried on the way home tonight...mainly thinking about how I want to be a great nurse and I just feel like I have no idea what I'm doing. CNAs and RTs have come to me with questions this week that I just don't know how to answer, and it's frustrating. I know I'll probably be bumped to 6 patients next week and it scares me. I had a couple good days this week where I was able to complete AM med pass and treatments no problem, and then a couple of days (like today) where I ended up with Calcium Carbonate all over the front of my scrubs because meds through a J tube are a pain! hahaha. The thought of adding two more patients to the mix gives me some anxiety, and the thought that I'm supposed to manage 9 patients by the end of my orientation freaks me out. BUT. I'm trying to take it one day at a time, learn from my experiences so far, help the aides when I can (because I'm huge believer in "teamwork"), and just do what I can during the shift. And like Cicadarn said, I'll talk to my preceptor and manager. I don't quite feel like I'm totally underwater, but if I have 6 patients assigned to me next week, I just might.

Thank you so much for this. :)

ADN...April 2013....:singing:Halleluia! :)

"You're seeing it too, right??? Now I KNOW I've worked too many hours...."

I totally understand, Heather! I'm in my first semester too, and have only had three clinical days where I worked with a patient. The first two we were able to pair up with a classmate, so it wasn't so scary. Last week, though, I was on my own. Talk about deer-in-the-headlights. I've never felt more in the way, lost, and out of place in my life. However, I made a point to just smile and try to give that air of "I know what I'm doing", and help out as much as I could. As long as a bedpan didn't come flying at my head, I figured it'd be a great day! :) I know what you mean about everyone liking clinical except for you. I'll be honest, even though this is just fundamentals, I know that LTC/Rehab isn't for me. In fact I'm dreading my patient assignment that's supposed to be coming in today or tomorrow, but if I can get that patient to smile just once while I'm there, maybe it'll be okay. You never know how you effect your patient...maybe they just want someone to talk to, and you can work on "nursing communication skills", or at least hear some really interesting stories. I've been trying to get the most out of it and learn. Especially how CNAs and RNs interact with their patients. Day 1 I was afraid to touch my patient, because let's face it, I'm not used to just introducing myself and then "HEY! How about a bed bath!?" I'm still a little anxious about it, but I'm getting a little better. Hang in there and don't give up...maybe your next clinical site will be more exciting.

Thanks for the comments everybody....it's good to know I'm not the only one. I looked around at some of my classmates, and their introductions and explanations were just flowing right out. They just seemed so comfortable. I know some of them are already in the medical field, so this is a walk in the park for them. Like a couple of you said...internally you're a wreck, but on the outside, you portrayed confidence. I want that. Haha...everyone keeps telling me to "fake it 'til I make it"....maybe they're right. I don't want to fake it though...I want to know what I'm doing is correct. We all get our first patients next week...LTC setting. Maybe I'll just sit and chat with my patient for a while if they're okay with that. It couldn't hurt right? Like metricalpound said, they're people...not things.

Hey fellow nursing students! This is week two for me in my quest of becoming the best RN that I can be. I know I'm just beginning and I have a TON of things to learn, but I was curious to see if anyone else has the same issue that I seem to be having...and that is....communication!! The thing is, I've worked in many different administrative assistant-type jobs before deciding to go back to school. I've been communicating just fine with coworkers, managers, VPs, and customers for the last 10 years. For some reason, last week at my first clinical, trying to simply introduce myself and communicate was an issue. My classmates and I were set up to learn and then demonstrate how to move a patient to the edge of the bed/move a patient to a chair/move a patient to a chair using a gait belt. Each of us were the "patient" and then we were the "nurse". I sat back and watched everyone in my group go before me, and when it came to my turn this is what happened.... "Good morning fake patient #1, my name is Jules777 and I'm a nursing student from (enter college in here). Right now...umm....we're going to, I mean I'm going to...ummm....stutter, stutter, we're going to move you from the bed to the chair. I just need you to umm.....if you have the strength and can push yourself up a little, I'll help you...I mean...how are you feeling? are you dizzy? Is the belt too tight? Okay ready...1...2...3...lift." etc etc etc....and while this is happening, I can feel my skin turn bright red and I'm starting to shake a little. Now....this is what gets me. I like people! In my head, I know what I need to do and I can picture myself doing it. I'm starting to get a little shred of confidence in my abilities to start functioning as a nurse, even if it's just BASIC skills. Why in the world can I not communicate that? I'm thinking my anxiety occurred because #1. I hadn't even laid eyes on some of my classmates before that day. #2. I could feel the eyes of the instructor burning into the back of my head, and I don't work the greatest when people are watching me...even now in the administrative job that I'm in. Someone standing over my shoulder irks me a little, but I try not to let it show. #3. I'll be honest...I don't know what questions to ask. I don't know what's appropriate. My instructor must've been cracking up inside, thinking "this girl's all over the place!". I don't pretend that I know everything. I'd rather be honest and just say "I don't know what to say in this situation". Or am I really over-analyzing everything and it's just as simple as a smile and "Hi fake patient #1, my name is Jules777 and I'm a nursing student at (insert college here). I'm here to help you out today, and right now we're going to move you from your bed to this chair. You let me know if you feel any discomfort or dizziness, and together we'll get this done, okay?" Is anyone else having this issue? My apologies for the novel. ---Jules777

BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing and Literature, minor in Sociology. @RN2BDFW....my thoughts exactly. Liberal Arts Studies got me right where I wanted to be....administrative assistant job after administrative assistant job! :) On the plus side, just about all of my credits transferred over to the ADN program I'm in now and once I'm ready to cross over to the RN-BSN or RN-MSN program, it'll be easier.

I've rented books from Chegg.com and Bookrenter.com. I bought most of my ASN books off Amazon. I saved over $200 buying them that way instead of going through my school bookstore. Last I checked Amazon Prime had a deal going for students, as Connie1109 stated above. http://www.dealoz.com/ is an interesting website that pulls books from a lot of different websites to compare prices. I agree with IUstudent...rent from Chegg...don't buy. I made the mistake of buying thinking it was "new" (or at least "newer") and it was missing the DVD/CD component. Good luck!

Glad to hear all went well! Praying for a speedy recovery! :)

I'll be praying for you! :redbeathe

Today marks a year since my coworker and friend "LL" passed away... Diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in August 2009, she fought for just under a year, and she worked up until the last three weeks of her life...determined not to let cancer win. I consider myself privileged to have known and worked along side such a strong woman, lucky to have been able to hold her hand and guide her when walking became difficult for her, and blessed to have been able to drive her home from her last day at work...we were singing country songs together. She was singing at the top of her small, weakened voice. I had just started my pre-reqs a year ago...She was one of the people that encouraged and inspired me to go back to school to become a nurse. One of the last things she ever said to me was "You're going to make a great nurse." Well, LL....I just received my acceptance letter to start core nursing classes in the Fall. I know you're watching over me, and I hope I make you proud. Please know that you are so missed....sometimes I can still hear you laughing. Give Jesus a high five for me....... Jules777

Congrats! I just got mine as well.....here's to the class of 2013!

Hey studentnurseCT....I know we've chatted a bit before, but I'm psyched to say I just got my acceptance letter to start this Fall in Goodwin's nursing program. I'm PSYCHED!...and relieved! Now I just need to get through the next 7 weeks of this semester! Congrats to everyone starting in the fall!