Indigorn

Fantastic!!! So happy for you :) Hopefully in a few weeks, I'll have great news from my program

I had my interview a few weeks ago and they told me I would hear by the end of April/early May. I really hope that decision comes sooner than later. Best of luck to you! Hopefully you will have great news awaiting you when you get home :)

CTRN'11, I know you applied to a different program (the acute care), but did you hear back from UCONN yet?

Yes, I too have an interview :) Hope your interview goes well! What program did you apply for?

Yes, I too have an interview :) Hope your interview goes well! What program did you apply for?

Has anyone applied to UCONN for the 2015/2016 MSN adult/ger program??

I am working in a cardiac intensive care unit. I was a new grad when I started and have been on my own for 8 months. While I love my unit and my colleagues are not only approachable, but always willing to answer any of my questions, I would like some suggestions on resource material that I can read up on. I already have a few resources, some are good and some are over my head at this time. I was considering the ICU notes on nursing FAQ. My only issue is that it has not been updated since 2007. Does anyone have this book, or are there any must have resources I should consider getting?

Sometimes, I feel like I am going to miss something, or will I react quickly enough if my patient is decompensating. They say that usually a patient demonstrates changes several hours before they code (even if they are slight changes). I want to be able to recognize these!! For example, if my patient is having a lot of ectopy, I would call the doctor and draw their electrolytes. I don't want my patient to code because of something that could have easily been replaced, like their potassium. However, I am not always sure what to do. Organization is big for me and I wish I had a better foundation! However, I am working it. I have developed a tool that seems to be working much better for me. I am also trying to couple my care and be more efficient, but I do not always not what to anticipate. Any suggestions would be helpful :) My coworkers tell me that I am doing well and not to be so hard on myself. I had 14 weeks of orientation (phase 1 of orientation), and the last three of those were to transition me to the night shift. I was upfront and honest with my employers and I asked for more time because I did not want to cut the cord, so they gave me two additional weeks. My preceptors felt that I am ready and that I am conscientious and safe, but I still feel like I am constantly going to them to validate my thoughts. I secretly wonder if that will eventually annoy them.

My biggest challenge is that I feel like I am so slow. I take my time to make sure that I am doing it right. I want to be safe!! I still feel as though I am still on orientation, because I am constantly asking questions. This make me feel incompetent, but on the same hand I don't want to miss something or harm someone.

Thank you!! I can't wait for my nights to begin to flow a little more smoothly

Thank you!!!! I can't wait for my nights to begin to flow a little more more smoothly :)

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I am totally feeling overwhelmed and just need some advice. I am grateful and incredibly lucky to begin my nursing career as a new grad in a critical care unit. That being said, I am so overwhelmed! I am now 5 weeks off orientation, and many nights I want to leave work and just cry. I often feel like I am not sure where I went for the last four years, but I can definitely say real nursing is not like nursing school. I know everyone says that, but you really need to be in the field to grasp this concept. This new anxiety (swear I am having PVC's!), makes me feel incompetent as a new nurse. I am well supported and I am so thankful for that, but I really would just like to feel that comfort level that I can actually do this job and become a fantastic nurse. I love so many parts of this job, but often feel like I am on the edge and my boss is going to call me in the office and tell me that I am not cut out for this job! Honestly, I feel that if I am struggling with the "easier" ICU patients, how the heck am I going to take on heavier assignments. I look for feedback from my colleagues and don't take offense to constructive criticism. I am also open to different suggestions about time management and nursing care. I try to get feedback from the oncoming nurse on how she/he felt I left the patient and what I could have done differently. This is a second career for me, one that I have wanted to do since I was 19. I really can't believe that I am asking this, but how do I gain more confidence in myself and when will I feel like I can just breathe. The best way I can put it is that when I get to work a switch gets turned on, and I feel like the energizer bunny on steroids. Does this mean I am not cut out to be a nurse on this type of unit??

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I am totally feeling overwhelmed and just need some advice. I am grateful and incredibly lucky to begin my nursing career as a new grad in a critical care unit. That being said, I am so overwhelmed! I am now 5 weeks off orientation, and many nights I want to leave work and just cry. I often feel like I am not sure where I went for the last four years, but I can definitely say real nursing is not like nursing school. I know everyone says that, but you really need to be in the field to grasp this concept. This new anxiety (swear I am having PVC's!), makes me feel incompetent as a new nurse. I am well supported and I am so thankful for that, but I really would just like to feel that comfort level that I can actually do this job and become a fantastic nurse. I love so many parts of this job, but often feel like I am on the edge and my boss is going to call me in the office and tell me that I am not cut out for this job! Honestly, I feel that if I am struggling with the "easier" ICU patients, how the heck am I going to take on heavier assignments. I look for feedback from my colleagues and don't take offense to constructive criticism. I am also open to different suggestions about time management and nursing care. I try to get feedback from the oncoming nurse on how she/he felt I left the patient and what I could have done differently. This is a second career for me, one that I have wanted to do since I was 19. I really can't believe that I am asking this, but how do I gain more confidence in myself and when will I feel like I can just breathe. The best way I can put it is that when I get to work a switch gets turned on, and I feel like the energizer bunny on steroids for my entire shift! Does this mean I am not cut out to be a nurse on this type of unit??

When I read your post, I had to laugh. I am a "farmers" wife as well. I just want you to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel! Don't give up - you will figure out a way to make this work for your family! Here are a couple of tips: I bring my kids to the library, they love to read/play and it allows me to get some of my homework done. In, addition, one of the best things that I invested in was a digital recorder. I record the more difficult classes and listen to them while running/walking with or without the kids, housework and so on. Good Luck!!!!!