swimmingpoolblues

I am a relatively new nurse - only got my ADN 3 years ago when I was nearly 49. I am already facing what seems to be an insurmountable amount of student debt, and still have four children at home and a husband who is disabled. Most of the facilities in my area want BSNs so this has limited my options. At my age, and with my current debt-load and responsibilities, it just doesn't seem wise to go back for a BSN. This is distressing for me because I really love being a nurse. My dream had been to work in OB, but I don't think that is going to happen now.

Sailornurse, I totally understand what you mean by alphabet soup! I have often wished to find a 'key' to what all the initials mean.

I am a PDN for an adult client that requires 24/7 care. We all clean her room, wipe down equipment, put away supplies, and fold/put away laundry. None of us hesitates to do it, and if clean laundry or supplies come in toward the end of the shift, we just leave it for the next shift - it is never a problem. I can't stand sitting with nothing to do. If all is well with my client and she is sleeping, I often wish there was more cleaning I could do...

I am watching this post because I've been worried about this same thing. I graduated from nursing school two years ago and only got practice on the rubber arm. At least it had a bag of red IV fluid so we could see if we hit the veins, but I only got to use it 2 or 3 times. It also had perfect veins, of course. I wanted to learn more so badly that I actually paid for an extra preceptorship at a hospital where there was no IV team so that I could get practice. Guess what? I still didn't get to do it. Every time we had a patient that needed an IV start, my preceptor told me that each one was a 'hard stick' and never let me even try. I was so frustrated about it. I love my work as a private duty nurse in home care, but I still don't feel like a 'real' RN when I have never done a blood draw, nor successfully started an IV in a real live person. Although I am happy with my job, they haven't raised my pay since I started over a year ago ($23 for night shifts, $20 is my base pay). I realize that I don't want this to my my 'end stop'. I want to learn so much more - but I find that I am nervous to even apply anywhere else when I don't have any venipuncture skills. I feel that it is really holding me back, even if only in my imagination. I have even thought about trying to take a phlebotomy course, but I live in a rural area so the nearest place is two hours away.

You might want to consider going to a home care company and trying to find a job as a private duty nurse. The pay is not as good, but you will probably find the atmosphere more to your liking.

Suctioning (trachs). I love being able to get all the 'rattles' out.:)

Awesome reply - I like your list!

Several times people have mentioned showing credentials and/or certification. I am a fairly new nurse - wondering if anyone carries a business card with their license number on it?

I have a check off list that I use for quick assessments - just to get the basics (not for new admits). At the beginning it seemed like it took me a long time to even do these basics, but you really do get much faster and more efficient. My quick list is: T, P, R, BP, AP, O2 SAT, LOC (level of consciousness), Lungs, Bowel Snds, Capillary refill, edema, pedal pulse, skin, and pain

I also like Simple Nursing. One relatively unknown person who has done some videos is Kelley Reed. For me, I found her Acid Base video absolutely invaluable to help me remember the differences for resp/metabolic acidosis/alkalosis. She uses humor AND costumes throughout her video, so this might put some people off, but for me, it helped me not forget the information.

Thank you for the help - I will look on that link...

I'm getting on board for this discussion late, but I am wondering the same thing as several other folks on here. I, too, live in Minnesota. I am taking pre-nursing courses through Minnesota West and plan to eventually go all the way through the RN program. The CNA course is around $750, which I do not have. However, I have worked in home-care as a PCA for over five years, and am still doing so. I have been told by several nurses that by now I have learned all I need to to pass the challenge test. The only thing I am not confident in is taking blood pressures. If I purchased a cuff and practiced, I think I would do fine with the challenge. I just don't know where to try to take the test. Can anyone tell me about testing areas in Southern Minnesota? How about purchasing a bp cuff? What is the easiest way to purchase one? Thanks to ya all.... Julie