nursetobe2013

I found the school RN board, thanks! Also, yes... I have those as well here, but we have this budget and we need to actually spend it on this equip, so I want to take full advantage of that or we lose it! :)

I tried to find something specific to school RNs and didn't... I'll look again. Thanks.

I found the Welch Allyn Spot is popular out there. Do you have any recommendations?

I didn't know where to begin, but thanks for the resources!

I have been budgeted to buy a new vitals machine (needs to be portable) for our Wellness Center (

I'm working in a critical unit and, of course, we're constantly understaffed for the acuity, which unit isn't, right? :) Due to family health reasons and child care, I'm considering moving to a less acute area. I've seen postings for local Patient First's in my region and wondered if I'm just stepping from one fire to another. The hours appear to be 8's, which is great, not sure how part-time works there though... less FT days? Less than 8 daily hours? Are they weekend/holiday required to be employed there? I know they're open 364/year, but wondered if there are flexible options, since my health/child care requires that. Does anyone have any insider information on Patient First? Also, what's the Nurse/patient ratio in a shift, a day in the life... has anyone moved from a hospital to a clinic and thought it was the best/worst decision they've made? Unfortunately, there are so many demands from me in my personal life at this time to be utterly exhausted and near depressive after a 12hr shift, that I'm so nervous about taking the leap. Thanks so much!

I am a 40yo who switched careers to nursing after a long previous career in nothing related to nursing. I absolutely dread going to work each shift. I feel so inadequate and... sure, I realize that I'm new, however, this constant cheering on by other staff to stick it out a year isn't encouraging and I was a pretty strong, no BS person in my former career. I am drained. I work in a high-risk facility and deal with so many problem patients, deaths, STAT everything, etc. I am hyper-aware of how litigious this area is, and I'm always waiting for a patient to pounce or my manager to scrutinize my documentation. I received an orientation with inconsistent preceptors, feel there's always something I didn't learn daily and overall, in my past career, I would have been well on my way to good at this point. I spent so much money re-educating myself for a BSN, and I feel like I made a huge mistake. I'm trying to see if I can find a middle ground of a more administrative position or perhaps something in an office. I don't even care what specialty anymore (L+D was what I was in love with in nursing school), but I want a normal outside life again and could care less what specialty. The hours are crushing my health and my family notices how drained I am, impatient, angry and fed up, which makes me feel so defeated and embarrassed. I don't know what avenues are even out there for a newbie that are slower and less stressful, or is this it for me? This is nursing, suck it up and deal? I'm at the end of my rope here. I need some advice from anyone. Ready to just cry each shift, but I need to bring home a paycheck and hide my discontent.

I graduated a year ago, took my NCLEX this April, passed and now am searching for jobs. I have worked as a tech in an ICU for 2 years and have a former 18 year career in advertising before going back to school for nursing after I had my daughter. This week is an L/D interview I would LOVVVVVVVE to have. I'm just nervous as to what the nurse manager is going to ask. I don't know how to explain my year to take the exam (I failed twice), so some of those are making me nervous. I've interviewed for an ICU job before and was rejected. I just want to prepare, show my enthusiasm, because I will be competing with some experienced nurses as well. Any help???

Failed 2 times now for me. I have a family that's counting on me, looming, horrific student loans to figure out and general responsibilities like a mortgage, etc. I registered for #3 and now nearly $1000 in JUST NCLEX registration fees, I'm so spent. I have no idea what to do. I got near passing on every category last time. Do I have to get Above on every one? I took Hurst, borrowed the QBank from Kaplan from friends and again, failed twice. I'm really at a low point. Should I get the full Kaplan for myself? Does anyone have any advice who failed twice? I'm terrified to take it again and disappoint myself and everyone around me who is counting on me.

Ed the RN, will never be late on that STAT order anti-emetic again.

Thank you so much for writing this. I'm going for my first interview in General OR and really wanted to get a picture as to what RNs do in the OR. I only was allowed one share day in the OR and liked the environment. It seems really organized and the RN ran the procedure like a well-oiled machine so the surgeons could do their work. Thanks again.

What is the "good pop up"?

I'm tired. I'm tired of studying and sacrificing time with my daughter and husband for school. I'm tired of watching so many other students have the opportunity to study more than I do and reach satisfaction with grades or information retention... something I never will. I'm tired of getting mediocre grades and doing exemplary amounts of studying. If someone asks me one more time what the priority is, I may just crack. I studied so hard for an exam today and just scratched by. I only have 4 months until graduation and usually never give up on ANYTHING, but I'm tired. I'm tired of education being so "valuable" when it truly just kills any enthusiasm and drive I have. I'm tired of the busywork and the non-stop lectures from instructors who love to tell us how we don't even know how hard it is yet (as if I'm not a former professional for 20 years completely versed in the game of life and professional work experience). It's degrading and obnoxious. Going to a top medical university doesn't help as well and neither does the debt I will be in until I'm at least 236 years old. The overachiever percentage is frightening at this school, and I used to be one. I suppose I still am or I wouldn't take all of this so personally. I'm just tired. Does anyone so close to graduation, struggling to meet the almighty GPA feel the same? I just want to know that I'm not truly losing it... then... there's the bloody NCLEX...

I am currently a pre-nursing student and will be applying in March after my pre-reqs are completed for an ADN program. I have heard rumors that many hospitals hire nothing but BSN graduates. Is this true? I'm interested in looking into pediatrics or a postpartum position (unless clinicals direct me somewhere else). Can someone help to answer if ADN is the way to go? I already have a Bachelor degree in another field... not related to nursing... but I don't want to pursue an ADN to find out I'm unemployable in this area in a hospital. Thanks!