decgrad

Aylene, My step mother was in an ICU in AZ that had a multiple button system. There was a yellow button to push for needing to go to the bathroom, a pink one for pain and the typical red one for calling the nurse. I also learned that this system was very expensive, so only the ICU had it. The nurses had a love-hate relationship with this call system. On one hand, when the pee light came on, they knew it was okay to have the CNA answer the light and help the patient. On the other hand, they had to keep track of which patients were able to use the system and which ones were too confused or unable to see well enough to use it properly. So for one room, it was great, but another, any color was a nurse color. So yes, it is a great idea, but in use it still needs progress.

I am afraid I would not get that position because I would probably repeat the question back in a sarcastic tone trying to understand what wowing meant. And I would probably start laughing because wowing a patient DOES sound like volts through the heart or a suppository. The most "wow" comments I get from patients are after I start an IV or give a shot and finish before they realize it is over. You know, "Wow! You're done already?" Somehow, I don't think that is the fodder of a good interview answer. And I would probably just ask for the interview to end because I was trying for a nursing position, not a clown college.

Vindy, What do you mean by Med flashcards? Like a Kardex?

I feel like some days my clinical time is dictated by what time meds are given and the call lights are on. I hit the end of my shift having gotten the meds out, but not even touching on the care plan or patient education. That isn't even to mention that I still did not get time to read the chart, labs or doctor's orders. Is it just that as a student you have a hurry up and wait situation where you have to get an RN to check and watch you administer pills? I don't like the feeling that it is almost time to go and I haven't had time to chart what I have taught or what their plan for the day is (which stinks to do when it is the end of the day). I see some people with little charts that they use and I have copied a few down, but I haven't been able to find one that helps me organize my day. I realize that every day is different and some days just have more than others, but is there some general plan that would be good to know that would streamline how the day goes?

I agree that you need to go up the chain of command with an added step. I would ask the person above the clinical instructor to request a meeting with the both of you and to act as a mediator in the conversation. This instructor may have personal issues that may be know to their superior and bringing this to their attention in front of their boss may help you fix the image she has of you.

Thanks caliotter3, My issue is that with so many people applying, they will be able to fill all the positions even before I have an appointment for the exam. Then I will be without a job for months because the hospital doesn't hire until the end of the following semester for nurses with 0 experience. I have some nurses on the floor that are already asking me to get my resume in (which is nice!), but I don't want to end up as a CNA because I picked up too much "real life" before testing. I am also torn because I don't want to lose these connections to the job by not applying when they asked because 300 people are a lot to compete with for 15 jobs. If it wasn't so rural, I would just walk to the next place and apply, but there is a culture here that requires a few years on a med-surg floor before you can apply to any private employers.

I will be graduating in December with my ADN and will be joining the 300+ other people applying for our rural hospital med-surg floor. I have heard conflicting views regarding working as a graduate nurse and studying while working for the NCLEX exam versus waiting to begin working after passing the NCLEX. Our hospital only hires new grads during the last month of nursing school (yes, it is only that way to add to the stress that is nursing school), so I basically have the option to get ahead and get the job, but run the risk of not passing the NCLEX the first time or wait, guarantee passage, but then pray there is still an opening. The risk my teachers tell me about is related to getting into the "real world" and out of the "NCLEX world" and failing the test because new experience out of school will get in the way with what the texts say. Of course this sounds completely wrong that experience should prevent me from doing well, but in my final rotation I am seeing nursing students that were hired during school working as CNAs because they have failed the test. Just how much of a risk is it to work as a graduate nurse in relation to passing the NCLEX?

I finally just learned to approach the teacher in class with "So what is the answer in NCLEX world!?" It is very frustrating to deal with the inconsistencies of nursing school. In fact, my language is much more colorful than before because I needed new words to describe how I was feeling. Good luck to us all!