rangerlil

I did the After Degree Nursing program at the University of Alberta. It was almost 2 years straight, which is intense. I was grateful for the condensed nature and as I already had a science degree I had almost all of the prereqs. They were continually making changes to the program based on feedback so it may have changed since I graduated (2011). They utilized a lot of group work (teaching ourselves through research and presenting to others in the group) with one tutor overseeing the work. Take as much as you can from the clinical experiences, put your head down and push through the APA and essays and in the end you will be a RN! Good luck.

It sounds like you are going interstitial. I find this happens from either going too deep(through the vein), or their vein blows. Maybe adjust your angle to go slightly more shallow upon entry. I used to have this problem and asked experienced nurses to watch me. Especially obvious surface veins (like on the hands), they don't need much of an angle to be accessed. Good luck:)

There should be some way to check the stock to verify whether she gave 4mg or 8mg. How did the pt. react to the Morphine in the first 5 mins? first hour? Did the nurse give the two medications very close together? There are probably a lot of reasons he had the reaction he did, I'm mostly surprised it took him 3 hours if it was due to IV Morphine- does he have renal/hepatic failure? (I don't really want to know:) It is the doctors job to adjust dosages for pt's with renal or hepatic failure, but it's also the nurses responsibility to know that prior to giving a med. I would think you would be responsible only if you were required to cosign her narcotic administration, and if it was verified that she did give the wrong amount. Otherwise, don't worry,you did a good thing (you noticed a pt. was having difficulty and took the appropriate steps).

In my ER we never have more than 4 patients per nurse (except on breaks:). {actually, the minor nurse may have 10 - 12 but those are usually fingers lacs, earache = walkie talkies}. Sometimes, it is 4 admitted pts with tons of meds, or a mix of new ER and admits. Something I've learned since I've started: one thing at a time. (yes, you might be doing more than one thing at any given time, but if you can prioritize and assess/give meds to the most critical pt.first, then go on to the next task). I can't even imagine trying to take care of 10-12 admitted patients all at once - that sounds like unsafe practice to me. If you go into a pts. room for any reason, do vitals, ask if they need anything else while you're in there (may cut down on call bellitis...) Good luck:)

In the ER I work at, all new grads and new hires start in the fast track/minor areas as well as the medicine holding area. I once came on shift and was told "oh that patient in the chair is just waiting for the results of her abdo CT, her pain is better now". So, I went to assess another patient first and came out of the room to find a whole bunch of my coworkers rushing around with shocked looks on their faces - the radiologist had called and the patient had an abdominal aortic aneurysm that required immediate surgery to prevent rupturing. At least in the higher acuity areas you know the patients are sick but the fast track patients can be really deceiving..... I think fast track nursing is a good test of assessment and critical thinking skills, especially because of the volume and complaining:)

Sometimes a diagnosis is: F.O.S. = full of "stool" A quick bedbath is "pits and bits"

Well, I guess some people are still reading it after two years:) Nope, not trying to pump up the U of A program. Glad I am done! Just saying that anyone can become a good nurse regardless of their program. Peace

I love learning from all of those around me, regardless of the designation...I'm sorry that you have had such a negative experience with U of A students, but please don't generalize. It gets kind of tiring to essentially hear that one program or another produces "bad nurses". I believe that it comes down to individuals. I just graduated from the U of A and I am very proud of my hard work. I hope that with more hard work and learning I will be a great nurse:)

At ICU you can get three pairs of scrubs for $99 (just not the fancy ones!) I have been hearing good things about Giant Tiger but I have yet to check them out...

i agree. we have plenty of time to pick up on basic nursing skills prior to graduation:)

Complaint of a sore loose tooth on a 8 year old..... No swelling, bleeding, fever, etc...

This is a message to Camelhappy or ranchwife. I'm new here and I can't yet post private messages. I am currently a nursing student in Alberta and I am very interested in the experiences both of you have written about. - Do you have any recommendations for areas in AB or BC? I love the mountains and would prefer to be within a 2 hour drive. BUT, if the job was right, I would make the sacrifice (I'm currently at least 4 hours away right now!) - Is it better to start off at a small hospital rotating through all the units or going directly to the ER? Thanks!

I am currently in the AD program at the U of A and while I agree with some of the above comments, I believe I don't have an "attitude". I have in fact encountered nurses giving me attitude about my program. Right now I have zero desire to go into management - I want to work with my hands and get busy! I do feel that I could write less papers and spend more time doing clinical, but that is at the discretion of the university. They are constantly changing the program based on feedback from students. I've been very lucky with my clinical instructors, and as far as lectures/seminars go, well I'm glad that I'm very studious and self driven. We do finish in 2 years what other programs do in 4! ( we don't get the summer break from April to August off...) Anyways, I graduate this summer and I'm very excited to start working! :)