BunnyRN

I would look up meds before going into the room, see if VS need to be taken, look up any unfamiliar medication. Just briefly, and side effects, drug interactions. Once in the patients room with the MAR, i'll tell them what I am going to be administering. Then with my scanner, scan their PATIENT ID, read list of meds to be given. If patient is getting a newly ordered med, I give them a print out to educate them. You will have patients still quizzing about the meds that they take at home, but if you come up not knowing something. Just tell them that you will look it up. It's ok, not to remember every single interactions, drug actions, but patients are happy when their nurses are aware of to why they are administering meds.

It is better to ask questions. Then, just working, without knowing rationales. Newcomers will be overwhelmed, it is expected. Don't be intimidated by people who may look down upon your curiosity for knowing more. It is great, when you are working among a great nursing team. It's unfortunate, that not many newcomers ask questions, simply, because they are afraid. When I first started, I asked many...questions. When I felt that I was more comfortable, I referred to my Palm PDA, and the company POLICIES on their network. No question is silly, Clinical and Theory very different in nursing. It takes time to adjust to policies, procedures, systems, patient conditions. A great thing that I did when I first started, is to read more on the diseases, diagnostic exams, and nursing interventions, that I'd come across more on my unit. That helped so much!!! Stay strong!!!

WOW!!! This is very scary. I believe that you should look for another job. Easier said, than done, in this tight economy. Talk to your NM, supervisor, management and explain that you do not feel ready to train others, yet. Perhaps, your NM sees potential in your work. However, I feel that you should not risk your license, more importantly your patient's lives, in training others when you yourself is entering this challenging profession. Be wise, calm, and firm. Also, this NM should understand your frustrations. This puts stress not only you, but creates tension between preceptor and the orientee. Your organization runs the risk of losing their employees. Good Luck!!!

This is so true!!! I work with the good, the bad, and the worst CNAs. I do know that there are some lazy CNAs, and some lazy RNs. But it will be nice if sometimes you wouldn't have to beg, someone to do their job. Sometime the floor may be chaotic, I understand, we have to help each other. But when the shift is calm, and a CNA is taking tons of breaks, or sitting in a pt's room watching TV, and gossiping, and not performing his or her job, it can be very frustrating. I wish that management, did not spend so much time with adding extra paperwork, flow sheets for everything you can think of. Now we have to do audits on my unit, it is ridiculous. Teamwork is the KEY in nursing!!!

Did you do the KAPLAN REVIEW? SAUNDERS great for maternity and peds. KAPLAN IS GREAT!!! Don't give up!!!

Just take this as a lesson learned. If you were to do this while you're working as a nurse...PATIENT ABANDONMENT would be the charge. Everyday in nursing is not all happiness and laughter. There are days you want everyone to just stop calling your name, for about 30 minutes. Guess what it happens. When you feel that you just had about enough, tell your instructor/classmates/preceptor/fellow coworkers that you'll take and need a break. Just thank goodness, that you are still in the program, and will work hard to become a great nurse. Take every mistake as a learning opportunity!!!

My education is somewhat similar to his. I graduated from an ADN program, took 3 years, with pre-reqs and clinicals. After graduating from my community college, I worked for a couple of months, and applied to a private school to earn my BSN. Guess what, it did not cost me a dime to attend the BSN. Now I will work awhile, before I go for my MSN. Now I am loan-free, working, and saving every dime. If anyone can go that route - GREAT!!!

But what if tomorrow RN Jones totally denies ever making that phone call. Do you how many nurses deny knowing a pt. condition, during end of shift report. The next day when getting report, they'll say, "you didn't tell me". I have this RN on my floor, who is near retirement, where we "nurses" have to repeat ourselves, to make sure that she totally understands us. After giving her report, I also write it up in the chart, that report given to RN.... In addition, to cover myself, I call the doctor, tell the Charge RN, and write it up in our daily log book, for follow ups!!!

The way I see things, very cliche "Age ain't nothing but a number", is so...true! Being an older nursing student doesn't make a person any smarter or dumber from another. It is the will to achieve your goals, should not be overlooked. I have had classmates both old and young, that were extremely bright. I do find it amazing with older students with millions of responsibilities, such as children, husband, loans (car/mortgages), having sleepless nights due to nursing. Likewise, some young students, independent from their parents, are working while attending school to make ends meet. Nursing school is truly a SACRAFICE, we YOUNG and OLD, should work together, and learn from each other, and set aside any prejudices. :loveya:

It's amazing that you want to keep up with your clinical nursing skills. Perharps, you can pick up some extra hours at your local hospital, or LTC setting. As long as you do what you love to do. You should be fine!!! Follow your heart!!!

This is the reason, I ask them to step out of the room. Provide patient privacy. However, there are some family members that you can't easily avoid, or they are known to the staff, as "troublemakers". Sometimes I pleasantly welcome them to participate in the care. I appreciate family members sometimes. But there are times they are very annoying, preventing nurses from doing their jobs. Just be pleasant, and not let it get to you. When they see your vulnerability they will work harder to make your life difficult.

What about stool specimen not collected on patients with constant diarrhea? Or, reminding the patient that stool sample is needed, just give them a hat!!!

I wouldn't take the chance because sometimes some nurses forget to do their work. I've come across some patients that denie certain treatments/medication given/done. Therefore, I will chart my own notes. Leave to each nurse to chart his or her note. Like someone posted earlier in court, you will be on your own. Can't blame it on someone else, when your name is on it. Better to do a "late entry" to cover yourself.

FLArn, You are absolutely right!!! Some nurses fail to report putting a patient on the bedpan, and causing spilling. They are giving extra work, simple communication saves time. I appreciate my CNAs, because they need the nurse, vice versa. I am truly grateful for some of my CNAs. Sometimes you have to be firm when delegating your tasks. But make sure that you do it respectfully. Some people are difficult, and you must learn to deal with them, because they can and will try to make your shift a living nightmare. But you as the nurse, should always remind them that patient care is important. Teamwork is the backbone of nursing. CNAs are essential. Everyday you learn, and you will eventually find ways to deal with them. Someday you will come to appreciate them!!! Experience that you will gain, will help you deal with the testing CNAs. You are new, but you have the knowledge, and your license is your key through this profession. With more nursing experiences you will be able to cope with the obstacles that will come down your path. Be assertive!!! NurseLoveJoy88, Stay Positive, and Sweet!!! Don't let them make you Bitter!!!

I have personally witnessed this type of behavior. This is why, I encourage my CNAs to continue their education. I am proud of my CNAs because they have a lot of skills that you could learn to help you as a new RN.