bethy11

I just left the Med/Surg floor and landed in the CCU for about 6 months now. Thoroughness is imperative. Most of these patients have ACUTE systemic illnesses making your assessment as well as your establishment of priorities HUGE. Knowing current lab values, rhythm monitoring, pre- and post- procedural care are high on the list. Above all, ASK QUESTIONS. Ask questions, be attentive, research the internet, and read the physicians' progress notes. Observe how other nurses deal with mainstream problems and make mental notes of how to more effectively deal with patient care when crises come about. Because oh lawd do they come, and you want to be the most proficient nurse you can be when that time arises.

This is tough. Really, really tough. I have strangely felt and dealt with similar questions and feelings. I just finished my first year of nursing in a new part of the country-- I am still young, very transient, love to explore and am very curious in regards to subcultures and life in different areas. My boyfriend was not the same as me, very settled, not very willing to go on adventures. He was a good, stable fit for me, and we had our issues, but ultimately, it just didn't work for us. I got very lonely after it all when down. Was I being selfish? Is this a part of who I am? I really wish we could have shared in our dreams together, but they just didn't seem to align. The hunger for adventure to learn and to see and to love is a hard spirit to tame. Best advice given to me though through all this: "Wherever you are, Beth, BE ALL THERE." Don't miss out on life--career and relational--- where you're at now while awaiting for some other awesome time to arise. I have to remind myself of this frequently. We have an incredible, incredible career where life in its raw moments slaps us in the face DAILY. We give and take and breathe the essence of the human experience, and that, my friend, is an adventure beyond all compare.