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I'd rather they come back from recovery AFTER TR band is removed, but that's 50/50. And only reason why is because they are usually sent back with it when I have 4 other patients that need meds, and to be with them every 15 minutes is stretching my time. I've not had a problem with bleeding afterwards, so far.

Buy an NCLEX Comprehensive Review book...Saunders Review is excellent. Do 100 questions per day or at least coordinate questions with the areas you are studying in class. When you check your answers, read the rationales, whether you chose the correct answer or not.

How do you nicely chart "patient is filthy and stinks to high heaven", "is quiet until they see me, and then become talented, moaning, pain med seeking actors", and "the family needs to leave, they are causing problems"? I manage it, but would like to hear others thoughts :)

Resign before you get fired. You'll feel so much better after you remove yourself from that stress. You will get another RN position soon.

We are regular human beings that once in awhile can do amazing things. We make mistakes, and many of them, in the course of our careers. This chest thumping of how great we are? Really? We serve, help, teach and care. Every day we hope and try for the best outcomes for our patients. Can we just get back to that?

We don't have a punch clock, or I'm sure there would be limits. It doesn't take very long for each one with a good sheet and circling the stuff--I could probably do 5-6 in 10 minutes if I wanted to :)

Hi ko, I try to get in 20 minutes early for noc shift so I can fill out as much of my brain sheet r/t diagnosis/surgery/wound, orders/treatments, labs (abnormals and upcoming) assist status, age, IV or SL, DM, tele, O2, diet or NPO, doctor, date of arrival, VS (q8?q4?). This helps me focus on what questions I will have during bedside report. During report, I will note things I can see--IV location, what's running (and what's left in the bag), A&O, O2 setting, etc., eg. RFA NS75 1/4, X3, 2L. I ask about prn meds given and times. After report, I take a quick run through what time meds/IV's are due and decide which order to see patients. I try and do full assessments at med pass time, if at all possible, so they don't have to be woken later. Well, that's the plan, anyway :)

Update***I'm calling in to cancel interview, r/t having recent injury preventing attendance (***found out today I'm not allowed to drive). I'll ask if I may call when medically released, as I'd love to work there. And that's it.

It is at a different facility, and I do have a couple of friends that work there who know of the fall. I don't think they would hire me in my current status. But I would rather be honest than not. Is it something I should bring up at the beginning or end of interview?

On 10/30, a patient caused me to fall, suffer vertebral compression fracture, and I'm at home for a few weeks to heal. If all goes according to plan, I should recover mid-December. Wouldn't you know, I was finally called for an interview for a position I've applied for many times! I did make an interview date for next week when they called. What should I do? I can cover up the back brace with clothing, and I can walk short distances w/o cane, but I think I should mention the injury. Any advice on if I should talk about this? Or just say I'll be available after 1/1/14? Thanks :)

The name isn't odd, but the spelling "Brittknee"?

It does bother me to apply for positions, revealing my personal information to places, without any sort of response. I've followed up on many, asking "Hoping you've received my application. Please let me know if you have, or if I can provide anything further", w/o any response. What do they do with the info? It's not right! You get nothing. No, thanks for your interest. No, we've selected another. Nothing! Another bothersome feature: the online resume at whatever website.

LTC...where you are trained for a couple of days and off on your own. Whattya mean, there's a problem ? Oh, the DON thinks you should be ready for every situation when you're a new nurse? They CTA on you. Take your time and pass on what you don't get done because you usually can't be thorough with charting r/t census.

It's a great week to announce a small raise in pay

Thanks for the responses! I've been working as a Charge RN in LTC for over a year (plus previous year as an LPN), and the LPN renewal came in the mail--I've been applying for (scarce) RN positions at hospitals with no luck so far. I've noticed a few LPN positions at hospital clinics lead to being cross-trained in other departments. These people then become RNs and slide into the jobs without them being posted to the public. I guess I'll call the state to see if keeping both licenses is allowed.

Is there any point to renewing an LPN license once you have an RN license? The job market is very tight in my area and would like to keep options open. I'm thinking it's time to drop it.

Just joking around--no sarcasm intended.

If we are assuming education is progessive, would a new ADN be more up-to-date than a BSN acquired 10 years ago?

I don't see an arrow stuck anywhere:confused:

Let's bring this back a few steps. Local CC is NOT going to accept preceptors w/o BSN. Even if they've been an RN for 25 years. Who would you rather learn from? A new BSN, or someone who has experience?

By the way, you're both working Thanksgiving.

I have a couple of aides that start with "I hate to bother you cuz I know you're busy, but...." and I know it's not going to be good news.

LTC. I guess I posted in the wrong place. Sorry. Please delete it if you can. Thanks :)

There is no preparation for stress in LTC---for the nurse! It can be crushing to us. So many ways this happens. How do you handle it? (me, I just cry for a few minutes and move on). We have the ridiculous med pass for starters. But throw in new orders, low BS, behaviors, tube feedings, IV's, refused meds--almost every night. And that's if everything is going kind of okay. We have medicares, weekly summaries, too. And I have a great DON and Adminstrator, but still feel like I'm going to break. For funny, though, one of the res claims she has chest pains at midnight because the laundry is still on the floor (100 ft from her room) at 2000.

I'm at my second LTC facility. The RN has the same basic duties as the LPN: med pass, treatments, admits, etc. If you work PMs or NOCs, and you're the only RN on, your responsibility is for the entire building. You have to keep an eye on what's going on with the residents and staff. Both facilities I've worked in hire new grads, and know that experience comes with time. It took me about a year to start feeling confident in my position. That only happened because I relied on the staff. The CNAs are the best source of information about the residents. Many have been with the people for quite a while and if you want to know what's going on, they'll tell you! The experienced LPNs have been a godsend to me as well. Ask them, too. Starting as a new nurse, whether you're an LPN or an RN, is daunting. We all do it though. Oh, and bring treats! It's a great way to show appreciation:).