KaksRN

Calm down! The most important thing to know/do is ask questions. I'd always rather ask and risk feeling like a fool than actually do something really foolish.

Once again, I'm currently researching options for becoming certified. For some reason, as a tele nurse, getting certified as a Med/Surg nurse doesn't sit well with me. I feel like I'll be doing a good bit of studying for any of them so why wouldn't I study something more pertinent to tele? Anyone have any experience or advice in regards to the PCCN exam? or any other options?

It's as if nurses are the only ones with accountability. If labs weren't drawn, the doctors don't call lab. They call us. Call respiratory for a stat treatment and they'll "try to get someone up there" because its shift change. Never mind the fact that its shift change for us too. CNAs are on lunch break when it's time for lunch accuchecks. Never mind the fact that this is their second break of the day and none of the nurses have had any. Then the secretary has to step away and gets the charge nurse to cover the call light and phone. And then the charge nurses has to go count narcs with the pharmacy tech, leaving me to answer the call light and phone. Then the call light rings, both CNAs are at lunch and I'm the only nurse in sight. So who goes to patient? Needless to say, I can relate.

I currently work on a telemetry floor but the certified RNs who work on my floor are Med/Surg certified. Is there no tele certification?

excited to get more info and begin my career as a traveler.

ahh, yes you're right about the date! I kept loooking at my calendar and still said the wrong thing. lol! oopsie!

How does holiday pay work for night shift at your workplace? Do you get paid holiday pay for the morning of the holiday (midnight-6) or that night (six-midnight)? And is there anything to be expected for the time change coming up this weekend as far as working nights? Thanks

My thoughts exactly. I think its important to remember that, despite their crimes, they're still people. And we did sign up to care for people. I hope, and honestly think that I'd be ok caring for a criminal but until I'm put in the position, I wouldn't know.

I appreciate your reply. I think my post would have been received differently had I given the details of what happened that night. or the night before. or the week before that.... all with the same nurse. For the most part, I feel like I'm handling myself well. I know where I stand, where I'm lacking and, most of all, I don't have too much pride to ask a million questions. I feel so lucky to have several people on my unit that I trust to answer my questions. And I've told them how valuable they are to me. Thanks for your encouragement.

in the original post, i used to word issues in an effort to avoid specific identifiable details. what's funny is that, especially with this particular coworker, i've done fairly well with the "inevitable disagreements" as i've learned that, with her, they're just that--inevitable. however, the situation that ended in tears was far from inevitable. since then, the nurse has had issues with two other nurses and all of this has been reported to the unit director. on top of that, luckily, about 5 other nurses witnessed this event. i've spoken to all of them and they've voiced their concern when it comes to how the other nurse acts toward her co-workers. i appreciate your input but i do not think the event was, in any way, inevitable.

That's usually my plan and I can see that it'll have to be the plan here, too. Let me add that this person has a very strong personality and I think what sent me over the edge was having to hear from her day after day. What I failed to mentioned is that she did apologize extensively to me at the end of the shift. I guess she got word of how upset I had gotten over all of it. Hopefully, she'll take that into consideration next time. We'll see... The person is an LPN, who sometimes works as a CNA. All the other nurses who were there witnessed what happened and when I got upset, were very comforting to me. They all agreed with my point of view, which was that this particular nurse should approach us differently. I guess they've all gotten used to it so they're able to blow it off far better than I am. STILL, in my opinion, that doesn't make it ok. Thank you. I understand that this will be an issue but I think I'll be able to deal with it wayyy better when I am more confident in my nursing skills. What's an HUC? a CNA? My exact thoughts, "What was I thinking joining a career filled with women?" Luckily, I have far more nurses that are supportive than ones who are like this lady. I was going to write an email to inform the NM of the happenings but then she apologized. I guess if she's more aware of her behavior now, that might not be necessary. We shall see. Luckily, like I said, all of my co-workers were witnesses. That's my exact plan with another of the nurses! I was told that she likes to "teach" by giving you long, drawn out lectures. So, although I don't trust her nursing too much, I let her tell me all the stories and "teach" me all she wants. Exactly! I like to hear them talk about the real world nursing stuff but at the same time, I wish they weren't all so bitter... What's funny about this nurse is that, like I said, sometimes she acts as CNA. So, when she's a CNA, she wants nurses to do so much more than when she's a nurse and she wants the CNA to do it for her. SO hypocritical! Thanks for the replies. I really love my work. I don't want to cry and I don't want them to look at me like I'm a crier... I know it's going to be hard for a while... but I'm in it for the long run. Thanks again.

exactly what i was looking for! thanks y'all!

I've seen websites to assist with learning telemetry rhythms and think it would be amazing if there were something like this for breath sounds. Has anyone seen this and, if so, can you point me in the right direction? Also, I was having trouble identifying breath sounds on one of my patients last night so I asked the resp therapist for help. He identified the sounds as rales. However, when I was putting my assessment into the computer, rales wasn't an option. Is there another name for rales?

I am a new graduate RN and got off orientation two weeks ago. I really enjoy my work, continuously learning and the hospital environment. For the most part, my co-workers are very supportive of me, as a newbie, except a couple. I ended up crying twice this week after issues with co-workers. It bothers me that I am not really struggling with the nursing aspect of the job, as I have no problem asking ANY question that I might have, but with the NURSES with whom I'm working. As I said, most are awesome but the few that aren't are really bringing me down as I try to find my way in this field. I guess this is just a vent but any advice is appreciated.

This works both ways...AM shift handing off as well as PM shift handing off...