tinkerwomp

In school, I knew the action, but confused the names. B-blockers have the -lo in the name (as in "blockers") - propanolol, etc. ACE are -pril. Ca channels are pines or mil at the end. Stupid way, but it helped jog my memory.

What a great idea to identify DNR's. Our unit is fairly small and we have many hospice pts. Code status is usually identified on pt demo sheet and during report. I know if a code was called, I would probably not stop to check out code status myself.

I moved to Ohio 8 years ago. And I enjoy throwing people off by saying, " Would you like a soda?" or, a beautifully confusing term in Cincinnati is saying "please?" (when you really mean, 'excuse me, I didn't understand you') and I love to say, "Thank you!" And chili and spagetti together is still gross.

Mmmm. Comment withheld. I have questions myself re: Hospice vs. "helping a pt along" that is still regarded a regular floor patient.

I empathize and sympathize entirely. I am just into my first month on Med/Surg Oncology/Hospice. I love it and do not regret my decision to become a nurse, but I am totally whipped! THEN when you ask for help (sometimes, not always) they tell you the ten other things you forgot to do in addition to trying to juggle the immediate problems. I threw a hissy the other day and told them that if they wanted competent care done, they had to back off on my patient load until I felt comfortable. If you have a preceptor for orientation, it is her license too. Remind them of ....the .....LEGALITIES!!! :Melody:

Been practicing for about 15 years, have learned alot about the pros and cons. It is nice to be able to give (non-medicinal) options for patients. I live in a VERY conservative state. No homeopathic practices here that I know of for referral.

Well, I figured if I couldn't make it through nursing school, I would become a mortician.... there is a strange and overly informative book called "From Death to Dust". There is a whole section on the breakdown on the cellular and rescitative systems after death with time frames, including rigor mortis. Print it out for your overly enthusiastic instructor.... DNR's are, at times, godsends for nurses.

At least you guys get a scavenger hunt.... for us it's "here's your unit, don't screw it up!" For all my oncology patients.... "I believe in proactive meds before the pain gets too bad"

OK....yes, I do not want to be superstitious, but I am excited about graduation... but, my greatest challenge yet, not the puke...not the poop.. not the endless piles of paperwork or infiltrated IV's... but CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOL LOANS.... I owe soooo much... How do I do it?

Um... I graduate in 26 days... and it has been so funny that I have made it this far and I have three tatoos, and none of my classmates suspect a thing.... plan to get another upon graduation... what did you say you got on your scapula?

This is my last semester in nursing school and I was assigned to oncology my 2nd semester. Well, I didn't know squat like I do now. You're not expected to know it all anyway.... Review Med/Surg cancer, remember aseptic technique, especially with neutropenic patients (really low WBC's), ask a lot of questions and things will start to make sense (like cardiac for me). Remember that your cancer patients are very sick, usually in pain, and scared. Hugs mean a lot. I plan to work oncology upon graduation, God willing.

And once again, when you think your life is rough.... take a look from someone else's point of view. This student has no money but got plenty of prayers.

I will be happy to send you a copy, hopefully my email will work properly.

I'm getting ready to graduate and what worked for me these past 3.5 yrs is typing up all my drug info(G,T,C, MOA, SE, NI, etc) onto disks. I actually formatted them onto my nursing process tool. I kept a log on my hard drive that I was able to see - Insulin week 2/200 or week 5/300 - and was able to find the info on the disk. I cut and paste all my drug info onto a sheet for my patient on clinical day and keep it with me for quick reference. If you want to, I will be happy to send you a sample. And trust me, I am no computer whiz, just don't like writing all that stuff up! Good luck!

I work as a PCA in the Geriatric Psych unit until I graduate in December. I have learned more about the geriatric population than any other place. Our unit, since it is at Good Sam, experiences a lot of med-surg patients in addition to delierium, dementia, bi-polar, etc. It is not true med-surg for sure, though. You get all your valuable skills there (NG tubes, chest tubes, etc). On psych, you just value humanity a bit more and get to see the side many people dont want to see. I don't care for regular psych, yet. We have an LPN on our unit and she is....shhh (don't tell anyone) working as an RN basically. All the same responsiblities, and she is so sweet, yet strong with those patients. Good Luck!