LLL01

I recently transferred to my hospital's level IV NICU from adult world and I have to say I KNOW I made the right decision. I love it there. It's like night and day compared to my old unit and all for the better. Some people automatically think "I can't deal with sick babies" and disregard the NICU as an option (I know I heard that every time I told someone I was moving there) but this unit really is pretty amazing and I feel like I am holding the best kept secret that is right out in the open - NICU Nursing is AWESOME! (And yes, I have seen some very sad things in the time I have been on my new unit, but the good far outweighs the bad and being able to help the babies that we can makes every thing we do worth it. My husband refuses to listen to my day and can't understand why I would want to see such sad things, but there are many great things too) Even with all the sad/bad things we see, NICU nursing has adult world beat!

I've been working for almost a year now and I know this comes with time, but I still feel awful about my IV skills. I can put an IV in if the pt has really good juicy veins, but otherwise, I can't feel where I'm supposed to be putting an iv....I have gotten so much better at drawing blood for labs and 90% of the time I can get my labs, but I'm having a lot of trouble with IVs. We aren't allowed to place them in the AC, so just biceps, forearms, and hands. I can do a hand one most of the time and have had luck with forearm ones - when they have great veins...I just need some ideas on what I can do to get better at locating good veins. I can do the IV once a vein has been pointed out. I just can't find the vein! Any ideas?

I had read story after story after story of the new grad nurse having the breakdown on the way home after a particularly bad day/week or heck even every day on some units! Reading it so much, I guess I'm not surprised I finally had my day. I precepted on the unit I was hired onto and thought I knew what I was getting into. I have been on orientation for approx 5 weeks now and I've had only one good shift. This week has been particularly bad. And I mean just terrible bad. (although, it has been said this week that thank goodness there are two of us b/c one nurse couldn't do it all - but I don't know if that is just to make me feel better or if it's the truth) I am just feeling so frustrated and overwhelmed. I am a 2nd career nurse and hate going from my previous job where I trained newbies to feeling so clueless every day. I just hate feeling the way I do now. I know it will get better. I guess I was just kinda hoping to not feel quite so...overwhelmed/scared/frustrated...

My staff nursing position requires a 4 week notice. I think it's starting to become more common.

It's official! I did pass!!!!!!!

I studied with Hurst and did Kaplan questions. It was less than 20 minutes from when I finished my test to when I did the trick.

You should do the pearsonvue trick (or have someone else do it for you!) I couldn't wait! I am still kinda not wanting to celebrate until I officially hear, but a lot of my classmates have had their names on the BON the next day so hopefully tomorrow I'll know. :)

I graduated in Dec and got a job a few days later. I started orientation Jan 14 and took my NCLEX Jan 30. So you don't have to have a license number or anything to APPLY for jobs. I didn't even have my temp license when I applied. I got it only about a week before I started orientation.

I got done in a little less than 2 hours (1st break hadn't been given yet) and came straight home (about 10 minutes away) and got the good popup. That was stressful! Now to wait and hope on the official results!! I already had a job so I am so thankful that I (unofficially) passed! I had like 78 questions. OMG so much stress!!!!

I GOT THE JOB!!!!! WHOOHOO!!! I'm so thankful to have had such an amazing week. Graduating, interview, job offer. Now I just need to pass the NCLEX. I feel so blessed and am wishing everyone GREAT luck on their classes, job searches, and interviews. I am on cloud 9!

Not in a million years, Miiki! I think I'd go

I agree with this.