Scarlettz BSN, RN

Oh, I was also looking into being a RD while an undergrad. I sort of wish I had. I loved the nutrition classes and was taking it at a time when I was actually fit. I just didn't want to take chemistry, lol. I think I wouldn't be as fat if I went the ...

I wouldn't mind being an RT. I have heard a lot of nurses say they can do poop, pee, throw-up, but not mucous/snot. I actually don't mind the mucous/snot, lol. The respiratory system was a challenging one in nursing school but it was interesting to m...

You don't have to be a mathematician to be a nurse. There is math involve in some dosage calculations but it is doable. When I was applying to nursing school, I had to take the NET (Nurse entrance test), though I think this has been phased out. There...

It took me a year to find my first nursing job and it was on the other side of the country. However, I went straight into an RN-to-BSN program so I was not idle during that year gap. I would look into additional schooling, volunteer work, ACLS, PALS,...

I have a ton of debt and I am not happy or proud about it but it is what it is. Life happens. I am not going to let credit rule my life. I am actually great with my finances, too. I live modestly. My biggest advice is to get knowledgeable about your ...

I didn't start my new job yet but it will be three 12s.

Shortly after I switched from days to nights I made a big, shameful med error. I was having a great night until my final med pass of the morning. One of my patients had two (different) drawn up medications in 3 mL syringes. One was to be given IV pus...

As a psychiatric nurse, do you ever have to start IVs or work with patients who have IVs?

Yes lol! I don't mind giving IV medications but I hate starting IVs. It is certainly not my strong suit. I have been in med-surg for a little over 2 years and probably only started less than 20 IVs successfully.

If you know psych is what you want to do, then go straight for it. Psych was the reason why I went into nursing. I could not find a job in it and landed a med-surg job first. I have been here for two years and still suck at IVs and NG tubes. I can't ...

I think you should just be the best CNA you can be and don't worry about the other girls. I don't think there is any harm in watching the procedures and it is a good learning experience. Don't bring up the other girls at work over just simple cattine...

I don't really have any great answer for this. I just applied for my temporary TX endorsement license and I am waiting for the mailed copy of this. When I checked it out online, it does not have a number. Employers can check a temp license by first a...

Keep us posted. Like some others have said, I would go for the RN seat over LPN - especially in PA. It will save you time and money. Some of those LPN programs are just outrageously priced - especially since you desire to be an RN anyway and will nee...

It was very hard for me to find a job anywhere in PA. You had to either know someone or work as a PCT/CNA to get hired. I couldn't even get a PCT job in school. I moved to a state in the southwest, USA, in hopes to gain some experience and then get a...

We are supposed to have stickers in the pockets but they are never there or get wet and ruined. So we have a barcode sheet of all the insulins at the COW.

Congrats! I am also a 2012 grad. I've always been more of a night owl so the transition was pretty easy for me. Some people rely on caffeine. Otherwise, bring some healthy foods/snacks to help keep you energized. Get as much sleep as you can when you...

No and I wish we had. We didn't even practice it on mannequins or receive any helpful hints on starting them. We didn't practice NG tube insertions on mannequins either. I am now working as an RN in a hospital in southwest USA. The nursing school in...

Do you work in a mental health unit in a hospital or a stand alone psychiatric facility? I am currently looking at a job in a hospital and one in a psychiatric facility. Any pros/cons to consider? As a psychiatric nurse, do you have to run milieu th...

I wonder if the nurse manager purposely made the interview awkward? I once read about awkward interviews/awkward interview questions in an interview book I was reading. The interviewer acts awkward on purpose to see how the interviewee responds. But...

A lot of the stuff already mentioned: CHF Pancreatitis Cellulitis Chest pain DM

I voted "No" and "I don't care." I don't watch this show to begin with, so I am doing my part to not support it. Their comments were stupid, but they say stupid things every day on that show. Perhaps the hosts really think low about the profession, b...

There is alot of ******** about the ER on my med-surg floor for various things that are usually not really the ER nurses faults. For example, some of the annoying things I see are no coverage for high blood sugars, no foley placement, bad IVs, bad re...

I hate the idea of someone pulling my meds for me. I mostly go in the pyxsis and pull meds for one pt. at a time still. Of course I have pulled meds for multiple patients at times, but try to avoid it if possible. I would be extra cautious, check med...

First try at a competitive community college. It's harder to get in the CC than a bachelors program due to cheaper price tag in my area. We had 500+ applicants and 120 are accepted (90 for days, 30 for night). At the time, they admitted students base...

I don't even know how many jobs I've applied to- a hundred or so. I only got one interview in my home state of PA (for an LTC RN job.) Another LTC called me back but then never answered me when I went to call them back. I was also applying to jobs in...