Neohippy

I was taking vitals on a patient and the room was semi dark as it was early and the patient had just awakened. I was in the room with the nurse while she was doing something else and she wanted me to get vitals. I proceeded to do so and got everyth...

Hi, I hope I can get some opinions here. I am a little confused on which path to take. I became an RN (graduated last year) because my job of 16 years became obsolete (the entire profession--medical transcription--no earning potential anymore) and...

Hi folks, I just finished Fundamentals of Nursing clinical rotation. We all received evaluations from our instructors on our clinical performance. As I struggled with nervousness in clinical, I wasn't expecting a perfect evaluation and expected, even...

Hi, I'm a new nurse and have a hypothetical question: I have 2 different fluids infusing at the same time, each on their own pump; one is lactated Ringer and the other is Pitocin. They are on their own pumps, but the Pitocin is piggybacked into the...

That makes perfect sense, actually--I never thought about it like that! As I said, I just started L&D and nursing and I guess Pitocin was a bad example to use. I know it is a high risk medication so just assumed there would be meds that would n...

We always have saline locks connected to the tubing but our patients pretty much always have fluids running, particularly lactated Ringer, and are never really saline locked in our L&D unit. And we have lots of patients on Pitocin for induction/...

Hi guys, I'm a new grad who has been working for a few months in L&D--I was hired as a new grad. I received 2 months of classroom time and am now in my 3rd month of a preceptorship on the floor, working at first two 12 hour shifts and now for th...

Update: I talked to my nurse manager, who was extremely supportive and understanding and gave me a different preceptor on the spot and also a lot of encouragement, telling me I was doing fine and was where I should be, etc. She also validated my ob...

Thanks, guys--it is comforting just hearing that you went through the same things (unfortunately!) and survived. Today I am going to work. I hate asking my preceptor questions because she gets this little smirk on her face as if to say, "are you st...

Thanks so much for your kind words. I needed to hear that. I was able to speak to the instructor who taught our course today and get some support too. Going in tomorrow and just going to do my best. I've got an appt. in 3 weeks with an MD to talk...

Hi guys, I graduated in October 2013 and was hired in the orthopedics unit of a local hospital, for which I am extremely grateful since so many people have had trouble getting jobs in my area. I do, however, still dream of becoming a psych nurse pra...

Well it seems we have a consensus here! :) I thank you all for your input and plan on doing as suggested--fulfilling my 2 year contract at my current job and then keeping my eyes open for psych opportunities.

Hi, Infusion Nurses :) I am a new nurse and have read that the routine changing of peripheral IV catheter sites q.72-96 hours is discouraged now and that IV site should only be changed "as needed" (meaning, I assume, any complication that develops li...

Thanks, Asystole :)

Hi guys! I'm a new RN and about to start an L&D RN job. I will be provided with 2 months of training, including classroom time, but I would like to start brushing up myself before I begin the job in a few weeks. I am reviewing my Power Points f...

Thanks Sandseaandstone! I saw that book and thought it looked good. How's it going in L&D? Excited and nervous at the same time :)

Hi, I just graduated with my ADN and am moving to Ft. Lauderdale to be with my fiancé. I am nervous because I have heard the job outlook for new grads is not great in previous posts, but I'm wondering if anyone who lives in the area from Lake Worth...

As far as I'm concerned, all this worry about "losing your medical skills" by working in psych is moot anyway--if your love is psych and what you intend to keep doing indefinitely, who really cares? Therapeutic communication and psych assessment are...

No, you aren't "crazy"! I feel exactly the same way! I'm about to finish nursing school and the only thing I want to do is psych nursing. I just hope I will be able to find a job in it without psych nursing experience (though plenty of personal exp...

Hi guys, I will be graduating next month with my ADN. I work as a PCT and recently tried night shift for a few weeks and quickly realized I absolutely HATE it--I physically and emotionally just cannot tolerate it and I will be going back to days ASA...

Hi all, I'm graduating in 2 months from nursing school and am currently in practicum. I am amazed at how much red tape and paperwork and stress is involved with nursing and how 12 hour shifts turn into 13, 14 hour shifts so easily. I see how the nu...

Hey guys, I'm currently in IRSC's ADN program and about to complete Funds of Nursing--I heard from one of our prof's that we can now qualify for a hospital job as a PCT (after completing Fundies). Anyone know what they pay for these positions in thi...

Hi guys, Studying F/E and am not sure why my brain is not getting this...I know hypotonic solutions draw water from the vessels and into the cells, decreasing intravascular fluid volume....yet I believe it causes increased urine output? I had though...

Thank you, guys! That makes me feel better--I definitely cleaned the probe with an alcohol wipe afterwards and just played in cool in front of the patient. I appreciate the feedback :)

Hi, I don't qualify for financial aid because, although I have a 3.75 GPA, I have "too many credit hours" for attending a community college. I have managed to pay for 1st semester of nursing school with the last of my savings, but I'm about to run ...