RN2serve

We all make mistakes. I put a pt in the ED giving an enema. They bucked and came down on it and my fist causing a tear and bleed, but boy did I feel awful and have not done an enema since. When the state did our annual survey I was interview by them for the incident. Fortunately I charted well and the state did not write me up or the facility for it. On the part of delegating; like everyone said the triage nurse should not have given orders to you. I had a CNA who was in school and I had a pt who did not like me. I asked her where she was at in her schooling, had her review the meds that the pt was getting and why and then still witnessed her give the meds. The pt wouldn't take them from me. I even wasted the meds I pulled and had her pull fresh meds so she knew what she was giving. I charted meds given by and witnessed by in my notes. I did not turn over the care or delegate the care, I used the resources that were available to help care for my pt. Once their meds where on board they were compliant the rest of the day to me taking care of them. He just likes young blondes over the old grey haired lady.

The patient is on Hospice. The day shift should talk to the Hospice nurse and the family about their wishes and get the Morphine scheduled in addition to having PRN available. Most Hospice patients have the goal of comfort for their end of life care. I have had many patients on Hospice and have not hesitated to get scheduled orders to meet the patient needs and wishes if necessary. Dying is painful and cannot always be voiced and the slightest grimace can be missed.

There is an advantage to being older too. We just hired a new ADON, and my coworkers asked why I didn't go for the job? I said I only have 3 years of experience, they replied "She's twelve". I said "She has 14 years of nursing under her belt". My patients feel the same, I still ask tons of questions I just do it out of sight and ear shot. Use the grey hair and wrinkles to clam your patients, and your life experience to gain respect. Again good luck.

I started my pre-reqs 3 months prior to my 40th birthday. I had NO prior medical experience. I was in sales prior to pursuing my RN. I sat down after losing my job due to the economy and everything I liked pointed to volunteering in the senior community, and no income wasn't an option so I decided to serve with income and went for my associates degree in nursing(ADN). I graduated in December of 2011, passed the NCLEX in February of 2012, started my first job in April of 2012. I love what I do and have not felt discouraged one bit. My class was about 20 people and was split 50/50 with 20 somethings and 40 somethings. The youngest was 23 the oldest was 47. Go for it, and remember you have your MA and CNA. I didn't even know how to take a BP when I started. To say I was green is an understatement. Best Wishes.

When I was in school clinical placement was very difficult, too many students not enough quality locations. One of my sites turned us away when we showed up, state was there for an unscheduled inspection and they didn't want to deal with students too. Another site I was at over scheduled and there were two different schools there. Fortunatly my group got to stay the other group had to reschedule. Clinicals are exciting but finding out your placement is like waiting for Christmas, time moves slower and your excitement and nerves built. Good luck.

I am a second career RN. I went straight to nursing school without any time as a CNA. I have worked recently as the aid on my floor, as we were over staffed with nurses and under staffed with CNAs. My company would rather pay me my RN pay to be an aid vs. sending us home. CNA work is hard and I feel that I have always appreciated my aids, but have a new appreciation for all that they do. I wish I had been an aid first and had a better understanding before my RN. But two weeks as the aid was plenty. Thank you to all the CNAs for all the work you do and for all the nurses that you make look good.

One thing - learn to rely on your CNAs for normal behavioral, ADL and cognitive status of your pts The CNAs know them best and their information is invaluable. LISTEN to them when they tell you something's wrong. The above is most important! My CNA have been responsible for saving lives. Also make sure you give credit where credit is due. Respect your CNA and they will respect you and make you look great.

I took HURST review through my school. I could hear the speaker in my head the whole time "what should a two year nurse know". Go with the best answer, usually the one that pops in your head first. For the select all, eliminate what you will NOT do and select the rest. I also understand that the test has changed and is harder than before, don't beat yourself up, say a prayer and move on. For the anxiety, I called a friend on my way to take the test totally broke down crying on the phone all the way there, state pic looks horrible but I got it all out and was ready to pass. GOOD LUCK!!

There are so many specialities, not a bad thing not to know, clinicals will help with that too.

I stared school wanting to get into geriatrics and I have been in geriatrics for 2 years now and love it. I love the stories they have to share and I love to see them recover and go back to their independent or assisted living lifestyle. I work in a sub-acute/rehab and get to know my patients over the 3-6 weeks they are with us, just about the time I get board a new patient arrives. Learning all the co-morbities and how the geriatric system works has been a continuum. When a hospice patient dies I get to be a part of that last chapter of their life and my heart breaks but I know they have lived a full life, I get to see it in their children and their grandchildren. I don't think I could handle the death of a baby, child or young adult. Geriatrics has been a rewarding and exciteing field.

Nursing school is NOT flexible. I was in school with an 11 year old and a very supportive husband. I learned to study in a variety of environments so I wouldn't miss out on events. The back seat of my car was a mobile library. Clinicals are a 100% must. My school had a policy of $200 make up fee if you missed a clinical. I had kidney stones and was on Percocet, I couldn't drive and had my ED paperwork, still had to make up missed clinical hours. My instructor was gracious and stayed late with me to make up some hours and the rest I was able to go into another group on my day off to make up. I know a student who had to repeat the whole class because she was late too many times to clinical and class due to child care issues. I love what I do and am so glad that I did it. I made more money in my past career but did not have the satisfaction I have now. None of this would be possible without my husband who acted like a single parent for 2 years while I received my ADN. He was and is my biggest cheerleader.

I use a product called "No More Monkey Butt" I get really sweaty down south and have found this to be fantastic. No infections or respiratory issues either. It also prevents chaffing. I live in the mid west and won't leave the house without it in the summer time.

I use a product called "No More Monkey Butt" yes that is typed right. It is a powder to prevent moisture and chaffing. Motorcycle riders and athletes use it too. I had a pt s/p CVA with contractures to the left hand and they used it to keep her hand from getting sweaty and smelly.

My child was 11 years old when I went to school and I was 40. My husband was very supportive but it was still hard on all of us. Nursing school requires a huge time commitment. Depending on were you live look at the job market many nurses are not getting jobs after graduation. I would wait on school enjoy your kids. When they are older you will be better able to manage school and be able to set a good example of the importance of school and good study habits. Also waiting the job market might improve and make it easier to find a job in an area of nursing that interest you.

I used one of my co-workers/mentor as a reference. I am a new nurse (less than 1 year) and felt that a mentor would be good reference. This mentor works part time at my facility and teaches full time. I was just offered a position, so I would say it worked.