Starfish, RN

For my BSN program we had simulation at school, and took care of real patients in the hospital. We have a simulation 'hospital' on campus, and would be filmed and critiqued based off of our performance. It was never graded for right/wrong, more so effort. We had different scenarios like a patient suffering a MI (heart attack), stroke, hemorrhage, etc that you couldn't really practice in the real world. In the hospital we almost always had 1 patient, and we provided complete care to them. This is different than once you are working as the actual RN, because there are nursing assistants and so forth who help. We would do everything from feed patients, change linens, toilet care, give medications by mouth, give medications IV, insert foley catheters, insert NG tubes, change wound dressings, and other nursing tasks.

I have yet to experience a code situation and am about to start on a med-surg floor. I understand what happens once the code button is pushed, but what happens prior? Do you run out to the doorway and yell for help? Or do you go straight for the button? What about a respiratory distress situation/any situation where rapid response may need called? How do you get help to the bedside without 'patient abandonment'?

I'm a new grad RN about to start on a med-surg floor. I was told that on days I will have 4-5 patients and on nights 7-8. Does this sound normal/manageable?

Does anyone know what type of unit this is? Do you have any information about it? Thanks!

Hi all. I just graduated with my BSN and obtained my RN license. I had an interview today in a LTC, dementia/Alzheimer's locked unit, and rehab facility. I could be hired into any of these units. My question is: will this be a difficult transition for a new nurse? The nurse to patient ratio is 20. They explained a few times that a lot of nurses cannot effectively time manage this many patients and that is their only concern.

I'm not sure if BSNs get more than ADNs around here, but I do see that 75% or more of the RN job openings say 'BSN preferred' or 'BSN required'.

This is a great point.

That was medication administration 101 in nursing school for me. I cannot believe your facility doesn't use filter needles with glass ampules. I hate to agree with the common sense comment, but the previous poster is correct.

Referring to oneself as a "vet nurse" versus just plain "nurse" is very different.

I just want to point out that nurse's aides and CNAs are referred to as UAPs, Unlicensed Assistive Personnel on NCLEX. I do not think poorly of UAPs of any kind, however I do think it is presumptuous to feel entitled to call yourself (general you) a nurse. Attending a 1-2 month program (at least that is the length in many states) does not make you a nurse. You are a helpful assistant to the nurse and health care team, as well as helpful to the patient.

My husband's aunt is a surgical tech and does this all the time. She refers to herself as a nurse and constantly gives 'nursing' advice to his family. She'll provide incorrect information to them, and it drives me insane. She also puts me down a lot when it comes to nursing related stuff. Granted, she has a lot of experience and I am a new nurse, but I have the degree and license...she doesn't!