monkey2008

I'm in...the workload for this class seems to be a bit high compared to the others. Looks like my vacation to Mexico right after this class ends will be well deserved :)

I'm coming up on my one year anniversary as a nurse and six months on my own in MSICU. Last night I had my first nimbexed patient and my other patient decided to have an MI! I was overwhelmed and on the verge of tears the entire shift. I felt like I had no clue what to do, I didn't understand the big picture for my patients and I had no time to think. But you know what? I survived, my patients survived, and I left them in better shape than when I got them. sometimes, that is the only thing you can do. Do you know what I learned? Teamwork is vital to anyone's success. I honestly had an amazing rt and resident last night. Together, we made things better. the unknown is stressful, but once you have real life experience with a patient, the next time will be a little bit easier. I understand your frustration, but trust me, you will get there. If you told me 2 weeks ago I would have the assignment I did last night, I would have laughed and said I wasn't ready. But when you are thrown into unfamiliar waters, you learn to swim. The very fact you have these feelings makes me confident you are going to be a successful and amazing nurse. Never stop questioning, never stop growing and never stop learning. Best of luck!!

I agree with so many statements here. I was/am (less than 1 yr working) a new grad in MSICU . It's scary, challenging, heartbreaking, exhilarating, frustrating, fun, sad, happy and a whole bunch of other things all at once. The most important things are to know when you're in over your head so you can ask for help, and always think about WHY you are doing something, WHY doctors ordered something, and if you aren't sure the reason, ask. If the answer doesn't sit right with you, ask someone else. Never, never, never assume that the doctors or residents are always right. therefore, never blindly follow orders. soak up every single experience you can...I can often be found in the sickest patient's room, picking the nurses brain and lending a hand. There is so much to learn, never stop learning, never stop questioning, and always, always help out your neighbors...the day will come when you get a crazy assignment and need the extra hands to help you .

1. NE PA-1hr from Philly-large magnet hospital. 2. 3. MSICU 4. All new rns start at 24/hr. Just got a raise though so I'm at 24.48. 4k/ tuition reimbursement. 5. 0.75 for nights. Nothing for weekends unless you do weekend only program 6. Nope We just bought a 4 bedroom single family home on 1.5 acres for 300k. Taxes are 5600/yr. cost of living is pretty high, but compared to the immediate philly suburbs (where we are originally from), we got a good deal on our house and property. Seeing everyone's rate and cost of housing kind of makes me want to move. I absolutely LOVE where I work though, and I can't imagine being somewhere else. Looking forward to going to work means more than money to me.

Hey guys! Still here, still alive :). I finished my Ecco program this week and I start nights tonight (but I'm wide awake at 0900). I'm off orientation and on my own at the end of July...eeeek. I have learned so much and have come so far and on most days I feel like I have everything under control. But, I'm still very much a newb and still have a very large learning curve ahead of me. Best of luck everyone!

Hi everyone! Ahhhhhh. I love work so much :). There are times that it's overwhelming and I feel completely clueless, but there are so many times I can see how I'm progressing. We don't get goals, but I always ask for feedback from preceptors and ask how I can improve. I've had several preceptors and all of them have been fantastic. We just started the aacn essentials of critical care program, so it's honestly like we are back in school...but the concepts all make so much more sense now that I'm applying what I learn every day at work. Hope everyone else is doing well :)

Finished my first week on the floor, yesterday was my first 12 and today is my first payday as a nurse :) I was shocked at how fast 12 hours went by, and how many little things interrupt your day. Each day I'm doing things I hadn't done before, and trying to remember and process everything. Everyone is sooooo nice and helpful-I really am so lucky that my unit/hospital system is so supportive. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked "do you need help, do you have question, what can I do to help you" it is so nice to feel supported and not alone! I was so nervous about working in icu and wondering if I'd be in over my head and I have to say I'm so glad I'm here-I couldn't imagine being on another unit! Now-off to find ways to spend my first paycheck!!!

I'm finished my first week....so much information, but everyone is so nice and helpful. We did mostly classroom stuff, and will be on the floor more next week. Good news is I passed the NLN med assessment so I'm ready to give meds :)

I'm also worried about switching to nights! But, I have no choice, so I guess I'll find a way to make it work. I start Monday and the closer I get, the more anxious I am getting. It's really comforting to hear everyone talk about how much support they are getting at their hospitals. I had a great feeling when I interviewed and I'm anticipating the same support, still doesn't help the nerves!

One week left!!!! Can't wait for this class to be over-I'm sick of paper writing!

She was the nurse-her badge said RN and she introduced herself as the nurse :)

Not mean at all, very truthful and 1000000% accurate. Sometimes I just need to hear another point of view for the lightbulb to go off.

Again, thank you all. You've given me exactly what I was looking for-different perspectives from people not as "close" to the situation, and with way more experience than myself. I appreciate the help! And dad is doing well-just bored out of his mind and wanting to escape :) Hoping to be discharged tomorrow.

Thank you all for your responses. I did look up why NA levels would be elevated, ad I think I understand. Maybe I'm more confused about my role as a nurse, and how I would handle the question. I start work as a gn next month, so I think I'm also using this as a learning experience on how to handle different situations when they arise. Would it have been allowable and reasonable for my dad's nurse to explain why they are drawing it, instead of just saying "oh we just check it"??? Or is that not really an expectation/role of the nurse? I always thought it was, but I also know school is very different from real world, so I'm just trying to connect the dots. Your responses brought on something I really hadn't considered (the grey area). It's hard to not think like a nurse when you're playing the daughter role. This is my first experience with it, and I'm trying to learn from it.