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I received my license iat the end of July. I work on a very busy med-surg unit, high acuity patients. For the last three days I have had the most frustrating days as a nurse. Had a patient with pancreatitis, plus hx of pain issues and drug seeking. On scheduled ms-contin. However, md wrote orders for prn's- 50 mg benadryl iv q 4, 5 mg morphine q 4, 5-10 mg morphine iv q 4 for breakthrough pain, 1 mg ativan iv q 4, . The guy kept a log of when all his prn's were due. So q 4 , he would either ring the call light, or walk the halls to tell me that his breakthrough morphine iv was due, or that his iv benadryl was due. The last straw was yesterday. It was 1525, I was giving report to next shift, and guy wants his benadryl. Nursing assistant says guy and his aunt, whom guy lives with are livid and are going to file a report with the ceo because prn's have been late all day. Went into room to explain that benadryl will be given asap. Explained that prn's were not late, and that I have tried to keep him as comfortable as possible all day. He then proceeded to question me why I didn't wake him up to give him his prn's during mid-aftertoon, which totally through off his schedule. I said that I would not wake up a patient for a prn ativan if the patient was sleeping, since the ativan is for anxiety, and if the patient is sleeping, apparently anxiety is under control. Aunt belittled my nuring abilities, saying that if a prn is due at 1530, it should be given at exactly 1530. At that time it was 1540. pm nurse walked in with prn benadryl, and guy said, she is a much better nurse than you, I always get my prn's exactly on time. Well, besides prn guy, I had 2 total care patients, and a patient with escalating blood pressures who wouldn't take his meds, who only understood russian, and whose daughter accused the md of trying to hurt her father because we weren't doing more for him. Bad day yesterday. About prn guy- md aware of his whole situation. Sorry this is so long. Never been threatened to be reported before. My confidence is a little shaken. Any advice as how to handle these patients and families.

I graduated in May of 2005, and received my licence in July. I've been working on a busy med-surg floor since then. Yesterday, we had clinical students from my nursing school. Two of the students were assigned to two of my patient's. The students had minimum clinical experience. I spent as much time as I could teaching them and answering their questions, and at the end of their stay, one of them came up to me and said," Thank-you for helping me with learning some skills today. I hope I get assigned to some of your patient's next week because you are such a good nurse." Wow, that really blewe me away, because I remember being a student, and wondering how I could take care of 4-5 patient's and still provide quality care. I emphasized that the technical aspects of nursing-IV"s, operating pumps, etc ,well skills develop in time. The most imporatant thing is good, SAFE, patient care-thorough assessments, good technique, good communication and listening to yur patients. Yesterday was a good day for me. Just wanted to share. Julie

I found the kaplan review with test questions along with saunders prepared me the best for the boards. Do as many questions as you possibly can, but also study content. Memorizing really doesn't help on this test. You have to think critically and apply the knowledge to some situations. I commend you for trying again. If you need any further help, e-mail with specifics. Good Luck to you! Julie

i live in milwaukee wi, and work in a medium size hospital. started at 20.90 per hour plus shift and weekend differentials. julie

massive cva with receptive aphasia and brittle diabetic who needs insulin orders called in, also on coumadin therapy; man going through etoh withdrawal-sas scores sky high; frequent flyer diabetic who needed wound vac applied and a gazillion dressing changes to leg ulcers, esrd dialysis patient with a a wound vac whose pressures were unstable all day. Julie

You never really feel that you are 100 percent prepared. I used Kaplan and saunders . Practice questions made the difference for me. However, you have to relax and take care of yourself. Study, but keep things in perspective. Don't forget to review content also. I know how you are feeling though. Took NCLEX in July and passed with 75 questions. If you need more tips, feel free to e-mail. Good Luck to you. Julie

Congratulatons, Christy RN. I am relatively new also, and an agency nurse asked me a host of questions regarding one of my patients I felt that I finally felt like a nurse, and that she appreciated my inpuit as a collegue. I know I'm going to love my job, and I have made the best decision to be come a nurse. Julie

Good Luck to you. God willing, you will get this job. Keep us informed Julie

You are definatley not alone. I get this feeling in my stomach every time I right down my assignment. I had the most horrendous day today. Too long to get into, but I feel every bit of your anxiety. I was one of the top graduates in my class, did excellant in clinicals, and now I feel that I am so incompetent at times. Every one says that it will get better, but I rack my brain trying to be more time efficient and manage my assignment better. Our cna's are no help at all. I try my best to help out withtheir workload, but all I get in return is attitude. Case in point, The cna called me by my wrong nameabout 6 times in a row. I politely said."My name is Julie." Her response, "WHATEVER!' Later she called me by the wrong name, I told her again , My name is Julie." response, "Whatever" At the end of the shift, no IandO's charted, rooms were messy, and when I asked to help me get a patient to the commode, she said she was to busy. I want to be a good nurse, I want to help my patient's, but I feel like I'm drowning half the time. I'm off orientation. ( Which was a joke in itself) and I feel like giving up at times. BUT-I am in this for the long run. I will keep youi n my prayers Julie

You are in my prayers Jewel

Help, I graduated from school in late May, passed NCLEX in late July, and just got off orientation on a very busy, high acuity med-surg unit. I did really well in school, and thought I was prepared. Now, I question if I have what it takes to be a good nurse. I know I need help with time management. I have gone to my preceptor and all she says is that it will come with time. My orientation was not the greatest. My preceptor provided little follow-up communication or assessment of my skillls. I feel that the minute I step on the floor, I am always behind. I'm assigned 4 to 5 patients, most are insulin dependent. the cna's on days are forever complaing that the rn's are lazy and they don't do quite the job that I would expect them to do. As a result, I find myself doing some of their job, all of my job and I am just getting frazzled. I do love nursing though. My first priority is patient safety, but I feel like a chicken with no cranium for part of the day. Any advice would be helpful Thanks so much

Hang in there. I took the test in early July and felt the exact same way. It's out of your hands now. Try to relax and do something for you. More than likely you passed.

I used Kaplan and saunders. Kaplan questions are worded like nclex. I scored between 70's-80's on question trainer. Know your lab values. When priororitizing patients- think of which one needs you the most. I got slammed with alot of safety and infection control- gown, gloves or masks with certain diseases. Also, know basic pharm- and how drugs apply to disease states. I had 75 questions, took about 90 minutes, and I passed. Trust in you- YOU WILL PASS!!!!!!!!

I found Kaplan helpful, along with Kaplan's companion book with test strategies. Focus on school, but when school is out, do lots of practice questions and study rationales as to why the answer is right or wrong. Do study content, but focus on questions and keep believing in yourself.

Yippee-Congratulations-I also passed today. Enjor your career as an RN. Julie

Thank-you to all those who have given me their prayers and encouragement. I find out tomorrow about the results, I went to work today, and made a difference in the lives of my patients. I work on a busy med-surg floor, and one of the highlights was putting some laughs into the life of a patient who recently found out some devastting news. My life will go on whether I pass or fail. If I do not pass, well I figure I know what to expect and I will do better. Thanks for all your suppport. The Lord works in His own ways. We just have to listen carefully sometimes. Jewel P.S.-- Good Luck to all of you taking and awaiting your results.

Good Luck on your exam. Took mine this morning and I'm trying to be positive. Mine shut off at 75. I feel like I failed the thing, but right now, there is nothing I can do but wait for the results. My advice-keep calm, read slowly and believe in yourself. Today I have learned that passing is very important, but if I do fail, I will pick myself up and keep fighting.

hey everyone, Took the exam today. Left the test, went to my car and just started crying. I feel like I totally blew the test. The machine shut down at 75. I encountered at least six multiple responce, three on herbs, 2 fill in the blanks, and I could not even think if the questions were getting harder or easier. I want to remain confident, but my insides are telling me I really blew it. Had a bunch on prioritizing, but not to many on delegation. I know if I fail it will not be the end of the world, but I just feel so numb now. Any suggestions?