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Don't give up hope, with just one of you having infertility, your chances are very good with IVF. Both my husband and I had infertility issues and I was able to get pregnant at age 40 with IVF. Our daughter is awesome. Hugs, and best wishes! ETA: Forgot to use the quote feature. This is in response to the gal facing possible IVF.

Our facility gives 8 days for new grads, 3 or 4 for experienced nurses. All of which are simply following around a more experienced nurse (no formal training program or computer training). I didn't feel it was enough, though might have been if all my 8 days were on one floor. But I actually ended up getting only 4 days on each floor. I can't imagine only having 4 days total, as a new grad. I feel that 12-16 would've been better. There was so much I was never taught and had to learn the hard way. There is still a lot I don't know, 6 months later.

Best real-world answer would be legs. Crackles without respiratory distress are not terribly serious, and fairly common after surgery. Yes, it needs to be addressed but as someone said, the patient can still breathe. Not it sure if this is the best "test answer" though.

I was a CMA for years, and it really helped my medical knowledge, vital sign taking skill, injection skills, and medication knowledge. But now that I am a Real Nurse, I understand how having CNA skills would've really helped me. My ADL, bed bath, bed making and transfer skills are really not great. I have heard that the program I graduated from is moving toward requiring CNA certification, so they don't have to spend most of first quarter teaching basic CNA skills. While I'm glad I didn't have to go through that to get in, I do think it would've made me a better nurse from the start.

Oh geez. DON'T do it. There are several posts right here on this page that clearly say it didn't work. Just pay the $8 for quick results and wait 48 hours, or go to your BON and see if your license number has been posted. My mom was a nurse and had to wait at at least 6 weeks (maybe more), as did every other graduate nurse 40 years ago. Surely we can wait 48 hours without dying? Just do something fun and keep yourself distracted for 48 hours. You can do it!

It's not a competition, you know downsouthlaff. There are no prizes for being the most overworked. ;-)

Kind of OT, but I am a new RN (5 months experience) who recently oriented (for one shift) an experienced RN (8 years). He was an ok nurse but kind of old-school and absolutely terrible with the EMAR (point-click care) even after his 3rd or 4th shift of orientation. He quit after his first shift on his own. So I guess it's hard for some to transition. Personally, I like PCC, it seems easier, and like it helps reduce med errors (if used properly) but I've never worked off a paper MAR.

I'm wondering the same. How can it be required to be back at work 6 hours or so after working 16-18 hours? There has to be an OSHA rule or something, right? That's only a few hours sleep in the best of situations, after maybe staying up all noc or something. Doesn't sound safe. Can't a manager work the floor? I've worked a double twice now in my 6 months as a new RN, (which turned out to be 18-19 hours, no breaks) but both were unplanned and were because the nurse on the following shift called in sick. Once I made my DNS go buy me dinner (well okay, she volunteered). But I only did it because I was promised the following day off. One or two of my fellow RNs and a few more CNAs do regularly scheduled doubles, but I don't think any of them are mandated to do so.

This thread is super depressing and making me hope I never have to put a family member in LTC, though it is a real possibility in the near future. My place has a max capacity of 68. The LTC floor typically has one RN or LPN for 34 patients, and 3-4 CNAs. A few people are fairly independent but most need help with ADLs, several need feeders, and probably 15 or more are Hoyer lifts. One tube feed, and several with varying degrees of dementia. A few daily dressing changes. It's a lot. The other floor is mostly rehab with a few LTC. Max capacity 34 but usually is 22-32. One nurse and usually 3 CNAs but we have a split shift nurse who helps out with morning med pass and then does treatments and other stuff like entering orders. Sooooo many diabetics and PRNs on this floor. Usually 1-3 IVs and a tube feed or two. It gets really hard, and yet reading the previous comments, it seems we are no worse off than anyone else; which is depressing to me.

Wow, I'm sorry, I don't think you did anything wrong. The desk RN was responsible at that point, if she is the one who was with the patient when you left the room. She should've handed back off to you if she couldn't stay, and she didn't communicate to you that she was leaving- if I am understanding this correctly. Also, she is the one who called 911. Keep us posted if anything else develops.

jist found this thread in my bookmarks folder, I had forgotten about it. In case anyone else is still getting notifications on it, just letting you know that I did choose the community college. That Christian school was just too much. Shortly after writing this, I was accepted into the community college. Around this time, I found that the CC has a higher NCLEX pass rate (around 96%) than the Christian university. I then talked to someone on the state education board who highly recommended the CC, said he works with them all the time, and knew nothing about the Christian university. So I accepted their admissions offer and started that fall. I went on to get my ADN at that school, graduated with honors, and am now working as an RN at a SNF while I finish up my RN to BSN at the UW, which is the school I wanted to get into in the first place. One more quarter. So it all worked out. The CC was a better fit, and I got a great education. It's taking a little longer to get the BSN but I was able to start working as a RN in the same time frame. If anyone is still around, thanks for all your help!

I have read only a few comments, but just wanted to say this reminds me of a night not long ago when I worked the evening shift in my SNF, which technically ends at 22:30 but no one ever gets out before 2330. Had a couple incidents that night and got out about 0100. Had to be back for day shift at 0600. 25 minute drive. Figured, well I should be able to get a couple hours anyway. Was so anxious from the crazy night (and knowing I only had a couple hours to sleep) that I just laid there in bed, dozing a little bit not sleeping...until it was time to get up. Zero sleep. I don't remember how, but I did survive, and did just fine. Adrenalin and caffeine will take you a long way. I'm so busy, I don't have time to sit down and get tired. Oh, and I'm a new nurse. Anyway, I see that you actually were sick and called in, so that was a good choice. But just wanted you to know that it is do-able. On that note, I'm not sure it's legal for my facility to ask me to do that, but I did have the option to say no, I guess. So maybe it is. Anyone know?

I am wondering the same thing. I am a new grad, less than 3 months into my first job, in a SNF. Our census was down briefly and they reduced from 3 nurses to two, for 56-58 patients (LTC and SNF/ rehab). Now we are back up to 61 or so, our acuity has gone up, and they still haven't put the 3rd nurse back on. It is almost impossible to finish on time without severely cutting corners, and I don't feel it is safe. I realize there are different challenges in med surg, including a higher acuity, more frequent admit/ discharge, more pressure to perform, etc. But I am wondering if it is more do-able.

Because some people misunderstand HIPAA and think it means any information about any patient. Since she or he didn't specify, I am just trying to clarify. And no, I wouldn't tattle about just anything. Nurses need to work as a team, not be adversarial. It really depends on the situation.

You must not have read what I said. I said that blaming the nurses IS highly inappropriate (though not a HIPAA violation). I don't see a problem with posting anonymous lab results though, IF that's what she did, and if it's for a learning discussion. Sort of like the case scenarios we did in nursing school. Again, if she posted a name, or accessed I go she shouldn't have had, then THAT would be a HIPAA violation.