SimayRN

My hospital actually has a sick line. It's a specific phone number you call when calling out sick, bereavement leave, kin care or jury duty. You state your name, unit, date, time, shift and reason for absence. If it's a personal sick call they tell you to state "my own illness" for the reason. That's it. You don't have to speak to anyone or explain yourself.

Ummm how is it possible that she hasn't been caught yet? A very behind on the times facility I suppose . Odd.

The way I remembered it when I was a new grad was the arrows are a road. If the arrows continue in a straight line then fluid, meds, or tube feeding can cross through "the road" but if I want to stop movement to the patient put the non arrow part closest to the patient.

Same here. Always white and fresh smelling. I'm not a fan of using them though for the same reasons stated earlier. And they are so rough! Can't feel too good on a sensitive/red bottom wipes are so much easier.. only need one hand to pull em out and use, which is extremely helpful sometimes.

I agree. I hate when I see the I's and O's made up. The aides go around at 5am and document these on the sheet inside the room so we can enter them into the computer and so many times I'll see an output written even though I'm absolutely positive the pt had no/less output. They don't understand what an important assessment I and o's are and we can't just make them what we think they should be.

I don't see why helping students find some information is always such a big deal on this site. Whether anyone would admit it or not we ALL had help at one point or another in school. Yes, I am against giving answers don't get me wrong...But people are always so quick to shut those students down when they ask anything. Isn't that what us caring nurses are supposed to do when a new RN needs help? Point them in the direction of where they can find it? I know my coworkers do but I work at a very supportive and team oriented hospital. But its apparent that not all nurses do by many of the posts I see by new grads. What a shame.

Almost every nurse where I work wears a nurse pack around their waist with all their nursing items in it. ( scissors, clamps, red blue and black pens, sharpie, dry erase marker, alcohol wipes, ect) I also keep my phone, ChapStick, brain , debit card, and a few pieces of gum in there. Love it! Nursepropack.com Other than that my lunch goes in the fridge. . Locker is empty. . Too busy for books and no need for makeup during nightshift.

HOW did you make it all the way through nursing school without at least 1 person you consider a close friend??? That's too bad. As for the rest of your post, I'm at a loss for words...

Its 1600 on your day off and you realize you haven't eaten anything today

I'm almost off orientation so this is some things ive learned... Usually your first day consists of just shadowing your preceptor and getting the feel of the floor. When you take a patient for the first time soak up all the learning you can because thats when you will have more time to actually listen and learn the most. Adopt a good "nurse brain" (report sheet) early on so you have time to get used to it and be organized. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Its the new grads that seem to know everything that worries the others. :) good luck. Oh, and breathe. You can do it!