Nursing_Student'15

Thanks for the feedback. I did ask the pt to rate her pain and if she had any pain meds prior to her stay. She had a hydromorphone pump and odansetron prn. Then when my instructor asked me to look again the physician recently put in pain meds. I get fustrated because i research my pt and meds and i still am asked questions from my instructor that i do not know. I almost feel like i should knkw the answer most of the time but its only my 18th or so week. I also feel like i let my instructor down bc she'll either sigh or say u need/should know this or say go look it up and come back. I guess if i was really that horribke of a student she would say so

Hey i need some advice. Situation: im not sure if im cut out to be a nurse. Im in a 2 yr program with 3 terms/yr. Right now im in my second term (2wks left). We only have one patient now but its a lot to do and know. We do vitals, assessment, and give meds (if we know why they're being given, how they work, and labs/vs we need to check before giving them). I have trouble with the meds but i guess it takes time to familiarize yourself with them. I know as a nurse we will most likely have techs to take signs and do i&o but its a lot to know. Today my pt said she had a headache of 5 from 1-10. First reaction, i'll tell the nurse. I found my instructor and she was like did she want anything can she get anything....i was like i dont think she has anything ordered i was going ask the nurse...big turn around she says you are the nurse.....im not sure if 2 yrs will prepare me to work as a nurse...its nice having a orimary nurse or instructor to go to. Once im in the field i cant be checking with other nurses for small things all the time bc their busy. Background: i've always had a love for animals and steve irwin is my idol. I studied bio and got a bachlors in preprofessional. I wanted to work with animals but all throughout school i couldnt get a vet tech job. I volunteered in the pacu of a hospital to see what it would be like. My mentor was awesome and very experienced (he made it look so easy) yet even he made simple mistakes and had questions. Figuring there were not many animal jobs i would be able to find in addition to paying well (bc i hear many stories of ppl working with animals and the pay and scheduling is brutal). I decided to go to nursing school, get a decent job(with good intentions and pay(not that im all about money but i want to live decently). I went through first term and it wasnt too bad. My clinical instructor was really nice and taught us a lot. The one i have now is a bit more strict and intimidating. What she expects is reasonable but still a lot. Assessment: im confused and not sure what to do Recommendation(s)?

Jw..all these ppl saying i like animals more than ppl...are you nurse students/working? Thanks. I love animals but it seems nursing is a smarter choice to make for the time being.

So to me its weird bc i feel like oh no i like animals which tons and tons of ppl do but i feel like i cant choose a desirable career w/o them....nursing seems like a fun, difficult, worthwhile career...but then it means i have to focus on animals outside of that. Teachers keep stressing you have to care..which i believe i do..but i'm one of those ppl who feel like animals are not much different from us and they need care too...

Thanks. It's just i've always had a love for animals..not so much for ppl....but im finding out there are some great ppl to know...i think i would be happy as a nurse but even happier with animals. Its weird but i almost feel like i have to hide my love for animals since im going to b a nurse...i know its not true but i have the thoght...im going to b a nurse i need to like ppl..which will come witb time..plus some r more likable than others

Wow! Thank you....thats kind of how i feel...i mean i want to help/work with animals but in todays world it isnt the "smart" thing to do. If you dont mind me asking, you said horse shows r now your hobby, about how often are you able to do that around work. I'm scared that if i go into nursing i'll be too preoccupied with work and going to more school and always havig to recertify things that my interest in animals with be the least of my worries. I kind of made a negotiation with myself: if i become a nurse great i can still volunteer at shelters and donate to them but then i rethink it and say yeah that would be great but can it really workout that way

This may not be the place to post this but has anyone had second thoughts about going to nursing school or a first interest in working with animals? I dont think i would want to go to vet school which is pretty much the only job working with animals where you make a decent amount of money. People say follow your heart/dreams, which i believe i should do, but at the same time i dont want to be just getting by. I'm not saying i dont want to be a nurse at all, im just saying that its not necessarily my first choice. I suppose i could still volunteer/work at animal shelters once i get my career figured out. I'm just wondering is there anyone else or feels similar to me? Also, any advice would be helpful.

I graduted from a college with a bachelors of science in biology. I am about to start a 2yr program for an associates in nursing. I am now being told i may be able to take a bridge program rn-msn....is this an accelerated program? And if you have taken this route how/is it? Also, any other ideas/options? I would like to avoid short and fast programs. I'm looking for any and all comments. Thank you.

Thank you all!! That helps a lot.

I am attending nursing school in fall and need a decent dual bell stethoscope. I hear that the more expensive ones work much better. I am looking to spend around $70. I know Littmann is a good brand but there are so many i am not sure which one to choose. I'll just be starting nursing school so should i purchase one on the cheaper side or just "splurge" on a nicer one. Also, please include websites/vendors of where you recommend i purchase one. Thank you.

I posted this before but wanted to get some more. I will be attending a 2 year Nursing school in the fall to get an associates in nursing and take the NCLEX to get my RN certification. One of the nurses at the hospital i volunteer at said that most places (hospitals/nursing homes) are looking for nurses with a BSN. Also, i know experience helps out a lot too. Do you think i would be able to get a job with an associate's degree and possibly only volunteer-work if i cant find a job with more responsibility in the next 2 years.Also, any advice for a pre-nurse student (in regards to school/work)? Feedback is much appreciated. Thank you.

My goal is yo be an rn, get a job, and after some experience, possibly move up to a np. It already requires some exp to get a masters and some jobs may pay for some of it. Do you mean go into a masters program in nursing? I dont think that is possible w/o prior nursing courses. Also, i keep hearing mixed messages. On one side, people say that the market is bad and finding a job will be hard, on the other people say nurses are always in need and there is a advantage for male nurses. I suppose there is a reason for both.

Well i want to be able to have a job after getting a degree. If i can't get one with an ASN, i'll be somewhat forced to go back and get a BSN (hence what i'm considering now).

ok so i think the best route is to take an accelerated bsn program since i have a bachlors in bio...the problem is most schools have closed their apps for the fall....i have an idea but it seems kinda crazy let me know what you think. I'm acceptted to an Asn program so i'll do that in the fall and spring. In the summer a bsn program opens at another school so i may try to apply and get in. If i get in, hopefully they accept some credits from the asn. If not, i'll just retake them. If i do not get accepted into the bsn program, i'll stay with the asn. Does this plan seem reasonable? Any other ideas? Thanks

Accelerated degrees have a rep of being extremely difficult.....i had that in mind but somehow didnt follow through. In addition some are very pricey but i guess they would be worth it considering i may need to get a bsn eventually. I'll look around but i think most schools closed their applications.