nupsgrad

Well, it's been five months now and it's still a nitemare!!!Telemetry, anyone? I have been working on a busy tele floor since I passed my boards in June. Well, it's been hard. My training lasted 8 weeks. My preceptor had to leave the country after three weeks. I was left to train with any nurse that was available, and often "picked up " by another preceptor, who (helloooo!!!) already had a neubee nurse to orient. Nevertheless, I got through it. My problem is not having enough time to get everything done. I know, I have to prioritize, but at the end, everything STILL has to be done, and with not enough staff, I leave home at least one hour past my shift, because I have no time for charting, or finishing up admission papers, or discharge papers... Take a BREAK, you say? Yea, usually it's around 1:00 pm (I work a rotating 7-3:30 and some 3:00-11:30) by which time I am totally dehydrated and dizzy....not to mention no BR trip, either...Not very healthy, hugh? But what can I do when most of the patients on the floor are age 80+, most of them are total care, they need to be washed, fed, and up in a chair for PT by 9:00, or going to a procedure, or Xray, or being discharged in 30 min? (We usually have one CNA on the floor, with 20-30 patients).Most of these patients have between 10-15 different meds PO, IV, SQ, IM, top, + dressings etc...Most have meds scheduled every 2 hours. Vitals are every 4 hours. Have to notify the doc if they're off, right? By the time I'm done with 10 o'clocks, it's time to start insulin and 12 o'clocks, then it's 2 o'clocks...Not to mention that docs change,add or d/c meds and treatments every day by noon...Not to mention not all meds are in the bin and I have to call/and fax pharm to get them to the floor....Not to mention call bells, either...And if there is any kind of emergency(chest pain, SOB, tubes being pulled out or not functioning, change of mental status...), everything gets put off. And FAMILIES who always think you are their private duty nurse....Don't forget to add up I/O's and tape report by 3:00 pm....I like nursing. I love it when my patients say that "I have what it takes" because I am very pleasant, symphatetic and I always treat my patients like they are a part of my family. When they get better and feel good, I feel good and it makes me happy. And I love the people I work with, they are a good bunch and we get along very well, thru all the miserable times...But I am wondering if I'm in the right kind of nursing? I get home every day exausted, with very little energy to tend to my family, myself or anybody/anything else...Is this how nursing is supposed to be?? Living just so I can do my job? Please someone say NO, because I don't think I could be doing this for the next 20 years....Maybe I need a different shift, or apply to a different floor, or OR? Or work at a doctor's office?? Any suggestions?? (Sorry for pouring my guts out, but where else but here...) Thanks allnurses!

I took my test on 06/15, and I was told the results are available on Pearson EXACTLY 48 BUSINESS AFTER. So I finished my test at noon, and my result was available at noon 2 days later! I did pay the $7.95, and I would have paid a lot more just to find out! IT SAID I PASSED! I could not believe it, because I felt I did not do well on the test at all.....Surprise! I know how you feel, so give yourself another day and then check....don't drive yourself crazy(like me). YOU TOO WILL PASS!!!

Thank you ILoveSrubs! You will be there sooner than you know!

Hi all, I still can't stop shaking and crying, because I looked up my UNOFFICIAL results on Pearson and it said PASS?????!!!! Is it it true? Is this how you guys out there got your results? I still can not believe it! I took my test on 06/15. I did not find my name on the NY licencing site....How long does it take? Some one please reply because I feel like I will burst!! God help me!

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has worked as a GN before taking their boards? I graduated in March from an RN program. Most of my classmates already got jobs before graduation! I have had a few interviews/job offers as well, but I'm afraid I won't have enough time to study for the NCLEX??? I am also planning on taking a review class at the end of May, and take the test in June...I did not work while in school, and we do need the money...What did YOU do? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated! nupsgrad