clh8987

I'm on orientation currently at a facility. A patient came in with ofloxacin drops that were to go in both eyes. The medication came from the pharmacy at the hospital, including its little zip block bag with the medication name and directions. And was also administered at the hospital, and sent with the patient on admission a few days ago. After giving the eye drops, I noticed it was filled for the ear drops doctor notified, refresh drops and new medication ordered. I just feel awful. Patient denied any eye pain/irritation fortunately. Such a breakdown in a system but I feel terrible I didn't catch it until after it was given. Family was not informed as I was told it can be more distressing if no poor outcome resulted. I don't know what I'm really asking, just venting.

Hi! I have been on days for the past year and a half part time. I also work a day shift job. I'm ready to get off midnights, however I am TERRIFIED to do so at the hospital. Some nights I have are still incredible busy (med surg/step down ICU unit). I often work with new nurses too so that makes me very anxious as well. I am debating going to day shift, or taking a job at an outpatient clinic. I just don't know if I can handle the chaos of day shift. It would settle my mind knowing I have experienced nurses that can help me if needed, however I lack confidence sometimes and worry I wouldn't be able to keep up! I know this sounds silly, but sometimes I get overwhelmed on nights so I can't even imagine days. The outpatient clinic is nice, but part of me is so connected to working at the hospital. Sometimes the nights can be great, I love helping my patients, I love using my skills. And I don't know that I would get that in the clinic as much. But maybe the less stress is worth it? I'm a very anxious person to begin with, obviously hahah Please let me know your thoughts :)

Hi! I have been on days for the past year and a half part time. I also work a day shift job. I'm ready to get off midnights, however I am TERRIFIED to do so at the hospital. Some nights I have are still incredible busy (med surg/step down ICU unit). I often work with new nurses too so that makes me very anxious as well. I am debating going to day shift, or taking a job at an outpatient clinic. I just don't know if I can handle the chaos of day shift. It would settle my mind knowing I have experienced nurses that can help me if needed, however I lack confidence sometimes and worry I wouldn't be able to keep up! I know this sounds silly, but sometimes I get overwhelmed on nights so I can't even imagine days. The outpatient clinic is nice, but part of me is so connected to working at the hospital. Sometimes the nights can be great, I love helping my patients, I love using my skills. And I don't know that I would get that in the clinic as much. But maybe the less stress is worth it? I'm a very anxious person to begin with, obviously hahah Please let me know your thoughts :)

Hi everyone! ive been a nurse for three years now, primarily in the SNF/ALF setting. I recently was accepted for a position on a med surg/acuity adaptable unit on midnights. I'm super excited but super SCARED!! I've just started orientation and I'm finding that there is so much I don't remember because I haven't had to deal with it much in the places I've worked. Certain IV medications and dosing, chest tubes, codes. My class orientation is almost over and I'll be orientation on the floor soon. I've been trying to go home every night and review my information and look up the policies and my hospital but it's all so overwhelming. (I tried to memorize the dosing for different opioids today along with their IV push times, along with my EKG information, central line information etc). I just worry there is so much I don't remember, and that I shouldn't be having to review so much. I want to succeed in med surg, and I'm very eager to learn. Just lacking in confidence at the moment and need some advice!

Hi there! I have been a nurse about three years, I have only worked in memory care/ALF and some rehab/SNF. I have finally applied for some hospital jobs and actually got an offer from an ER in my area. I shadowed there today and really enjoyed it...my lack of confidence just really plummeted when I saw how much I don't know all the nurses told me I would have a long orientation and that I would learn it over time. My dilemma is... that when I started applying I got a little apply crazy and now have a few interviews on a med surg floor at another hospital tomorrow. I really enjoyed the ER and need to give them an answer by Friday. I don't want to miss this opportunity in the ER but what I am wondering is if I am putting myself at a disadvantage starting in the ER with no hospital experience? Really need advice on this...

Thnk you so much!!!

I have been an RN for two years, and was an LPN for one. This summer I completed an RN to BSN program. I have worked in ALF/memory care for my entire nursing career. I worked in LTC/rehab for about a year of that contingent my and I am now working with a home care agency in an office setting, and I occasional do visits. I do that along with the ALF job right now. I am very eager to get into the hospital, however I so concerned I have forgotten some of the nursing knowledge I need to succeed in the hospital setting. It's been making me very apprehensive about starting to apply even though I want to so bad! I've loved ALF and working in memory care, but I'm ready to expand and learn more. I plan on taking a ACLS course in a few weeks to add to my resume. Just wanted to see overall what people thought on my situation. Thank you!!

I work in a dementia unit at an assisted living. We had an 88 year old dementia patient, total care, likes to talk to herself a lot etc. the other morning we noticed she didn't look like she was feeling well, a bit pale and quieter. Staff had taken her bp and got 160/116 hr 76. From previous experience with this resident I know her bp can be off sometimes as she often shakes her arm a lot. I retook it myself within half hour or so of the staff taking it making sure to keep the arm still and got a reading of 117/70 hr of 50 ( her pulse often ran low). Sp02 was good at 97%. At breakfast she picked her food and drink up as she would usually do. Didn't eat as much just seemed tired. We laid her down until lunch. At lunch she still seemed a bit tired but had perked up and was starting to talk more like herself. She still didn't eat great but her color looked better and she seemed more awake. I had called her daughter that morning to let her know she wasn't feeling well and she was going to visit that afternoon. After lunch around 230 I get a call from staff that she was unconcious in her wheelchair and had died. I was in utter shock. Not even thirty mins prior she was talking to us and acting like her regular self... I've seen patients go through the stages of dying but never like this. I feel like there's something I should of done. As she started improving through the day I was less worried. I was going to double check her bp again right before they called me. I just feel terrible.

I understand the difference... I just felt as though I would be doing BETTER on my practice exam given i had a pretty good chance of passing.

I'm taking my nclex-pn on Tuesday the 3rd. I got a 96% of passing my first time when I did my ati predictor pn. I'm just freaking out because it seems like every practice exam I take I'm getting a 75 or below!!! I have the pn exam cram that I've been reviewing ( mind you I'm in my peds/ob rotation right now so I'm trying to juggle both lol). I haven't had a me year course in a year due to failing one of the nursing courses and having to return in a year, thankfully passing with a 4.0:-) I guess I just don't understand how I did so well on the ati yet now I feel like I'm preparing to fail? I'm still finding questions where I'm like wait, what?!? Any advice please!!!!

I was the same!! Failed peds ob rotation and do great to finish grad for Lpn! Congrats!!!!

Sounds great! Thank you guys!!

Hi everyone! I'm currently in an ADN program and choosing to take an LPN program this summer. The assisted living I currently work at offered me an LPN position this September, great experience and money while finishing up my RN! Here's the thing... Last spring I didn't pass my peds/ob so I was forced to be off a year and take it this spring. I passed with an A but now it's been over a year since I've had med surg... I'm a tad worried. My LPN course ends August 1st and I'm hoping to have my boards done by the end of that month. Is this feasible? I've started some nclex questions but I'm just so focused on this class I'm worried two weeks to study for boards, let alone lacking med surg for a year, will totally mess me up/set me up to fail. Any advice??

Hi everyone! I'm currently in an ADN program and choosing to take an LPN program this summer. The assisted living I currently work at offered me an LPN position this September, great experience and money while finishing up my RN! Here's the thing... Last spring I didn't pass my peds/ob so I was forced to be off a year and take it this spring. I passed with an A but now it's been over a year since I've had med surg... I'm a tad worried. My LPN course ends August 1st and I'm hoping to have my boards done by the end of that month. Is this feasible? I've started some nclex questions but I'm just so focused on this class I'm worried two weeks to study for boards, let alone lacking med surg for a year, will totally mess me up/set me up to fail. Any advice??