garebare48

"The constant training (and turnover) of new grads increases the stress of units considerably. (Typical med/surg nurse/patient ratio is 3:1, sometimes 4:1)" Seriously? I went from 8:1 hell to 6:1 "Nirvana"! If our ratios were the same as yours, I would absolutely have a fit; certainly I wouldn't leave.

#travelnursing... worked for me! RTR

As a M/S nurse primarily working in the CV/DM/stroke/diabetic areas, I understand it can ring hollow when an obese (sometimes smelling of tobacco smoke) nurse OR DOCTOR educates a pt on safe practices and risk factors. People are people, though, and can't just not do the job due to personal imperfections. Perhaps someday there will be standards; there are for the military and other professions, "offensive" or not. Meanwhile, we should strive to set good examples. As we truly care about our children, and wish the best for them, our goal should be to demonstrate the same concern for our pts.

How can you possibly keep up with yourself while you're so busy looking around and judging your classmates? Nursing school was pretty intense for me; I couldn't afford the time or mental energy to worry about my peers' activities. I don't know how old you are, but someday you will mature to the point you will focus more on your own tasks ("sweep your own doorstep"), and allow others to sink or swim. Some will make it through and some won't, this much is certain; the daggers shooting from your eyes isn't going to change their behavior anyway. I wonder if any of them pick apart you're grammar (see what I did there--retread your letter)? Really, best of luck in your career, but you will totally flip when you see what some of your coworkers get away with. 😬

Absolutely. Symptoms x 1 week, plus pain and n/v tell me this person could be ready to throw an embolus.

The TEAS is given twice a year; they use the highest score and flush the lower one. Being a previous college graduate (RT/R), I did this right: I paid for two tests, they were 40 bucks apiece, and scheduled the dates. The minimum gap was 90 days. I studied a TEAS book some, but pretty much did my best without doing anything very focused. After the test I had my score and postmortem, so I knew what subjects to attack. I scored 12 more points on the second one, way over the percentile I needed to be accepted. Someone mentioned prereques. I've been told some topnotch universities require those of us with 200 level A&P and Micro to take their 400 level classes to be eligible to continue there (I'm talking to you, UAB). So, my accredited (ACEN & CC E) CC NURSING PROGRAM credits are accepted by the university, but the science classes, available to anyone, are not. I think they require Gross Anatomy, too. My school has a GA lab, but it didn't when I did my sciences for X-Ray school. When I continue toward my career goals, I'll have to do bones, muscles, and bugs again, sigh.