Kitkat1212

I know this is probably going to get some weird hate, but I have had the opportunity to practice IV starts on my mom who has chronic illness and has IV start kits that the doctor sends -- My dad usually starts them for her. My kind mother told me that she would allow me to start an IV on her so that I could gain experience for the future. (Brave person!!) After failing to start one on her numerous times and blowing too many of her veins for my comfort, I decided to give myself a try and stick myself. I actually succeeded after a few missed attempts. I am still a student, and we have a policy about not starting IVs on patients -- That is in-hospital training, however I used my own kits to start a IV line in my own home. Although this isn't truly an "ethical" concern, did I do something dangerous? Should I have not done this? I did not infuse anything, just drew back a tiny bit of blood to ensure that I was in the vein properly, but I still feel a bit odd ha!!!! What do you all think? Would you ever do this?

I have seen a few threads such as this one, but I am curious as to what you all think in the scope of giving a small gift or candy to a patient. I realize that the appropriateness of this would HIGHLY depend on situation, (I can only imagine giving a newly diagnosed diabetic a candy bar, ha!). But consider a setting such as a lonely child or teenager whose parents are often absent or busy. Would it be inappropriate to spend some extra time with them, give them a small piece of candy or maybe a little token bracelet/stuffed animal? I am not thinking of any specific situation, however I simply wonder about the legal and ethical issues of doing something like this in the future. I am merely a student, and I wish to discover answers early :) I just remember spending time in the hospital and at doctors when I was young with medical issues, and sometimes the smallest gesture or kindness made my day. I remember one hospital that sent children home with handmade blankets made by a volunteer service (although that is a rather different realm/situation from what I am thinking of as a nurse...) Thanks to anyone who might have input or answers!

Wow, well it hardly seems true, but I truly completed my first semester as a real nursing student. I never called myself a nursing student when I was taking A&P/microbiology etc, because I was not officially accepted as a student at that point. Now I truly do feel like a nursing student. I feel like I know so much (more than before), yet nothing at all. I am no longer a complete newbie, and am preparing for my second semester already by forming medication grids and studying for OB/MS-1 in advance. I completed my class with an A, however many students in my class barely passed the class with the cutoff grade of 75%. I am saddened when I watch the other students. Although there are a few passionate hard working students in the class, many are not willing to study, complain, and do the bare minimum work that they can complete in order to pass the class. One of the "assignments" that we were given this semester was to evaluate our personal nutrition and make a summary after several days. I was the only person who did this and made a summary. I am not saying this to imply that I am a better student or participant, but I wish others had gone the extra mile to do this optional assignment. I can only figure that others did not want to spend their time doing this assignment because there was no extra credit. So often, I observed students complaining about doing "CNA" work, giving bed baths, making hospital beds, and other basic work that we all must learn and complete. I guess I wish that students had a better attitude about nursing and caring for their patients in the clinical setting. I feel honored that I am able to participate in client care, no matter what the activity involves, whether making a bed, changing a diaper or providing medications. It ALL makes a difference. My heart aches to see so many students who don't give the program their best effort (or even a decent effort or any effort with a good attitude). I find that a good attitude goes a long way; when I was first starting the semester, for example struggling with a blood pressure cuff on a real patient for the first time, I found that joking and poking fun at myself and being extra kind to my client worked wonders, never did I have a complaint while I was working out flaws in my technique and learning better ways of completing tasks. (Not to mention humility! It is a MUST in nursing!) What are experiences that you guys had in your first semester? Did you start at a hospital or long term care/rehab setting? Observations? What changed through your semesters?

You all are AWESOME! Thanks for making me feel better, I thought I was the only one who liked some of these younger geared pleasures in life! I suppose I should keep indulging, as long as they don't distract from my ultimate calling

I am in love with my first semester of nursing school, I honestly feel like I am living the dream. I just turned 18, but I was thinking about an embarrassing silly habit I still have. At night, I would love to say that I am responsible/mature, and listen to recorded lectures or videos, but instead I fall asleep listening to fiction audiobooks. I listen to series like Percy Jackson, Mortal instruments, Harry Potter and occasionally if I feel like being really immature, an old fairy tale series based off the frog princess (tales of the frog princess). I think my patients would have a myocardial infarction if they knew... Quite honestly, I know I am a good student, and I work hard for high grades, but I feel stupid that I actually do this. Anybody else do anything that would shock their patients or makes them feel immature?

I am starting my first official semester of nursing school on the 25th! Wooo! It has been a long trip here, but I am extremely excited to start official nursing classes instead of chemistry, A&P and other such classes. I only am required one class with lab and clinicals. How many classes do you guys have to take in your first semester? I know it will be hard, but I still think I will have it easy. 1 class sounds pathetic to most people, although I know it will be a tough program

I am having a physical done in a few weeks as a requirement for my nursing school program. I am worried because I have had low vitamin B and iron levels. Are blood levels checked in a normal physical? I haven't had a physical in years, so i don't remember what they look for or check. I am afraid that if my blood levels come back low, that I might not be allowed into nursing school. Anyone have details on what their physical involved? Thanks! P. S. I am terrified that I may have to undress for the physical, and I have serious problems undressing in front of people, even for doctors.

I bought a medical terminology textbook to review before my clinical program starts this fall. I was also planning on buying a medical dictionary, but I am wondering if I should really get both. Have any of you compared the practical values of these books? Which was more valuable, and would you personally buy both? . Thanks for any opinions!!

Does anyone have experience with patients hitting on you? I am starting nursing school this fall after finishing all my pre-requisites and my parents(both with experience in medical feild) warned me that patients or even medical associates will try to flirt or hit on me. I am young (17), and have little expeience in this area. I want to think that everyone will assume a professional relationship with me, but I do want to be prepared for the worst. I am planning to purchase a purity ring, which I plan to use as a fallback if a professional manner fails. Any tips, stories that you guys can share? Advice or tips?

I was accepted into nursing school a few weeks back after passing all my prerequisites (A&P 1/2, microbiolgy, chemistry, ect, and I will be attending in the fall. I am curious to know what I should purchase, prepare, study or know before school starts! Any suggestions or things that you wish you had been told? Advice/tips? I plan to relax this summer, only taking 1 minimal optional class, but I also would like to prepare for the fall semester when I start the clinical portion of my schooling. Thank you in advance for any advice!!!

Heyyy all you future nursing students! I am aiming to lose about 15 pounds before nursing school starts in the fall. I am trying to hit a healthy 125-130 before the fall semester starts so that I don't have to worry so much about weight gain when the craziness starts. Gotta lose those winter lbs anyway! Anyone want to be my diet buddy? Who else wants to get in shape before school starts? Let me know :)

I sure hope you are right! I am very anxious to start the clinical portion of school, and this was one of my main concerns.. Thanks for your reply :)

Hi, I am going to be taking the nursing program at Frederick Community College next fall. I am super excited, but also terrified about the particular subject of students practicing on each other. First off, I am a little heavyset (5' 7" 150 lbs) and I am embarased to show my belly. Though I am dieting so that I can slim down before school. Secondly, I have old scars on my back and legs and arms that are from an infection when I was younger. I would love to know anything anything about what students practice on each other and what I should mentally prepare for, and how much of my body I can keep covered throughout the program, or what I will simply have to grit my teeth and bear. Thanks so so much to anyone who can tell me anything!