firefly84

firefly84 has 9 years experience and specializes in ICU, ER, OB, Hospice, House Sup, Float.

Latest Activity

1. pvt

   firefly84 replied to laughlove's topic in NCLEX

   I didn't do the "trick" when I took my boards. However, my nursing license appeared on the state website before my results showed up online. Just a little tip. Not sure if that is true in all states or not. This also was several years ago. R.E.L.A.X...

2. nursing notes

   firefly84 replied to soranaruto's topic in General Students

   Write what you see; what colors, is the skin dry, chapped, cracked, bleeding... Write what you hear; stridor, audible wheezes, coughing (harsh, tight, loose) Write what you smell; breath is sweet, Write what you feel; perhaps someone has crepitus, ...

3. So much information

   firefly84 replied to bilw85's topic in General Students

   First off, don't feel bad at all. I truly thought the first year of nursing school was the hardest. There is so much thrown at you all at once. The other really big adjustment is to take everything you knew about taking tests and pretty much throw i...

4. New grad nurse about to start first nursing job

   firefly84 replied to hollybambam's topic in New Nurse

   Uncertainty is a trait that seems to run through the veins of all nurses. We are constantly wondering if we could have done something different or better. From what I can tell, it's definitely in your veins...seriously. It might not seem like it n...

5. 50 Things New Nurses Need to Know about Orientation

   firefly84 replied to Lynda Lampert, RN's topic in New Nurse

   I totally agree with this list. I would add that a lot of the doctors I have dealt with are a little more reserved until you have proven yourself to them. You can always tell once you've met their approval, because they are a lot more open and relax...

6. NCLEX Pharmacology? What to study, how much to study

   firefly84 replied to nisoJ's topic in General Students

   My program, although not accelerated, required microbiology and organic chemistry as prerequisites. They were challenging, especially the microbiology, but once you get into your nursing classes it will make perfect sense why. The biochemistry recom...

7. Quit Nursing?

   firefly84 replied to tayabee's topic in New Nurse

   First off, I feel your frustration. Being a new grad is hard enough by itself, let alone being in this situation. I worked hospice after I had multiple years of experience with ICU, ER, OB, and acute care. I had years of skills to support me. It fel...

8. Starting Clinicals next week

   firefly84 replied to newstudent920's topic in General Students

   Your first clinical will be a little nerve wracking for a couple hours. No matter how outgoing and ambitious you are, this is still a new experience. Remember why you are there and use every one of your senses to pay attention. The first clinical wil...

9. NCLEX Pharmacology? What to study, how much to study

   firefly84 replied to nisoJ's topic in General Students

   Honestly, your going to need to know the major highlights of each category initially. Pharmacology is one of the biggest components of nursing practice, along with gut instinct! My advice to nursing students who have been at clinicals, is to look eve...

10. Do all nurses feel like this?

    firefly84 replied to Dasher24's topic in UK

    I think it's safe to say that a very good majority of us have had frustrating/scary new grad experiences at some point. My new grad experience was similar to many. I was hired by the hospital that I had done my clinicals in. They hired 7 or 8 of us...