NurCrystal22

Well, when my charge nurse walked up to me with my eval (which I was completely not expecting) I was a little nervous, but as I read it I was shocked that I was actually doing well, she said I connected well with my patients and families, pts wrote "good-care" comments about me, I worked well with co-workers helping and doing the extras, and here's the best part.... it said that I was an asset to my floor!!! That made my day.... made me feel like a nurse... made me feel like a GOOD nurse. ~Crystal

Pt 1 pneumonia, not too bad, pt 2 ISSUES, bad attitude, doc just stopped CAPD, transfer to ICU.. I don't have time, make time. Now behind, pt 3 back from surgury, too much pain 10/10. New admit with Lamy, just when I thought I was catching up. Pt 4, 2 incontinent BMs, does it look like I have time to clean that up? lol HELP! ~Crystal

Hi, hang in there. I'm new to nursing too and I know how you feel. I'm in orientation right now, one more week to go until I'm supposed to be on my own... but last week we were short staffed so i was basically on my on anyways. Some days are hard... some days are bad, some days I make mistakes, but then.... some days are PERFECT and that's what keeps me going.... knowing that I'm getting better. Sometimes I have hard patients and I don't get in to see them right away, but I at least peak my head in their room and ask them 3 questions: 1) Are you feeling okay? 2) Are you in any pain? 3) Do you need anything? And when I'm in there I can quickly do a visual assessment. That makes me feel better. I work on a TELE/MED-SURG floor, most days I love it and I love being a nurse... but then there are days from hell, and I think, "I'm so not coming back here tomorrow, no way!" But I come back... and I keep coming back and it gets better. You'll be okay, hang in there. I agree you should stay at least 6 months before making changes... things might turn around quicker than you think. Keep us posted and good luck! ~Crystal

I wouldn't do this if I were you, messing with your bodies natural neurotransmitters is not a good idea, A/P 2. Take a relaxing bath, maybe you NEED noise to distract from your throughts, turn some soft music on... I can't fall asleep without having the sound of a fan, even if it's cold, i love the noise... ~Crystal

Don't feel bad, I know exactly how you feel. I was on my own last night, unexpectedly, and I was responsible for 5 patients (I'm still supposed to be in orientation). To my suprise I actually had a good day, got things down but constantly worried about if I was doing things right and not making mistakes. My patients were GREAT all day.... then in the middle of shift change and report, my cervical spine fracture patient has tremendous pain and difficulty breathing... did I mention he's on heparin for possible DVT? Instantly I think he's thrown a clot to his lungs or something, So I take care of the pain and let the on-coming nurse know what's going on with him, as I leave I see her going into his room to check him out and make sure he's okay... but I'm still worried, I mean the guy is only 20, I'm only 2 years older than him so I feel for him ya know? I get all the way home, still freaking out and hoping he's okay... so I cave it and call.... find out HE'S FINE! YEAH! So then I could sleep. Thank God. If you feel that bad or remember something that you forgot to do, just call back to get it off your mind. Things will get better eventually! GOOD LUCK! ~Crystal

Usually pharmacy mixes it up, 20meq KCl in 1000ml of 1/2 Normal Saline, we infuse at 75ml/hr, decrease rate if burning/irritation/etc sensation is felt by patient. ~Crystal

My states minimum is 85 questions and that is how many I recieved..... and I passed. You can't really judge by the amount of questions though.... good luck. ~Crystal

Well yeah, if i don't know something, I always ask. Last night went great with 4 patients and I learned how to do CAPD. Other than that it was a quiet night, I stayed buzy, really great patients. ~Crystal

If a patient has a med schedule for Ambien at 2100 and also requests a Vicodin PRN at the same time is that okay? OR If a patient has a scheduled me for Ativan at 2100 and requests a vicodin PRN is it okay to give. I'm asking because it seems like patients are attempting to knock themselves out at night, sometimes I rather then have one thing or the other but if they are in pain... I don't know what to do... ~Crystal.

Just because a person comes from a "dysfunctional" background, doesn't mean that they ARE dysfunctional. I wouldn't get twisted over what your manager said.... forget it... ~Crystal

Well out of four weeks, I'd say I had one bad night. So I guess I'm doing alright. I'm looking forward to being responsible for my own patients but at the same time I'm super nervous, I have a fear of making a horrible mistake but I think it's the fear that keeps me on my toes as well. This is my 4th week so I'll have 4 patients, wish me luck everyone! Anyone have any knowledge to share, DOs and DONTs about anything, things I should look out for once I'm on my own. THANKS ~Crystal

I guess I should clarify, the patient came to the ER and was TRANSFERRED to my floor, the ER people connected him to the yellow port, I guess inadvertantly (sp) because he had a LOT of "things" going on and I'm sure they were in a hurry, anyways, no, the patient was fine after he was switched over AND when his O2 sat dropped he was breathing fine still, in no respiratory distress, laughing and joking with his family... so we called the doctor back and told him he was okay and the doctor said to cancel all the orders that he wanted including the transfer to ICU. I guess no incident report was written, it wasn't up to me to write her up but since I witnessed what was going on I'd have to sign her report too.... but it's fine, that's for the advice!

hmmm.. okay

So tell me what you think about this. I need advice, I was a witness to what might be considered an "incident" tell me if you think it is or what you would have done. Patient comes for ER, has a history of CHF, ARF, he's diabetic and his chief complaint was chest pain. He's suppose to be on 2L of O2 but somehow he got hooked up to the "room air" port... thus his 02 sat dropped to 83-87 so we called the doctor, he flips out orders a bunch of labs and wants him transfered to ICU, AFTER we call we go a notice that he's connected to the wrong port, change it over and he's back to 95% so we call the doctor back and he says fine and cancels all the orders. NOW, would you say harm was done to the patient?

all i need is my pen, my stethoscope, and a note-pad and I'm good to go. ~Crystal