Sandra2015

I am going to apply to a hospital where I was precepted as a senior nursing student. I know the manager and she is aware that I am applying to her unit, but the application is submitted online. I wouldn't want to address the cover letter to her if she won't see it first. Should I just address it to Nurse recruitment/ recruiter etc. or address it to the manager?

I am a new graduate nurse waiting to take my nclex (I just got my ATT and the next available date is October!) In my last semester of nursing school, I completed my senior preceptorship on a unit I really love. My preceptor suggested I come back to volunteer and stay in touch and the unit manager seemed pleased about the idea. I've been volunteering on that unit for many weeks now and really want to apply there when I'm licensed, but I don't want to solely depend on this opportunity and not apply elsewhere. Plus, the unit manager just told me we'd talk again once i'm licensed, but I don't want assume that it's a secure thing. However, I feel bad if I apply elsewhere; I know it's not easy coming by a new grad nursing job, but I imagine getting an offer and then having to tell the unit manager ---on the floor where i've invested a lot of time-- that I found something else. I'd feel like I'm betraying my preceptor too because he's really rooting for me to get a job on that unit. It's not wrong to apply elsewhere, right--- than why do i feel guilty?!

Thank you for the advice! I went with my gut feeling an put telemetry as my top choice, followed by ICU and lastly Peds Medsurg. I haven't heard of many who want telemetry as most people in my cohort are going for L&D or postpartum so hopefully there's a good chance I'll get Tele

He had a stoke... I think the big one you're missing is impaired tissue perfusion :)) so you want to check is vitals, specifically in terms of vitals --since he had a hemorrhagic stroke and not ischemic -- focus in BP and neuro checks. The main goal with this diagnosis is that you want to allow his state to progress, not deteriorate via your interventions. Another good one I always include as a student is risk for aspiration. Check your gag reflex! Monitor their eating and have the hob elevated--- which would benefit your pt twice as much since he had a hemorrhagic stroke...that blood needs to drain. All your others sound great! And when thinking about goals...definitely a big thing is to promote independence--even if he has had the paralysis for years-- encourage use of his strong side.

** update: Thanks for the great suggestions --they sure helped in my decision!

I'm going through this rotation as well. Let me tell you that most, if not all, of the people in my clinical group felt a little lost the first few days on the floor. This nursing speciality is definitely a different monster to tackle-- as all are! But, we didn't go into the past specialties with tons if experience either; that's something to remember while you're on the floor. You'll definitely learn things a long the way that will bring a lot of abstract things together. You don't necessarily have to be interested in this speciality or even become an L and D, Post partum nurse etc. But go onto the floor with a positive and open minded attitude to really get the most out of it. Plus, you might be surprised at how much you can navigate through this specialty based on your past knowledge.

Hey there! In my nursing program we use Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning Care, by Betty Ackley. I believe they are currently on the 10e. This book was so helpful for constructing care plans; you are able to look up your diagnosis in the NANDA index and each diagnosis was followed with pt risk factors, expected outcomes/goals, and most importantly, interventions and the rationale behind those interventions. It really is helpful with the ADPIE process of nursing. It's really not a large books do it's easy to carry around and it's wonderfully organized--simple and to the point. It will really have you thinking about what you can do for our pts. I don't really have anything to compare it to because it's the only one I've used but I'm sure there are plenty of great texts available!