gardenmum

Oh how I needed this ... especially right now. Staff is leaving our unit and not being replaced,.. we're all very overwhelmed with taking on the extra hours, extra patients, etc., etc.... the moral is so low right now. I'm at my lowest each afternoon when I'm driving to work. Trying to convice myself I can handle yet another shift. Last week I had a 101 yr old gentleman admitted. He was miserable -- weak and painful. After several attempts at making him comfortable I warmed up some lotion and rubbed his back. I felt the tension release from him immediately. He expressed his thanks over and over before he fell to sleep for a few hours. I didn't have 10 minutes to spare to use the bathroom and definitely did not take lunch but the 15 or so minutes spent to give this elderly gentleman some peace and comfort will be with me for a long time. Thanks for this post ... I'm going to try to remember one special "pleasure" on my way to work. It'll lift my spirits at least for the moment :)

Thoc123, what you're feeling is perfectly normal no matter how much orientation you've received. I was in the very same position and was offered an extension if I wanted it. My preceptor, educator, and management felt I was ready but had no problem with me taking an extension. No one looks at me differently because of it. If you say no to the extension, you certainly cannot ask for more time later. However, if it offers you more comfort, then why not take it? I took just one week but that week felt like it made a world of difference to me. That's just my 2 cents for what it's worth. Once you're off orientation, you will never be alone. Be patient with yourself.

I've only had one person tell me they walked away from NCLEX feeling good. Can't count how many felt absolutely horrible afterwards. I was convinced I didn't pass. No one could convince me otherwise. I'd already replanned my future by the time I arrived home. We tend to focus on the questions we did not know and tune out those we did. You need to keep yourself busy while awaiting the results. There's a ton of ideas on this website of how to occupy your time while waiting. Once you have the "official" results you will take it from there. Above all, take care of yourself. Be proud of your accomplishments thus far and just know you are definitely not alone with your feelings and thoughts. OK?

I'm struggling with the very same thing. I work nights so I don't feel like I can wait to assess things till later in the shift because my patients are sleeping. Of course I'm usually back in there with 0000 meds and 0600 meds and am doing pain & IV checks regularly. I still feel like I'm rushing through my assessments and am afraid I'm going to miss something. The beginning of the shift continues to be a whirlwind and I cannot wait until I get some sort of system. Any suggestions from night shifters? I always try to pop in to say hello to my 5-6 patients as soon as I get report. Sometimes I assess them all then pass meds and sometimes I pass meds at the same time I'm assessing. Sometimes I get to my charting and notice something charted regarding skin that I didn't see then I go back in to check again ... LIke the original poster though, I feel like I'm taking too long and falling far behind when the shift is just beginning ...

You can sit for your boards anywhere. I took mine in a different state than I live or work, because the testing center was closer to me. You apply to the BON in the state you plan to work in. Your school should provide you with the information for applying to the BON, along with how to sign up at the testing center. Good luck!

Good luck Jessy and itmja! Tomorrow's your day. Remember to breathe!!!

Wow ... I just pulled up my results this morning at 7am and I passed!:monkeydance: I couldn't even talk about it after testing Monday. It shut off at 75 and I was 90% sure I failed it. I've never felt like that after a test ... even after taking LPN boards last year. This was awful. I was already replanning my life based on not passing! The feeling afterwards is absolutely unbelievable. I had a classmate tell me "there were only a couple questions I felt I didn't know". After my test I was thinking "there were only a couple questions I felt I did know"! I know we tend to only concentrate on the questions that took us by surprise but man -- I am drained. Thanks for all the support and thoughts. Reading that others are walking in the same shoes really does help.

Wow. "That test was impossible ..." are my sentiments exactly. I tested today also and feel totally defeated. Just know that this is how the majority of the testers feel when they are finished and we now just wait and pray.

I test Monday ... Oct. 1. :uhoh21: I have been studying for weeks now using Saunders, taking tests almost daily and reviewing every single rationale. My scores have improved dramatically and although I don't think I could ever say "I feel ready", I am going to stay positive. I do feel like I am doing everything I can to give it my best shot. Good luck to all of us!!

Thanks for your responses and good luck to both of you. I'll keep plugging away at these questions and reviewing each and every rationale.

Like lots of others ... I 've not posted a lot but this board has been a lifesaver for me many, many times. Knowing that so many others are going through and facing the same things is very comforting. I need advice ... I've been studying for NCLEX-RN nearly 4 weeks now. I received my ATT and set my date for the 1st of October. I am now starting to feel sick each time I think about it coming closer and closer. I'm afraid I will never be ready. Should I back it off??? What scores should I be getting when I take one of the 100+ question tests from Saunders CD-rom to feel confident? Or from any "practice" test for that matter? I am averaging around 70%. Is that high enough to pass NCLEX?? I had awesome grades while in school but these practice tests are kicking my butt. In school we did ATI testing and based on the results of our comprehensive final for ATI, I have a "higher than average" chance of passing NCLEX. I'm not sure how reliable that is, though. I just do not feel confident at all because of the 70%'s. I am spending hours upon hours testing and retesting and looking up every rationale for those I get wrong and right and making notes. I am just looking for some suggestions on what else I can do to increase my pre-scores and chances for success. One advantage is our class is a tiered program so last year I did sit successfully for the NCLEX-PN boards. That eliminates a lot of the stress that could be there had I not faced the experience before.

For my Leadership in Nursing class, I have to give a presentation to my clinical group on Religious and Spiritual Influences on Health Care. I am to give it from a leadership standpoint -- as if my peers were my co-workers. I've pulled up a lot of articles regarding spirituality and religion and the positive effects it has on clients. My main goal is to show "my staff" the importance of assessing the client's spiritual needs and trying to address them. I'll include the facts that the Joint Commission requires organizations to include a spiritual assessment as part of the overall assessment of a patient to determine how the patient's spiritual outlook can affect his/her care, treatment, and services. My questions to you are ... how does your hospital address your client's spiritual needs? How do you as a nurse meet those needs? Does your hospital stress the importance of this? I appreciate ANY help or advice. This subject is very interesting but I am horrible at oral presentations and I just don't know how to approach it. Especially from a "leadership" standpoint! Thank you!

We also were given plenty of time in lab to first use the injection pads, then "dummies", then our lab partner. First intradermal, then subQ, then IM. Most are as scared to give the first shot as they are to receive it from their classmate! I'm really glad we had this opportunity on a "real" person because it's amazing but you don't see a lot of injections in the clinical areas. Once you've actually "mapped out" your site on a real person (yep -- we're even taught to map out the ventrogluteal areas on each other), most feel a lot more confident in the clinical setting when attempting to get the "right" spot. (Our labs are small (9-10 people) and we get to know each other quite well.)

You are all so full of excellent advice and support. Exactly what I need. Thanks so much -- I just love this site!

Nursing Role Transitions and Human Physiology. A very light semester since I took the other classes early. Whew.

We just graduated last night as LPN's. :balloons: Woo hoo! I'm in a laddered program so we now have one week off then start right into the RN program. Some are stopping at LPN and some are going on. We just have to pass the LPN NCLEX during our 1st semester which means by the end of December. Here's what has me stressed. Of course I just finished a very tough LPN program -- three semesters back to back. I passed with very good grades. I have faith in myself with the NCLEX. So I feel like I'm very "booksmart". But I don't feel like I'm clinically prepared. I've never worked in healthcare before. I absolutely loved our clinical time and felt very comfortable -- but of course you have an instructor by your side :) I want more hands on experience and now have the opportunity to work weekends or whatever as an LPN as I finish up my RN program over the next year. I know that patient contact is what I need for my self confidence as a licensed professional. I would love to work in one of the local nursing homes but I feel really strange going in off the street as an LPN when I've never worked as an aide. We did a semester of clinicals at a nursing home but that's it. Has anyone else been in this position and how did it work out? I really wish I had had the opportunity to start as a CNA. I would be so much more comfortable. Maybe this is just a normal feeling --- "am I really ready for this????"

LPN student here-- getting ready to be pinned on 8/17 then one week off and on to the RN program. We're a laddered school so we can either stop at LPN or go on if we can test in. We have class this week and next -- just a total of 4 days (Mon & Tues are clinicals), and we're looking at a total of 9 final exams and 2 quizzes!!! I cannot even think past that to state boards. I keep reminding myself many, many, many have done it before me and I can do the same. Whew -- what a hectic schedule. Breathe, breathe, breathe...

Thanks emtb2rn and RNsRWe for the responses. Seeing what others are using to stay organized helps so much.

Does anyone have assessment sheets that they use for multiple patients that I could look at? We're beginning to get at least 2 patients now -- which is great but I'm having problems coming up with a form that helps me organize the info on both patients. Please let me know what works for you as far as keeping all the info straight and organized ... thanks!

I smoked for 21 yrs and quit 5 years ago (after quitting at least 5 different times). I tried cold turkey, gum and patches. What worked for me is called Herbal Smoke Away which is like a vitamin. Said it eliminated all cravings and would not cause weight gain. I am so sure it is just a bunch of herbs and vitamins but you know what? It worked the 1st day I started taking it. It takes determination, will power, lots of self-talk, and a reminder every single moment why you want to quit. It is seriously the single hardest thing I have ever done but I tell you what -- I felt so good within days of quitting. Just remember that it is an addiction -- both physically and mentally. When you're a smoker, your cigarettes are like your friends. They're there when you're down, when you're having a good time, they're there no matter what. Giving them up is a major life change. Just be determined and don't give up on quitting.