BlueDawnRN

I've seen lazy nurses and lazy CNAs. I've worked in other professions before nursing and there were lazy people there, too. I love our aides and do as much as possible to help them. I respect them a lot and they respect me. We help each other out. That being said, CNAs don't necessarily see how much more there is to nursing than direct care. We also have to coordinate care and chart promptly. You can see how hard the CNA is working, but you can't see the nurse thinking. Nobody should be goofing off or internet shopping at work. We have to work together.

I clock in at 7:53 and have 7 minutes to write down the basic info on my patients (name, age/DOB, diagnosis, pertinent PMH, when the best med is due, etc). After I get report I go directly to my patients to take their vitals, check their drips, and do an assessment. When my assessments are done, before night meds, I take a better look at their EMR. Overnight when I have more time, I look at their chart in more depth, reading all the reports and what not.

Peri care does not change when a woman is menstrating. The sterile field is not compromised. First of all, blood should not have bacteria in it. Secondly, it takes minutes to insert a catheter and hours for blood to seep out. The sanitary pad has an adhesive on the back that allows it to stick to the woman's underwear. If the patient is able to do this herself, you need only to get her pads from the supply room. Please don't audio record at work/clinical, as this is a crime. Doing so will get you kicked out of nursing school or cause you to lose your license.

Same here. I was so set on breastfeeding but much like OP we had to supplement due to weight loss. Weighted feeds with the lactation consultant showed she was only getting 0.5 ounce per feed. I ended up with PND due to my incredible sense of failure at not being able to exclusively breastfeed. We put way too much pressure on women to exclusively breastfeed. Fed is best.

I eat when I come in from work because I'm hungry. Also eat right before work because I don't know when I'll eat again. And snack periodically at work. I try to eat clean and eat whole foods whenever possible. So it doesn't matter when I have what meal, as long as I eat.

Based on your last two responses it sounds like the PCU might be more in line with your career goals unless the commute is an issue.

Based on your last two responses it sounds like the PCU might be more in line with your career goals unless the commute is an issue.

Congrats on the two job offers! That is awesome! I think the reason you have so many views and no responses until now is that it's hard to tell from your post what your career goals are. If you're really interested in oncology, even pediatric oncology, then of course it would make sense to take the oncology job. If you want to move into critical care one day then the tele job would give you a better foundation. Just because movement within the organization wasn't discussed doesn't mean it's not possible. There's also more to consider like the driving distance, which could be a big deal for some people but not others. Personally I wouldn't want to drive more than 30 mins to work but some of my co-workers drive an hour and don't mind. You also know the feeling you got from the different managers and the different hospitals. This is somewhere you will be spending 40+ hours a week so it might be good to go with your gut. I find it helpful to make a pros and cons list for each of the two options. Makes it easier to see which way your heart is leaning. Maybe have a family member or friend takes a look at your lists because sometimes it's easier for someone else to see it. Best of luck!

Time management, good study habits, and support from your loved ones are what you will need. I did well in school while working part time, helping to manage a household, maintaining a healthy marriage and working out most days. I didn't see friends much, didn't read for pleasure and pushed hobbies aside for a bit but it was all doable. It was difficult but fun and I made friends that I will have for life.

I just wanted to let you know that I really respect my manager even though it seems the majority of my co-workers do not, and that I'm sure there are employees on your floor that respect you as well. I stay out of the gossip and basically keep my mouth shut, smile and nod. Your job is incredibly hard. I would never want to do it. It's a never ending 24 hour job and you have to somehow advocate for your employees while also bowing to the administration. You have to deal with everything from staffing to policies to difficult families and still keep a smile on your face. I just wanted to say thank you and assure you that not everyone hates you.

Exactly. The test determines how well you can take a standardized test and that's about it. 90% of what I know I learned on the job. Congratulations!!

It is possible. People have done it. One of my nursing colleagues worked full time and raised 3 kids as a single mom while in nursing school, and one of my nursing instructors worked full time while in school too. For them it was a financial need that drove them. Nursing job = being able to put food on the table, so they had no other choice. It will be hard but it can be done. You'll have to sacrifice time with family and friends, workouts and other hobbies. You'll have to be creative. I used to record lectures or record myself reading my notes, and listen to it to and from work or while exercising, and I had med cards taped to the kitchen wall to study while I prepared meals. I only worked part time though, no kids at the time, and it was still stressful and basically took over my life. These evening/weekend classes, are they pre-requisites? If so you'll have to figure out what you'll do for actual nursing school. Most classes are during the day. There will be long clinicals too. Maybe look into what your schedule would be like and how you'll have to fit in work. You sound really hard working and driven. It's great that you want to help others. Nursing is good for helping others but know you won't always feel like you're doing so. For example, I easily spend half my shift charting so the hospital can be reimbursed, and there are always difficult patients and families. But overall I'm very proud to be a nurse and am glad I chose this profession (also my second profession). Best of luck to you!

Something similar happened to me. Got jury duty while I was in nursing school and I requested hardship, and sent a copy of my student ID, class schedule and work ID. You could send a copy of your work ID and copy of acceptance letter into the new grad program. Hopefully they accept your postponement. I doubt you'll have a problem.

That's great. I was just stating the requirements for float nurses at my hospital but I see it's not the same everywhere. It looks like it's a position for new grads and as long as they have good training I'm sure it's fine.

I was the one who made the first post about float nurses at my hospital needing critical care experience. If the position is for new grads then yes go for it! They probably won't be floating you to the ICU. Just make sure they have adequate training for you. Was just saying the requirements for float at my hospital but I see it's not the same everywhere.

At my hospital you need critical care experience in order to be a float nurse. They can float you anywhere: ER, ICU, tele, and you have to have had experience in all types of floors. I'm not sure how it works in your hospital. In my experience new grads aren't even allowed to be pulled to another similar floor until they've had at least 6 months on their own floor. The float nurses I know are among the best nurses in the hospital and they've had to work a while to get to that point. It's a great goal to have though. I hear the pay is great. I'm sure your LPN experience will help you go far as an RN. Best of luck.

I just wanted to tell you that you're not alone. I had my heart set on exclusively breastfeeding but the baby was losing a ton of weight and crying nonstop. I did a weighted feed with a lactation consultant and found out she was only getting less than a half an ounce per feeding, and I was only pumping drops even with a hospital grade pump! It was awful. I started taking supplements and pumping after feedings with the hospital pump and now about she's about half breastfed and half formula fed (with a supplemental nursing system since she started preferring the bottle, another hurdle) and I can now pump 1.5 ounces per pumping session at work. I never expected to have this problem since the class I went to and all the books say anyone can breastfeed and almost everyone can make more than enough. Meanwhile all my friends make enough milk to feed both our kids with some left over! Anyway she's content now and back on the growth chart. So yes I know what it's like to give your blood sweat and tears for every drop.

Thank you to everyone who replied. I had the baby, I'm back at work and I am pumping. Many of you suggested I get the Medela pump in style which is what I have, and my insurance supplied it. If I have time for a full lunch break I use the hospital grade pump located on another floor. If not I take two 10-minute breaks and use my own pump. It's hard but possible. The Medela cooler pack and quick clean wipes make life a lot easier. My co-workers are generally supportive. Thanks again!

My thoughts exactly. A lot of these people will be laid off when things get bad (and they will), but we have skills that will always be needed. Also, a lot of these high income owners have a ton of debt. If you live a modest lifestyle with a modest income and have less debt than someone who makes more but is paying a big mortgage and has multiple car payments, you're actually richer. Lastly, these jobs are often around the clock jobs, even if they get holidays off. I don't want to worry about setting up meetings with clients when I'd rather be having dinner with my family. I love knowing that when I clock out, I'm done.

None of this is your fault. It's not your fault that you didn't know the MD wanted you to call back with results, and not your fault the patient was septic. The patient would have been sent out either way. You did the best you could and the patient is getting the care s/he needs. Yes I've made lots of mistakes, some big and some small. We've all made them and we all know what it's like to come home feeling like crud and doubting our ability to go on. I find that it's rarely one person's fault when a mistake is made. It can always be traced back. Did they cover in orientation the protocol for communicating test results to the MD? Doesn't sound like they did. Did the doc ask you to call back with the results? Nope. You were monitoring the patient. Septic patients can go downhill suddenly and fast. Next time a patient is septic, you might be the first to recognize it.

When I was a patient the nurses said they loved having me. Probably because I never hit the call bell and didn't whine about anything.

Oh wow some nurses carry around a lot. I just have a pen (which the floor provided) a pair of scissors and a dry erase marker (also took from the floor) because we have hourly rounding, as well as a stethoscope. I have EKG calipers because work in tele. I don't even have an extra pair of scrubs because if someone pukes on me I just take from the OR! If you want to bring an extra pair it may be better to leave it in your trunk rather than crowding up your locker. Some people have those clip boards that you can store stuff in and toss their things in there. Maybe just wait until you start and see what you need?

I plan to go back to work when my baby (not born yet) is almost 3 months old but will only be able to "get away" for 10-15 minute increments to pump, twice per shift. I work 12 hour nights and will work 2 shifts per week. I'm wondering what would be the most efficient way to accomplish this, particularly whether I should use a manual or electric pump. I know I can get more milk in a shorter time with an electric, but also feel a manual may be more effective because there's less set-up time and will eliminate the need to find a private place with an outlet. I know what the laws are, but realistically I will not be able to take care of my patients if I leave the floor for more than 15 minutes. I've been working on this unit for 2 years and I know this will not change when I have the baby. There's a pumping room but it's not on my floor and wouldn't be feasible for me to get to. Thanks a lot. Just wondering what has worked for other busy nurses who needed to pump quickly.

I have a BA in Dance Choreography and went back to school to be a nurse. I have a close family member who worked for years as a photographer and is now a nurse and is doing really well. Neither of us felt a "calling" for nursing, but made the switch based off of need as well as the desire to do meaningful work. There's no reason why you wouldn't do well as a nurse. It's good that you were able to shadow your friend and see the not-so-fun tasks such as charting. There are many tasks we have to do that seem to just satisfy the requirements of the Joint Commission, etc. and seem to do little for the patient. When you're in a "creative" career, you have more independence than you have when you work for an institution such as a hospital. You have to follow rules and policies, and even if you can think of a more efficient way to do something your voice often is not heard or won't travel far. For example, there is a lot of redundant charting that we just kind of deal with since we know they're not going to change it anytime soon. But you also have a lot of opportunity to be creative as a nurse. There's not always a clear-cut solution to a problem, and there's always a sense of pride and satisfaction when you figure out what is wrong with a patient, or how to reduce their pain or anxiety. You're dealing with people, so every day is different. Sometimes interacting with patients can be very stressful but other times it's rewarding. I also never had experience caring for anyone elderly or ill before I became a nurse. I went into nursing school basically knowing nothing. I had no idea what caused diabetes, for example, or what normal blood pressure is. I didn't know the names of basic over the counter meds. Once I was in clinical and my instructor used the word "carcinogen" and I had to ask her what that word meant and she couldn't believe I had never heard that word before. But nevertheless I graduated near the top of my class. You study and you learn. I don't think prior experience has anything to do with whether you'll be a good nurse. If you're going to go into nursing school and pursue nursing as a career, you definitely want to make sure your depression and anxiety is under control. School is stressful and I think about half my class dropped out, but only because they were not dedicated. If you're used to getting A's you'll likely be getting B's and C's and that is fine. The first year of nursing career is tough and there will be times when you will doubt yourself but it's something everyone goes through. There are times when my patients were harmed, or got sicker, or even died and I wondered what I could have done to prevent it but you have to learn to pick yourself back up and let it go. There are some upsetting experiences I've had that I'll remember forever even though I've learned to move on. As long as you're up to date with treatment and have a good support system you'll be fine. Nursing provides a great opportunity to interact with people and help people. However often you're so busy taking care of so many patients, it can be really hard to do what you became a nurse for. You will also get patients and family members who are very demanding, who talk down to you, who are combative, etc., but then you'll have good experiences with patients too. I feel like the fast pace of nursing has changed me in a lot of ways. I can see myself switching to hospice or home care one day so I can have that one-on-one connection with patients that I had hoped for. I think the best thing about nursing is knowing you have a great skill set that is useful and important. When you tell people you're a registered nurse, people really respect that. I went into it mostly because I needed a better job in order to raise a family, and I wanted to do so in a career where I could help others, and nursing satisfied both. The pay is great, the benefits are also great, and the scheduling is flexible. If you don't like an area of nursing, there are tons of others areas of nursing you can switch to. I think once you get through school, get some time under your belt and find your niche you could really enjoy it. So yes I've found success as a nurse even though I started off as a dancer. Let me know if you have any questions and best of luck.

I'm also 5'2'' and 112 lbs. The only scrubs I wear are Grey's Atatomy junior fit in XS.