katie115

Social work is absolutely involved and following up on their case. The parents didn't have inappropriate bonding, they just lacked adequate transportation to get to their baby after mom was discharged (not uncommon, I work in a widely low-income area). Frankly, I think they just weren't prepared food-wise for their first night home! I plan on talking to my manager on Monday and explaining the situation to her. Thanks again for everyone's insight!

I am a new nurse in the NICU, and I'm just trying to decipher whether or not I made the right call. I had a patient being discharged to absentee teen parents. They had difficulty obtaining a car seat, didn't have adequate transportation, and so on. Because the parents didn't bond in the NICU with their baby, they had no idea what to do or how to prepare for homecoming. Anyway, the patient was supposed to be discharged at 0900, but when I came onto shift at 1900, nothing had been done because the parents had not come to the bedside. When I finally discharge them at 2230, I find out that they have no formula for the baby. When I asked them what the plan was, the mom stated she was planning on going to WIC in the morning for formula. The baby has to eat at night, right?! So I decided to give them formula to last overnight and she promised to go to WIC first thing the morning. Now, this was probably a horrible idea in hindsight because that puts my facility at a very real risk of losing their baby-friendly status. Maybe I should have involved social work (sometimes on call at night)? My charge nurse was in an assignment and also helping with admissions, and I just didn't think to involve her in something with a 'simple' solution. Additionally, because this was such a prolonged discharge, I was feeling pressure to 'get it done' and accept a new baby transitioning from Level III to Level II status, and the housekeeper was only available to clean until 2300. I plan on talking to my manager, who is aware of the situation, but I guess I'm just looking for any sort of reassurance because I do know I was wrong (by the books), but I can't help but feel like I did what was best for the patient--what would you have done? Thanks for your feedback.

One of my nursing instructors grew tired of the ED where she worked for 25 years and went back to school to become a licensed MFT. Maybe look into graduate programs for counseling? That'd probably be your best bet. Good luck!

Hey, I remember when I was in high school and I had the same inclination towards healthcare as you (I wanted to be a registered nurse from the get-go). I volunteered in direct patient care, did a senior project with a nurse practitioner, took several AP classes, and ended up in an AWESOME community college nursing program. Your best bet is to focus on short-term goals for now, and then find your spot in nursing school. You'll get some experience from volunteering but trust me, the nursing process is NOT something you can be proficient at overnight... even experienced nurses are working on it every day! Little building blocks will help you find your spot and reach your potential. Best of luck!

Hi! I'm planning on starting the RN-BSN program in January 2015. Has anyone had problems or pushback with transferring credits? I am taking 9 GE credits this semester at a local community college to cut back on price (Nutrition, Philosophy, and Macro Economics). Thanks!

You're getting great advice in this thread! Whenever I had to manage anxiety in clinical (because I forced myself to get thrown into uncomfortable situations) I would do measured, counted breaths (inhale [2...3...4...] hold [2...3...4...] exhale [2...3...4...]) this is a proven technique used by the military and police! You'll also learn in nursing school that the 3 pumps in your body are your heart and two legs. So pump those legs to get the blood flowing! Squeeeeeeze those quads and tighten 'em up, hold, and release! You're gonna do great and you'll get more used to procedures. Best of luck to you! :)

OP, this is the advice you need. Perfectly appropriate and professional. If this doesn't work, maybe approach your manager.

Congratulations! I am going to seek licensure by endorsement in Florida after receiving my California license. Best of luck in your nursing career! :)

Have you tried searching with "Indeed"? They show jobs available in all areas of the country and that may yield you better results. I know there are jobs in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, and Idaho for new grads... but you might find other places using a search engine! We are in the same boat this year, good luck on your job search! :)

Speaking as a California new grad, I know how hard the job market is around here. I see new nurses ALL THE TIME act like this, and it's totally unacceptable. It boggles my mind why people would throw away an employment opportunity! This also gives us bad names as new grads! Like some people said above me, he'll have a day when he needs help and the CNAs/RNs will conveniently be busy--hopefully not on your unit! I would absolutely report this to your manager; have him put his big boy pants on and deal with it... he seems to be above it all anyway!

I did micro first in a 6 week summer course (that was super difficult!) and then followed it with anatomy and physiology together (separate courses) in the following fall semester. I completed them all with A's and B's and was able to apply in January 2013 for nursing school. Micro was fine because I did have basic knowledge of biology, like some posters said above. I would suggest reviewing briefly (Kreb's cycle, mitosis/meiosis, etc.) before diving in, because it can get tricky. Good luck!

I am currently studying for my NCLEX using Kaplan's review book. I think the most important thing to know is what kind of learner you are! I'm a visual learner, so if I can see what the question is asking, I can eliminate some of the answers. Just remember that the test is designed to certify that you can give safe care... so choose an answer that doesn't harm the patient! You can do this! Hopefully we'll be posting our NCLEX success stories around the same time in a couple of months :)

Thanks for your help! I visited the area about 5 months ago and it was a cute little town. I'm thinking I'd have the most luck applying to Baptist or West Florida since Sacred Heart does employ mostly BSN (although I'm beginning a program in January 2016) but that doesn't mean I won't try!

Counselors have been the bane of my existence throughout high school and college. So many times I was told 'no' by those people and doubted heavily by them when I decided (at the ripe age of 16) to become a Registered Nurse. And here I am, ready to graduate from an ADN program in just a week. I wonder how many potential great nurses they have turned away because of their negativity! If the passion is there, you will succeed (and you did)! Best of luck to you in your career! :)

Oh my gosh, congratulations! I have a love for women's health and just reading your post made me very excited! If I learned anything from my preceptorship, it is to really apply all of your nursing process skills during this experience. Those will transfer anywhere you work! I hope you have had nothing but a wonderful experience! Good luck in your future career in women's health :)

I was a patient once and what I remember is the emotional experience of the hospitalization. I was scared, everything hurt, and I didn't feel good at all. But the nurses who took care of me were happy, talkative people with a lovely bedside manner. You can learn all the science-y things you want about nursing, but there is a certain art that really helps make the experience a lot better. You sound like you're doing the right things. As long as you're safe, you don't have to worry! :)

Wow, what is with some of your replies? I'm not going to decorate anything on my mortar board, but if it's not a big deal, why are we complaining? Who cares! If you're hyper-focused on someone's mortar board, I think you need to re-focus into something that actually matters.

I don't think nursing school is anything like the pre-requisites. Those pre-reqs teach you the basics to solve the problem in nursing school, just like building blocks If you put your mind to it, you can push through. You just have to know yourself and your limits and work around them. Good luck!

Congratulations, RN! Taking my test this summer, hoping to have similar success!

Halfway through preceptorship now, graduating on the 27th! Congratulations

Hi! Longtime lurker, first time poster :) I'm graduating from an ADN program at the end of this month and moving to Pensacola, FL from California. I'll be testing for my NCLEX here in California and moving in November. My fiancé is in the military and I'm interested in making contacts so I can (hopefully) make this transition go by a little more smoothly. Does anyone know anything about new grad programs in the area? What do the contracts look like, if there are any? I'm really open to any type of nursing, but I just have no idea where to begin my job search. Would it be tacky to call the floors and speak with the unit managers? Any and all help is welcome. Thanks!