schrutefarms

I didn't explain that correctly, sorry. I mean like two running on the same line from the same infusion pump.

Hello, all. I'm currently a nursing student and feel silly for not knowing a lot about IVs. I've noticed that some pt's will have two or more drugs running into the same IV access point. Let me ask my questions via an example. Say you have a pt who has NS running at 100 cc/hr in the left antecubital. You get a new order for an antibiotic. What determines whether or not you need to start a new IV site? I imagine it has something to do with what drug is ordered...does it also have to do with how fast the infusion is going to be? I just get confused. It doesn't seem logical to run NS and antibiotics at the same rate when they're serving completely different purposes..but I've seen them run together plenty of times. Thank you SO much for taking the time to answer, if you do! :)

Thank you all so much for your replies. And the local hospitals do tend to hire ADN's...my friend who just graduated from the CC I would go to had 3 job offers when she graduated.

Whenever possible, draw and redraw models or diagrams. Recreating concepts on a blank page from scratch is a great way to remember information. Or maybe even bullet point things from scratch.

Online is the way to go. If you're willing to take it from a different college, my community college has some online courses I could recommend.

Right. I didn't mean to offend anyone. I was mostly just throwing it out there to get some guys to potentially throw in their perspective on the nursing field. It's just that nursing is obviously a female-dominated field and I know there are some difficulties (or adjustments) men might have to overcome to have a good experience with a career in nursing.

Ah, I see how this works not. Thanks.

Thanks for this...I'll look into answering these questions tomorrow when I have more time to really think about them.

I suppose I phrased that poorly. What I mean to say is I like to be successful in what I do...and for me to feel successful and work hard for something I like to know that I'm working towards something that makes sense. Thanks for being so tactful in your response lol

Hey, man. I'm also thinking about pursing a career in nursing. For the longest time I was sure I wanted to do either PA or med school, but I've since changed my mind. I think I would enjoy the direct patient care aspect more so than the diagnosis/prescription writing aspect of the medical field. I also LOVE the idea of having a number of different paths to take for grad studies. Whether it be psychiatric NP, family medicine NP, Emergency NP, CRNA, or any other of the massive variety of specialities, I know there are so many options that it seems inevitable for people to find their niche. Let me know what you decide to do, as I'm curious. I actually already did two years at a community college and am taking a year off to shadow and decide what path I want to take. Good luck with your decision.

So I'm a prospective male nurse who is looking for some advice... So here's my two options: 1: Go to a local community college and get my associates degree in nursing. The most important thing to note here is that one of my parents is a professor at this college, so my tuition would be FREE. Then try to find a job as an RN for an employer who will pay for me to get my BSN. This would make it so I have $0.00 in student loans. 2: Go straight to a 4-year college and get my BSN. Accrue student loans. Now, I think it's important to tell you guys my ultimate career goals too. I want to go beyond a bachelors in some capacity. Probably either a family or psychiatric NP. Thank so much for your replies! -Dan

Hello all! I'm a 20 year old male who is contemplating a nursing career. I previously did two years at my local community college and got an associates degree in mathematics and science. My previous career goal was to become a PA, but I'm having second thoughts. There are two reasons why nursing has started to appeal to me more so than a PA... 1- I think I like the idea of direct patient care rather than a diagnosis/prescription-writing position. It GENUINELY makes me happy to make other people feel comfortable and at ease with their situation. 2- There is such a wide range of directions I could go. I could be an RN in any particular field or I could go on for a graduate degree of some sort. I've been looking into Psychiatric NP and that job seems very, very appealing to me at first glance. 3- Okay...I lied. Three reasons. My dad teaches at our local community college and it would be tuition free for me to get an ASN. This community college nursing program is notoriously difficult...but in a good way. It has a +50% drop-out rate but about a 95% first-time NCLEX passage rate. My next step would ideally get my tuition paid for to further my studies by an employer. NOW. Here are my concerns: 1- I am a very, very empathetic person. Now don't get me wrong-- I know this is important for nursing. But I'm hoping it won't be my downfall as I physically feel different when I see people in pain. I get a weird feeling...almost painful...when other people are in excessive pain. I think this is either a good or bad thing...I'm not sure which. 2- I don't know if I can mentally do all the tasks a nurse is required to do. I get a bit squeamish at the notion of sticking a cath in someone's member or suctioning out a phlegmy trach. I've heard this is not dissimilar to many nurses' feeling early-on and you eventually get used to it. So...all that being said...do you think nursing is for me? I do think I'm an intelligent person, but I need to be absolutely certain that I'm working towards something I'll enjoy as a career in order to be successful. Thank you so, so much for your anticipated replies. Best wishes... -Dan