medic981 ADN, RN, EMT-P

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome has been around for many, many years. Healthcare practitioners didn't make the connection until marijuana became legalized in many states and patients began reporting marijuana use. I see CHS almost daily in the ED (...

My first nursing job out of school was in the ICU. I had the opportunity to shadow for a day prior to accepting the job offer. Shadowing is your opportunity to determine if the position is what you are looking for, how the unit works, and how well th...

As long as I know that I have maintained control of the hub after scrubbing it, then no, I do not scrub it after each medication. If there is a doubt in my mind that the hub touched something then I go ahead and scrub the hub for again for 15 seconds...

Your best course of action is to consult an employment attorney who knows the specific state law for your state and your situation.

An arrest is not the act of going to jail, an arrest is an act of being detained by the police. If you do not have the free will to go about your business and the police are keeping you from leaving, you are by definition "under arrest." Ultimately, ...

My first position out of nursing school was an hour and a half commute so I understand where you are coming from. My caution to you is that hospitals are more and more becoming part of health systems. Do not burn your bridges. A classmate of mine w...

In short, I believe you should work at least one year at any place you get hired unless you were promised things that didn't materialize. As stated previously, you don't want to have to overcome a short work history with your next employer. However, ...

I agree with the previous comments. Your board of nursing is the first place I would seek guidance from to ensure that you are able to obtain licensure once you have graduated. You stated "I never got arrested, just had to pay a fine." Does this mea...

My hospital requires all bedside professionals to have their hair above the collar. That said, do all nurses comply? No. Keep in mind, if you are performing wound care, caring for a combative or disoriented patient, placing a foley, starting an IV, e...

College Algebra was much more difficult and time-consuming than dose calculation math. I agree with everyone who posted previously. Dose calculation math is an absolute must to master. All I can suggest to the OP is practice makes perfect. I always l...

Bills, bills, and more bills.

Seriously?

Congratulations!!!

Congratulations!!!

I used UWorld and passed the NCLEX in 75 questions.

Neogirl has a good point! Your boyfriend and family will drive you crazy when you are in nursing school. What are you going to do when you start nursing school? Classes, clinicals, studying, care plans, and so on... When I was going to nursing sch...

As a second year nursing student you are supposed to be scared. Scared keeps you on your toes, makes you hyper-aware unless you are debilitated to the point of inaction. My experience as a paramedic was invaluable when it came to giving the hands-on ...

I just graduated in June, and our program taught IV cannulation and foley placement. I had two opportunities to start an IV, which I gave to classmates as I am already skilled at IV starts. I was able to change a suprapubic Foley catheter during my c...

Hmmm... "literally the biggest waste of time"? I graduated from nursing school June 10, and I hated every care plan that had to write. Yet, my fellow classmates and I who made an effort and worked on completing accurate care plans are the ones who pa...

Texas is a Compact Nursing License state. Perhaps you can go to another compact state and petition the BON to obtain an authorization to test so that you can take the NCLEX.

Kaytee, The Test of Essential Academic Skills or TEAS is a test administered by ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute). ATI publishes a study guide to assist nursing student applicants in obtaining a better score on the TEAS. I believe ATI is updat...

TNCC is a certification that is good for four years and means you met the minimum competencies to pass the course. After a year or two of experience in the ED and you want to make emergency nursing your career, your next step will be to take your boa...

I was in the same position as you after graduation. While waiting to take the NCLEX I placed applications for jobs that I was interested in. As others have already said, employers are not interested in interviewing a new grad until you have a license...

While in nursing school, I was fortunate to have amazing CNAs to work with. I learned so many tricks of the trade from working with CNAs while learning Nursing Fundamental ADLs. That being said, find a CNA who is competent and more importantly, likes...

Seriously... ? Wow, do you treat the patient or the instruments and tools used to assess a patient? The reason "treat the patient and not the monitor" axiom evolved is that providers were making poor treatment decisions based on what they saw on the ...