StephRNBSN

I would be paranoid about the possibility of fluid overload. If it were me I would have gotten an order to give Lasix.

I have worked as an med/surg RN for just exactly a year now. So far I love it and I am learning new things day by day. I really don't know of anywhere else that I would work at.

I believe that you will do just fine. Nursing IS stressful, and at times you will look the part. If you are confident in your skills the patient will see that, they won't care what you look like. If the patient feels that their life is in good hands then it won't matter if you look stressed. See if you can take a 15 minute break, that may help you out a lot.

you should try the kaplan review course. it does cost quite a bit, but it is well worth it. a lot of people have had good luck with it.

yes, i do actually yell out diagnosis and watch for things that are done wrong. for example: (on er) the md was putting in a central line and the nurs that was assisting him was grabbing things off the sterile field, handing objects to him....without being sterile herself. all that does bother me, but then again it is always a tv show. in fact, i have made a few of my friends mad when i let them in on the fact about how in real life we don't shock a flatliner.

It is natural to be scared to death in nursing school. And to tell you the truth, when I go to work I am a little bit uneasy...but that just makes me more concise with my assessments and everything else I do in a days work. If you are not scared just a little bit...something is wrong with you!!! You are dealing with people and saving their lives...trust me being scared and uneasy and natural but good also.

i know just how you feel. i have failed the dreaded boards also. after i had failed it twice without having gone to a review course, i decided to take the online kaplan review course. it does cost a chunk of change, but well worth it. when i went to take it the third time i was calm, cool and collective. not like the other two times when i felt my bp sky rocket and i almost passed out. after that third time, i came out of that computer room feeling pretty good about it and i did pass. oh and another thing...the nclex is textbook and not the real world. i hope that this helped you. good luck.