trhumper

Thanks for the replies everyone! Fitness is very important to me thus eating would be too. I would be leery carrying foods in my pockets in case of body fluids/BM getting all over me lol. I do especially like the idea of smoothies and celery and PB though. I didn't know there was a fridge for the nursing staff! That lowers my fears of starving to death on shift by a million %! Im guessing if there is a fridge there is a microwave to accompany it in the RN break room ? That'd be ideal for prepping meals! Perhaps I was over examining these things

First and Foremost: I love food...steaks, chicken, green veggies, beans, yogurt, steaks lol. I was just curious what you guys do to stay healthy. I am big into fitness, not a muscle head but I enjoy staying in great shape. Without getting into any crazy "Bro Science" about nutrient timing and glycogen stores and expenditures, etc etc etc; how do you manage working a 12 hour shift without eating/resting? I get it. Coffee (diuretic) is a necessity, but so is food/water. With the lack of sleep, possible night shift, constant running between patients, and of course constant introduction to bacteria and viruses, a well fed/hydrated body, to me, would be of the utmost importance to maintaining a physically/mentally stable RN/BSN....(Is this why I read of so many people crying in their posts after a long day?) I'm a small guy, 5'7" 180 lbs of lean mass, who needs to eat proteins and delicious fibers constantly to keep me doing whatever it happens to be, that I'm doing. I worry that in being a nurse I would not be able to keep up this lifestyle. When do you get to eat on shift? I guess this question would be more so focused towards floor care RN's, seeing as how their patient load is much heavier than other areas of the hospital/. Thoughts/Complaints/Suggestions??

I know I'm not even close to that day. I dread it none the less, when I lose a child patient. Hopefully my training will be strong enough to where I can prevent such a loss. I know you can't save them all but I can dang well try! Don't apologize Grumpy, I like the insight. The only true insight I have is from this forum. I am hoping to contact the DON at my local hospital tomorrow to set up an orientation to shadow an RN. Here's to hoping!

OldPhatMC - I actually did not think of that. I could understand that being a good way to test my strengths and weaknesses. I cannot wait to get a much more in depth relationship with my pt's. As I mentioned before, the only experience I have is that one clinical but it seemed to me that the RN's had much more interaction with their pt's, as well as having many more than the RT's. That may have been due to the size of the hospital though And yes all my RT student friends were sad to see me go. The training is quite thorough I must say! windsurfer8 - Ahahaha! Dictionary . com defines druggie as a habitual user of drugs, especially a narcotic or illicit drug. The PT's I referred to were indeed frequent flyers with same dx. I'm assuming you had the presupposition that it was used in a negative connotation? Judging people's usage of words is not a way to reply. I'm not sure where you read I judged them or lacked kindness or respect due to their extensive drug usage. Lol. Maybe another presupposition? Also I did not stop the doc from administering Naloxone cycles IV, therefore I had the PT's best interest in mind. Perhaps reread the initial post and try replying again with your true feelings next time?

Grumpy and Jrhemming thanks for the replies! I think I am more than capable to do the recommended. And I agree with both of you when it comes to childcare and losing them. While on clinicals I had a young pt (2 or 3) who needed breathing treatments and IV set up, I began administering her treatment which was freaking her out and raising her hr of course making it worse. I had to strap her mask on and hold her down with all my strength while the nurse started her iv. The child was so scared! That really tugged on my heart strings but we got her stable once she could breath again on her own and her mom was there in the er with her. These are the reasons I'm pursuing nursing, saving a life...it's a beautiful thing to be a part of

Thank you all for your replies & PMs! It's always nice to hear from a fellow service member! I do appreciate the information and with this advice and whatnot I think I will continue to pursue my ADN. I need two more semesters of pre-reqs, which will take a while, but also leaves me plenty of time for studying the NCLEX. I wish my classes from the trade school I was attending carried over, in the very least A&P. ( Mine didn't have labs ). Pharm was great but pretty much only focused on RT drugs. I will continue reading and learning from this website! Thanks everyone! :)

heidi94 thanks for the response. To elaborate when I said I was ready to do my rounds I was mentally ready for it. I did not show my PT's family members this, instead I told them I was sorry and stayed there with the family listening to their fondest memories of the PT until they moved the deceased PT out. I feel as though my listening to them share their intimate memories of the PT was comforting in itself and taking care of their needs as the bereaved :)

Hello men! Names Kevin. 1st time poster. Have a question for you current RN's who proudly uphold the Y chromosome. I am an Army prior service combat veteran/adrenaline junkie. I was an RT student doing my 1st rotation of clinicals in the ER of a hospital. It was a slow night with few customers outside of the usual druggie wanting their fix, or druggie taking so much we needed to give them a blast of life intravenously. We got a PT who had reached her time to go in the ER, had to revive her once. Basically at that point she was barely responsive, family members were inside watching and waiting for her last breath to be taken. I was at the head of the bed with ambu delivery when needed, no intubation...not enough time. Needless to say she passed. The family was crying, RN's hugging & crying as well. Me, I was ready to go do my rounds of breathing treatments before I got to work on the next PT in the ER. ( This isn't me trying to sound like I'm a total jerk, or heartless or whatever. I'm solely being honest so I can get your opinions on whether or not I should pursue nursing ). The RT I was shadowing was suprised at how non-chalont, for lack of better words, I was with this experience. I did end up quitting the program due to a want for more interaction with the PTs as an RN or something of that nature. To be honest I experienced a lot of things while overseas, both good and bad. I still felt as though I was giving great care when working with other PTs on the floor, as well as other ER PTs. What do you fellas think, would this mindset help me or stop me from being a good nurse? Any advice is appreciated! -Kev