LARPingRN

I have only been a nurse for a little less than 7 months, so I suppose it's still kind of "expected" that I would feel like I don't know anything and would beat myself up over what I could have done differently after each shift. I work in short-term rehab (of the post-op kind, not the addiction/mental health kind). Our ratios fluctuate from 5:1 up to 20:1. And I often feel like I'm drowning. Then my A&Ox1 patient remembers my face. Not my name. My face. I guess I'm still kind of in that naive "I just want to help people and make their lives a little better" stage, because damn it if that old man remembering my face doesn't just make my day. Or when the new admit COPD/anxiety patient thanks me for spending a few extra minutes bedside to talk with her, not about her treatment plan or medications or doctor, but about how she is a little embarrassed that I have to see her without her dentures in and she didn't get a chance to get her hair done today. I don't look forward to getting hard and jaded like some appear to be here or like some of the nurses I work with. I suppose it might be inevitable. In the meantime, I'll keep grabbing onto these little wins, so my post-shift beat up isn't quite so horrible.

An ally here. This tragic event has resonated throughout the country. Our hearts ache for the community so often effected by such senseless violence. My small town in Ohio will be holding a candle light vigil in honor of the victims on Friday. My words can never be enough and I feel completely helpless even trying to express them.

Norco Tylenol BP meds Colace Multi-vitamins Geriatric/rehab nurse

You are human. Humans make mistakes. You didn't abuse your residents (based on your description) so get that thought out of your head. Depending on how close you are with your residents, I've found (was a STNA for seven years, primarily on one floor) that simply apologizing for being short on your next shift helps. "Miss So-and-So, I want to apologize if I seemed short with you last night/week/shift." Nothing more needs be said- you don't need to unload your stress on to your resident, but a simple apology goes a very long way. The ability to compartmentalize comes with TIME and PRACTICE. It is NOT often a natural skill. You've been a CNA for four months. Give yourself some time. Best of luck to you!

In Ohio. I graduated in December '15 and took the test in January. May grads do have to wait longer because there are more schools in Ohio that DON'T graduate classes in the winter than do. It sucks, but hopefully your employer will understand that it's out of your control. Have you been told that if you don't take the test by x-date you'll be fired? Will you then be eligible for rehire after passing boards? Good luck!!

If you want to ask the patient/POA for permission, sure. Clip away.

I was a stay at home mom for 3 years, and then a librarian for 4 years. Went back to school during my divorce. Nursing was always a "someday" job for me, but my situation didn't allow for focused schooling (I was in and out a lot between high school and when I finally made the plunge). I've only been a nurse for a handful of months.

My program required a 97% probability of passing NCLEX on the first try (established with an exit exam through ATI) in order for educational information to be passed on to our BON. Handbooks often come with a "may be changed at will" clause. Yes, it's legal.

This.

You are not a bad nurse because you need to be shown how to do things "more than once." You cannot be expected to memorize every policy and procedure in any facility with just one time being shown. The MAs in your office have been in your office how much longer than you? Of course they know the policy and procedures better. It sounds to me like you're giving up too quickly. Don't do that! I'm also very new to nursing (also graduated in December and passed boards in January) and of course there are days when I go home and question myself and my choice to become a nurse. The mistakes you say you're making sound like rushing mistakes. Slow. Down. Just keep swimming! And explain to your co-workers that you're having a hard time and may need their help navigating your new role. Is there anyone in the office that you've clicked with? I would suggest starting there.

I was trained for a month. However, I work for a new, small facility. When I started, we had

Company logo shirts (free clothes? Heck yeah!), breakfast (made to order omelettes this year), and something else but I forget what.

I LARP and I'm an RN. :-P

I worked for 7 years as an STNA before finishing nursing school and transitioning to the role of RN. I do feel like my years as an STNA were helpful, though as PP said, the work is NOT counted towards nursing experience and it is not like a nurse intern. It was helpful in my first semester of nursing school, as those of my classmates who were not already CNAs/STNAs had to get used to things like cleaning up BM, dressing patients, feeding patients, taking vital signs, toileting and providing other ADL assistance. I was the go-to helper for transfers or particularly difficult to handle patients, as I already had nursing home experience and knew how to navigate that particular aspect of the field. This was helpful because I'm not afraid or above helping my STNAs now. I'll dress a patient, toilet a patient, or clean up a patient without hesitation (time allowing). It also was helpful in getting used to some of the lingo, and allowing me to network. My LTC experience opened the door for my job now, as the DON of my current facility had worked at the facility where I was an aide, and the parent-company is the same for both facilities. Working as a CNA will not prepare you for working as a nurse. But it won't hurt. Good luck to you!

Do not lie. IF (and it's a big if) generalized anxiety disorder or bipolar are issues for your state BON, they will contact you for more information. In my state, that question is also asked, but they're looking more for issues such as schizophrenia.