kim47

I was a CNA before becoming an RN. I feel it helped me with being comfortable with hands on patient care, and the environment in general. That being said, I don't know if I'd recommend becoming a CNA just to feel more comfortable with nursing. I'd recommend you get as much done as you need in your life now, so you can devote as much time as needed to nursing school when you begin. How much time to study? All the time you can. And you will need to study alot. Good luck!

When I first began working nights I would often get nauseous around 3am. Then I began to have a cup of tea and a snack around 2am. The nausea stopped occurring after awhile. I always take 50 mg of Benadryl around 45 minutes before I want to sleep. I have a quiet room and blackout treatments on the windows. I can usually get between 4 and 8 hours of sleep like this. Good luck!

I received my ADN a few weeks shy of age 50. I went to an inexpensive community college part time, while working. I didn't choose to go on to a BSN, but there are many options these days. At this point, if I were you, I'd be concerned with the school's passing rate, and NCLEX passing rate. Be careful of accelerated programs unless you're an extremely good student. Some have lower pass rates. If you're normally a B student, you may find yourself getting C's. Good luck!

I can tell you that you need to live in a compact state to apply for that states compact license. I live in RI, which is not a compact state. If I apply to a compact state, I would only receive a license for that state. I would NOT be allowed a compact license.

Healthcare needs to recognize and value what we all bring to the table. Older nurses have a wealth of experience, including things not learned in books. Younger nurses will have a broader scope of knowledge, albeit not put into practice yet. Both are needed. Leadership needs to recognize this, but it's often money which makes the final decisions. Follow the dollar.

Does he have a case manager? Maybe they would have some ideas.

I really dislike when people make generalizations about older people, so I wouldn't do that to the younger generalizations either. Some people are compassionate and some aren't. It's not age related.

How about, " Please turn down your music, the patients are trying to sleep."

Rule#2 Make it a black pen.

You say your patient has a history of etoh and drug use. Addicts typically have maladaptive ways of dealing with reality as evidenced by their substance abuse. He's probably functioning at the developmental level at which he began using. Tough population to work with.

Addictions positions would be easier to obtain than straight psych nursing, at least in my area of New England. One thing to consider is that it may be hard to transition out if you don't care for it because it's so different from most nursing. I work in inpt. detox and they do hire new nurses. Good luck.

I agree. Protein helps. I usually bring some string cheese and crackers along with some grapes. Stay hydrated too. Some shifts can be so busy you forget to drink or pee for 12 hours. I work over night per diem, so it is not a regular schedule for me. The headaches and nausea have gone away. The exhaustion remains.

Yes, this population is very manipulative. That's how they get drugs! I work in inpatient detox. I would say that the skills I see most lacking in new nurses for this type of work are behavioral/mental health type skills. Think back to your psych clinical rotation. Boundaries are IMPORTANT. Good luck.