marwidog

Congrats to you! I remember in our first week going over all of the basic things I learned from CNA school. Hand washing, PPE, how to take VS appropriately, bed baths, and even bed making. Also, we were tested on all of that stuff at the end of the week. Be prepared for a major test and skills pass-off's at least every 2 weeks, and 1-2 quizzes per week for the first semester.

You can always get a start by registering as a SANE nurse. The SANE nurse in the ED where I work said it took about a year, but it was worth the time. I don't think it was very expensive, either. I'll be going that route once I finish my BSN, I think.

I was in your situation recently and then got a job in the ED of another hospital. So far, I really love it. I've found the teamwork is much better than the floor I worked on at my last job. I do a lot more primary care in the ED, but as others have said, I only deal with each patient for a short time, and the stellar teamwork helps a lot. I'm always busy, and often overwhelmed, but I think that will be true of any new job. I can see myself being much more comfortable where I'm at in a few months time. My favorite part is how much I get to see in any given shift, and I never have to come back to the same set of patients. The Dr's have been great to work with, too. I still really struggle with the pediatric cases, but hopefully that will get better with time. I don't think you'd regret making the change unless you somehow end up in a really crappy work environment. Best of luck!

I am currently in an RN to MSN program at Western Governors University (I'll get my BSN about halfway through). Tuition is a flat rate about 3500/semester, and as long as you complete the required 12 credits, you can add more classes each semester and finish even faster. It's 100% online. I have a program mentor who is coaching me along the entire way, and a course mentor for each course. It's all around been an awesome experience. They're also accredited across the US. I referred one friend from work who's in the program now, too, and she might finish faster than me. She's really liked it. Hope this helps! You can PM me with any questions.

I'm the exact same! People think it's super weird that I get physically ill in the morning time if I wake up and have to work a day shift, but I've been a night owl since I can remember. How do you get past the illness if you have to do a day shift? I still struggle with that.

I'd rather just get the adrenaclick, now that I know about it. I carry an epipen due to severe peanut allergies. When I go into anaphylaxis, there is no way I could draw up my own dose of epi, even with my training. My hands get shaky and I'm wheezing, if no one is around, I'm screwed. If someone is around who has no idea what they're doing, I'm still screwed. Luckily benadryl has always been there for me and I've never actually had to use my epipen to get me to the hospital. I keep my epipens for 2-3 years to save money since they don't actually expire after the stated one year. I just keep a lot of chewable benadryl around (my house, my car, my locker at work...) it works immediately on my tongue and throat, which keeps me breathing.

Diladdict. Pt addicted to dilaudid. (He's a diladdict) Breakoffee. Coffee Break. (I've gotta take a 5 min Breakoffee).

"I did knock!" "I told the last nurse to not let anyone in for a few hours!"

Oh look, I can feed you just as much B.S. as you give me.

1. Never say it's "quiet" on the floor. 2. Spend your time on the "needy" patients fixing them up and going the extra mile. It will make them less needy the rest of the shift because they know they're cared for. 3. Memorizing lab values didn't actually matter because the ranges are always listed next to the results. 4. BP running low? Sit your patient up and make them talk to you when you retake it before freaking out and calling the doc. 5. Don't forget that you ARE making a difference and even though there's bad days, you rock, because you're a nurse.

Hallelujah, the day shifters have arrived!!! (On a night when the moon was full)

The patient asking for the direct number to the nursing supervisor to report you for "being 5 minutes late with [my] pain medication"