jemtown

Only 11 more days for me! I used to work a year round job and frankly I don't know how I did it! This is my first full year of school nursing and lately I've been thinking I might have made a mistake-everyone is all stressed out and I'm grouchy-my new mantra for May is "go to class, Go To Class, GO TO CLASS!" Well this will be me in a few more days Happy Summer everyone!

Like almost everyone else on this thread I started my day a little blue-no one said anything to me-where as yesterday ALL the teachers got lunch and flowers and t-shirts, etc. I took myself out to lunch (something I never do) and had my own little party. After a lengthy meeting after school I was getting my things together and all of the sudden all of the admin staff was crowding in my office wishing me a Happy Nurse's Day with a card and a gift! The card was signed by all teachers and the gift-omg-was a beautiful hand woven rug! I work on the Navajo reservation and our secretary is a weaver. I could not believe it-it must have taken her hours and hours. Anyway of course I cried....... HAPPY NURSE'S WEEK to everyone! We work so hard and sometimes there is very little or no appreciation or recognition for what we do. God bless you...everyone.

I'm not a seasoned school nurse--this is my second year. I take my lunch at 1030 as it's the only time I have free in between meds and procedures. I have to shut my door and I usually eat at my desk, otherwise they find me. As for paperwork and phone calls, I try to keep a running "to do" list and work from top to bottom. It makes me feel like I've accomplished something when I can cross something off.

I so agree with your previous message! I am a new nurse. I started on a med/surg floor but quickly got burned out trying to take a full load and provide quality care with no CNA, no tech and no support. It became increasingly difficult to feel good about what I was doing because there's just not enough hours in the day to get it all done. I have since left acute care and am now a school nurse. I couldn't be happier with my choice.

I am so sorry for the experience you have had. After 15 years I am sure that you have explored other areas of nursing. I think taking a break from nursing is a good idea. We are only here for a short time. It's important to be happy and be able to look forward to each day. There is a light at the end of this tunnel. You are in my thoughts and prayers as you find your way through this difficult time. Hang in there! :hgu:

Wow, we could have had the same preceptor! I was in trouble almost every day that I worked with my preceptor. I reported her to my manager with the hope that she would be more mature and demonstrate some level of professionalism with the next orientee. I was really nervous about being on my own because I just didn't feel ready. I definitely didn't get the training I needed from her. I recently was given the opportunity to move to a different floor and have found the staff there to be VERY helpful. I'm on my own now and while it's hard work I am learning sooo much. Not every experienced nurse is an effective preceptor. It would be great if there was some kind of screening tool to weed out preceptors that are just doing it for the extra money and don't realize how vital that role is for a new grad.

So caringnursenj.......I applied for my ATT in late April and received it about 3 weeks later. It is valid for 3 months. Hope this helps.

As a recent grad, I just started working 12 hour shiifts-I like that I work three days a week. Sure I'm tired and the first day off I spend relaxing, not doing much but it's great not to feel rushed to get things done when you only have a couple of days off.

I too have been studying Kaplan and am taking a review course through NCSBN. I have heard though that the review course is not very helpful... so far I have not tested well with it and that worries me. Anyone else having the same experience?

Our facility just went to a dress code for all RNs. The majority of the uniform is either black or white. It makes the students stand out as we are in all blue. No matter what you're wearing though there's always the potential for errors. TV shows like Today leave a lot to be desired for getting information out to the public-how good can it be if you only have 2 minutes to say it all? :)

Thanks for your input. I have since quit my job so I can focus on school only. Right now I don't think I will go back to insurance until I have a couple of years on the floors.

I have been working for an insurance company now for 7 years all in the Medical Management dept. I am currently in nursing school for my RN and my boss is desperately trying to talk me into coming back after I graduate to run the department. I am undecided about what I want to do as I very much agree that clinical experience is a must for case management but do I want to start at the bottom rung on the ladder? Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

$800 is about right. I too have books that we never used. Seems crazy for students to have to put out that much cash just to have them sitting around collecting dust!