Should I Quit or Give up? Glucometer Failure ?

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I'm a second year Nursing student at the end of my 5th clinical rotation with IP next month. The reason why I'm asking this question is because I'm inept when it comes to using a glucometer. The steps to set it up are straightforward and I do them properly which includes scanning the patients armband after logging in using the code, cleaning the patients finger, pricking the finger to draw blood and squeezing the finger to allow a little more blood to come to the surface of the skin. The next step Im completely inept at which is using the strip I either only fill it up half way or if I do fill it the scanner doesn't read. Due to my ineptitude at a simple task should I drop out?

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
21 minutes ago, Emergent said:

 paging overhead? That causes extreme anxiety and trepidation ?

Isn't that something? You are a warriess in dealing with medical emergencies but are a cream puff when it comes to using the telephone.

?

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
49 minutes ago, Davey Do said:

My work wife Eleanor...

I have a question:

Now that I no longer work with Eleanor, is she now my EX work wife?

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On 12/11/2020 at 12:31 PM, cj_94 said:

I'm a second year Nursing student at the end of my 5th clinical rotation with IP next month. The reason why I'm asking this question is because I'm inept when it comes to using a glucometer. The steps to set it up are straightforward and I do them properly which includes scanning the patients armband after logging in using the code, cleaning the patients finger, pricking the finger to draw blood and squeezing the finger to allow a little more blood to come to the surface of the skin. The next step Im completely inept at which is using the strip I either only fill it up half way or if I do fill it the scanner doesn't read. Due to my ineptitude at a simple task should I drop out?

There are many reasons to quit or drop out and this is not one of them. In fact, I don't like how the question is basically an ultimatum of two unfavorable choices -reminds of the last few elections. I digress. LOL. Stay in the program, you've got bigger fish to fry. 

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Specializes in Community health.

When I was in nursing school, every time I had to uncap a new syringe, I would stab myself with the needle. I was so nervous and jittery, because the nurse or my preceptor was standing there watching me, that I would somehow pull it too hard, while simultaneously trying not to pull it too hard, and my hand would bounce back and I got stabbed. Always with clean needles so no harm other than having to put a band aid on myself and start over. But it was HUMILIATING. But that’s not the sort of thing one gets failed for. I graduated and now I work in an outpatient clinic where I give injections daily and I have never once stabbed myself.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.

Everything feels a little clumsy when you're new. It will get better, practice is everything. I know it can be intimidating to practice on real people though! I like the suggestions about practicing with the QC vials. It also helps to hold the glucometer below the pt's finger, basically finger hanging below pt's heart level to let the blood flow work in your favor, and hold the strip below the drop of blood so it can drip onto the strip with gravity. Sometimes pt's with callouses or poor circulation it can still be tough though.

I bet if you watch people's technique you'll get it in no time. There will be a lot of moments in nursing school you might think about quitting, but I hope you decide to stick it out if nursing is what you want to do ?

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
On 12/13/2020 at 4:35 AM, Emergent said:

I've been a nurse almost 30 years and I'm still inept in working all the doodads and attachments on a standard wheelchair. And, transferring a phone call or paging overhead? That causes extreme anxiety and trepidation ?

This. ^^ 

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Specializes in SCRN.

Work on estimating a drop size that is needed. 

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Quit over problems with a glucometer? You're gonna need a more steely attitude and some moxie if you are to survive in this career. Just practice and move on!

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On 12/13/2020 at 7:35 AM, Emergent said:

I've been a nurse almost 30 years and I'm still inept in working all the doodads and attachments on a standard wheelchair. And, transferring a phone call or paging overhead? That causes extreme anxiety and trepidation ?

Laughing with you, not at you. I could never get the wheelchair doodads down either, always  blamed it on the chair in front of patients.  Never figured out how to transfer a call. Oh well, I'm not a secretary.

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On 12/13/2020 at 7:38 AM, Davey Do said:

I have a question:

Now that I no longer work with Eleanor, is she now my EX work wife?

Yes. Y'all are divorced on accident. ?

 

To answer your question OP:

Quit nursing school, NO. Practice, YES.

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Thanks everyone! I had to practice a few times the bigger issue for me is being able to get enough blood to the surface of the skin.

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Specializes in looking busy.
15 hours ago, cj_94 said:

Thanks everyone! I had to practice a few times the bigger issue for me is being able to get enough blood to the surface of the skin.

Did you use the 16 ga lancet?

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