The "Teach a Student Something-a-Day" thread!

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In an effort to not enter nursing school as a completely nieve individual, I was hoping that some 2nd years or RN's could share something beneficial with us students each day.

It can be anything little or totally meaningful. Whatever you contribute will be greatly appreciated and hopefully will help me to be a better student and nurse ;)

Thanks!

Specializes in ICU.

When you're passing meds, check the patient's armband *before* they take the medication. Not while they're taking the meds, not after they've taken the meds.

Check every time.

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Be able to look at everything with a sense of humor. I swear, it's the only thing that kept me going. Also, my instructors, preceptors, and patients all appreciated being able to laugh with me, and my being able to laugh at myself. And start thinking about the NCLEX seriously during your last semester: start memorizing your lab values (take flashcards everywhere!), getting a handle on acid base balance, etc. Having memorized stuff slowly throughout that last semester really helped with the anxiety when it came to actually prep for the exam.

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilities, LTC.
And start thinking about the NCLEX seriously during your last semester: start memorizing your lab values (take flashcards everywhere!), getting a handle on acid base balance, etc. Having memorized stuff slowly throughout that last semester really helped with the anxiety when it came to actually prep for the exam.

Well, that's cool! Nobody's ever told me when I should start studying for NCLEX...Instructors will really just tell you that you should be studying all along for it:confused:. I don't know about anyone else, but I would have found it impossible to even study my checkbook, let alone start studying for NCLEX until now (my last semester).

Good to know.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Doing NCLEX-style questions all along is suppose to help you with your nursing school exams.

Then, 4th semester you start getting hot and heavy with it...well, when you graduate and start studying for the NCLEX.

I have flashcards on a binder ring that I keep my values on to keep them fresh in my mind all of the time....not just for my last semester.

BTW...congrats and good luck Jessica 392! :)

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilities, LTC.
BTW...congrats and good luck Jessica 392! :)

Thank you, thank you :thankya: .Lovin' your avatar, btw...it's soooo true!

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Specializes in Operating Room.
Thank you, thank you :thankya: .Lovin' your avatar, btw...it's soooo true!

Thanks. "Siri", a moderator on AllNurses found that and gave it to me.

It IS so fitting. ha

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i just graduated in december and am taking the NCLEX next week. I felt very prepared for the test at graduation....but now this past month has been like a vacation and I have been having a hard time staying in the "nurse state of mind". My advice is to not take a break and relax until after you take the test. It is much easier to stay in it than get back to it. Everyday after you graduate: take a few study questions, talk to your friends from school, do whatever you can to keep it fresh in your head until the test is over! After that it is smooth sailing! (sort of...)

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This is not really school related, but it has changed my life.

A counselor at our school sent an email about getting organized. This website was a link: http://flylady.net/index.asp

After implementing several of the ideas I am not only finding more time to study (and not feeling guilty about the chaos that was my home), but my husband (after noticing how nice the house looked) and even my 3 y/o are helping out. Someone posted before in this thread about having routines... that is definitely true!!

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Specializes in peds med surg,.

When caring for a patient that is being monitored, number one never ignore the alarms, but number 2 always look at your patient. I work on peds and when the infants kick their feet the pulse ox alarms as a desat. Always look at the patient- their work of breathing, color, and also check that the leads or probes are attached.

Also, always listen to what your pt is telling you. If they question you about a med ("My pill at home is blue not white") always double check. If a family member tells you that "something is just not right" or "they don't usually act like this" listen to them and follow up with further assessment and letting the doctor know.

Finally, listen to the inner voice, if you have a bad feeling about something follow up on it.

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Specializes in Peds and Well baby.

There are certain procedures you will be told you will be doing during a particular clinical, whether for your patient or not,so prepare before hand. I put together "Kits" for drawing blood, etc and put all in a bio bag and stash it in the supply room. I put in bandages, gauze, alcohol, extra supplies anything possibly needed. When the instructor walks up and says "Get what you need to draw labs" I can say "I already have everything" and can be back in a moment. Impresses the heck out of them and saves you from a "Brain freeze."

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Specializes in Peds and Well baby.

Boy, do I hope this one hasn't already been said.

My tip of the day would be to, no matter what, when moving a patient in bed, or making adjustments to them or their bed....always check that the IV lines or foley catheter tubing or any other lines aren't caught somewhere in a rail or under the patient....or....

Check for their whereabouts first.

I knew this one and still did it yesterday, with my instructor helping... hmm maybe she should have thought of it

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Specializes in NICU.

I'm bumping this up a year...There's a whole new crop of brainless n00bs such as myself (aka, starting nursing school this summer/fall) who could use a leg up.

:wink2:

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