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!

hi, 2nd year here. always use holistic approach..... try to stay calm in face of adversity. use your own senses and instincts to guide you and you will learn much every day. It will come to you!

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Thanks for the tips, everybody. Really good thread, agent.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Congrats are in order for Agent and for all the posters contributing. Much appreciated.

Cheers to all!

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Specializes in Everything except surgery.
Originally posted by Noney

Always flush your saline wells at the beginning of your shift, so you know it's good for an emergency.

About diabetics: when they come to the hospital and the same insulin dose is ordered that they take at home, be careful! Alot of diabetics are noncompliant with ndiet at home so when we give them the same dose of insulin along with a diabetic diet there blood sugar drops. If a diabetic says they're hungry find them something to eat or you'll have a problem later.

Noney

Good point Noney, and the same goes for pain meds! While on a travel contract at an amb clinic, we had amb care pt. who was supposedly taking high does of narcs, at home d/t chronic pain. She was admitted to the hospital, and low and behold, she was given the same level of meds she was supposedly taking at home. She almost OD d/t being given her "usual" dose. Seems her son was the one really taking the meds.

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Try to tape all your lectures. It helps so much when your studying and trying to hold down a job. You can listen to your tapes on the drive to work. You'd be amazed at how much 'stuff' soaks in:)

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Very basic...........

Consider the I & O a vital sign.

It will only make you look good when a provider asks you if your patient is making urine and you know the answer.

Leaving an empty i&O record at the end of your shift is lazy. Just because a CNA might empty the foley that does not alleviate your responsibility of knowing what was emptied.

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Specializes in ICU.

When asking if someone has an allergy ALWAYS ask if anything brings them out in a rash or they have had a bad experience with a medication. It is amazing how many will tell you I am not allergic to anything but Penicillin gives me a rash :rolleyes:

Always aim to do things ahead of the due time - this gives you leeway to take care of emergencies that WILL happen.

Most importantly although you should and WILL move fast you only ever run for three things in a hospital

Cardiac Arrest

Haemorrhage

and your pay!

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Originally posted by jjbaby

The critical thinking for Mr. Smith is ALWAYS consider first the ABC's

Airway

Breathing

Circulation

So your first response would be to apply 02 to help with the shortness of breath. After this you will address the other symptoms.

Then I would have gotten this wrong. I thought, before a nurse could act on either of these interventions, the nurse would have to call the doctor. I thought only the doctor could order either of these....D was wrong, eh?

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I'd say D too. Even tho oxygen is the best answer that is considered an order.

Besides, with his multiple symptoms his SOB could be from fever, or the fact that he just vomited etc.

So...here is a lesson agent:

In the world of nursing exams you will never be 'absolutely sure' you really answered the question correctly. Accept this now and do the best you can.

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second year student graduating in 10weeks!

Always be on time, always offer to help with ANYTHING--you'll get more clinical experience this way. Always go with your first instinct- -second guessing your self can be your worst enemy on a nursing exam

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

This is a great thread, lots of neat tips! I wonder if one of the moderators could "sticky" it for us so it doesn't get lost in the shuffle! :) These are things new (and old!) members could reference first if they have a basic question, there is a gold mine of info here.

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When I ask myself how I've managed to get to where I am (I graduate in 2 months, Yes!) I took advantage of my summers and read for the following semester. So I can be totally overwhelmed during the summer when it doesn't matter; then when the fall semester came, I at least had it go through my brain once. The others already mentioned are very basic. Don't get behind. Read your text. Realize that nursing school is your life. You need down times but they are few and far between. You know that you are doing well when you have no idea what other people are talking about; i.e. new TV show and what is in the news. But my med/surg text was fascinating for me (still is) and so are my other texts, well except peds-that is another world. There are a lot of Diseases to memorize in peds. Some sound alike and have nothing to do with each other. Guess what I'll spend more time studying for NCLEX? Still interesting though. I just wish it were taught a little slower. Above all else, enjoy learning. Sit front row so you don't miss a thing. Your instructors will enjoy teaching too.

I love your thread. Creative!

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