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Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2009

Sounds like someone in danger of being fired for no reason!

allnurses Guide · Feb 8, 2009

I have looked up articles for research on the hospital computer (all nursing related), but the idea of pulling out my own laptop? If you are glued to the screen and concentrating hard, you aren't paying attention to your monitors, let alone doing rounds on your people.

Your NM needs to ban personal lap tops, lot easier to crack a book now and again, but honestly.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 8, 2009

I may not sound like an empathetic/supportive person by saying this, but why should I have to take on a heavier workload, increasing MY chances of making a mistake because of someone else's commitments? School is a long-term commitment that takes a parasitic life of it's own. I know how the person feels, but this can go on for years. Then, what about "Give me time to study for NCLEX, take time to celebrate, call all of my friends to tell them that I passed, ..." all of the other excuses this person may use because they have gotten away from it so far.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2009

I may not sound like an empathetic/supportive person by saying this, but why should I have to take on a heavier workload, increasing MY chances of making a mistake because of someone else's commitments? School is a long-term commitment that takes a parasitic life of it's own. I know how the person feels, but this can go on for years. Then, what about "Give me time to study for NCLEX, take time to celebrate, call all of my friends to tell them that I passed, ..." all of the other excuses this person may use because they have gotten away from it so far.

Well, I have to admit, the nurses on my unit did make it so I had an extra day off for the NCLEX. Once I was signed up to take it (they thought I waited too long, studied too much for it) they made it so I had the day before, day of and three days off after. It helped, cause I was a MESS after taking the test. Passed, but I was not human for 3 days.

RN1982 · Feb 8, 2009

delete.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 8, 2009

Well, I have to admit, the nurses on my unit did make it so I had an extra day off for the NCLEX. Once I was signed up to take it (they thought I waited too long, studied too much for it) they made it so I had the day before, day of and three days off after. It helped, cause I was a MESS after taking the test. Passed, but I was not human for 3 days.

I am sure that the difference was that you didn't ask them to allow you do do NOTHING during the weeks you studied for your exam. Sit with your laptop...no less, ticking away while they are running like dogs. They probably saw that you had integrity and helped you along at the end, which makes better sense than you dragging them down throughout your entire experience and letting them keep the ball. Most of us will give breaks to those that we know honestly work hard and are teamplayers. They wanted to see you pass after all you have done.

I was an entire mess after NCLEX, myself. What I did was take off three weeks to study for the exam because I knew that my presence would have been more of a hinderance than a help, my mind was not there after having been on a leave with pay for two years to become a nurse. So, after school was over, we had to return to work (of course...). I was one of the few that already set my date, and immediately asked for time off in order to study. I told my supervisor that I was off for two years, was not used to working and studying and I just wanted to make it to the end of the road...give it everything I had to the bitter end. She respected the fact that I was honest enough to say that I was a mess, I was burned out and tired from the entire experience and being there would cause more friction than not, so, she allowed me to go, and she gave me a week off after I passed at that.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 8, 2009

Personally, I don't expect anyone to make exceptions for me. Things that I do on my personal time like studying for the NCLEX were done on my off days, no one made it easier for me by giving me extra days off to study. Hey, if they were willing to do that, great. My point is, one should not expect the rest of the staff to take a heavier assignment so that the person can have more time to study at work. The last time I checked, I wasn't getting paid to study and neither is the nurse that I work with yet she seems to think that everyone should make an exception for her. There are times when exceptions are appropriate but to ask for an exception to do schoolwork at work is ridiculous.

I felt the same way. I noticed when I returned to work that much has changed and they were not used to me being there; had to find things for me to do. I knew in the back of my head that I was not in the condition to be a teamplayer, do any work, make any major contributions when I had this on my brain, so, it was better to lose vacation time and just not be there. If my supervisor had said 'no do' regarding time off, then, I would have worked my way around it like the millions of other potential nurses or those pursuing to further their education. It was too much for me to expect them to witness me return after what they perceived to be a 2 year vacation (NOT) and then return with further demands to accomodate me.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2009

I am sure that the difference was that you didn't ask them to allow you do do NOTHING during the weeks you studied for your exam. Sit with your laptop...no less, ticking away while they are running like dogs. They probably saw that you had integrity and helped you along at the end, which makes better sense than you dragging them down throughout your entire experience and letting them keep the ball. Most of us will give breaks to those that we know honestly work hard and are teamplayers. They wanted to see you pass after all you have done.
I was an entire mess after NCLEX, myself. What I did was take off three weeks to study for the exam because I knew that my presence would have been more of a hinderance than a help, my mind was not there after having been on a leave with pay for two years to become a nurse. So, after school was over, we had to return to work (of course...). I was one of the few that already set my date, and immediately asked for time off in order to study. I told my supervisor that I was off for two years, was not used to working and studying and I just wanted to make it to the end of the road...give it everything I had to the bitter end. She respected the fact that I was honest enough to say that I was a mess, I was burned out and tired from the entire experience and being there would cause more friction than not, so, she allowed me to go, and she gave me a week off after I passed at that.

Yeah, I didnt ask for it. It was........suggested it to me lol. I was a mess for awhile before the test too. People were like "You studied for how many hours last night? What could you possibly be learning, when do you sleep?".

When I finished the test, I drove home just short of a suicidal rage. Went in the house where my wife to be was. I didnt say anything other than....."I need to just drive and think.".

She decided to come along. Asked to take a shower first. I went upstairs, played Madden Football and waited. Something told her to throw some clothes in the car.

When we hit the road, I figured I'd drive for a couple hours, stop and get something to eat, go back. Said to myself "I'll just drive till I feel a little calmer."

I kept driving, going back and forth about whether I passed or failed. Next thing I knew, a sign up the road said to slow down for the border crossing booth. I had driven from PA to Canada. No idea how I did it.

RN1982 · Feb 8, 2009

delete.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2009

I think that on my unit there is a good amount of teamwork. Personally, before I sit down after I have finished my 7pm rounds, I go around seeking out my co-workers to see if they need help. I always ask "Are you sure you don't need help?" and if they insist they got it under control, I sit. And this is what all of my co-workers do except for this one nurse. So you bet the next time I work with her and she starts clicking away at those laptop keys while everyone is running their behind off, I will say something.

LOL. I have NO IDEA how someone does this on an ICU unit. I dont get it. How?

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 8, 2009

Yeah, I didnt ask for it. It was........suggested it to me lol. I was a mess for awhile before the test too. People were like "You studied for how many hours last night? What could you possibly be learning, when do you sleep?".
When I finished the test, I drove home just short of a suicidal rage. Went in the house where my wife to be was. I didnt say anything other than....."I need to just drive and think.".
She decided to come along. Asked to take a shower first. I went upstairs, played Madden Football and waited. Something told her to throw some clothes in the car.
When we hit the road, I figured I'd drive for a couple hours, stop and get something to eat, go back. Said to myself "I'll just drive till I feel a little calmer."
I kept driving, going back and forth about whether I passed or failed. Next thing I knew, a sign up the road said to slow down for the border crossing booth. I had driven from PA to Canada. No idea how I did it.

Your "out of body" experience sounds so similar to my own. To this day, I don't know how I got home after taking NCLEX...it was raining, I remember walking in the rain smoking 3 cigarettes in a row, calling my friend on the cell phone and the next thing I remembered, I was turning my key in the door and running upstairs to cry to my husband. Even now, I feel so selfish because we just buried his father the week before and here I come bawling like an idiot. He calmly got up and said "We need to get out of the house" and took me shopping. I still don't remember where we went, if we ate, or when we got home, but my husband did say that I ate well.

Canada, huh? Wow...

Well, glad you passed! :yeah: Can you imagine how far you would have driven a few days later had you failed??

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2009

I dont want to think about that. Although the orientation process at my first job was superior........their treatment of GNs who failed boards was rough. Very rough.