It's weird to think that the one-year anniversary of my nursing school graduation is right around the corner (this weekend, really).  I've learned quite a few lessons in that year, and god knows I've got quite a few more to learn.

So, the big lessons?

1.  If a patient says, "I heard something pop, and then..."  whatever follows is probably not going ( Read more... )

Fill it out in the "comments" bit so I know your darkest secrets ( Read more... )

The first seven (7) people to respond to this post will get something made by me.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. I will not take requests. I will accept allergen advisements.
2. What I create will be just for you. But it may include source code so that you can make more of them ( Read more... )

Just as an FYI - most of my posts from now on will be friends-locked.  I feel a desperate need to have a place to vent, but out of respect to my career, I'll keep it quiet!  If you're on my friends list, you should still be able to see them if you're logged in. :)

Last night, a patient said to me: "I can tell you've been doing this for a long time."

I'm compulsively honest, so I told her I'd actually been doing this for six months.

Her reply: "Really?!  You're going to be a great nurse."

It made my night.

I haven't posted in forever, but that's primarily because I'm simply... tired.  Work is going very well.  I finished orientation at the end of September, and I've been a Grown-Up Nurse since then, handling my own patient load and such.

I love working nights. Anyone who knows me will likely be aware that I'm very much a night person, so this is ( Read more... )

I passed my boards!!! I'm now an RN.  I had my first day with two patients today, and it was WILD.  Good, but wild.  Dysrhythmia course starts Friday.  Life. Is. Good.

(Also, if I can brag?  I passed my boards with 75 questions, the minimum -- it's an adaptive test -- and in 45 minutes. Kicked ass. Took a couple names.)

I survived my first week as a nurse.  I think I'm really going to love working at my facility.  Their nursing policies are built around 'what is supported by research' rather than 'because we've always done it this way,' and while you would think it'd be obvious that the former is probably the more progressive, sensible way of doing things, I have ( Read more... )

The Big Read reckons that the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books they've printed. Well let's see.

1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italicize those you intend to read.
3) Underline the books you LOVE.
4) Reprint this list in your own LJ so we can try and track down these people who've only read 6 and force books upon ( Read more... )

Apparently, someone got the bright idea that I should actually be awarded my BSN. So, er, it seems I'm a nurse now! Not that I didn't work hard for it and don't deserve it -- I do. It's just WEIRD to have gone from "applying to nursing school" to "I'll be going to nursing school" to "I'm a nursing student" to "I'm a student nurse" (there's a ( Read more... )