Go for my RN or Not?

Going back to nursing school a tough decision to make after being out of school for a while. I returned to school in March of this year and I am currently going for my Associate in Allied Health care. I am doing this program online through South University.So far I am holding an A average. It's different because I was a C average student while I was doing my LPN, I do have a few Bs. I guess I did not take school as serious as I should. Now I feel disappointed at myself if I get a grade less than 100.My counselors always give me that pep talk that I am still maintaining an A.

My academic counselor is encouraging me to return to school for my RN. I have all my prerequisites and he informed me that it would take less than a year to complete this program. I started to look at some schools. I have been asking myself if this is what I want to do after I graduate in March 2016.Another field that sparkled my interest is Medical Sonography. I am interested in the obstetrics area of the sonograms. So at this moment, I am contemplating the pros and cons for both. I do enjoy nursing and I do want to continue in the health field.I have some time left to think but one of the nursing schools is accepting applications in July of the previous year for the following fall.

Working with Hospice Patients

To work with Hospice patients requires a lot of compassion and patience. As a nurse you have to be strong and confident.  You have to somewhat shut off your feelings or you will be crying on all your cases.I usually say to myself I have to be the strong one and remember why I am there. I am not only there as a nurse for the patient,but I am there to provide support to the family too. During this time , you will see different attitudes and moods coming from the family.It is the only way they know how to cope with the situation. Some might be angry, sad and some might even tell you how to do your job. I do not take anything personal. Sometimes you might even be in the middle of a family feud.
Sometimes you have to be strong for the family or teach them how to be strong. I educate them on the dying process and I keep them up to date on the condition of their love one.
My role is to keep the patient comfortable and pain free during their transition.We do not use the term dying out of respect for the family.I provide ADL, Vital signs and monitor the patient very closely by documenting his or her condition including the vital signs every1-2hrs.
Once the patient respiration falls below 12, I notify the RN in charge of my patient. When the patient expires, I do the post mortem care and the RN pronounces the time, the date and notify the physician and the funeral home chosen by the family.The RN completes all the paperwork including the paperwork for the funeral home.
I also do my final notes.
The funeral home comes to pick up the patient and then I can leave and end my shift for the day.
I really enjoy it, I have learned so much and the experience is amazing.My passion is to help the sick and helping patients or clients during their transition.

My toughest case was when I worked in long term care.I  workedwith this patient for a while.During her transition, the family couldn't make it to be there with her on time. They all lived either out of state or an hour or two away.After her postmortem care was completed by the CNAs, I sat with her and held her hand until she took her last breath with a smile.That moment really touched my heart, I shed a few tears.

The Day of the NCLEX

The day you have been waiting for is finally here.You are anxious and ready to get this over with. You wake up extra early to go over your flash cards and your notes.

On the day of my NCLEX, i woke up and had a healthy breakfast. I did not wake up extra early to go over any of my notes.I wanted to have a clear mind not an overloaded mind.That would cause my mind to go blank during testing. I got myself ready for the day and I was on my way to the testing center. I followed this guide that I purchased from Barnes & Noble the author was Lippincott. This guide taught me study techniques and how to prepare myself mentally and physically for my exam. I left home early to arrive at the center 30 minutes before my scheduled time so that I may relax in my vehicle. I left all my belongings in my car which is one of the requirements including my cell. I said a little prayer asking god to bless me so that I only have to take this exam once.I was sitting in a small cubicle with a scratch paper that I had to return once I was done and a pencil.It felt like a movie set with cameras all around and an examiner to monitor.I had up to 3 hours to complete the test. I also could have taken a break or gone to the bathroom but your time is still running. The first couple of questions are practice questions.I did 80 test questions and it kept going that is when I stared getting nervous.My classmates told me that if the questions do not stop after 80 that meant I failed. The questions stopped in the 100s.

It was finally over. There was this website that one of my friends refer me to which I paid to have my results online within two days.While anticipating my results, I had two sleepless nights. On the second day, I pulled it up and there it was the four letter word capitalized saying PASS. Unfortunately, it did not give me a score. The following week, I received my official passing letter from the State Board of Nursing along with my Temporary License. I took a week off after that to get plenty of rest. I did have a job in line with a company that I was already working for as a CNA. Now I have been an LPN for the past 6 years. 

So for those of you out there don't be scared to take the LPN NCLEX. Study and practice and you will be find. Take a deep breath and walk into the testing center with confidence saying to yourself "I got this".

Good Luck!

Choosing Night or Day Shift

Choosing either day shift or night shift all depends on your lifestyle and situation. In Longterm care, most patients are asleep on night shift. Even though one or two may stay up all night.Also the doctors and administration staff are gone for the day.So it is much more quiet and less crazy. You still do your rounds and charting as a nurse and you work in a calmer environment.

Day shift everything is happening. It is more crowded with family members visiting and approaching you with concerned questions. On top of that you have supervisors, doctor calls, pharmacy calls ,family members calls and admissions. Not to forget emergencies like falls and injuries.

The hospital is different the majority of patient are usually awake and need more attention even during the night shift depending on the unit you are assigned to work.
For a CNA, day shift in a longterm care facility is extremely busy with ADLs, showers, making beds, assisting with meals and toileting.
Night shift on the other hand is a bit easier. The residents are asleep and you make rounds every two hours and keep them dry.

I remember working for a few months in a hospital 12hrs night shift as a nurse, and I was on my feet for at least 10hrs. The only time I sat down was to check orders in the computer.

My main focus in this blog today will be on longterm care.

If you are married or have a companion, you have children and you both work. If your companion works in the day time the best choice will be for you to work night shift. He or she can watch the kids. You still can spend time together on your day off. You get to spend time with your kids, rest during the day and put them to bed.
If you are not a night person it will be hard staying awake. My advise if you have a problem staying awake at night, that shift is not a good choice. So make sure you choose the right shift that is best for you.
When sitting with a patient on night shift it is extremely hard to stay awake because you are sitting for your whole shift most of the time if the patient is not active. I remember bringing my study material to read when the patient was asleep and that kept me awake. I would also ask for a break to stretch. I have seen so many people loose their sitting jobs due to the fact that they fell asleep when they were suppose to be monitoring the patient. So please make the right choice.

I hope this blog post is helpful and informative to you guys!

Working The Graveyard Shift

The night shift can be either 12 hours or 8 hours. I have worked both shifts. Your days will be nights and your nights would be days. You will sleep during the day and be awake at night. If you are new to the night shift your body will take a while to adjust. When I first started working night shift, it took me three weeks to adjust. The only thing that helped me sleep during the day was to make my bedroom dark and keep the blinds closed. I also started drinking more caffeine at night. My two favorite drinks were coffee and coke. I started an unhealthy diet where I would eat a full meal at 2 or 3 am and also snacks. Working full-time nights as a parent, you hardly see you kids or get to spend time with them. It is harder if you have a child under the age of 5. The 12hours shift would work best for a single parent if the shifts are spread where you can rest one day in between the two days. Working night shift is hard on your body physically so you need to take care of your body. You need to take some kind of multivitamin and eat healthy. I started eating healthy and exercising at least once a week. I ate dinner at home and I pack a healthy snack. My snack of choice is fresh fruits and protein bars. I also bring a fruit smoothie or protein shake, making sure that I drink adequate amount of water throughout my shift even if I do not exercise sometimes, I burn calories by walking throughout the halls. Most important I make sure that I take my multivitamin daily. Taking care of your body is very crucial as a nurse.

Nursing School and it's Challenges

Never Give up

I started the grave yard shift as a CNA sitter on the psychiatry unit as a single mother of one while attending LPN college full-time during the day for a year and a half. It was pretty stressful to the point where I started loosing my hair. While attending school, I found out that I had a blood clot in my lung and to top it off I was already diagnosed with lupus.My nursing program was an accelerated program. Missing classes was not an option. When i found out that I had to be hospitalized I was in tears.But I was so determined to achieve my goal that nothing was going to stop me. My daughter brought my nursing books and I studied every day during my hospital stay when I was not sedated or pain free. I checked in with the school via phone for assignments daily.The director of the program advised me to rest and not to worry. After I got home I went back to school but i was not fully recovered. I still tried to sit through 8hrs of class and slept through my lunch break. I graduated on time with my classmates.
Nursing school is tough, but if this is really what you want you will put your all into it. I have had my moments where I wanted to quit. It is very rewarding at the end. If I can do it despite everything you sure can too, and become a professional.

Don't let anything stand in the way of your goals, your blessings and your success.