Focus on the Positive

People in society generally focus on the negative gloom and doom, even in the presence of positivity, good news or favorable statistics. In fact, professionals in the field of psychology have coined the term 'negative bias' to describe the trend by which people concentrate more on negative experiences while paying less attention to positive or neutral experiences.

For instance, a highly skilled clinical instructor may generate a small handful of positive references from students when she demonstrates how to start a peripheral IV on a patient during clinical rotations in a local acute care hospital. However, the same instructor will generate negative feedback from almost every student during a particularly stressful clinical shift because she snapped at one of their classmates who had made a mistake. For some reason, the negative stuff quickly becomes a part of our long term memories while the positive stuff is tossed aside. Read More...

'Nurses eat their young' is an understatement. What has your experience been?

Maybe this has been covered previously, but I am finding that it doesn't matter where I am, Nurses and CNAs are not very friendly to new hires. My first experience was in clinicals. Not one of the CNAs working there introduced themselves to me or anyone else in my class. Only one spoke to me-to yell at me for bringing someone who was NPO into the lunchroom. How could I have possibly known that? Read More

Do you have the necessary tools for your education?

What tools do you use when in school? Is there anything that you couldn't live with out? Please share your thoughts... Read More...

Mandatory flu shots?

It didn't dawn on me until just right now, don't ask me why, that my choice of NOT getting a flu shot will NOT get me into a nursing program. The director at my school of choice basically stated "it is a requirement that you receive one, however you can sign a declaration that you do not wish to receive one." Then I asked, "would that inhibit my chances of getting into the program?" She replied, "well, the facilities in which we work with it is required due to you working with elderly clients; If you do not wish to get the flu shot perhaps you should look into another career." Read More...

Appropriate way to Check off Bed Baths (Fundamentals)

My classmates and I went into our practice lab tonight and our professor told us that in order to practice bed baths, we had to be in bathing suits, bring our own towels, soap, etc etc. We all were completely thrown off guard because number 1- she never told us although she swore she did 2- I find it almost unethical to be bathing a classmate. Many of us are very uncomfortable with this and luckily we have two instructors so many of us will check off the skill with her in clinical. What do you think of this? Read More...

How do you keep yourself from quitting?

I feel like I'm working my tail off nailing jello to a wall. And, I'm only in the first semester. Read More...

How to work your notice, gracefully

So you have decided to leave your current job, you've had enough of working hard, no teamwork, you don't like your boss, co-worker, management, the drive is too long, the acuity is too high, you never get a break and you hate bedside nursing. Yes there are numerous reasons why you want to leave and get a new job, I could go on for pages for the reasons nurses are leaving their job but this article is about how to manage yourself while you are working out your notice.

Whatever the reason I personally believe there is a way to give your notice in and leave gracefully. Don't shut the door behind you, leave it ajar. Trust me you just never know if you might need to go back, or how your reputation could follow you. Read More...

Needing advice on being a nurse! Especially Moms going through school

I am currently a stay at home mom of a 4 and 1 year old. I went to tech school for graphic design about ten years ago. I got a job in my career field, worked there for 8 years and last year the company went under. And with the internet advertising $5.00 logos and $10 web design the whole field is a water down mess. So hence I am at home trying to figure out my next chapter in my life. A couple of weeks ago I was taking my 4 year old to school and I was walking down the hallway and noticed a sign on the wall. It said "You want to be a nurse?" I thought to myself "that would be a pretty cool job since I like helping people." The issue or butterflies in my stomach is...can I do this with kids at home? I have been looking up many articles where you have to spend at least six hours of studying for this which if I mean if I have to do it I will but I have a guilt on my shoulders about not being able to spend time with them. I am picturing myself down in the basement studying all night while my kids are with my husband every day...or am I stressing out to the extreme? Read More...

Anybody going crazy still waiting for their Acceptance Letter for Fall 2013?!

I just created an allnurses account today after reading so many great and informative posts from fellow pre-nursing and nursing students!! I am currently a pre-nursing student at Madonna University and I can't wait to get word on if whether I've made it in to the program or not. I'm trying to get in to the Fall 2013 semester. Acceptance/Denial letters are supposed to go out any time beginning-mid March....AND IT'S DRIVING ME NUTS!! I just need to know if I'm in our not....this essentially affects the rest of my life!!! AGHHHH! Read More...

Care plan help for patient with history of mental retardation

I need some help in writing up a care plan for school. According to the rubric we're supposed to come up with 10 nursing diagnoses (listed in descending order of priority) and then do complete write ups of the top two. If a nursing diagnosis seems to be resolved/under control (ex. Pt. came in with acute UTI which was resolved after a period of antibiotics) then even though the diagnosis has more priority over another, we should not do a work up on the resolved diagnosis. I'm having some trouble with coming up with diagnoses as well as prioritizing them. Below I've included as much information as possible regarding my client as well as the nursing diagnoses I've come up with. Any help, additions or criticism (structural of course haha. No trolls please) would be awesome! Read More...

Disabling feeling of failure- please help!

I am a semester away from graduating a 2 yr nursing program. I can usually accept my shortcomings and pick myself up and move on. The last two semesters I have spent the day crying each and every time I have not lived up to my own expectations. Have sworn off nursing school each time saying "I don't care", "I don't want to do it anymore" etc. the next day I will wake up and go full force to correct what I did wrong. Read More...

How do I know I am smart enough to become a RN?

I keep doubting myself telling myself I am not smart enough to be a RN. I am 36, I work 24 hours a week as a PCA. I love my job and I think I am darn good at it. I am just so scared of failing out. How did you know you were smart enough to do it? Read More...