[No Prob Rob]

I took the NCLEX exam today. Got there an hour early and started to test before my appointment. It was great I did not have to wait.

The exam only went to 75 questions then I was done. I was expecting 225 questions and a 6 hour marathon. It was almost anticlimactic.

Talk about security! I had to be fingerprint scanned in and out of the room just to go pee. My picture came up on the screen so they could identify me along with signature and drivers license. Everyone was videotaped and watched closely. I did not pay it much attention though because I was busy. I either passed okay or bombed early on. I think I did okay because there were only a few questions I had to completely guess at.

I am reluctant to celebrate just yet. I have to pinch myself now and then to make sure it's not a dream. For $7.95 you can go on the web site after two business days and get "unofficial" test results. I think it will be money well spent come Friday.

The Hospital called and said I was all clear to report to work on Monday.

[cougarnurse]

I spent the $$ and called for unofficial results. And with 75 questions? Sounds like you did pass to me.

'Cat'

[Ricu]

Hey Rob,

It sounds like you did really well. With the electronic "smart" exams, the most correct pathway through the problem sets is the shortest- with fewest questions. If you weren't doing as well, you would've been running that marathon. I'm glad that unofficial results are available, waiting six weeks is painful. I look foreward to your news on Friday. Hope you have a good day on Monday.

R

[No Prob Rob]

I went on to the State Board of Nurse Examiners web site and the results were already posted.

I PASSED ! :

I won't start orientation until next week so I am going to go on a trip for a few days. I'll be Back

[cougarnurse]

Congratulations, NURSE!

'Cat'

[Ricu]

Congratulations! Enjoy your trip, you earned it.

R

[SoldierNurse]

Originally Posted by No Prob Rob

... I PASSED !

I won't start orientation until next week so I am going to go on a trip for a few days. I'll be Back

Sounds like the NCLEX was ... no prob for No Prob Rob

You deserve to have a great time on your trip, too.

[No Prob Rob]

My second day of work in the ER and so far so good. One of my patients died but he had a ruptured aortic anurism. I Doubt if he had gotten to the operating table sooner he would have survived. Sounds cold but I realized a long time ago I am not in charge of who lives and dies.

This has turned out to be a great hospital to work for so far. We see on average 120 or so patients every day.

Any tips for what I can do to get better at starting IV's? I know practice will help but doing the wrong thing over and over will not help me get better. I have watched others but I am still skittish. Watched a good nurse start an IV on an 11 month old and I was amazed at how he was able to do it.

[Ricu]

Originally Posted by No Prob Rob

My second day of work in the ER and so far so good. One of my patients died but he had a ruptured aortic anurism. I Doubt if he had gotten to the operating table sooner he would have survived. Sounds cold but I realized a long time ago I am not in charge of who lives and dies.

This has turned out to be a great hospital to work for so far. We see on average 120 or so patients every day.

Any tips for what I can do to get better at starting IV's? I know practice will help but doing the wrong thing over and over will not help me get better. I have watched others but I am still skittish. Watched a good nurse start an IV on an 11 month old and I was amazed at how he was able to do it.

Hey Rob,

Glad to hear that things are going so well for you. You seem to have arrived at, and come to be at peace with the reality of who lives and dies early on in your career. Many healthcare workers struggle with the inequity of death and never come to terms with it, especially in emergency care. As for starting IVs, practice, practice and more practice. Continue to watch others' technique especially paramedics and anesthesia folks, and pick brains but the skill will come because you will try what everyone else does and eventually find a technique that works for you. About the only bit of technical advice I can give over the Net since I can't hang over an arm with you, is to be deliberate with the needle. Don't take a long time looking at, slapping and stroking the veins. Be ready and as soon as you see something, go for it. Taking a long time undermines your confidence and makes the patient nervous. Once you break the skin and if you don't get it, only reposition twice. If you don't get it then, you won't get it at all. Come out and look for another site. Repeat the process but only try two sites. By then, you will be too frustrated so let someone else try and don't be hard on yourself. This is a skill that you will develop so start every IV that you can. Needle skittishness will fade over time. Pretty soon you will be the expert teaching a new nurse how to start an IV.

Keep at it,

R

[No Prob Rob]

Thanks Ricu