Jessica RN

New grad 2018 | RN Resident | Med-Tele

[thesaltyoncologist]

I don’t know who needs to see this, but the TeachMeAnatomy website is glorious. I’ve never found a more simple way I reminding myself of lymph node drainage patterns from specific organs.

...Ok, let me be honest, I never really learned that shit in the first place.

But regardless, this site is amazing.

If you struggle with anatomy like I do, I highly recommend it.

Containing over 700 vibrant, full-colour images, TeachMeAnatomy is a comprehensive anatomy encyclopedia presented in a visually-appealing, e

[tachycardic--tendencies]

Thank you for this! The other day I was told “a good rheumatologist has a good knowledge of anatomy” 😬

[jessicarn]

This week at work was hard. A little reminder of how much responsibility I carry. A little reminder of how much I still have to learn. I left today feeling like I served everyone a half assed assignment— there were so many tasks I didn’t get to, so many questions I didn’t have answers to (because I never stopped to ask them myself). I’m trying to chill and tell myself that it’s not the end of the world, it’s a learning experience, some nights the best you can do is just keep everyone afloat. It’s all true and I know that. I just hate feeling like I didn’t do my best.

[jessicarn]

I completed my first solo week at work; nobody died, so I consider it a success! But really, it went pretty well. It feels wonderful to operate independently. The first two nights were pretty chill, and I really enjoyed having the time to just talk with my patients. I had two patients with a history of alcohol abuse, and I enjoyed being able to explore that and discuss their motivations and their plan to stay sober once they discharged. Addiction is far more complex than I even realize, but I hope that the connections I made with them just add a little extra reinforcement to keep them on the right path.

Last night was a bit of a doozy. I had one empty room which meant I would likely receive an admit at some point-- which makes me nervous because I haven’t had many of those and I was going to be the first person to figure out how to manage them. Boy, this did not disappoint. The patient I received was withdrawing from meth and heroin, and spent all night crying, hyperventilating, and in pain. It scared me. I’ve never had someone go through this before, so I really wasn’t sure how to handle it, what to expect, and if I were doing enough. I feel blessed to work where I do because there is always someone around who will help me and not make me feel stupid. Anyway, we both made it through the night, even if it wasn’t the smoothest.

[secretrn]

When you’re a new grad nurse and you finally have a shift where you don’t screw up

[just-shower-thoughts]

If a doctor is using a stethoscope to listen to your heart and then you suddenly have a heart attack, he is literally hearing the beat drop

[dxmedstudent]

No, because you can’t ‘hear’ a heart attack. Though second degree heart block would certainly give you a dropped beat…

[meatball-surgeon]

*Justin Timberlake voice* I’m bringing Wenckebach (yeah), them QRS’s don’t know how to act

[homotology]

[mursejesse]

100% using this at work this week

[nursingtheheart]

Sometimes your nurses go home and cry for you.

[secretrn]

“You’re going to watch people die. You’re going to see them die and hear them die and everyone is going to look to you. Stay calm, take a deep breath, and remember why you’re here. To help them. And every time you do, a piece of yourself will stay with them no matter their outcome, but the key is to not let it ruin you. Don’t let it take all of you because if it does, next time you’ll have nothing to give. No one should suffer because of that.”

— - my senior paramedic after one of our calls (via blindleading-theblind)

[jessicarn]

Today was the first day taking on 3 patients. I would consider it pretty unsuccessful. 2 of 3 are contact precautions, 2 of 3 yelled at me for no good reasons. My time management and prioritization went out the window. My charting is behind. I have almost no confidence. I feel like crying.

It’s not really a bad day. Just harder than I was expecting.

[jessicarn]

Today was my first day taking in two patients. I think it went well. They were low-acquity and pleasant, which always makes for an easy day. I’m grateful to have a preceptor that gives me my independence, because I really do my best when I can just run my day without someone hovering over me.

One of my preceptor’s patients was a prisoner on comfort care. I enjoyed having the opportunity to care for someone like that because it really reminded me that the role of the nurse is not to judge, just to provide compassionate care.

I also took my rotation as a sitter and did a little discharge paperwork. My favorite thing is that my preceptor showed me how to create a more template that I can auto insert to save time. Mine is .ADIOS and I think that will bring me joy every time I discharge someone.

[jessicarn]

Student VS Resident

As a nursing student I felt all over the place. I was very insecure; every weekend would start awful and end okay-- sometimes there were confidence-building moments, but mostly I felt myself slinking out of the hospital every day kicking myself.

Of course I am nervous, but I am not letting my anxiety devour me. I believe what calms me is this hard-to-describe feeling that I’m meant to be here. I am not a burden to the people training me. I am smart and capable. 

My first day on the floor went okay. I took one patient, helped with some others, and I feel pretty good about it. My big accomplishment for the day was placing a Foley catheter on the first try in a female patient that has difficulty with catheters. My goal for Friday is to pass medications and chart more efficiently.

[freshrn]

On the blog now, Podcast Show Notes.  Season 1, episode 1 is ready to view or download.  https://www.freshrn.com/2017/05/02/nurse-orientation-show-notes/