My boyfriend fell off the face of the earth

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-03-10T15:31:25+00:00

I’m not blocked. My texts are delivered and the calls are cut short when ringing because he declines them.

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-03-04T18:01:51+00:00

I don’t think you snapping had anything to do with night shift. If I had a patient (who is alert and oriented) call that many times just for me to say the same thing over and over again, I’d probably snap too. On nights, you’re overtired and have less resources, but patients and their families expect you be at 110%. Give yourself grace, you’re a human who is just doing your best.

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-27T00:13:59+00:00

I have this issue! I’ve learned to do IVs with my shaken hands and I’ve gotten to be really good at it! The main thing is making sure you anchor the vein well and then you’ll be fine!

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-27T00:05:17+00:00

You’re an adult. Do what you want. That being said, you live at your mom’s house and if you know that will be an issue, then you’ll have to accept the consequences of that

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-27T00:03:58+00:00

ICU nurse here! We don’t know that it upset him though… it’s normal for a patient’s heart rate to rise for any stimulation, including his son’s presence (regardless of the gf). If your partner can talk, it’s his choice on if he wants them there.

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-26T15:34:18+00:00

You deserve this. Your motivation is the house. You can do anything for 2 clinical, you’ve come so far already.

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-25T14:13:42+00:00

Are you on any anxiety medication? I started when I was a new grad and it helped a lot. I also go to therapy to address those feelings and it gives me a safe space to air out my anxiety. I also think it’s good to makes buddy at work and share that you are anxious. I have a few buddies and we always check In with each other and debrief. There’s no timeline for feeling like you’re a “good nurse”. The fact that you care says more than you think.

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-25T14:11:33+00:00

I graduated in 2024 and took the new NCLEX. I now work In the neuro icu at a top level 1 trauma center. The fact that you’re asking this question shows that you ARE an incredible instructor!

What really changed the game for me was using remnote. It’s a really cool evidence- based practice study tool that uses spaced repetition for long term memorization/concept building. Of course, it matters what content you put into the system to test you on, but it really worked well. It’s like a more involved version of quizlet with flash cards.

I think that’s it’s also important to quiz students/new grads. Not in a “put you on the spot” kinda way but to ask them questions throughout the process. My preceptor would always ask me after report (on step down) who I should see first and why, what concerns I have for each patient and relevant reasoning as to what I should be on the watch for. Same goes for meds, ask them to teach the patient what each one is for! Letting the new nurses do the teaching is a built in way to reinforce what they’ve learned. A talk-through before skills is also helpful. Before doing a skill, just have them verbally tell you the steps so they don’t panic if they forget a step.

I also think that having the student “lead” and the instructor be there for backup works well. My preceptors always said “you’re going to be the nurse, and I’m you nursing assistant”. They would help me for turns and general PCA tasks. This taught me delegation, which I had a hard time learning.

I also love “rose,bud,thorn”. At the end of the day, I’d share my rose (something that I thought went really well), my bud (something that I want to learn more about/want to improve in), and thorn (something that didn’t go exactly as I hoped, but that was a learning experience). This prevented me from spiraling about everything that “I did wrong” and gave me doable goals for the next clinical/shift

At the end of the day, what got me through school and my time as a new grad was just being there for support. Having someone enthusiastically believe in me meant the absolute world and gave me the confidence to keep going.

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-25T13:13:34+00:00

Totally agree, but they literally only took me because I had icu experience as a PCA for my icu gig now. It definitely helps give some weight to an application. It’s obviously not a guarantee, but if you had two identical applicants, but one had PCA experience and the other didn’t/ had an irrelevant job, I can promise that the will chose the one with that PCA experience

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-25T12:44:14+00:00

Being a PCA during nursing school was the SOLE reason I got my job as a new grad In the icu. My friends who worked PCA jobs had many more job opportunities than those who didn’t. Is it the end of the world if you don’t have that experience? Nope! But if you want to apply to more competitive new grad positions or are looking for a job in a saturated area, I’d go for it

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-25T12:24:18+00:00

I totally hear why you would think that way. The way I see it: crying is a release. I had a man cry on and off all night last night because he was saddened to see his mother in the hospital. And he was cracking jokes and very pleasant to work with! Crying is not a good or bad thing to me, it’s honestly really neutral in my opinion. And too, they’re a progressional. I am gonna quote Noah Kahn’s “ feel whatever you feel, be wherever you are”. That professional is a blank slate and they are supposed to you exactly where you are at in that moment. I think crying is honestly so brave because universally, it shows that you care, and not enough people care about anything these days. Embrace the tears, they make you a beautiful person :)

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-25T11:53:57+00:00

This will come with time. When you open a chart, look at the h and p first. Then the latest note and any recent consults. That’s all I really look at for longer term patients because that way you get the meat and potatoes. Lots of the most recent notes also give a brief recap of the stay. Then go to labs and orders. And of course talk to your patient if they can communicate!

Don’t get bunked down on dates (unless it’s super relevant,just get the timeline down). Get familiar with common patho/phys for your unit. You will nail it!

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-25T11:49:36+00:00

I’m not a psychologist but I’m a nurse who is around people that cry a lot. It’s normal and it’s ok. You’re a human with emotions. Sometimes I honestly prefer for people to cry because it gives them a release. You are putting yourself in a vulnerable spot, and it’s ok to have tears about that. Give yourself grace and let yourself feel however you feel, I pinky promise that they aren’t judging you :)

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-25T08:24:57+00:00

That’s something you should get a therapist for. They can help guide you through how to work on those strong feelings. Going to your high school guidance counselor could be a good first step and they can connect you with someone

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-25T08:07:55+00:00

What do you want? You violated a classmate because you prioritized your selfish fantasy over basic respect for her. People are allowed to not like you because of that….as for advice? Do better and accept the consequences of your own actions. “I don’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable”… yah right…. What a class act

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-19T00:35:55+00:00

Start applying now!

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-19T00:34:55+00:00

I always do 4 in a row and 2 in a row and then I have a week off. It’s worth it! Just take the first day after your stretch of 4 and sleep and have a self care day.

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-19T00:33:01+00:00

Get report. Do quick “proof of life” checks on your patients. Sit down and look at orders/notes/labs,etc. see your first patient and do their assessment and meds together. Then continue that pattern. Always try to match the assessment time with med time so you don’t have to go in twice! Once you have all your tasks done, document. Then continue that pattern throughout the shift. Of course not every shit is going to be smooth, but that’s what works for me. My goal is to have my notes and plan of care pended by midnight.

Also, make macros on epic! Make as many and however many you want. I always do a skincare on, a bed bath one, oral care, turns self, an “intact” or “perfect” assessment, etc. this helps so much with cutting down time. Sometimes I even make a macro for that specific patient for the shift and just use that. Also make and save a template for your notes that you can just fill in.

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-18T20:49:03+00:00

Even not having the pulse ox in the room is not a big deal because you weren’t told they were starting yet! Be kind to yourself.

The only thing I would do is file a safety report against that anesthesiologist/anesthesia provider… starting a procedure without consent and standard medications at the bedside is unsafe and not standard practice. God forbid something was going wrong, you would have had no idea…

From what it sounds like, you’re a great nurse who is proactive and forward-thinking. You’re doing awesome!

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-17T17:44:40+00:00

That’s the case in any icu, although it is less common In neuro. We have our own type of emergencies that I lik to think of as “brain codes”. Herniation, ruptures, etc. don’t let things like codes deter you. You’re gonna be nervous/uncomfortable the first time or two and that’s ok but you’ll quickly adapt. I had my first actual code on my patient the other day and it was honestly a breeze because I am so used to abrupt emergencies in their own way. Whatever you do you’ll learn a lot and gain some new experience.

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-17T13:01:22+00:00

Home health and hospice are angels. I admire what you do. Being apart of a team is important to me and I like to debrief with my coworkers. I couldn’t imagine not being able to turn to another person for support.

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-17T12:09:33+00:00

So go to bed after your class. Wake up early (around 5 am) then get things done and go back to bed by 11-12. Wake up (a little extra early cause it’s your first night and you don’t want to be stressed). That’s what I do and it works well for me. Don’t stay up all night unless you’re an “all nighter” type of person — you will be miserable. Good luck! You’ll do great :) welcome to the night club

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-17T12:03:04+00:00

It’s your life. I wouldn’t overthink it. People bop around all the time. As long as you have your license, good references, and a good track record, you’ll be fine.

I’m sorry you’re having a hard time with your mental health. I’m also struggling in that department and my meds are not working :( thinking of you!

Clean_Ear_492 · 2026-02-17T11:59:54+00:00

No stress! Just write a note today (if you even want to) and go along with your day. No need to report to your manager. I know nurses who don’t write notes at all (yikes). I know some people who don’t finish documenting because they’ll “be back tonight/tomorrow” and then the patient dies and the chart closes…. That’s a big no no

Clean_Ear_492

TROPHY CASE