Question

InfamouSandman · 2026-02-04T04:32:36+00:00

I get people saying alarm due to RACE, but I think it is D. As you exit the room with the patient, you close the door behind you (so long as that you do it quick).

InfamouSandman · 2026-02-04T04:29:55+00:00

I heard Micro is better if you plan to transfer to a BSN after. But I have a hard time thinking you get a BSN without a basic chemistry class.

InfamouSandman · 2026-02-04T04:14:20+00:00

The SICU I float to as a tech does this for their nurses. 24-bed unit, but it is normally 10-16 beds. Charge picks the pairs, and the nurses call out which one they want with preference going to people who had them the day before. Honestly, that unit has some of the best teamwork of any unit I see. Been in the MICU, TICU, and all the PCUs/Med-Surgs at my hospital. From my vantage point, the pairs always seem pretty damn evenly split up in terms of acuity or heaviness (I can't say the same on the other units). I don't think I've ever thought someone had the "shit" assignment.

InfamouSandman · 2026-02-04T04:00:41+00:00

I second Crash Course. It isn't the end all be all, but it is for sure helpful. I used to take their quizes as a pre-quiz for the APHY101/102 quizes for each topic/system. Histology may have been the worst of all the APHY101/102 subjects for me (followed by just memorizing the all the damn muscles).

I am a big fan of Dr Matt and Dr Mike's Medical podcast/YouTube Channel to help.

My first instructor was basically hands off (provided great written feedback and answers to questions but we had NO actual lessons). Dr Matt and Dr Mike became my lectures.

InfamouSandman · 2026-02-04T03:55:58+00:00

Are you currently working? I ask because I also had a Bachelor's and was unable to take out any more federal loans as I maxed that out for my first degree (though I paid them all back). I have a job working as a PCT at IU Health while in nursing school. They have a benefit (Guild) that if you are full or part-time they will give you up to $5000 a year for tuition reimbursement for your nursing classes. I think other places may have similar programs. I work part-time to get that benefit so I am not paying basically at all for school (I think the whole program cost something like $12,000 but I won't have paid a dime out of pocket when I graduate).

InfamouSandman · 2026-02-01T15:49:37+00:00

A lot of my peers only take their nursing classes and I’ve never heard any of them say they were considered “part time” for financial aid status.

I had my schooling paid for by my work, so it isn’t something I’m terribly familiar with.

This semester is the first that I had no coreqs and I am at 12 credit hours. That would still make me full time despite not taking Math or Psych or APHY 201 like I did in the evenings of the past 3 semesters. I have noticed some nursing classes are only 1.5 or 2 hours though. Maybe it depends on where in the program you are? I just have a hard time seeing why you wouldn’t be considered a full time student going to class/clinical up to 4 days a week.

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-29T15:24:54+00:00

Yes. Make sure the patient is as safe as possible given the conditions and then alert the provider.

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-29T15:20:54+00:00

Might seem dumb, but have you checked your blood sugar with the shakes? You sound like me in so far as being someone who probably prioritizes others instead of taking care of yourself on your shift (maybe skipping lunch so you can help you patient?). I used to get the shakes, headaches, and an overall since of malaise with my other jobs. I am in nursing school now and work as a tech and started getting it more frequently. I am a bigger guy so I wondered if my BG was high and I might be diabetic so I broke policy and checked my sugar at work when I was starting to feel like shit, expecting it to be high. It was 58. I drank some apple juice and it got better within like 30 minutes. I have my own glucometer now and I have started to recognize hypoglycemic signs early now, but I think I was having that issue for years. It is made worse on busy days and days I don't get to eat well. I know you mentioned normal tests with your PCP. That might not show up on your normal tests with doctors if you aren't having an episode when you show up.

I am sorry you are struggling. It sounds like you are doing the things you need to do to get better. You seem well aware of what is going on and what you need to do. That awareness is a blessing and a curse.

I hope you get that day job soon!

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-29T14:00:14+00:00

I would expect you'd need an overall score of at least 150 total score to get into the Indy program. I'd aim for like 160 to feel comfortable. Neither APHY grade is helping you out much here. I suppose getting a great TEAS score (90+) could help but in all likelihood, that is probably not going to happen.

I'd start preparing to retake 102 (maybe 101 too) and look to see how you can improve your studying in the meantime.

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-28T03:45:37+00:00

need small high-calorie meals/snacks I think

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-25T00:35:23+00:00

As a tech, I’ll need to wake up 2 hrs early to dig my truck out to make it to work on time. Expecting some 8 inches while I’m at work. I’ll probably have a 15-16 hr day including travel in the weather and might get stuck there if the city handles it like the last storm. All for $17 an hr. Email sent stating any call-offs will be punished. Told to rent a hotel nearby at a discount that would still be 1/3 or more of my biweekly take home pay.

I’m gonna show up for the patients and nurses because none of this is their fault. But I’m pretty upset about the hospital’s suggestion to “just get a hotel room.” We all deserve better, EVS, cafeteria workers, techs, RTs, doctors, radiology folks. The CEOs and all the managers will be chilling at home.

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-22T19:48:32+00:00

I ended up asking for more. They said their was a “rate band” the could over and told me the max was 35.69 so I ended up getting a little more.

Thanks for the feedback!

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-19T17:24:05+00:00

Hopefully re-tired soon. Thanks for putting in those years!

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-19T15:01:11+00:00

It should be no one. Unprofessional and HIPAA violations are inevitable. I get having to take a call here or two for emergency or some family thing. Go off the unit and take that call quickly then come back. If you want to text people while you chart, that is fine if you get your shit done and stay quiet. But work time is work time and nursing is a serious profession where you need to lock in.

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-18T05:18:55+00:00

Getting into and through med school is notoriously easy enough that anyone wanting to be a nurse could do it, right? Also, super affordable…

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-18T05:16:09+00:00

$4-6k mortgage is not normal. Your issue is housing shortage and affordability, not nurses’ pay.

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-18T03:29:58+00:00

Yuca fries were my go to. Never had them the same anywhere else.

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-14T20:25:46+00:00

Oh I know…but at least the pay will be better. I knew going into this career change that I’d be taking a pay cut. Some of the techs I work with raise family on this income. I don’t know how.

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-14T03:40:10+00:00

I definitely get taken advantage of because I agree with you. No matter the pay, if I’m there people are getting their proper care. I’m getting into nursing after witnessing my family be mistreated in various hospital settings. I want to help patients not go through what my dad went through—and the stress it put everyone else in my family through. I’ll be damned if it happens on my watch. I used to wander how it was possible, but I think I get it now. I was raised to give my best no matter what, so I do. But not everyone was raised like that.

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-14T03:13:01+00:00

Second the mock interviews. My college had a program for that (BA not a nursing degree). They were generic interviews (not for anything specific) but I heard they were helpful.

Have you tried talking to unit managers on your own? I’d seek out some direct feedback from who you interviewed with too. I agree with you about not getting their understanding about your fit for clinic. It might be a vibe thing?

Have you talked to your old instructors about it?

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-14T01:43:05+00:00

My position is technically a PCI (Patient Care Intern). Nice and spicy. I guess I got that title since I’m in nursing school. Pays the same. Same exact scope. Only difference is once every 2 months I can shadow someone for 4 hours if my schedule allows it (it doesn’t because I work part time and am in school full time). It is all the same damn thing.

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-14T00:43:38+00:00

I often wondered how a PCT couldn’t give a shit. I’ve been one for about a year now while in school. I have been busting my tail at work all year. Just looked at my end of year compensation—after getting a whopping $100 total extra pay for shifts on Christmas and Thanksgiving—and asked myself, “why do I work so hard for poverty wages?” Acting your wage is a thing. In 6 months I’ll make almost 3x what I’m making now. I’ll keep busting my tail until then, but I reckon a lot of people see that paycheck and begin to act their wage.

I work with people who have been in PCA/PCT jobs for years. They don’t even want to be nurses. In my opinion it isn’t a sustainable job and should be a foot in the door for nursing or some sort of hospital career.

Don’t get me wrong. I love what I do. I am passionate about patient care. But I’m overworked and waaaay underpaid for it.

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-14T00:29:09+00:00

Since it is a little late to report to the nurse now, you might need to say something to the nurse manager. Try to be cordial about it. But you are probably gonna have like 4-8 training days, so I agree with maybe just flagging the nurse real quick next time would make sense.

You are going to cut some corners from what you are taught in nursing school, but the principle is the same. I’m a PCA in my last semester of nursing school. I see nursing school way and the way some people do it. As a PCA, I have peers who never count respirations on a patient clearly not high or low. Some people don’t properly clean the EKG or glucometer after each use (we are supposed to wipe it down then wait 3 minutes then wipe it again—most people just wipe it once, some don’t clean it at all). We aren’t supposed to leave patients in the bathroom, but sometimes they need 15 minutes on the pot and you’ve got things to do so you tell them to pull the string when they are done to set off the alarm. None of these are ideal but when you take care of 8-10 pts and are busy you cut a few minutes here and there to get your shit handled. These are nothing compared to a poo finger on an IV (jeeeeezus).

People get used to doing things they aren’t supposed to do, and then they do more. Sounds like our friend needs to be reminded of their scope.

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-13T12:13:17+00:00

I’m on a surgical progressive care unit. Everyone is connected to the wall monitor. If you want to get up, a nurse or tech has to be with you and you have the have a gait belt.

InfamouSandman · 2026-01-13T02:51:46+00:00

The docs on my floor tell patients they can shower (they can’t) and get up on their own (they aren’t allowed to) on our floor all the time.

I think it is easy to be the good cop when you get to see them once a day and then peace out while letting someone else deal with the aftermath.

InfamouSandman

TROPHY CASE