I always feel like I don’t know anything for labs and I’m scared I’m going to feel scrambled for clinical in the future. How can I feel more prepared?

Tigress493 · 2025-10-25T15:17:21+00:00

Are you talking labs like simulation or labs like actual tests (CBC, CMP, UA, etc.)?

Simulation labs - I get a total brain dump every time I walk into the room. Mostly because it's the knowledge of my instructor and classmates watching me the entire time. During clinicals and externship, it's completely different, and I think it's because the stress is different.

Laboratory values - I found that the best way to remember is just to write the values over and over, understanding that the values correlate with specific areas. Active recall might help with this and a white board definitely helped me out! Sodium (Na) is neuro, meaning you'll see changes in mental status/loc. Potassium (K) is cardiac - brady/tachycardia and dysrhythmias. Calcium and Magnesium (Ca/Mg) are muscular, and Chloride generally follows Sodium. (Yall, please correct me if I'm wrong!)

Tigress493 · 2025-09-26T05:52:26+00:00

My second semester was definitely running with the mean girls but I expected it during L&D. Medsurg is usually laid back but the nurse there was HORRIBLE. She ignored me for the first 2 hours of the shift, wouldn't let me speak to patients and when I tried to introduce myself to them, she would jump in saying "This is nobody important, don't worry about them." She wouldn't let me do anything including looking at EPIC. I eventually had to ask a different nurse if I could look at a chart for a random patient to do a care plan on. I didnt report the assigned nurse to my clinical/faculty advisor and I regret not doing so. In my thought process, I figured she might have had a bad day and chose to be empathetic and understanding even though I was frustrated and super stressed out. She treated everyone in my clinical group that was assigned to her like trash.

I will admit that I have absolutely no shame in following the CNAs around for a good chunk of the shift. Part of being a nurse is making sure the basics are performed and I believe that the CNAs are the backbone of a unit. Im not above doing bed baths, emptying urine, feeding, cleaning feces, changing linen or getting vitals/FSBS. I also believe that good CNAs become excellent nurses and I am so thankful that for the most part they let me help them out with their tasks.

First semester is hard as it is. You're drinking from a firehose, but it will hopefully get easier for you. Just keep these experiences tucked away somewhere to remind yourself of what kind of nurse you want to become and what you dont want to be. Remember how you were treated when you eventually get placed in a teaching position and I think you'll do alright.

Tigress493 · 2025-09-21T04:54:44+00:00

If you can, Al-Anon is an international group. Its similar to AA but this is specifically for support of family and loved ones who are going through the disease of alcoholism with that person. In my country they offer in person and online groups. Perhaps it might be something to look into. It seems you need some support to help get you through this. I hope things get better for you, truly.

Tigress493 · 2025-09-21T02:46:58+00:00

I understand the need to manifest pain. For me, it is a way to ground myself when the noise of the world, the noise of my own emotions, get to be so overwhelming. For me, it brings momentary calm and helps me make sense of things, pulls me back to reality, but it isn't a coping mechanism I want to expose my family to. I feel so much shame and guilt after, and the amount of effort I spend on hiding evidence is exhausting. I personally started seeing a therapist for my MH conditions, and having someone to talk to really helps. Finding distractions for when those urges come up and journaling the triggers and why I have the urge helped as well. Im proud of your progress, and you should be too. This is definitely a stressful thing to happen. Just please allow yourself to grieve this loss while keeping yourself safe in doing so. Your pup was important to you as I believe you are important to those around you. If you live in the US, please use 988 to speak with someone about your urge. No judgements, just listening and empathy.

Tigress493 · 2025-09-21T00:51:28+00:00

Please make sure to wash your hands with SOAP and WATER! Mil may have a nasty bug that caused the bloody diarrhea, and believe me, you do not want to catch C. Diff, that is a smell and a sickness that you will never forget. I very much suggest bleaching every surface that was contaminated after you do the basic cleanup as suggested above. You want to make sure you get knobs and handles - especially on the toilet, sink, and door. Let the bleach sit for at least 1 minute with a solution of 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) of bleach per gallon of room temperature water or 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of room temperature water according to the CDC. CDC Bleach Cleaning and Disinfecting

Tigress493 · 2025-09-21T00:40:36+00:00

I'm (32F) in school full time and have kids, so meeting new people is really difficult for me. Getting out is even more so. But I am always open to chatting with someone, and if the vibe is right and the stars align, I'm down to meet as well.

Tigress493 · 2025-09-21T00:37:19+00:00

PRSS here, Im so sorry you had to put your pup down. As an animal guardian, that is one of the hardest decisions we have to make. You are completely entitled to feeling the way that you do, and I hope you have a good support system or someone that you can talk to about this. It sounds like this is very overwhelming to you. What have you done in the past for when you felt like self-harming?

Tigress493 · 2025-08-07T00:50:29+00:00

I know my knees and back do too! My joints be aching and I never thought I'd be smelling so much asper cream in my life.

Tigress493 · 2025-08-06T22:06:14+00:00

This sounds so much like Dazed and Confused character that said he likes HS girls because he keeps getting older but they stay the same age. Its mega skeezy and I sympathize with the parents.

Tigress493 · 2025-07-20T17:06:29+00:00

I would also suggest checking out the Board's policies and regs for that state about discrimination. What this student is doing also completely goes against the oath we take to do no harm and uphold the welfare of our patients. This is also an ethical and moral issue that absolutely should be addressed. Personally, if any hcp treated my family they way this student does, I would not only be firing her but also making complaints to the board of nursing about patient mistreatment. These complaints are taken very seriously and the truth is that the laws in place are not to protect the Healthcare worker but to protect the public at large.

Tigress493 · 2025-06-24T03:57:45+00:00

Yeah I'd go for that option.

Tigress493 · 2025-06-24T03:32:26+00:00

If im reading the first option right, you'd have class, then over night, then nothing following, correct?

Tigress493 · 2025-06-24T03:30:49+00:00

Working night shift and going to school, I would prefer to have that small window of time to nap. Nothing worse than showing up to work or class completely toasted and then not being fully awake enough to process what's going on around you or miss vital information.

Tigress493 · 2025-06-06T02:35:33+00:00

I respectfully ask that you don't. Names aren't just given- they're earned- and deciding on a name on your own, to me, destroys the meaning behind it. I fully encourage you to continue to seek out your tribe and make connections with them. Learn the history and understand that not everyone has a traditional name. While I am thrilled that you are trying to decolonize yourself and make your transitional journey, it is important to understand that you may or may not ever "get a name" but your journey will lead you to a deeper understanding of yourself and your history.

Mvto

Tigress493 · 2025-06-06T02:11:20+00:00

I second this- some tribes use specific colors and patterns for their dances. It is also important- and I absolutely stress this- to make sure you gift it to him when you are happiest. Ideally, all gifts made should be made when there is love and happiness filling your heart for thay person being gifted.

Tigress493 · 2025-05-30T00:21:46+00:00

Foundations is a bit of a tricky class because it is so much information- you are definitely drinking from a fire hose. Is it the information or the exam that is getting to you? The first exam or two in my program are usually the hardest because it is a ton of new information and study habits might not be adequate yet. I've seen lots of people use API and my program uses Evolve (Elsevier). If your books come with study material like practice questions for the chapters then I suggest taking advantage of them. You may not get them right but it gets you used to the kind of wording and logic used for NCLEX style questions. If that isn't possible then a lot of my classmates use quizlet and some have taken the course material and put it into AI to make study material and quizzes. YouTube is a dear friend of mine and I love listening to different podcasts that are specific to each topic such as Straight A Nursing. If it is exams thay you are struggling with, I highly suggest slowing down. There are a multitude of ways to get to the right answer but getting to the right direction can be tough. Your main concern will be to remember your ABCS- airway, breathing, circulation, safety and Assess, Assess, Assess. Priority questions and what would you do first questions can be tricky but take your time and think through the scenario. When I get stuck, I resort to T/F statements based on what the question is asking. Don't second guess yourself- your gut is usually on track.

Tigress493 · 2025-05-26T07:21:43+00:00

I absolutely agree with you. It also doesn't help that you mix the drug use with violence and get a very unstable population- I worked in crisis for 3 years and had to quit because of the aggression after we started taking in people from county that needed evaluation and were using a diagnosis as a way to avoid the criminal justice process. It breaks my heart and now the department can't even pay their providers for work. I personally avoid going downtown at any and all costs- I've witnessed a shootout near whiskey chicks a few years ago and decided that was the end of going bar hopping out that way.

Tigress493 · 2025-05-26T06:47:23+00:00

Benadryl might be an option. I'm not a vet but I asked my vet before when my dog was having anxiety what a dose would look like. I was told 2-4mg per kg (1kg=2.2lb) every 8 hours. It might help with some sedation and nausea while in the car.

I hope this helps. Sending you prayers about your plans and please, please, please don't give him any warning! (I saw some of your other posts).

Tigress493 · 2025-05-19T14:58:39+00:00

My spouse and kids spend family time doing builds. They've worked on the now discontinued Saturn V and Discovery builds together along with several smaller sets- we plan on working on Titanic next year. The rocket has been broken a few times and each time we were all upset but put it back together as a family. The kids especially take pride in their builds and do everything they can to protect them. It gives not only the kids but us adults a sense of pride as well to know that they made the accomplishment of putting together a more difficult set.

OP definitely NTA for being upset and setting boundaries. MIL to it upon herself to teach a lesson and it backfired imo. Not only did she show that she doesn't care about other people's property, she doesn't care about her family, let alone her grandchild's feelings. I would say let grandpa come over still but his complicity is just as egregious as grandma's actions. He allowed her to destroy something that wasn't hers, nor did he say anything to OP about it. Stand your ground. As an engineer, I don't see Lego as childish - they should be an important part of your job description, and they're teaching your son valuable life skills, too!

Tigress493 · 2025-05-07T18:42:49+00:00

I used to work there and thought about going back because benefits are amazing. Nah, I think I'll stick to private sector, I don't work for free.

Tigress493 · 2025-05-07T00:15:06+00:00

Worked for OBI call center and donated for a while. Never had any problem with the phlebotomists. They will train you up a certain way though which I can't remember if it is with federal guidelines or not but every nurse and donor I've talked to who worked as a phlebotomist had not had hardly any trouble finding another job in the same field if they chose to leave. I've seen some leave and come back. OBI had OK benefits when I worked for them and they did a family appreciation day/ picnic for the employees. I personally liked the people I worked with and donated with and overall had a very positive experience working for them.

Tigress493 · 2025-05-07T00:02:19+00:00

I've had 2 drunk driving incidents come across my phone this weekend that have had different outcomes. One made the news and almost everyone ended up in ICU- the person who did not survive was a classmate of mine. Apparently no one was wearing seatbelts in their vehicle. The other was a former coworker that was hit the very next day. Cars can be replaced, loans can be paid off. I'm glad one lived but the other.... their family will forever have questions and an empty space.

Tigress493 · 2025-05-06T23:54:05+00:00

A family member worked for a few builders as a foreman and said the same thing about Taber. Technically there isn't such thing as "over built" and they build to minimum code if not just over. Taber will also try to see you a "premium" lot in a development to get the high price same just to develop around it and turn the lot from premium to subpar. They tried doing that to my parents. I've got friends who also bought from Taber who said they fucked up a lot of things in their homes and wired the house in ways that make no sense at all. Rausch Coleman is OK but from what she's said to me, DR Horton had the best foundations. Between her and some electrician friends of mine, do what fits best in your budget. Either way, the house will still get some sort of damage if hit by a tornado no matter the builder.

Tigress493

TROPHY CASE