Hello! If you are reading this and you are a nursing student- Congratulations! Started nursing school is a HUGE accomplishment! While it wasn’t perfect, I really enjoyed nursing school. Today I went through the archive of Nursing School posts and chose a few to share here with you! These are from back when I was a baby blogger- a mix of advice and my experience navigating nursing school.
A little about me and my nursing school journey. I first completed an LPN program from 2011-2012. I then worked as a LPN before returning to school in 2014 to obtain my Associate in Science and then my Associate Degree in Nursing (LPN to RN). In 2018 I returned to Medical University of South Carolina and received my Bachelors of Science in Nursing! I have been a nurse for 10 years this fall and love supporting nursing students and new to practice nurses on their journey! Follow me on Instagram for more tips & tricks for nursing students! I would love to connect!
Hello! I hope your week is off to a good start! I am excited to announce the newest offering from Nurses Supporting Nurses. If you don’t know, NSN is an organization I founded to provides support groups and other mental health resources to nurse and CNAs of all specialties.
I have been facilitating a support group every Wednesday for 5 months now (it’s hard to believe it’s been that long) and I have identified a need for a space just for new to practice nurses. “Covid era nurses” have their own unique set of needs and stories to share, and I want to provide the space for them to find community. The New to Practice Support Group will be open to nurses with less than 2 years experience. We will meet biweekly or weekly (I want to see the response before I decide which) to share stories and empower you through active listening and community. We also will discuss topics important to new to practice nurses, including (but not limited to):
Confidence building
Setting boundaries
Anxiety
Coping skills
Death & Dying
Our first meeting will be Monday August 1, 8pm-9pm EST via Google Meet. I am asking a small investment of $10/session with this group to help support NSN and allow us to grow and offer more to help nurses and CNAs. The Google Meet link will be emailed to you the day of the group session.
If you are a nurse with less than 2 years of practice, I would love for you to join our group! If you know a new to practice nurse- please share this blog post with them! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me or comment below.
Sign up for the New to Practice Support Group: Sign Up Here
Thank you for being here and supporting the blog and NSN!
Friday, we received the devastating news SCOTUS overturned Roe v Wade- setting up for multiple state to severely restrict or completely make abortion illegal. My heart has been hurting all weekend. I can’t even begin to fathom the death this will bring. The trauma. The pain. To people who can become pregnant, the ones who love them, and the healthcare workers who will care for them. I have a lot to say on the subject, but I am still processing. However, I wanted to share some resources and actionable steps we can take. I have spent the weekend reading and learning and I’m sharing that here today. I’ll continue to learn and share to help you take action. This is a marathon, not a sprint, so remember to take care of yourself along the way.
Donate
Donations is one of the best things we can do to support abortion clinics and access for pregnant people right now. Established organizations need money to get people the help they need.
Find abortion funds for each of your state to donate (or apply for a fund).
Protest
Protest are an important way to make our voices heard and exercise our first amendment right. However, due to current political climate and extremist, especially involving the issue of abortion, you must be safe. The ACLU has tips on knowing your rights and how to legally and safely organize a protest as well as attend one.
Abortion Finder. Org allows you to search for abortion providers in your area and also gives you information on medication and procedure abortion to help you choose what is right for you. There is also a state by state guide available.
3 Step Plan
Three for Freedom
OB/GYNs are suggesting any person of child bearing age with the organs to get pregnant (Do NOT believe when a doctor tells you “its not possible” unless the organs are gone) to have a 3 step plan to take control and protect their reproductive freedom.
Birth Control
Emergency Contraception
Medication Abortion Pills
These can be ordered on the Three for Freedom website and you do NOT have to be pregnant to order any of this. You can order to protect yourself (or others) and have on hand.
Vote
I feel our politicians and government have failed us by setting us up for this system failure and not putting it into law. However, things will get worst if we do not vote. We have to vote to have a hope at overturning this. Please ensure you are registered to vote and learn about your Representatives political stance before voting.
Vote.gov gives information on registering to vote and requirement for each state.
Treatment of Medication Abortion
One thing I think is important to note as anti-choice laws go into place across the country, you do NOT have to disclose if you are having a medical vs spontaneous abortion (miscarriage). Healthcare workers cannot tell, and they are treated the same. If you have complications from a medication abortion- please seek medical treatment. And do not feel you have to disclose you took the abortion pill.
It breaks my heart to have to tell people they can and possibly need to withhold information from healthcare workers. We are suppose to be a source of support and non-judgment. But I want you to feel safe seeking help. And please know a majority of healthcare workers are adamantly against this ruling and we support you and your autonomy over your body.
Emotional Support
NSN Support Group
Nurses Supporting Nurses is an organization I founded to provide free and low cost support groups and other mental health resources to nurses and CNAs. On Thursday June 30 at 8 pm EST I will be hosting a support group for those who are looking for a safe space to come and process their feelings about Roe v Wade being overturned. It does not feel right to have this be for only nurses, so I have opened this to anyone who needs a safe and healing space. Please fill out the form below to receive the Google Meet link on Thursday for the support group. This will be a confidential and safe virtual group.
I would also like to have a NSN support group for healthcare workers who will experience trauma and distress over this ruling. If this is something that would interest you, please reach out.
Share Information
Even if you cannot get pregnant, please share this information. We have to let people know they can still get this essentially healthcare. They can donate and make a difference. We have to help each other.
Also, healthcare workers, we are NOT mandated to report abortions. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REPORT. You should NOT be giving information without a court order. Please continue to protect our patients right to privacy and bodily autonomy.
Please share this post and place any resources you have in the comments
(or email if you are more comfortable)
If you would like to support me and Nurses Supporting Nurses- an organization I founded to provide free and low cost support groups and mental health resources to nurses, please consider a small contribution. This is never expected, but always appreciated.
Happy CNA week to all the CNAs, STNAs, HHAs, PCTs, and any other title for the amazing work of being a nursing assistant!
You are an integral part of the nursing team
The care you give is important
You provide people with respect and dignity
You are a light in a person’s darkest moments
You make people feel safe
You help to save lives
Thank you for what you do!
Head over to @nurses.supporting.nurses on Instagram to enter our CNA week giveaway! To show my immense appreciation of you and the work you do I am giving away an “One Line a Day Reflection Journal” and a $10 Starbucks e-gift card! Check it out on Instagram to learn more!
Thank you for all you do. I appreciate you so much.
I am proud to introduce the newest offering of support from Nurses Supporting Nurses, our “One Line a Day Communication: Text Support Line.” This subscription is designed for nurses, CNAs, and nursing students, but it will be beneficial to all healthcare workers or any person looking for a daily text of support.
A daily graphic with love and encouragement/affirmation. This is sent by me, founder of NSN, blogger, and Registered Nurse. It’s not an automated text. (see example below)
Respond to me in real time for additional support. It can be nursing related or personal- a nurse is waiting to listen and provide you with love and support.
Example of the daily text you will receive with the text support line.
Your subscription will go to supporting Nurses Supporting Nurses- an organization founded by me that provides free support groups and other mental health resources to nurses and CNAs.
I am excited and thankful to offer this offering of love and support. I think text is a perfect place to receive a daily dose of encouragment as well as a comfortable place to receive additional support. You don’t ever have to respond, but the option is there if you feel you want to.
I’m excited to share today is the 6th anniversary of the blog! Hard to believe I have been writing on my own little corner of the internet for the past 6 years. I have learned and grown a lot during my time on the blog. I love writing post about my experiences as well as researching and sharing.
Today I’m share a blog post from each year I have had the blog as a little trip down memory lane. Hopefully you’ll find something that interests you!
2017- This is one of my most viewed post on the blog! I share about the history and meaning behind the nursing pinning ceremony. This was also the year I graduated nursing school and received my pin for my RN program.
2018- Sadly, I have nothing to share from 2018! I was a RN working at the hospital and worried way to much about what people would think of my blog. I was so worried about someone I worked with finding the blog, I didn’t blog for over a year. Luckily, I worked through that anxiety and got back to blogging.
2019- This year I got back to the blog and it was one of the best (and sadly worst) years of our life. We both had good jobs, we got married, had amazing celebrations with family and friends, and went on an incredible honeymoon. Sadly, we said goodbye to our dog Southpaw after a four month battle with cancer. I still miss him everyday. I shared a look back of the high and lows of the year in this blog post.
2020- The year the pandemic hit and the world changed. We purchased an RV, packed up our family, and went to Washington D.C. for me to work as a travel nurse. It was the year of staying home but also the year of adventure for us.
2021- This year we spent in the sunshine state and I worked at a hospital less than a mile from the ocean. We loved being close to the beach and water, watching rocket launches, and continuing our adventure of living tiny. My mental health took a turn through the delta wave and I decided to step away from nursing for a bit. I shared my thoughts on this blog post, it’s another one of my most read to date.
2022- This year has been a year full of ups and downs as well. I tested positive for Covid in January and have been having long haul symptoms since. It’s not the year we hoped for, but the blog has been making a lot of progress and I started the Nurses Supporting Nurses: Support Group.
This was a deep post, but one that I am most proud of. I think it’s important to share our experiences to help others find comfort and healing in the cumulative trauma that has occurred the past two years.
Future of the Blog- I look forward to seeing how PLN grows in the future. I have a lot of ideas for both this blog and expanding Nurses Supporting Nurses beyond the support group. Thank you to anyone who has supported my blog and writing and taken the time to read, share, or comment on my posts. It really means so much to me.
Hello, friends! Happy Friday! It feels so good to be spending more time in my little corner of the internet and having the time, desire, and creativity to write more frequent blog post. Writing really feels like a form of therapy but also distraction for me. I’m hoping to continue writing and find more ways to help my fellow CNAs, nurses, nursing student, and APRNs. I’m sharing some recent post you may have missed for your Friday morning or weekend reading.
This has been my most viewed post this month on the blog. Radonda Vaught is a nurse who made a fatal but accidental med error and is now facing criminal charges. This post goes over the med error in more detail, the trial, and what concerns this raises for nurses. The trial ended yesterday, 3/24. We are awaiting the verdict. Look for a new blog post coming with an update on the trial, it should be posted in the next day or two.
I’m really proud of the amount of helpful information I put in this post. I think it’s an excellent read for both experienced and new CNAs, as well as nursing students and new nurses. CNAs are such an important part of the healthcare team and I truly appreciate them.
I wrote a post about Senior Practicum for nurses students. Senior Practicum is when you are a assigned a nurse and work their scheduled shifts with them for a set amount of hours. It gives you a better picture of what the future holds as a new nurse. It can be really scary and expectations can be high- read this to learn my tips and thoughts on how to be successful.
This is one of the most intimate and personal blog post I have ever done and also one I am most proud of. I share a glimpse into what a 12 hour shift was like behind the Covid Unit Doors. And the effect it had on me after I walked off the unit.
Thank you for continuing to support my blog! Subscribe to the blog to receive a weekly email- much like this post- of the blogs for the week to stay up to date!
One of the things I have been doing on my mental health healing journey is journaling. I’ll admit I’m not always the best at being consistent with journaling. However, I have noticed some benefits from it. One of the projects I’m working on involves journaling and I can’t wait until I am able to share it with you! Until then, I’m sharing some journal prompts with you today to help you do some self reflection.
Guided Breathing
Guided breathing can help you to calm your anxiety and center yourself to better concentrate and perform the task at hand. I have found whether I’m at work, a social event, or home- deep breathing can help to calm and center me. Simply closing my eyes, and taking even one or two slow deep breaths- can have a significant impact. I found a 3 minute free video from the calm app that I found helpful. It is only 3 minutes, so it is a good place to start without it being to long or overwhelming.
Subscribe to the blog and follow along to see all the exciting things in the works to help with mental health and self care. Including how you can get journal prompts, self care tips, and book, podcast, or blog recommendations like this every week.
TWELVE years ago (Oh my that’s hard to believe) I was in my last semester of high school and signed up at the local career center to take a STNA (State Tested Nursing Assistant) course. I had decided I wanted to be a nurse and knew that CNA/STNA is where I wanted to start. It was a 2 week course with 2 days of clinical. At the end I took the state written/practical exam (you had to perform five random skills) and was officially certified!
After graduation, I moved to SC and obtained my first CNA job. I worked at a skilled nursing facility (aka nursing home) and it was one of the hardest jobs I ever had. The amount of work you have to do and the little amount of help you have is astounding. Dressing, bathing, and feeding 10 Residents a day is so much work. I have so much respect for all CNAs after my time in a SNF. I then went on to home health and worked as a CNA until I passed my state boards for nursing. If you are a CNA and looking for some tips and trick I have learned over the past 12 years, check out my blog post.
LPN
Working as an LPN at a SNF
I attended an LPN program in hopes of starting my nursing career. I always knew I wanted to go on to ADN and BSN, but if LPN is your stopping point, that is amazing too! I worked at a Skilled Nursing Facility on their subacute rehab unit- taking care of patients who were there for physical rehab- strokes, hip and knee replacement, those who needed long term antibiotics, etc. I learned a lot and grew a lot as a person and a nurse!
RN, ADN
First day as an RN at the hospital!
I applied and was accepted to an LPN to RN program at our community college. We took one transition class- which was essentially lectures and tests over the first year of nursing school- in 7 weeks. Yep, it was a doozy. We then joined a traditional path RN cohort for the rest of the program. After graduation, I worked on a cardiovascular-telemetry unit for 3 years. I fell in love with cardiac nursing and worked with some truly amazing people. I even became a preceptor for new graduate nurses! I learned so much and it really helped teach me to be a great nurse.
RN, BSN
First day of the RN to BSN program
I did my RN to BSN online through Medical University of South Carolina while working full time as an RN (and planning a wedding!) and I loved it and cannot recommend it enough! I graduated magna cum laude with a 4.0 and really enjoyed my classes. I will say I don’t buy into the narrative that a BSN is necessary to be a nurse- but I did learn from my community health and research classes. I also like that it opens the doors to more non-bedside jobs and I’m ready to go to graduate school if and when I decided too.
Travel Nurse
A day off in Washington, D.C. during my first assignment
In April 2020, I submitted my resignation to my staff job and become a travel nurse. My first travel assignment was in Arlington, VA just outside of Washington, D.C. and we loved it! The assignments have been hard with Covid, but I enjoyed traveling and it was nice to be better compensated for the work I do.
I currently am on a break from nursing. It started with taking time for my mental health, but I am currently unable to work due to long haul covid symptoms. I’m using this time to decide what I want to do with my career as a nurse and think of new and exciting options for the future.
The Journey
Working the Covid Unit as a travel RN
This journey has took me 12 years, from the time I became a CNA until when I graduate with my BSN. I want you to know the no matter how long your journey takes, you can accomplish your goals! When I was first starting out, this point in my career seemed so far away. But here I am, considering grad school and planning my future as a BSN, RN.
Also reminder, if CNA, LPN, ADN, BSN, whatever it may be, is your end goal. That’s amazing! I had people say awful things to me when I was an LPN. But some of the best nurses I have worked with have been LPNs, and they have taught me so much in my career. Don’t let people make you feel like your accomplishments aren’t amazing. Because they are!
This post is written for the CNAs but it also is a great resource for CNA students, new nurses and nursing students starting clinical!
Congrats on passing your state test/certification and becoming a CNA! Also called STNA, PCT, PCA, etc. Essentially- you will be working as a nursing assistant. Helping patient and residents with activities of daily living and checking vital signs. Some facilities you may also do things like blood sugar checks, blood draws, EKGs, and more! (Note- it is important to know what your state and facility both allow you to do as a CNA.)
A CNA is an absolute vital member of the healthcare team and I want to thank you for choosing to joining! I worked as a CNA before nursing school in both a skilled nursing facility (nursing home) and in home health. I also have worked several shifts in the hospital as a tech when we were short staffed. It is a very hard but important job.
Some tips for the new CNA:
Show up to the floor ready to work. It’s frustrating when you are ready for report and the on-coming shift is going to breakfast, sitting at the desk, etc. Get report and relieve the previous shift. Then be ready to start baths, breakfast trays, vital signs, blood sugars, whatever needs done! It will make your (and your patients & nurses) day go better.
Listen to other CNAs report and how people give you report so you can learn how to give an effective report. Write down the report you get from the other CNA! Important information to know about your patient include:
Code Status (do you need to start CPR if they are unresponsive?)
Diet (Can they eat? What can they eat? Does it need to be a certain consistency?)
Fluid restriction (sometimes patient can only have a limited amount of liquids and this must be monitored)
Ambulation (Can they walk? Do they need assistance? A device? Are they on bedrest post procedure?)
How often do they need vital signs? Are they a blood sugar check? How often?
Are they on oxygen? (Make sure it’s on them when you round!)
Are they on precautions? (Cdiff, Covid, etc- what do you need to protect you & the patient)
Anything else you need to know about this patient?
Note: If you don’t get this information in report, or to double check information- you should be able to look at a care plan for CNAs or the patient’s chart. If not or you have questions- ask the nurse!
Pay attention to your patient’s skin! You get a chance to really observe, more than nurses many times. Pay attention to their sacrum/coccyx (back side), fingers, toes, etc. If you see any skin concerns- report them please!
ASK the nurse questions if you have them. Sadly, some nurses are not as kind as they should be (they are often overworked and stress as well). Don’t let that stop you. The patient/resident comes first. If it becomes an issue, report to management or your charge nurse.
Wear comfortable shoes and scrubs! You will be walking miles during a shift. You will be squatting, bending, and lifting. Make sure you can move in your scrubs and your shoes are comfortable. Also- compression socks are life saving! Make the investment. Your body will thank you!
Pack a lunch, bring snacks, and bring plenty of hydration! An 8 to 12 plus hour shift is long. You don’t want to be hungry and low energy!
Know the normal range of vital signs and if you get something abnormal- report it! If the patient is okay, recheck the vital sign first. Some troubleshooting tips:
BP- Before taking- does the patient have limb restrictions!? Sometimes we can’t use an arm or leg because of surgeries etc. Maybe hospitals put a band on these extremities. Make sure the cuff size is appropriate for the patient. Make sure the BP cuff is in the correct position. Have the patient lay on their back or sit with legs uncrossed. Ask them not to talk while you check the BP.
O2 saturation- Ask the patient to take a few deep breaths. Make sure the pulse ox (finger probe) is on correctly and they patient has their oxygen on if it’s required. Do they have fake nails? If so you may need to try their ear or toe.
Temperature- did the patient just take a drink? Is the thermometer under their tongue?
Pulse- Irregular heart rates can cause the patient’s heart rate to read incorrectly. Are they on a heart monitor?
Respirations- Does the patient feel short of breath? Did they just get up to the bathroom?
When possible- get vitals before going to the bathroom or getting the patient up! And again- if it’s not within range- report it, please! This is vital to the patients well being and care.
When placing a chuck (draw sheet/pad under a patient)-put the chuck lower than you think you should. The top of the chuck should be around the patients waist, if not lower. When you go to pull the patient up, the chuck will move! If it’s not low enough, it won’t do you any good for the next boost (and won’t help keep the sheets dry and clean).
Getting patient’s to the bathroom is a great time to ambulate them in the hall (after of course) if needed. Also it is a great time for ADLs. They can brush their teeth, change, bathe, and shave while in the bathroom! Work smarter, not harder. Time management and clustering care are essential to surviving a shift
Round on your patients. Nurses are busy too and we depend on you to work as a team to help keep patients safe! Some hospitals have rounding schedules, if not you should try to lay eyes on your patients at least every 1-2 hours. Physically walk in the room. Are they comfortable in bed/chair? Is the floor clear? Is their bedside table and belongings in reach? Is their oxygen on? Are the breathing? (yes, you need to make sure they are breathing.)
Teamwork makes the dream work. Team up with other CNAs and nurses. Ask for help, and also be willing to help.
You may be some of the only human contact a patient or resident gets in a day. Many of them are scared and have never been this vulnerable before. Be kind. Smile. Be patient! It makes all the difference to a patient and their family.
If a patient looks different. Sounds different. Acts different. Anything. Report it to the nurse!! I have had CNAs report patient with low oxygen, experiencing a stroke, and more. They literally saved the patient’s life by recognizing the change and reporting it. This includes home care. I had to call 911 for a client while I was a home health CNA as well and they were admitted to the hospital. You have the power to save a life. Speak up if you suspect anything!
Thank you for all the work you will do to not only help your patients, but to help all the healthcare team- especially nurses! I can’t tell you how much I love and appreciate CNAs and how much they have taught me and helped me during my career as a nurse. Some of my worst shifts were made better by an amazing CNA. Your work is important and matters so much! Remember, we all were new and we all have faced the steep learning curve on entering healthcare. You’ll learn the little tricks to make your day better. You’ll improve your time management. It will get better and you will succeed. If you have any questions- please contact me! I would love to connect.
Disclaimer: This is general information. Please refer to your state practice act and facility/institution policy and procedures for your practice guidelines.