New here!

[hindie]

I hope it's okay that I post here, since I'm brand new here (I registered 5 minutes ago!)

I'm in my first year of nursing school. Tomorrow begins my sixth week. I'm currently enrolled in a full-time 1-year LPN program. I still have a few prerequisites to finish for the 2nd year (RN) of the program, but once I'm done with that I will apply for the part-time RN program (7 quarters, at night, one class per quarter). Financial considerations being what they are, I will have to work during the second year of the program (hence the part-time instead of full-time).

So far, in spite of ALL THE WORK (the volume is just insane!), I'm doing well and enjoying everything.

Our fist clinical day is Tuesday, this coming, and we will be giving flu shots at the local skilled nursing facility.

I live in fairly remote area with a very small Jewish population and an even smaller Orthodox population (I'm it, basically).

Any and all advice is more than welcome!

--Hindie

[medic09]

Shalom Hindie and welcome!

We, too, are in a very small observant population in Santa Fe, NM; but it is bigger than yours. About 3 families, and another 4 or 5 singles are observant here; so it is a bit less lonely that way.

Tell us more about your community, if you don't mind violating your privacy to that extent. And what do you do for kosher goods (if available), shul, etc?

Have you worked out an arrangement with your program for Shabbat and holydays; or did you not want to get into that?

If you peruse the various threads on here, you'll see there has been some discussion of many relevant issues. There's always room for more, so don't hesitate to post!

Shanah tovah.

[achot]

Hindie
Welcome!!. Good luck in school, with work and all the rest.
I can already tell that you will be a great nurse. Only the best understand that any and all advice is welcome.
I cant believe they have you giving flu shots on your first year.
Its a responsibility. Under who's license will you be covered if G-d forbid a patient has an adverse reaction?
Any patient who doesnt seem 100% - question the nurse. Make sure all of them had their temps checked ( I still prefer PR) before giving the shot. Anyone with the sniffles, coughing, wheezing, or whatever- question your supervisor.
Keep a personal diary especially if you questioned something and was given the brush off ("Dont worry, its ok")
When giving the shot, if the bevel is up, it will hurt less. Try not to be jerky with the syringe. Smooth in and out is best. Never tell a patient that this is your first time, it might make them anxious and they might move during the procedure. If asked just say "I'm a student, as you know, so I appreciate your cooperation. When I am famous one day, you can say, I learned with you! ;-)
It must be hard living in a remote area. You might want to journal your experiences as a religious orthodox nursing student in such a situation. I bet it would be interesting.
Good luck!