A mess

I've been enjoying the past week off from classes and clinical. I still have a little over a week left of vacation. I've had plenty of time to reflect on these past 11 months and the 2 months left have got me a little stir crazy. On one hand, i'm excited that I've made it this far. On the other hand...I'm scared shitless because...I've made it this far. Feb 26 is D day, so to speak. I'm not sure if I'm ready. I've had the book smarts to get this far and I feel in my element during clinicals, but still...am I ready to be on my own, taking care of other people. THeir lives in my hands. That's a huge responsibility....and part of me wonders just what I'm getting myself into.

I do know that I am going backj to bridge to the RN program, and will either start in the March class, or the August class. So there I go again...ready to stick my neck out there and go through this hell of nursing school even more...to be responsible for even more. Scary.

When i go back to class Jan 4th, I'm just going to focus on the classes we have left and take it one day at a time. Come February...I'm really going to be a mess.

Community Health..check!

Another class done, passed with an A (91). Today was crazy! Took our final, then an argument broke out between two girls...grown women acting as children. Amazing. One was called into the deans office, it felt like high school all over again! I'm not sure how things worked out for the two invilved, but the dean and president of the college were not happy. All I can say, is it wasn't me!

So I'm off until December 3rd. Hello vacation! Much needed, much appreciated and my alarm clock is going out the window!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

No more reproduction..

That class went by so fast and we finished yesterday. The final was harder than we had expected, but everyone passed. Now we are in the throws of community health and basically out in the community doing our clinicals every day until Thanksgiving. A one week break for that hopefully will renew me!

Neuro & Alzhiemers

So I have not posted a whole lot, once again. THis is due largely to the fact that nursing school and my most recent course of study..."neuro-sensory" has reduced me to a puddle of mindless mush.

I'm happy to say that after a crammed 9 class days and 7 clinical days on this subject, I have survived. I passed within 2 points of an A. Damn. Seems to happen to me a lot that way. It's all good as long as I pass!

Now I'm in the throws of community health 101 and ending up soon (next week) with Repro. REpro is CRAZY. I thought, "ok, I'm a female, I know what my vagina and inner plumbing does. I've got this." HAHA...I am amazed at how in depth this subject is, and just how in depth the human reproduction system is. Not to mention all those nasty STD's and aging problems. Ick. The teacher is less than organized too. So honestly, I can say that I think I'm doing well in the course, but since I have no clue where my grades stand right now, and final is next week...I'm a little stressed.

On a brighter note. I've been in a wonderful clinical setting this week, and will be next week. It's a place called Moosehaven. THe order of the moose....ahh yes....I am soooo going to join the Moose. This place is where I want to end up when I can't wipe my mouth or ass anymore. I'm telling you, it's like heaven on earth. Seriously.

I've been in the alzhiemers unit the past two days. It's been a very pleasant experience and the residents there are amazing, sweet and funny as hell! I love them all.

So that's the update. Peace and Blessings.

Great clinical rotation

Another week of clinicals is over! I spent these past three days in the vent unit, and my patients were wonderful. I was able to take pat in some new (for me) procedures. I learned a lot from this rotation. One of the patients I've seen in there since July is being discharged tomorrow! I love that....to see how he has improved over the past few months is so rewarding!

So tomorrow I take my endocrine final, my first Neuro test and we begin our Repro class.

GI....check

It's Friday and another class is finished. I finished Gastroenterology today with an A, and my Endocrine final exam will be next Thursday. Neuro class started today and already I'm loving the material, it's going to be an interesting subject for me, which hopefully means it won't be too difficult.


since it's only a span of 7 days to complete the subject, i've got to bring my A game.

Clinicals this coming mon-wed, so I'm relaxing the weekend, spending time with the fam, and my baby boy is turning 4 on monday. I think we'll celebrate sunday since I'll be in clinicals monday. Good times...

Happy Friday!!

It's the weekend!

long ass week over with Two midterms out of the way. Crap load of homework to do, presentation to finish and take home test. Oh well, at least I can do it all in my jammies and have a few drinks!

Until next time...

I can see the future

The college has a few new boards up in our hallways displaying pictures of the recently graduated senior class. Some from their pinning ceremony, some from their graduation and older ones from some of their final class and clinical days.

A few of these pictures showed them in the L&D area of a local hospital and NICU area. Holding babies, feeding babies. I'm so jealous. I'm so excited too! After this term which ends at the end of October, I believe...we start our reproduction/mother baby classes and clinicals. Me and one other classmate are so stoked for this. I have a goal to work either Labor and Delivery, or Trauma. Yes, two extreme differences, I know..lol. The more I see of the L & D though, I'm starting to set my mind on L&D.

I smell the new baby smell already!

Somber clinical

Today we were sent to a rehab/nursing home for our clinical. The moment we arrived, we found out that the staff had lost a nurse last evening. Apparently she crashed on her motorcycle over the weekend, and wearing no helmet, suffered massive brain trauma and full body trauma. Last night they took her off her ventilator and she passed.

The nurse that I was assigned to today was also assigned to the wing that this passed nurse had worked on. All day I heard countless stories from patients and colleagues about how wonderful a nurse this woman was. It's truly sad.

On a brighter note, the nurse I was with was amazing. She was extremely helpful and kind in teaching me. I learned so much from her and truly enjoyed the family like atmosphere of this facility. I've always said I never want to work at a nursing home/rehab center. However, after my experience with this one today, I would be honored to be apart of their team.

Great experience, somber mood, and I'm tired as hell. My body aches. I'm assuming from the flu shot I got yesterday. All of us who got it, about 3/4 of us are having side effects of one kind or another. So, with that being said.....it's my nap time. AC is on, big kids have the little monkey under control, I'm sleeping until hubby gets home.

Ciao!

10 week stretch

I dropped off the radar there for a bit. With an 10 day vacation, that's easy to do. I spoiled myself on being lazy around the house. I tried to sleep in every day, but now that my inner clock is used to those 6:30am clinical hours it was impossible.

So now we are at the beginning of a 10 week stretch that will end our third term. I'm in gastroenterology and endocrine right now. Both classes are ....not hard, but stressful in their own way. GI I'm "getting", endocrine I'm trying to get. It's just so boring right now. Maybe it's only because I've spent the past three class days in lecture all about diabetes and nothing else. I need variety to keep my brain from turning to mush.

I bought this voice recorder, and now when I get home, I recite my class notes and power points onto it, and walk around the hosue listening to it. It's so much better than trying to do housework, cook dinner, etc with paper notes in your hand. I'mgetting more useful study time in this way, and my grades and confidence on the subject matter is truly showing it.

I got my required flu shot today. Required for the nursing students if we wanted to still have full access during clinicals. The first flu shot I've ever gotten, so far no bad side effects, though I am tired as hell. Though that could just be becuase I've been up since 5am and had a very full and stressful clinical day.

Time to rest...

Musculoskeletal

We are doing this class in 5 days! Thank goodness it's a pretty easy subject for me, or I'd have lost my mind by now. We took midterm today, I passed with an 84, brings my average to a 90. Not bad. So unit exam tomorrow and then in a week from now, we go in for the final. It's only bones and muscles..........cinch.

On another note, I'm at a new clinical site now. The main hospital in Jacksonville that is a university hospital, teaching hospy and charity hospy all in one. I'm not crazy about it because they still do everything on paper. The charting....OMG....I miss passing meds and charting all with a computer. I'm spoiled, I know.

Four day weekend ahead....time to catch up on the house work, wash the dogs, get to know my kids again....maybe sleep in, if I'm lucky.

Double A

Passed Respiratory and Human Growth (psychology) both with an A. I'm so happy they are over. I thought cardiac was hard? No way....HG by far the hardest to date.

So I have this weekend with NO homework and NO tests to study for. I'm on cloud nine, and resting with a rum and coke.

I love Saturdays!

Too much to do, too little time

Seems like by the time I think about coming on here to blog, I've already fallen asleep, drooling on my study notes. As a junior in the program now, classes are so much more intense and it seems I little time for anything else.

So, I just took respiratory final today, I'll get the results tomorrow. We had a group presentation to do today on the theorist..John Holland. That was tough to pull together since our group leader desided to do the power point the night before and not show the rest of the group until this morning. No worries anymore, it's done, it's over..I got my grade of 97%...I'll take it.

So at this moment, I'm taking a nap with my cuddly 3 year old, then up to study for musculoskeletal test on the bones and muscles in the morning. Tests every day...that's the student nurses life. Oi!

Special Place

I started my new clinical rotation today at an acute care cebter. The patients stay here for no more than 90 days, so it's care for those that need a stay longer than hospital, but not not as long term as a nursing home.

I spent the day in their vent unit. I learned so much and had awesome LPN's and RN's to shadow. This is one of the places I'm considering putting in my application for when I graduate. I could work there now a cna, IF my every minute was not consumed with studying. I feel like i have no life anymore past the books!

I'm sure I could go into more detail, I'm just too beat though. Just thought I'd post a quick update. Off to study for Respiratory test in the AM.

Board of Nursing Review

Today our school took a field trip to the Board of nursing, review hearings. I am amazed at what goes one at these and I hope I never, ever have to go before the board!

There were nurses there from other states requesting approval to sit for Fla NCLEX. Nurses who had their licenses revoked for reasons ranging from drug and alcohol abuse, to med errors. Nursing students who had just passed nursing school, waiting on approval to sit for the test but having to go before the board first because of prior criminal or health histories.

Get this. So many were denied the right to sit for the NCLEX for years from now because of a new law FL. just passed on July 1st of this year. It states that if you have any felony drug charges or convictions, medicaid-medicare charges, fraud charges, etc....that you wikll be denied your license or the right to sit for your NCLEX until 15 years from the date of your probation termination. So many new nursing students were denied. Students whom just passed school in April and May, applied for their seat for the NCLEX and even though this was done before July 1st....they were still denied because today was the day they would have had their approval to sit for the test. I feel so awful for them. Many of them had things in their past for 12 years ago to jsut 3 years ago, but have gone through various programs and kept clean records, changed their lives around....now they have to wait. One lady has to come back before the board in 2017 to get her license. All that hard work, for that. I would be devastated.

So, I learned a lot. Most importantly I learned ....keep your nose clean, dont do anything to close any doors for yourself because they may never open again....and if you ever have to go before the BON....be PREPARED.

Time will tell....

It's been a hard week. Cardiac final was today and that's proven to be my toughest class. Even when we did the general A&P, I struggled with it. Now as we go more in depth into each system, it's still the hardest I've dealt with so far. The heart is a complex, yet extraordinary muscle. I'm happy to say I did pass my final, but not without some blood, sweat and tears.

The tears came today, in private. We lost a fellow student, who failed the class by two points. It's always hard on me when we lose someone. All my classmates have become like a family to me. Even though I'm doing this for myself, We're all in this together. This girl always sat behind me. So we bonded, made a good friendship. She would always have negative comments to say about herself, myself and others would remind her to think positive, and do our best to boost her spirits when she was down. We asked if she would come back with the next nursing class that should start in October, or the one for February. She's not sure. She's deflated and defeated today. I can't imagine. I miss her already and hope she does come back. She was a horrible test taker, but by God, she was an excellent nurse, and proved it in clinicals. Time will tell.

Another student, one of the only two guys we have....spent his last two days in and out of ER. He's having signs and symptoms of heart problems. He's had a history of health problems, so he's in my thoughts tonight. He works already as a PCT in Dialysis at a local hospital, and he's going to be an awesome nurse. We need more male nurses in this field, so I hope he gets better and comes back to carry on.

We go to Board of Nursing tomorrow. Our school gets to go witness other nurses go before the board and testify on thier own behelaves as to why they deserve to have their nursing licenses reinstated. It should be interesting. I'll update on that when I can.

Hiatus

So I took a hiatus for a week. It was not planned though. My cable company was doing improvements to the lines in our area and I lost internet/phones for a week. lovely, huh? I also caught a nasty cold during this time, so i suppose it was good timing since i've spent most my days in class, come home, study, fall asleep with nyquil. yeah. Good week.

Anyway. I'm at a crossroads again. GU class final was yesterday but i won't know my grade until Wednesday probably. I have a test in cardiac Wednesday, then a final for that on Friday, I believe. Clinicals in between all this.

Starting Human Growth on Wednesday and Respiratory sometime next week. I think I'm just having that feeling of "I don't know if I'm coming or going". Maybe it's just the cold meds. hmm.

Anyway....that's all the update i can muster tonight. Ciao.

Stressed over tests

Clinicals were simply unamazing this week. My two patients spent the majority of time at one procedure or another. Meanwhile, I just floated between fellow classmates, helping where I could.

So now I'm bogged down in homework and tests for the remainder of this week. Cardiac class has me sweating...I'm not sure how I'll make it through it. keeping fingers crossed and praying.

Monday, I'll be officially a junior classman. The new class of student nurses comes in, the senior class just graduated last week, so that bumps us up. We're no longer the new kids on the block.

Burn

One of my biggest fears has always been my children or myself getting burned in a kitchen/grease fire. Well, today my patient was a 35yr old mother of three who has 3rd degree burns over the entire circumference of her left leg. Splatter burns on the right leg and on her back and lower abdomen. It's a miracle she did not have worse injuries.

She was cooking french fries for her 4 yr old, stepped out of the kitchen to check on him in the other room. The smoke alarm went off and she went back to the kitchen to see the pot on the stove in flames. In her panic, she pulled the pot off the stove and while stepping back with it, she tripped and fell. She told me that her 4 yr old was so traumatized, seeing his mommy "on fire", and that just broke my heart, because I have an almost 4 yr old, I'd never want him to see something like that.

This woman was so strong though, she puts her child in his car seat and drives herself to the emergency room. Passing out once she got through the doors. People, if something like this ever happens...call 911.., I suppose she was just reacting on pure adrenaline at this point.

She will recover ok, with lots of treatments over time. Right now she is just in so much pain and morphine drip is doing nothing for it. They are trying other pain meds for her, and she is going through all the side effects of that. She's had a rough day...it was quite busy for me. She was in such good spirits though and such a sweet patient to spend my day with.

All in all.....a decent, but tiring day. Back to campus tomorrow for my first tests in Cardio and GU.

Just another clinical day

So I lucked up today by the fact that Ms. Loopy pretty much stayed at one end of the floor I at the otehr. She did come around once or twice, but pretty much jsut stood there observing and not saying anything. I can deal with that! Some RN students from our school were there and they were in the midst of leadership training, so they got to be our charge nurses today, and again tomorrow. Kim was mine, and I must say, she did a fantastic job. She's going to make a great RN.

I had tow patients, one 62 male with liver failure, going on transplant list and the Doc and nurses are trying to convince him to have TIPS procedure done. He has many worries, but is considering it at least, better from the flat out refusal from earlier in the day. My other patient a 2o yr old F, incomplete abortion. I admit to having reservations before going to the floor, I sucked it up though and did my job. She is a wonderful girl, so young....so much life ahead of her, all I can do is wish her the best. She is dealing with a lot of pain right now, physical and emotional.

So, i'm back to the floor first thing in the am....I can't wait. I love this.

Back to classes

Today was first day back to the campus. It was so hard getting up this morning, and so hard to leave my kids after spending the past 10 days with them, sleeping in. Reality bites.

So I started cardiovascular with Mighty M as the instructor again. I had her previously at the start of my college courses, for anatomy. I adore her. She has a very sarcastic sense of humor, and treats us as equals. First day with her was already a blast. I look forward to a few other future courses with her as well.

Genito-urinary class was another story. A new instructor to me. Ms. Loopy. I swear she is. A few of us students have even gone so far as to wonder if she may be under the influence of something. Her teaching style is very s-l-o-w...and she is not exact at all as far as which of our books we are actually to study from. So we are using all three and taking lucky guesses. Her power points are the only thing she is fast at. She whips right through them and doesn't give us time to take the notes. Now as nursing students, you have to adapt to these types of things. Be fast, pay attention, retain what you heard, etc. I swear though, this teacher seriously does NOT give you the chance. We have all figured out that we are on our own if we plan to really learn anything from this course. What worries me more, is we have Ms. Loopy for our upcoming respiratory class, and....drumroll please.............she is my new clinical instructor.

Clinicals start on a new wing in the hospital tomorrow...God help me!

Finishing up and vacation

So I finished Nutrition 101 yesterday, with a B. I'm so glad it's over. Surprisingly enough, it was one of the hardest classes I've had so far. I think it had more to do with the teacher's style rather than the course material itself. That's a whole can of worms though, that i won't open. Class is over.

All I have left now is my integumentary final, which is Tuesday. Until then, I'm on vacation. From now until July 7th. I need it so bad. My hosue is a wreck, my kids miss me and I'm mentally exhausted. So I'm enjoying this time off starting tomorrow morning with the exception of 2 hours Tuesday morning to go take final.

I won't be posting until classes start again. As Martha says...."it's a good thing".

just griping, ignore me.

So I have this gripe. I used to wonder if it was just my class that were bumbling jackasses or if this went on in nursing schools everywhere. Recent comments I've read on forums here and there confirm the latter.
I'm a pretty easy going person. I get along very well with the very nice all the way to the freakish bitches you just want to nail to the floor. I make it that way. Sometimes I think I'm the only one that tries though. I'm 36. I left high school behind years ago. So tell me how it found me again in college??
My class is composed of ages 19 - 45. So that may be the explanation in itself. Too many generations putting in their 2 cents when the others just don't give a shit. It's causing problems.

So now the instructors. Well, one in particular, Mr. Hairy. He's new to teaching. He is one of the best Rn's I've ever seen, but as a teacher...he lacks. I swear he is constantly PMSing too. We had midterm yesterday for his Integumentary class, and because one student....ONE...went to him jumping all over him for something stupid that happened in clinical that I guess he reprimanded her for...he takes it out on the whole class. He comes into class to hand out midterm, never saying a word. Just brewing and giving dirty looks. Soon as test time was up, he collects and starts lecture. He at first wouldn't even address half of us if we had questions. He rushed through lecture then said midterms would be posted at end of day, by 5pm. Dismissed us and went back to his office to brew some more I suppose.

It's almost 10am, next day and our grades are still not posted. What is with him? I swear he needs to get some thicker skin or go back to his surgical nursing rounds and stay there. I'm tired of stupid little things like this, done by one student, being taken out on all of us. I'm not paying all this money to go to class and get treated like this. There is so much more, but i could write a book, and I just don't have the time. Later.

Boring

It was not an exciting week at clincal. We had some interesting learning experiences with an elderly man whom was very perverted and harassing. Other than that, just the usual stuff.

Midterm for nutrition was today and I didn't fair so well. We have test tomorrow and Friday again, so I have these two chances to bring my grade up again. I'm sitting at an 80 average right now. Not good enough.

Integumentary is going great. I'm keeping an A average in that, so no worries.

I'm just studying my butt off non stop it seems. No room for the fun stuff, pretty boring week so far.

Report

This whole week has been interesting to say the least. Clinical on Monday and Tuesday were tiring, more so than usual. My Pneumonia patient from the previous week was still in the same room this week. I asked my clincal instructor if I could take her room as assignement along with the two others i'd been given. So, three patients kept me very busy. Not to mention I had a few moments to help other students. H* in particular needed help with her older male patient whom it was obvious had cdif, though the nurses denied it. It wasn't until Tuesday that they finally gave in and got an order from the doc to do a smear test. This patient also had MRSA in the nares. So as you can imagine, we had to take every precaution going into his room, gowned, masked....the whole nine yards. We must have cleaned him from his very messy bowel movements at least 4 times just in the first 4 hours. Poor H* was exhausted just from that.

So we had an incident. It didn't happen to me, but it was quickly spread through the grapevine and we had discussion about it in post-conference with our instructors. Basically the "how NOT to nurse" speech.

When we get on the floor we are assigned two patients and first thing we do is find out who the charge nurse is for those patients and the pct so we can let them know we are working under them that day. Well, H* had what seemed to be such a great nurse, very informative at first, teaching as she went, etc. It came time to pass meds and H* was sent in with this nurse to give a subcutaneous injection (abdomen) of Heparin to her patient. This was the first time she has given an injection like this. She tents the skin, has correct finger placement and starts to go in, but hesitates, noticing something was not right with the needle. As she still has the skin tented, this nurse yanks the needle from her hand and jabs it between H*'s fingers, into the patients abdomen. She went through H*'s glove. So here is H* totally shocked at what just happened, and has her gloved hand pinned down to the patient as she then realizes the needle had broken at the hub. So what does this nurse do? She straightens the needle hub and pushes the med anyway. Heparin went all over the patient. So, this patient did NOT get his med, this nurse did not follow procedure and H* about had a stroke from the possibilty of almost getting a needle stick. Amazing. This nurse quickly started mouthing some bullshit trying to cover her ass when she turns around and sees our clinical instructor standing there, who had walked in at the moment she grabbed the needle. Nice.

Later that day, same nurse starts spouting off to H*, in front of a patient that "this is not the job for me", "I hate it here, I hate doing this", etc. I bet the patient felt wonderful hearing that while this lady is working on his dressings!

So, Tuesday. Same nurse, different day. A patient who was on ordered restraints because he pulls his tubings and IV's out, was for some reason unrestrained and now bleeding in various spots from his handy work. H* and I started cleaning him up, called this nurse in to let her know before that, so she could stop the IV. We are not autherized to do that yet. She handles the IV while we are cleaning the patient. Afterwards, we realize t here is water all over the floor and see it's coming from the IV. She NEVER stopped it, just hung it back up, that was it. I and another student go to find her so she can come stop the IV, when anotehr patient calls to us. We go in and her IV machine is beeping, stating her infusion is complete. She asks for her nurse stating to us "She told me how to flush it when it's done, or turn it off, but I forgot, can you go get her please?" Our mouth hit the floor I think. What the hell is this nurse thinking? So we checked the entire floor, room by room, asked other nurses, pct's, Charge nurse....no one knew where she was. She was on break. Nice.

So as you can imagine, our instructors felt it needed to be reported. They all went to the higher ups and gave statements, and were asked to write an incident report. We are not even nurses yet, and already...an incedent report.

The kicker...we go back to the same floor Monday. I really hope that nurse is not there anymore. Though I'm sure she just got a slap on the wrist. Whatever.

On a happy note....I passed and finished Med-Surg. Made a B on my final, made a B+ as overall grade. Now I'm looking forward to Nutrition midterm Wednesday, and we started Integumentary yesterday, first test in that class was today....I made an A. I'm loving it.

Clinicals, tests and days off

This week has been so busy, I didn't even get to blog about my 2nd week of clinicals. I'll make is a brief summary.

I had 2 patients. 72F with pneumonia. I was able to go with her and witness a TEE test being done. They insert this gawd awful long tube/scope down her esophagus to her stomach and view the back of her heart. It was very cool, for me. Sucked for her. The doctor was awesome in explaining everything we were seeing and answering our questions.

Second patient was a 26 M admitted with sudden onset of seizures. He spent most the time I was there, going for one test or another. He was a trooper, and kind enough to be my first attempt at giving a Subcutaneous injection. Had to admin in the abdomen. He said I did great. Sweet.

The rest of the week, I spent in class taking test or in labs practicing inserting NG tubes on dummies. I dread the day I have to do that on a patient. Such an uncomfortable thing.

Today, Friday. I love today. You know why? Because I played hooky from school. There were some things that needed to be taken care of in my personal life, so I sent my daughter off to her friends for a three day weekend (she is my babysitter, so this was a treat for her) and I've been haning with my boys, tending to everything and everyone.

Monday I'm back to clinical...this time in the OR. I'm so excited!

Yeah, he's only 10 weeks old. Big boy.

Out-take

Here is the picture I promised of our new pup, Brody. He's the black Great Dane. The Westie is Bella, and the little guy in the middle is my 3 yr old.

I'm not a virgin anymore

Seasoned nurses tell us that we will see some outrageous/amazing/appalling things during our careers. Today, I saw my first.

A pt was taken off all current/future IV orders and can now only get his meds po (by mouth). When the RN came in to take his IV out, he looked seriously disturbed about the fact he couldn't have IV anymore. Now, most people are thrilled to get those damn things taken out, so why was he so cross about it?

Well, the doctor found out why he was having reactions to his IV meds, he's been injecting street drugs into his IV. What wonderful people his visitors are, huh?

Amazing.

So yeah, I'm not a virgin anymore.

Hospital clinical week 1- day 2

yesterday, I had a 36yr M pt that I found very intriguing. He had a few things going on with him that, for me, were good research. I couldn't access much of his records yesterday because the clinical teacher that had the code for us, was absent, until today. So today I get to look at his past medical history and found out he is an HIV positive pt. This explains quite a few signs he was exhibiting. Now his T-cell count is at 300, so I asked the instructor what the normal range is...she gave me homework. I have to do a report on HIV t-cell, etc. etc. That's what I get for asking questions. Oh well...it's all a learning experience.

My other pt, they suctioned her trach today, I got to assist with that and after assessing her skin integrity, I gave her a lotion massage on her legs and feet...she slept for quite awhile after that. It felt good to do something as simple and calming as that, for her. She is the nonverbal pt, but the way she was looking at me, I could tell she was appreciative.

So it's back to class tomorrow and a test on Nutrition chapters 1 & 2, I better hit the books, because i don't remember a thing from that lecture.

Hospital clinical week 1- day 1

After today, what I've thought all along, is true. i definitely want to work in the hospital setting.

We were each assigned two patients today. I have a 48yr F, with stasis, renal failure and hypotension. She is a trach patient (I just KNEW I'd get the trach), on feeding tube, Foley and heart monitors. She is non verbal and doesn't even so much as nod a yes or no. She just stare right through you and followsyou around the room with her gaze. I wonder what is going through her mind. I wonder how she got to be this way at such a young age.

My second patient, a 36yr M, with hematuria, and flank pain. he is a delightful person, very upbeat. I took him down for CTscan today, of his kidneys. They seem to think the pain is related to possible kidney stones. I'll know results when I see him in the morning.

So I spent a lot of the day shadowing nurses as they did their routines and offering assistance to my fellow classmates with their patients, when mine were off for tests. Tomorrow I might be lucky enough to be one of three to watch an amputation. It amazes me the things that fascinate me. I'm really loving this too much. If that's possible.

I know my feet hurt and so do my legs. It's time to get some support hose and new Gel inserts!

Relief

Great news, I passed Pharmacology with an 83 (B), so I'm a happy camper for that! I had a nervous breakdown in class the day of final, after taking the test, waiting for results. I wasn't the only one. Sadly, we lost 3 fellow students who didn't make the grade. They get the chance to remediate by coming back with the next LPN class that starts in October. Still, I'll miss them. I hate it when we lose people, but the relief that I was not one of them is overwhelming.

Took Med-surg mid-term yesterday and made a B on that as well, I'm one point from an A in that class, but presentation grades have not been posted. So, I think I'll get to that A soon.

I have a 3 day weekend! I'm so excited! I am mentally exhausted at this point. This was my hardest week ever since starting nursing school. I'm so glad it's over. I'm in Nutrition 101 now, along with continuing Med-surg. I get Monday off for Memorial day, and Tuesday and Wednesday we go to our first Hospital Clinicals. I'm excited and nervous about that one.

I'm just going to chill this weekend. No more tests until Thursday!!! I'm going to have me some pina coladas and hang with the hubby and kids, and maybe even do a little catch up house work.

I'm also going to spend some time with our new puppy. Did I mention him yet? His name is Brody, he's a Great Dane....9 weeks old and he's already 33 pounds!! As soon as blogger cooperates with me, I'll post a picture.

On the Agenda....

After finishing a (and barely passing) an 8 chapter test today, our syllabus has been changed around and I'm going to lose it!

We had lecture on 4 chapters in Pharm today, and we'll complete the last 5 chapters of our book tomorrow, all in 3 hours. Monday, we are testing on these 9 chapters, then a med-surg test in the afternoon. Tuesday, is our Pharmacology final. It's going to count for 50% of our grade. No pressure, right?! Wednesday (if I make it past Tuesday) our group project is due for Med-surg. Our 4 person group is tackling wounds (dehiscence, evisceration, and infection) and we have to present to the class individually. Wednesday afternoon, we start Nutrition 101.

So...as you can imagine...I won't be posting much this weekend, and you may see a scream or cry for help come Monday night as I'm pulling my hair out studying for the final. I jsut pray I can pass this class. I've managed to pass all my classes so far with High A's and B's. This one, I'm sitting at an 80% at this moment and we have to pass with a 77% or higher. Since final is 50% of our grade.....yeah.

I feel sick to my stomach. *sigh*

T- 6 hrs

First semester, I was awarded with a gold star pin for my perfect attendance. I was proud. I always pride myself on being on time, showing up every day. I think it's very professional to do so and It will have to be a constant for me when I start nursing. So, I'm starting now.

We are in second semester now. I played hooky today. One part of me feels awful for it, because I wanted to so much keep that perfect attendance. I mean, hell...I was back to class the day after my surgery, I wasn't going to let a few stitches, pain and some percocet keep me home. I was wonder woman that day!
Today, Wonder woman has been foiled by a very sick and very cute 3 yr old that needed my undivided attention. Every one of my kids are sick. They've all been sick for at least a week, but the 3 yr old just came down with it yesterday morning. They couldn't keep me here, but him.....those puppy dog eyes, rosy red cheeks and mouse-like squeak of "mommy, I don't feel good", did me in.

I suppose my Instructors will forgive me. I just hate that I had to knock 6 hours off the 29 hours total we are allowed to miss for the entire program. No one else better get sick or I might have to take drastic measures.

Toons

Assistant's Evaluation Memo

Judy Smith, my assistant, can always be found
hard at work in her station. Judy works independently, without
wasting hospital time talking to colleagues. Judy never
thinks twice about assisting fellow employees, and she always
finishes given assignments on time. Often, Judy takes extended
measures to complete her work, sometimes skipping coffee
breaks. Judy is an individual who has absolutely no
vanity in spite of her high accomplishments and profound
knowledge in her field. I firmly believe that Judy can be
classed as a high-caliber employee, the type which cannot be
dispensed with. Consequently, I duly recommend that Judy be
promoted to executive management, and a proposal will be
executed as soon as possible.

Regards - Charge Nurse

Shortly thereafter, the HR department received the following memo from the Charge Nurse:

Sorry, but that idiot (Judy) was reading over my shoulder while I wrote the report sent to you earlier today. Kindly read only the odd numbered lines for my true assessment of her...

Damn

So it's the beginning of semester 2, I'm holding A's in both Med-surg and Pharmacology. A 6 chapter test is given in Pharm about every 2-3 days. I've held my own pretty damn well, until last Thursday. I falied. I screwed up. I didn't get to study like I needed to the night before because of issues going on at home. No excuse I know, but with only two days to study for a 6 chapter test. Well, shit.

So my next six ch. test is this Tuesday, I plan to ace that one. Just letting you know, when I fail hard like that, it just makes me stronger and I'm ready to kick this crap in the teeth!

My weekend is being spent making a shitload of drug cards for Pharm project and playing nurse to my 3 yr old who is gawd-awful sick right now. Fun stuff.

New favorite

Everyone has a favorite. Whether it was in elementary or high school, or in college, we all have a favorite teacher that meant something to us. I've only had one up until now. It was Mrs. Hughes, my highschool Computer lab/debate/economics teacher. I adored her, and still do. I found her on Facebook recently and we talk.

So now I have another. Mrs. C., so far she has been and will continue to be my clinical instructor, she is currently teaching us for Med-Surg and will in the future be teaching our Nutrition class. She is a little quirky sometimes, but I think that is one thing I love about her. She is stern to a point. She expects nothing but professionalism and our best efforts. She won't even let you test unless your uniform is school policy/professional.

She's only been teaching this class to us for 4 days. I feel like I've learned more in these 4 days from her than I have in the first few months of this course, with all other instructors combined. her teaching style is thought provoking and entertaining. She challenges me like no other and I love that. I'm sure I'll have my days with her when I wish she would just stop talking....but for now, I can't get enough. I find myself excited and can't wait to get to her class the next day. It's the last class of the day, and that sure makes the first class drag out.

So this may seem like a pointless post. I just wanted to document my feelings towards my favorite Instructor so that when I'm cursing her between my teeth in an upcoming course, i can look back at this and say....."you asked for it, you damn suck up!".

Short Update

Nursing myself through recovery after a minor surgery. Still managed to make it to school the very next day, I refuse to miss.
Got our GPA today for first semester. 3.44. Not great, not my best, but I'll take it. Perfect attendance and completed first semester meant we got two shiny pins for our lanyards/badges.

These next two weeks are going to be crazy. A test almost every day between Pharmacology and Med-Surg...so not sure if I'll get to post too often. i'll try to keep up. If i don't make an 85% or better on my dosage calc test tomorrow.....I'll have plenty of time to blog since that will be my ticket out of nursing school.

I got this. :)

Nursing Home Clinical - Day 5

So today was very hard on most of us. Some of us saw noticeable depression in our patients, due to the fact that we had to say goodbye today. They wre spoiled all week compared to the attention they normally get, which isn't much. Granted, for the most part, it's not the CNA's or Nurses fault. Often times it just boils down to economics. Too may residents per nurse, means that one on one interaction is not always fulfilling enough for the pt.

I did my head to toe assessment on Ms. B. today. It was a great day for it becuase she was so alert. Granted, not A&O x 4, only by 2, but enough to where I had a good time with her during and after the assessment.

Me and one other student got to PERFORM a straight line cath today! That is something we are not to start learning until Med-Surge which starts this coming Friday. I have never been so excited to see pee in my lfie...lmao! It was so cool the way the proceedure is done, so fast and simple. Ms. C. said we are one step ahead of the rest of the class now, and can be marked off for this skill already. Score!

So not much else to my day. Now I have to work on finishing my care plan and nurses notes to turn in on Monday, as well as study for the PN 103 final on Monday. ONce I pass this I'm pretty much certified to work as a CNA until I graduate to LPN in Feb. I doubt I'll work anytime soon though. My husband got a new job, so that should pay the bills for a while and i can concentrate on school and family.

Nursing Home Clinical - Day 4

A great day today at the nursing home. I got my patient up and changed, fed and then went to the main dining hall to feed the other residents. Coming back later, my pt was sleeping in her chair again, so I went to help with other classmate's pts.

A wonderful LPN there, I'll call him Ed. He showed us how to clean around a GI tube and the pt was Mr. D, the quadriplegic. This man is wonderful, such a sense of humor. He has mobility of two fingers and he used them today, to extent in playing a joke on us while we cleaned his GI tube. He kept hitting the call light over and over. About 6 different times. He got a kick out doing that to us. Then at one point, he was trying to cough while LPN Ed still had the GI tube uncapped. Ed told him, "Oh no, Mr!" and quickly capped it...lol. Mr. D was having so much fun with us today!

Later, I worked on my pt chart and care plan, then went to another dining room to help do feedings. I've never been to this dining area, the residents there are much more complicated and such a challenge to feed. We got it done though.

Not much after that, we were let out early today because the instructors had meetings to get to, back at the campus.

So tomorrow is my last day. I'm all mixed with emotions about it. :(

A link to share

http://blog.soliant.com/travel-nursing/top-10-traits-every-nurse-should-have/

Nursing Home Clinical - Day 3

This morning we had a good start. Assisted residents with breakfast in the green room. Then I went to see my patient and help her with her breakfast. After that, there wasn't much to do except take vitals on all residents on that wing.
One patient in particular was wailing non stop and begging for someone to come see her. So while my classmate took the vitals of the resident in the next bed, I sat and let this upset patient talk it out. It wasn't long before she was much calmer, no more crying and I assured her I would inform the nurses of her request. All she wanted was to be put back into her bed so she could stop the shaking. I felt so bad for her.

As we were going to the next room, we were stopped in the hallways by a few classmates and told to get our stuff and get back to the conference room stat. Turns out, State Officials were on their way in about 10 minutes and the staff wanted us gone. Student nurses are allowed to be in the units when state is there to do their reviews. However, the DON preferred us not to be, in case State decided to ask us something and we didn't know the answer, they didn't want the facility to get written up for that. Understandable.

So we gathered our things and went back to campus. Once at school, the senior class had a guest lecturer and we were invited to sit and learn as well. He was from SETA, and t here to discuss the importance and legalitites of tissue and organ donations.

So after that, it was lunch time and the instructors let us come home early. Thank goodness, because I am tired!

Nursing Home Clinical - Day 2

This morning started with me and a few others volunteering to feed some of the residents in one of the main dining areas. I got to feed Mr. D, who is a Quadriplegic. He can verbalize and shake his head yes or no, so communicating with him was not entirely impossible. I enjoyed his company, he is a delightful man.

By the time I was done with that, I went to say good morning to my patient that I've been assigned to; Ms. B.
The CNA had already had her out of the bed, dressed and did her morning care. She was just finishing her breakfast when I got there, so I just took her tray, and charted her intake. Then spent a little time talking to her until she fell asleep on me. Am I that boring? LOL, I know...the elder residents tend to sleep...a lot. No biggie.

While she slept, I went to help a fellow student ambulate her patient to the bathroom and then remade his bed while she was in there assisting him. I ended up helping her a few times today with that patient. We both worked on our care plans inbetween tasks.

An LPN demonstrated for us putting in a feeding tube and pusing meds through a GI tube. Very cool stuff. Also got to participate in a Hoyle Lift.

So all in all, today was a better day than yesterday. Tomorrow I'm doing glucose testing on residents, and whatever else comes my way. Bring it on.

Nursing Home Clinical - Day 1

So I've been assigned to a 91 yr old woman who is a Stroke pt with left side hemiplegia. Senile Dementia, Osteoporosis, HTN and Anemia.

It was an interesting day to say the least. We wasted no time getting involved in our pt's care. I had Ms. B. out of bed, in her wheel chair and off to the bathroom, immediately after breakfast. We did her morning care, and I got her dressed and back into her room where she wanted to stay in her chair and watch some t.v. She soon feel asleep there, so I and two other students made rounds and started taking vitals on all the patients for that wing. After a short while, My pt was whisked off to therapy and so I started on my care plan.

The care plan is overwhelming to say the least. This pt has so many risk factors, I could write a book. For a first time nursing student, writing her first real care plan...it's frustrating. I'll get it though, I've got awesome clinical instructors and peers.

I've learned two things from today.

1. My classmates are awesome, and one in particular (the only male in our class) is my hero. I had to call on him a few times today to help me move the pt, because this facility did not have the Gait belts, did not have the walkers, etc. It was very difficult to transfer the pt on my own, and I will never try it again...lol.
2. I've confirmed what I already knew. I will NOT be working in Geriatrics. Even though the residents were very enjoyable (for the most part), It's just not for me. It's to slow, it's not very exciting and the things you see regarding pt care from others, is disheartening to say the least. And we were at a top notch facility.

So 4 more days. Yes, I'm counting. I can't wait until next Monday when we are back in the classroom!

I did gooood

So I passed the CPR with a 93 and I made a 94 on my practicum. I'm rather proud of myself. The whole class, including me, were sweating bullets all day Friday as we were called 1 by 1 into the lab to choose an unknown skill scenario and perform it for our instructor. I was lucky enough to pull a card that had 4 skills on it. yay me. I did fine though. The only mistake I made was in regards to my safety, ergonomics ...I didn't raise the bed enough for my well being (back injuries #1 in nursing). I'll tell you, I won't make that mistake again.

So it's off to the Nursing Home for my first week of clinicals starting tomorrow. I'm pretty relaxed about it. :)

1..2...3..4..breathe..

Today was a full day of CPR. Very fun and I learned a lot. We took the test at the end, but i won't know until the morning if I passed or not. We can't go to clinical unless we pass.

Tomorrow are the Practicums. I'm so nervous. At the same time, I feel pretty confident. I just hope I don't freeze up when I go in there. My biggest concern is that I will forget one or two of my supplies before I start my designated procedure. If I get through half way and realize i have forgotten something, it will throw my whole rhythm off.

I'll update tomorrow or this weekend.

You blow on it

I have some crazy classmates. I love them all, even the immature, hard-ass ones.

One in particular seems to always have me laughing in labs. Ms. T, is a talker. We practice our skills on *dummies* before they let us out to the real world patients. Well, Ms. T talks to these dummies to no end. We have to talk our way through a procedure. Boy does she talk! It's hillarious the things she comes up with.
Anyway...today we got her good. She was talking her way through a procedure of cleaning a Foley catheter. Our instructor, Mrs. C. was explaining the reason we need to have the catheter secured to the leg during this procedure, so to not pull or irritate the cath back and forth in the patients urethra/bladder floor. This got ms. T thinking. So she asks about the balloon part of the cath. How to be sure it's blow up enough, etc. Then you could see the next question forming in her mind..."How do we blow this up?" Mrs. C, having answered this before, and Ms. T. missing the answer probably because of her deep conversation with the dummy, honestly did not know. So Ms. I, another student and Mrs. C, our instructor, both at the same time say.. "you blow on it, like a regular balloon". The look on Ms. T's face was priceless. For that fleeting moment, she believed it. She first expected it to not be true, coming from the other student...but Mrs. C. said it also...so it had to be true, right?

We all burst into laughter as she quickly realized the instructor was pulling her chain.

Mrs. C has informed the class, that when we start Med-Surg in two weeks, and learn how to put in a Foley catheter...that she will be sure that Ms. T., will be the first student to demonstrate. I can't wait for that one!

3 different styles

We've been in nursing skills labs for over a week now and are preparing for our first clinicals starting next Monday. Skills are taught in PN 103 (practical nursing foundations 103) and taught by Mrs D., I'll call her Snow white...(I swear she looks just like her).

Anyway, Snow White is one of my favorite teachers. In the labs, we have been assigned with two other teachers, along with her to practice for our upcoming practicum and clinicals. The two other teachers are Mr. H, and Mrs. C.

We've been told many things about Mrs. C, and since we have yet to have her teach us (She starts with us next week for Med-Surg) all we really had to go on was the "horror" stories. Mr. H, we've had already for math and will have again for Neuro. I was assigned Mrs. C. for clinicals, and while in labs, we are to practice under the eye of our clinical instructor.

I have to say, she is not as bad as they say. She is stern on the points. I like that. I need that. I learn better like that. No games. she even cracks a joke every once in a while. I look forward to seeing how she is when we have her for 6 hours during Med-surg. I wonder if her demeanor will change.

I like all three teachers and each of them has very different teaching styles. Mr. H is strong in demonstration. Mrs. C. is strong in explanation of proceedures AND demonstration. Snow White is strong in documentation and care planning. So if we get all three to teach us in labs..it's a win win sittuation.

Thing is, we are assigned to three different groups, each group that one teacher. So what do I do? I get my procedure done, then wander and sneak in to each of the groups as they are doing the same procedure and I learn from all three teaching styles. My sneakiness is paying off, I believe. I feel like I really have a strong grasp on the material and the skills.

I guess the true test to that will be Friday when we have practicum. That is a skills test. We go to the lab one at a time, pull a paper from a hat and read a scenario from it. We then have to perform t he skill for that scenario in front of a random instructor. It's pass or fail. No grade.

As George Lopez says..."I got this".

Distraction

So there is a hott LPN student in the senior class ahead of me. I was busted by a few girls in the class giving him the look over. I'm married, not blind. :P

To make it worse, I think I went into a blushing frenzy when he sat to have lunch with us. He's a very nice guy...in more ways that one...ok, I'll stop.

Elementary?

Some days nursing school feels like elementary school. I'm referring more to how some of my classmates act towards each other and the drama that gets started. for some reason, it seems to all stem from one particular person, over and over again.

I hate it. I hate how it is dividing our class. We all swore in t he beginning that nothing like this would happen to us. In reality, it truly is every person for themselves. we are paying a lot of money to get to our end goal. So it's understandable, that mentality I mean. I just wish some people could act more like grown ups, rather than children. I suppose stress, pressure etc, brings out the worst in some people....the best in others.

The newest thing going on....someone is stealing stuff from peoples lunch boxes. How silly is that? I mean why? Seriously.

I'm just keeping my goal in sight and keeping my nose clean.

Final-ly

With a test Monday on what we just covered yesterday and a class final on Tuesday, there is too much to learn in too little time! I can do it though (optimism will get me an A, right?). I'm going to Panera's Bread tomorrow to meet half the class for a study session. I'm hoping the group study will help me retain more of what we just learned.

I'm more excited though, about the day after the final. Wednesday is when we finally start PN 103. This means I'll have half my day in the books, the last half in the labs. I'm excited. Finally we are getting into the hands on processes and I'm starting to feel more like a nurse day by day. My family will be my guinea pigs for the week after, poor things.
April 13th is our first clinical week. I'm mixed on that one. A little nervousness, a lot of excitement. We are assigned to a nursing home and a patient in that home, for a week. We must devise and follow through with a care plan for that individual. Seems easy enough. I'll let you know.

Drama

They warned us. We had a special lunch with the "junior" LPN class about two weeks ago, and we took advantage of the time to ask for tips and advice for our class. One of the tips was for our class to stick together. There will be times we get on each other's nerves and plain piss each other off. There will be times we will be inseparable.
This past week, was a *get out of my face* kinda week. it all started with a student and a teacher having a mis-communication, which led to another student putting her two cents in where it was blatantly obvious the first student could care less. I was seriously wondering if it was going to come to blows. The nursing director of the program had to come in and the teacher stepped out. Everyone's concerns were voiced and issues were resolved. To a point anyway. the two girls harbored their feelings the rest of the day and did not come to their calm senses and apologize until the next day.
The whole thing bothered me and quite a few others. We were reviewing for a dosage and calculation test that was to be the next day, when all this started. So in reality, that review was wasted, 45 minutes of our class time was wasted. honestly, I was pissed. I and others pay good money to go to this college. I'm there to learn, and grow as a person. I felt like I was in highschool all over again by what I was witnessing. That's 45 minutes of class time we will never get back.
I did pass the test the following day, but that's beside the point. I really hope something like this never happens again......but according to the junior class, it's just begun.

*sigh*

A&P and in Theory...

So I'm happy to say I passed Anatomy & Physiology with a B. That's so much better than I expected. I have always been so hard on myself though, and this just proves, I need to step back and relax, no more panicking. Ok, seriously....like that's ever going to stop? HA!

So we have Mrs. Z for our Nursing theory that started today. I am so thrilled! She is my favorite instructor at the school so far, and I'll be having her for many more courses as we progress. This is the second time I've had her. We all adore her. She is our cheerleader, she reminds us of snow white, becuase she looks just like her! She has a voice like Fran Drescher, just not as nasally...she is just a joyful person and wonderful Nurse. Now, tomorrow will be day 2 of our nursing theory and she is already giving us a test....yikes!

So I'm sitting at an A in math class.....me? Math? I'm amazed.

Off to study for that test....

Bombing

So Friday was not one of my best days. I woke yesterday morning to a stress level that just poured over and I lost control of my emotions. So as I'm putting on the make up, doing my hair, getting ready for class, I was in tears. I didn't even know why. I just knew I had that OMG feeling and that i had no control over anything in my life. I know that's not true. I have every bit of control. At least, that is what I choose to believe.

So Anatomy class, we get our quizes back and I felt very confident with a 97%. I was so happy, another A to add to my score sheet. Then we take the test on the 3 chapters we jsut started and finished the day before, I wasn't so lucky on that one. I made a very low C. I was and am so mad at myself. If I get anything below a B, I panic. I just have high expectations for myself, and to do so bad, IMo.....unacceptable.

In math, I got two A's, so that was a nice ending to my day.

Anatomy final is Monday. It covers 25 chapters. I'd say I have about 18 of those chapters inside and out. The rest? I better get studying....

Getting it.

Today in Anatomy, a quiz was given to us for take home. Tomorrow is a test over 9 chapters. I suppose she figures that in doing the quiz as open book at home, it will help us prepare for the test. In a way, that's very true. When you hear *Take home* or *Open book*, you automatically assume it's going to be easy. Think again. The questions are always worded in such a way, that the answer was never anything you wrote down in the notes she gives in lecture. So in reality, you need to know your chapters in and out. You need to know how and where to find the answer. Even then, the questions are so tricky, it could take you hours to do the *open book* test. this was the case before, a couple of weeks back. She gave us a 100 question quiz, for take home...it took every one of us anywhere from 3-5 hours to complete, depending on your knowledge of a particular chapter. None of us are stupid either.

So tonight, I'm doing this quiz and studying this test for tomorrow. I don't now if I'll have enough hours. I also have a math test to prepare for. I'm so thrilled. Not.

As far as math quizes go, I did make a 100% on the one we took yesterday. So that's a boost in my confidence. I think I'm finally getting it.

12 months to go

I've been in nursing school for a month now. I'm taking an accelerated program at Concorde Career Institute. I've decided to start blogging my experiences so that I'll have something to look back on when I complete the program.

So far, I have a love/hate relationship with nursing school. I'm sure this is pretty much the case for any nursing student. Some days, walking into a classroom feels like you're walking that green mile. Others, well....it's a thrill to be there. Knowing what the end goal is and that I'm not the only crazy one on this two lane highway, helps a lot.

I will try to post daily. It will be hard, I won't lie. They say Nursing School=No Life. They are right. I'm a mother of three, also married for 16 years now. So between kids, husband and school...I'll try to squeeze the blogging in. Just consider yourself warned if a post does not make sense, because I've had no sleep in 48 hours.

I have some old posts from an abandoned blog that I may move over here, that are nursing school related. That may get this thing up to date. Aghhh, who has time?!