Well finals went as well as I expected. Although I did not recieve the grade I had hoped for on my Fundamentals final. I guess you get what you put into it...which I didn't study so I got the grade I deserved. I have to admit I was a little confused when I recieved a higher than average score on my Fundamentals ATI test and managed to almost bomb the lecture test, but nothing in nursing school really makes a whole lot of sense.
So the final score:
Health Assessment Lab: A
Fundamentals Lecture: B-
Health Assessment Lecture: B+
Fundamentals Lab: B
Patho/ Pharm: B
My clinical instructor has not posted grades yet so I have no idea what I got in clinical. I am hoping its an A. All-in- all I am not disappointed with my performance, but I know I could have done better. However, that would have required me going completely nuts and becoming a hermit. I guess the worse part about it is knowing I could have done better, but I simply didn't for my own peace of mind. I guess its that nagging little perfectionist voice in my head that keeps bugging me...strangely it sounds like my father...
While I complained a lot this semester and cried a lot, I enjoyed my first semester of nursing school. I have met and befriended many wonderful people, had some really funny experiences, and done things that have seriously made me question my sanity. I really can't say I learned a lot about myself because I used skills (nun-chuck skills, computer hacking skills, skills with a bow staff...) I knew I had, but never really had a serious chance to use them.
In case I am not able to move up to the accelerated track, I would like to say good luck and thanks for your support to those of you in the accelerated program. I know more of you than I do in the regular program and will miss making this journey with you. I wish nothing but the best for all of you. I think I will miss Indy the most. I would not have made it through clinicals without her and her constant encouragement and increditable listening abilities were a great comfort to me. She is a great friend, who I know will go on to do great things. I would also like to thank my mentor...Brianna...silly woman! Thanks for your support and encouragement this semester.
Last, thanks honey. I have no freaking clue what I am going to do without you next semester. I will never have clean clothes, Sam and Amy will keep me in hot meals, but who am I going to snuggle with? Who am I going to cry on? Who am I going to veg-out with in front of the TV? Who's going to walk the girls with me? Most importantly...who is going to pick up the dog poo in the backyard!? Sigh...I love you.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Days 57 thru 64: The Last of the Semester
Well I am so sorry I have been neglectful with my blog. Its been finals and preparing for Jeremy to leave and half marathons...sigh...I am such a busy person. No, not really. :)
Day 57: So after I passed off on catheters...almost didn't, you have no idea how hard it is to push apart the labia on the fake people and then insert a catheter. Let me tell you, its not easy. Anyways, we then learned how to administer NG tube feedings, but we couldn't really pass off on anything because of once again the instructors failure to follow the seven P's, so there wasn't the right equiptment in the lab. So I felt like my morning was a waste.
Day 58: Lecture...woohoo.
Day 59: I did not go to class. I truly felt like it was a waste of time and I went Christmas shopping instead. hehehe!!
Day 60: I passed off on NG tube feedings. I was nervous about that one because the lecture was less than stellar and I had no idea what I was suppose to do. I passed of on Health Assessment!!! One class done!!! Russia (that is where she is from) and I did great!! I was so happy to be done.
Day61: Lecture...boo!
Day 62: I went to class simply because I had quiz, which I failed, miserably.
Day 63: Last day of clinicals! Well I am a little sad. This is the split off between the regular and accelerated track. I am really going to miss Indy. She was a great help and it was good to be with someone who was competent. We spent the day in Day Surgery. It was so calm and quite. It was such a nice change from Med/ Surg. I got to see scope surgeries. The first one I saw was a gallbladder surgery. The doctor went in with a scope and removed a shunt from one of the bile ducts of the gallbladder and then cleaned out the gallbladder...it was sooooo gross!! The things that came out of the gallbladder were so gross! We also saw a hernia repair. The human body is not so bad on the inside.
Day 64: Fundamentals quiz!!! Two classes down.
Tomorrow: Health Assessment.
Day 57: So after I passed off on catheters...almost didn't, you have no idea how hard it is to push apart the labia on the fake people and then insert a catheter. Let me tell you, its not easy. Anyways, we then learned how to administer NG tube feedings, but we couldn't really pass off on anything because of once again the instructors failure to follow the seven P's, so there wasn't the right equiptment in the lab. So I felt like my morning was a waste.
Day 58: Lecture...woohoo.
Day 59: I did not go to class. I truly felt like it was a waste of time and I went Christmas shopping instead. hehehe!!
Day 60: I passed off on NG tube feedings. I was nervous about that one because the lecture was less than stellar and I had no idea what I was suppose to do. I passed of on Health Assessment!!! One class done!!! Russia (that is where she is from) and I did great!! I was so happy to be done.
Day61: Lecture...boo!
Day 62: I went to class simply because I had quiz, which I failed, miserably.
Day 63: Last day of clinicals! Well I am a little sad. This is the split off between the regular and accelerated track. I am really going to miss Indy. She was a great help and it was good to be with someone who was competent. We spent the day in Day Surgery. It was so calm and quite. It was such a nice change from Med/ Surg. I got to see scope surgeries. The first one I saw was a gallbladder surgery. The doctor went in with a scope and removed a shunt from one of the bile ducts of the gallbladder and then cleaned out the gallbladder...it was sooooo gross!! The things that came out of the gallbladder were so gross! We also saw a hernia repair. The human body is not so bad on the inside.
Day 64: Fundamentals quiz!!! Two classes down.
Tomorrow: Health Assessment.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Day 53 thru 56: The semester is coming to an end.
Well the semester is starting to slow down. Its like the calm before the storm of craziness of finals that I know is coming. I am not ready for it. I am not ready for the fundamentals final or the patho final, I am not ready for my health assessment pass-off. And for some reason I cannot engage my brain enough to care.
Day 53: Ah catheters...such fun. We have these dummies that simulate the male and female anatomy, this is how we learn to do enemas and catheters. I pray to God I never have to have a foley cath...those do NOT look comfy. But I was able to learn how to do them quickly. All I have to do is pass off on them tomorrow. Health assessment was boring. That class I guess is offically over. We are starting pass off now. I don't have mine until after Thanksgiving.
Day 54: Pain management in fundamentals....I studied for the cardio test instead. Domestic violence in health assessment...I played solitaire on my phone. Then Prof Makey's class...which made no sense.
Day 55: More pain management with Prof Mom. I fell asleep in the library...I was still recovering from the flu. I still am. The cardio test went better than I thought. I totally thought I blew it, but turns out I got 100% on it!! I told you I heart the heart!!
Day 56: Late for simlab!! Traffic here sucks. Simlab was the worst. I hate simlab. I learn nothing from it. But I guess next semester we get graded on it. LAME. Then we went to the hospital. I got teased with an ER promise, but it didn't pan out. Boo!
I am so happy there is a holiday this week. I also want to get it out in the open. Yes I went and saw New Moon. And although the acting was bad and the graphics were too...I loved it. There is no romance in my life. After six and a half years of marriage, we are pretty much at the "early bird special and lights out by 8pm" phase of marriage. Which is fine, it makes silly romantic crap more entertaining. Oh and ps Team Edward...any dude that can correctly and smoothly quote Shakespeare has got my vote.
Day 53: Ah catheters...such fun. We have these dummies that simulate the male and female anatomy, this is how we learn to do enemas and catheters. I pray to God I never have to have a foley cath...those do NOT look comfy. But I was able to learn how to do them quickly. All I have to do is pass off on them tomorrow. Health assessment was boring. That class I guess is offically over. We are starting pass off now. I don't have mine until after Thanksgiving.
Day 54: Pain management in fundamentals....I studied for the cardio test instead. Domestic violence in health assessment...I played solitaire on my phone. Then Prof Makey's class...which made no sense.
Day 55: More pain management with Prof Mom. I fell asleep in the library...I was still recovering from the flu. I still am. The cardio test went better than I thought. I totally thought I blew it, but turns out I got 100% on it!! I told you I heart the heart!!
Day 56: Late for simlab!! Traffic here sucks. Simlab was the worst. I hate simlab. I learn nothing from it. But I guess next semester we get graded on it. LAME. Then we went to the hospital. I got teased with an ER promise, but it didn't pan out. Boo!
I am so happy there is a holiday this week. I also want to get it out in the open. Yes I went and saw New Moon. And although the acting was bad and the graphics were too...I loved it. There is no romance in my life. After six and a half years of marriage, we are pretty much at the "early bird special and lights out by 8pm" phase of marriage. Which is fine, it makes silly romantic crap more entertaining. Oh and ps Team Edward...any dude that can correctly and smoothly quote Shakespeare has got my vote.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Day 50, 51, and 52: Everyone has the flu!!
I would just like to say a quick thanks to all my fellow students for the lovely flu virus swimming around in my blood right now. I know you all are type A personalities and don't want to miss out on anything...but please for the love of God stay home when you are sick! I was hoping I could go through the whole school year and not get sick, but apparently not possible. So next time stay home and I will take notes for you and bring you chicken noodle soup while wearing a surgical mask.
Day 50: A day like this day will turn you off from junk food for the rest of your life and make you want to live at the gym. I will start with my patient. While she was perfectly sweet and went home at the end of the day, she was long winded. I don't mind listening to my patients, but it is rather challenging to respond to them when you have no idea what they are saying. The poor lady had had so many strokes that her speech was perminately slurred, her dentures did nothing to help. I asked her when she wanted a bed bath and I was going to do it when she felt comfortable, but the CNA came in a told me I don't ask I just do it. I was a little shocked. We were taught to ask when the patient would feel comfortable with ADLs, the CNA completely ignored that and it bothered me. However my patient just let me do what I needed to do without complaint. I gave her the ton of cardiac meds eventhough they are all contraindicated in eachother. They did little to help the heart condition she had. I was just happy her family actually took care of her.
Indy's patient on the other hand was a totally different story. 600lbs, end stage renal failure, congestive heart failure, diabetes, bed and fat sores, and a whole host of other things. She was clearly addicted to her pain meds and they never helped. The woman has two bellies one of which went down to her ankles...I am not joking, literally to her ankles. She required constant care and wanted food constantly eventhough she was restricted to a 1800 calorie diet. Toward the end of the day the CNA comes to Indy and I and two of the guys in our group and asks us to help her turn the patient. We all figured, well the woman does have bed sores so it is logical that she would need to be turned. When we walked into the room it smelled a little ripe...however what would you expect it to smell like with a 600lbs woman that refused a bed bath because they are too traumatic? The CNA had a tub of hot soapy water with wash clothes in it...naturally I didn't think anything of it. I got on the side with the CNA and we rolled the woman toward Indy and the two guys. What was uncovered was horrifying!!! And the smell, oh Lord, the smell. The woman had pooped herself everywhere. I am not talking regular poo, this was buckets of chucky diarrhea. I seriously could feel the vomit in the back of my throat. The CNA looks at me and says "OK go ahead and clean it." I was horrified...was she fucking kidding?!?!? Here we all are gloved, gowned, masked (she had a vancomycin resistant disease), and the CNA is asking me to clean the poo. I wanted to ask her if she was out of her fucking mind. She gets paid to do this!! Granted not enough, but still! Poor Indy couldn't look at it. So I grabbed a wet wash cloth and dove in. It was everywhere and in every fold. I cannot even begin to describe what it was like. After we finished cleaning her up, Indy and I scrubbed our hands and arms until they were red. We both went home and boiled our skin off and vomitted at the thought of eating pizza.
I couldn't feel sorry for the woman. It was clear her daughter was moving along the same path. How do you let yourself get to that point? When do just stop caring?
Day 51: Lab day! We learned how to treat wounds...not to challenging. Then got a new partner for Health Assessment. We were learning about ENT- everyone wanted to see what a deviated septum looked like so...everyone stuck their fingers up my nose. I was happy to help out.
Day 52: Test today. Failed it...so failed it....well I don't know. I had a small cough all day and was extremely tired. I ended up falling asleep in my car in between classes...strange not like me. Cardiac quiz was a fail as well, but I don't think anyone did well.
So I have spent the last two days dealing with the flu and sadly missed clinicals today. Boo.
Day 50: A day like this day will turn you off from junk food for the rest of your life and make you want to live at the gym. I will start with my patient. While she was perfectly sweet and went home at the end of the day, she was long winded. I don't mind listening to my patients, but it is rather challenging to respond to them when you have no idea what they are saying. The poor lady had had so many strokes that her speech was perminately slurred, her dentures did nothing to help. I asked her when she wanted a bed bath and I was going to do it when she felt comfortable, but the CNA came in a told me I don't ask I just do it. I was a little shocked. We were taught to ask when the patient would feel comfortable with ADLs, the CNA completely ignored that and it bothered me. However my patient just let me do what I needed to do without complaint. I gave her the ton of cardiac meds eventhough they are all contraindicated in eachother. They did little to help the heart condition she had. I was just happy her family actually took care of her.
Indy's patient on the other hand was a totally different story. 600lbs, end stage renal failure, congestive heart failure, diabetes, bed and fat sores, and a whole host of other things. She was clearly addicted to her pain meds and they never helped. The woman has two bellies one of which went down to her ankles...I am not joking, literally to her ankles. She required constant care and wanted food constantly eventhough she was restricted to a 1800 calorie diet. Toward the end of the day the CNA comes to Indy and I and two of the guys in our group and asks us to help her turn the patient. We all figured, well the woman does have bed sores so it is logical that she would need to be turned. When we walked into the room it smelled a little ripe...however what would you expect it to smell like with a 600lbs woman that refused a bed bath because they are too traumatic? The CNA had a tub of hot soapy water with wash clothes in it...naturally I didn't think anything of it. I got on the side with the CNA and we rolled the woman toward Indy and the two guys. What was uncovered was horrifying!!! And the smell, oh Lord, the smell. The woman had pooped herself everywhere. I am not talking regular poo, this was buckets of chucky diarrhea. I seriously could feel the vomit in the back of my throat. The CNA looks at me and says "OK go ahead and clean it." I was horrified...was she fucking kidding?!?!? Here we all are gloved, gowned, masked (she had a vancomycin resistant disease), and the CNA is asking me to clean the poo. I wanted to ask her if she was out of her fucking mind. She gets paid to do this!! Granted not enough, but still! Poor Indy couldn't look at it. So I grabbed a wet wash cloth and dove in. It was everywhere and in every fold. I cannot even begin to describe what it was like. After we finished cleaning her up, Indy and I scrubbed our hands and arms until they were red. We both went home and boiled our skin off and vomitted at the thought of eating pizza.
I couldn't feel sorry for the woman. It was clear her daughter was moving along the same path. How do you let yourself get to that point? When do just stop caring?
Day 51: Lab day! We learned how to treat wounds...not to challenging. Then got a new partner for Health Assessment. We were learning about ENT- everyone wanted to see what a deviated septum looked like so...everyone stuck their fingers up my nose. I was happy to help out.
Day 52: Test today. Failed it...so failed it....well I don't know. I had a small cough all day and was extremely tired. I ended up falling asleep in my car in between classes...strange not like me. Cardiac quiz was a fail as well, but I don't think anyone did well.
So I have spent the last two days dealing with the flu and sadly missed clinicals today. Boo.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Day 46-49: I should have done something else...
Hurray!!! Five weeks left. I am slightly freaking out. Finals...sigh...I am ready to be done. On that note, I am suppose to run a half marathon in a month and am I ready...of course not!! There is junk food in my house and I have no will power. Someone take away this candy. Please!! I need motivation to do other things in my life beside school. Please someone volunteer to diet and workout with me!
Day 46: Well the patient I thought I was going to have went home. So the patient I did end up with was one with CHF, who was having a heart attack all day and there was nothing I could do about it. I did give him his medications, but I did NOT give him medication!! CNA Rachett was at it again. The horrid woman did not put a NPO sign on my patients door, which means he is not to have anything to eat or drink, so she ended up giving him breakfast, which included coffee. And you know what that b!&#h did?!?!?!? She told the charge nurse I gave my patient coffee and breakfast and then quickly wrote the NPO sign scratching out the original order!!! So the charge nurse (the east coast one) told Prof Papa that she was going to write an incident report up on me and inform the doctor of MY mistake! I wondered why the nurse I was following was so cold to me! That stupid CNA told her I was the one that was going to make her job harder for the day. Fortunately, Indy was with me all day and she backed up my story. We checked my patients chart before I went in the room and nothing in the chart said he was NPO, there was no sign on the door, and I was not the one who gave him the breakfast tray!! He was eating breakfast when I walked in the room and the horrid CNA was changing the sign. The nurse and Prof Papa suspected that was what happened but they needed to confirm my story. Thank you Indy for covering my ass!!! :)
On a better note, I gave my first IM injection!!! I gave Indy's patient his Pnuemovax. It was so freaking cool! He said he didn't even feel anything. He just sat there and played video poker. I did end up coming home at the end of the day and taking a hot shower, then cried for a half hour. I console myself with Chocolate. Sam help me!!! I am going to gain weight and never want to work out!
Day 47: The weirdest thing happened to me while I was learning how to set up a sterile field and glove up with sterile gloves: I found out I am allergic to dry rot!!! Who knew?! No joke, two minutes after I put on the dry rotted sterile gloves my arms broke out in the most ridiculously itchy rash! I passed off on sterile field and ran next door to the gass station and got some Benadryl. I almost passed out during wound care lecture...I went home and slept for a few hours and then went back to finish off Wasted Monday with Snoopy. We are not looking forward to final pass off.
Day 48: Who doesn't like lecture? ME!! I had a health assessment test...oh holy crap HARD!! I got an 88% though. It was good enough for me. We are starting cardio in Patho/Pharm!! Prof Makey talks so freaking fast, I am going to have to actually study and study hard for the next test. Its ok, cause I heart the heart. :)
Day 49: Well I am going to say today was rather useless. I totally bombed the cardiac quiz we had today. Prof Makey has just confused the hell out of all of us. Tomorrow should be fun though. My patient is on like 10 different cardiac meds.
Day 46: Well the patient I thought I was going to have went home. So the patient I did end up with was one with CHF, who was having a heart attack all day and there was nothing I could do about it. I did give him his medications, but I did NOT give him medication!! CNA Rachett was at it again. The horrid woman did not put a NPO sign on my patients door, which means he is not to have anything to eat or drink, so she ended up giving him breakfast, which included coffee. And you know what that b!&#h did?!?!?!? She told the charge nurse I gave my patient coffee and breakfast and then quickly wrote the NPO sign scratching out the original order!!! So the charge nurse (the east coast one) told Prof Papa that she was going to write an incident report up on me and inform the doctor of MY mistake! I wondered why the nurse I was following was so cold to me! That stupid CNA told her I was the one that was going to make her job harder for the day. Fortunately, Indy was with me all day and she backed up my story. We checked my patients chart before I went in the room and nothing in the chart said he was NPO, there was no sign on the door, and I was not the one who gave him the breakfast tray!! He was eating breakfast when I walked in the room and the horrid CNA was changing the sign. The nurse and Prof Papa suspected that was what happened but they needed to confirm my story. Thank you Indy for covering my ass!!! :)
On a better note, I gave my first IM injection!!! I gave Indy's patient his Pnuemovax. It was so freaking cool! He said he didn't even feel anything. He just sat there and played video poker. I did end up coming home at the end of the day and taking a hot shower, then cried for a half hour. I console myself with Chocolate. Sam help me!!! I am going to gain weight and never want to work out!
Day 47: The weirdest thing happened to me while I was learning how to set up a sterile field and glove up with sterile gloves: I found out I am allergic to dry rot!!! Who knew?! No joke, two minutes after I put on the dry rotted sterile gloves my arms broke out in the most ridiculously itchy rash! I passed off on sterile field and ran next door to the gass station and got some Benadryl. I almost passed out during wound care lecture...I went home and slept for a few hours and then went back to finish off Wasted Monday with Snoopy. We are not looking forward to final pass off.
Day 48: Who doesn't like lecture? ME!! I had a health assessment test...oh holy crap HARD!! I got an 88% though. It was good enough for me. We are starting cardio in Patho/Pharm!! Prof Makey talks so freaking fast, I am going to have to actually study and study hard for the next test. Its ok, cause I heart the heart. :)
Day 49: Well I am going to say today was rather useless. I totally bombed the cardiac quiz we had today. Prof Makey has just confused the hell out of all of us. Tomorrow should be fun though. My patient is on like 10 different cardiac meds.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
UPDATE, UPDATE, UPDATE!!!!
I got an A on the Patho/Pharm test!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY CRAP I KICK BUTT!!! I messed up on the essay question a bit though...otherwise I only missed one freaking question!!!!
Also...its freaking cold here and I hate wearing dresses when it is cold. :( My legs are pasty white, but at least they look better than most of Hollywoods! HA!
Also...its freaking cold here and I hate wearing dresses when it is cold. :( My legs are pasty white, but at least they look better than most of Hollywoods! HA!
Day 42,43, 44, 45: Help Wanted
Ok so when I went to pick up my patient info last week, the other ladies in my clinical group and I discovered the boys had decided to wear nice slacks and ties to look sharp for clinical pick-up. So us ladies looked like schlubs!! So this week we are going to show them up! I am actually going to wear a dress and make-up...holy crap....totally out of the normal for me. So I will take pictures and post them!
As most of you know I LOVE Halloween. So today I wore a little princess crown to class and one person noticed! Geez people lighten up its Halloween! Learn to have a little fun! Kevin dear, you were right, I should have worn the witches hat. I will shock them all with my Halloween costume on Friday!
Day 42: Well the patient I was suppose to have went home, so I got a new patient, who really didn't need anything because she was going in for surgery. However I did have a nice conversation with her about her hobbies and her family. I didn't get to administer any medications orally or by injection. Neither did Indy. Her patient did everything herself. Although by the end of the day we did get her to open up. She had a wicked diabetic ulcer on her foot. For you diabetes people: TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET!!!
Day43: Well once again it felt like a wasted Monday. I sort of learned how to give enemas...gross. And we learned how to check blood sugar, but apparently we are legally not allowed to do it here in the hospitals, so I have no idea how we are going to get practice on a real person. We also learned how to dipstick urine and read it and test poo for blood. I do not do poo and if I EVER have to have an enema, someone knock me out. Health assessment wasn't a total waste since we did talk to the Prof about what exactly we needed to know for final pass off. Its going to be nuts!!! I bet you anything I will end up with the three hardest systems. Just wait.
Day 44: Lecture!! We were suppose to have a guest speaker, but she never showed...so Prof Plant stumbled through the lecture confusing the hell out of those of us who had a test in Patho/Pharm on the same subject that afternoon. I tried to ignore that part of the lecture because I thought I actually had a grasp on acid-base imbalances. Health Lecture was...no offense to Prof Barbie...boring as ever. I need to study for the test next week. Last came the test in Patho/Pharm!! You all know how I epically BOMBED the last test, so I was even more nervous for this test and I studied my fanny off for it. She hasn't posted the grades yet so I have no idea how I did, although I didn't have that sick to my stomach feeling I had last time...usually not a good sign.
Day 45: More lecture!! Prof Mom strikes again! So awful. Not that she is a bad teacher, just electrolyte imbalances are not her fortay. Afterward I went to this briefing for the VALOR program, its a paid apprenticeship for nursing students through the VA. Its a GREAT oppurtunity. I would love to do it...I just don't think I have the GPA to be competetive...I am qualified though. I really want an apprentienceship somewhere. I need the experience if I am going to work Trauma/ER/ICU. So anyone know a hook-up in the Vegas valley?
Well off to more class...hopefully I will find out if I passed my test!
As most of you know I LOVE Halloween. So today I wore a little princess crown to class and one person noticed! Geez people lighten up its Halloween! Learn to have a little fun! Kevin dear, you were right, I should have worn the witches hat. I will shock them all with my Halloween costume on Friday!
Day 42: Well the patient I was suppose to have went home, so I got a new patient, who really didn't need anything because she was going in for surgery. However I did have a nice conversation with her about her hobbies and her family. I didn't get to administer any medications orally or by injection. Neither did Indy. Her patient did everything herself. Although by the end of the day we did get her to open up. She had a wicked diabetic ulcer on her foot. For you diabetes people: TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET!!!
Day43: Well once again it felt like a wasted Monday. I sort of learned how to give enemas...gross. And we learned how to check blood sugar, but apparently we are legally not allowed to do it here in the hospitals, so I have no idea how we are going to get practice on a real person. We also learned how to dipstick urine and read it and test poo for blood. I do not do poo and if I EVER have to have an enema, someone knock me out. Health assessment wasn't a total waste since we did talk to the Prof about what exactly we needed to know for final pass off. Its going to be nuts!!! I bet you anything I will end up with the three hardest systems. Just wait.
Day 44: Lecture!! We were suppose to have a guest speaker, but she never showed...so Prof Plant stumbled through the lecture confusing the hell out of those of us who had a test in Patho/Pharm on the same subject that afternoon. I tried to ignore that part of the lecture because I thought I actually had a grasp on acid-base imbalances. Health Lecture was...no offense to Prof Barbie...boring as ever. I need to study for the test next week. Last came the test in Patho/Pharm!! You all know how I epically BOMBED the last test, so I was even more nervous for this test and I studied my fanny off for it. She hasn't posted the grades yet so I have no idea how I did, although I didn't have that sick to my stomach feeling I had last time...usually not a good sign.
Day 45: More lecture!! Prof Mom strikes again! So awful. Not that she is a bad teacher, just electrolyte imbalances are not her fortay. Afterward I went to this briefing for the VALOR program, its a paid apprenticeship for nursing students through the VA. Its a GREAT oppurtunity. I would love to do it...I just don't think I have the GPA to be competetive...I am qualified though. I really want an apprentienceship somewhere. I need the experience if I am going to work Trauma/ER/ICU. So anyone know a hook-up in the Vegas valley?
Well off to more class...hopefully I will find out if I passed my test!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Day 38-41: Weight Gain and Brain Dump
Yes ladies and gentlemen it is time again to play that game "25 facts about Me!"
1. I hate hypocracy.
2. I maybe a Republican, but I am not a right wing nut and I CAN logically defend my beliefs
3. My list of priorities goes: God, Country, Husband, Family, Friends, Education, Career, Money
4. I have increditably low self esteem, but that is what keeps me going to the gym
5. I am not afraid of zombies, but I am afraid of vampires...although I like Twilight
6. In my head I am an artist, a warrior, an Oscar winning actress, a Grammy winning Rocker, and a New York Times Bestseller author, and the female version of Indiana Jones
7. I love my dogs as if they are my children and I talk to them too.
8. I have talked to myself since I was a small child.
9. I love the weird feeling I get when I swing upside down on a swing set
10. The best "girl time" I have ever had was the Breast Cancer Walk with Amy and Sam
11. I WILL retire in Colorado on my own property.
12. I want to learn how to bow hunt.
13. My "five" are: Matt Damon, Henry Cavill, Ben Burnley, Ewan McGregor, and Hayden Christensen
14. I secretely wish I could dress like a punk rocker/ goth and get away with it.
15. My favorite sound is wind through pine trees.
16. My happy place is the top of Trail Ridge road.
17. I love/ hate movies that psychologically mess you up.
18. I have read one romance novel...and I liked it.
19. Halloween is my favorite holiday.
20. I do not like running, but for some reason it is the only thing sort of keeping the weight off
21. I wish I could redo my wedding...
22. My husband can always make me smile...sometimes i make him mad on purpose, just for the make-up sex.
23. My dad is my biggest Hero.
24. I have more than one mom: Sharon (step-mom), Grandma (psuedo-mom), Sandy B. (adopted mom), Belinda (mother-in-law with the mostest), Aunt Sonja (the cool mom), and then my actual Mom.
25. My purpose in life is to serve my family and friends!
I also have a new favorite quote for you all: "I like to keep my emotions pushed down. Compressed. So they come out at random and inappropriate times." Veronica NBC's Mercy.
So after I finished my last blog, I had a meeting with Prof Barbie and then later that afternoon I had a meeting with Prof Makey. I now know what I am doing wrong in both classes, and hopefully I can correct my mistakes for the next tests. In Prof Barbie's class, while I am essentially getting the answers right I am always coming down to two answers and just guessing the one she is looking for eventhough both answers are right. Apparently it is a matter of priority, which of the answers is more of a priority...now I see what I am doing wrong! In Prof Makey's class it is a matter of not fully reading the question, because when I went over the test with her, its not that I didn't know the answers I just didn't read the freaking question. Will take more time next time to READ the questions.
Day 38: This day is the reason I waited so long to blog. We are sworn to secrecy when we do simulation lab! Its so the classes after us (since we went on Thrusday), don't know what is coming so they have the same experience we did. We are working at a state of the art facility that we share with UNLV. In this facility there are simulated hospital rooms with manikins that can do all sorts of cool stuff: breathe, have a heart beat, they have a microphone so someone can pretend to be their voice behind one-way glass, you can even stick IVs in them and get simulated blood! Well they have all kinds of cameras and stuff hooked up in this room so a group of students can observe you in a confernce room and give you feed back. Its totally high tech! Well my clinical group split up and one group did a hip fracture scenerio and I was lead nurse for pneumonia patient. Well....I damn near suffocated my patient whose O2 sat (oxygen concentration) dropped to 74%. (Shut-up Sam and Shelly I know the two of you are laughing at me!! :-) ) I freaked out. Completely forgot everything I knew I was suppose to do! My brain was a block of cement that doesn't work...I tried everything. I tried to get Indy, who was the second nurse and Africa (we will call him that cause he is from Africa) and VeggieMan (we will call him that cause he is a vegitarian and from Iran) to help me out, but they stood there shocked too. They wanted me to call a code blue, but I couldn't. Slowly my brain returned and it was simply that the nasal canula (nose tubing) was not hooked up to the O2!! There was tubing there I ASSUMED was from the nasal canula...I was wrong. After that everything was much better. I felt like such an idiot when we "debriefed" the scenerio. But like Prof Papa said, it's something I will never forget to do again.
Day 39: Just a quiz....nothing more...because I am on top of the game!!!
Day 40: Lecture! Who doesn't love teaching your classmates how to make friendship bracelets? That was the project for Fundamentals...a five minute teaching session on anything we wanted. I figured if I could teach friendship bracelets to fourth and fifth graders I can teach it to a small group of nursing students....I was wrong. Vanilla Bear is not so good at the friendship bracelet thing. He did teach me how to sleep in class and we learned how to put on eye make-up (a real need to know for Vanilla Bear in case one of his little girls asks), and how to draw a vanishing point. It was a productive class session. Health Assessment was a marathon of playing solitaire on my iPhone...I need to download more games for that class. I did pay attention to Prof Makey's class. So I took notes. We did have a quiz...sort of...our clinical group was given a packet of respiratory problems and we were to name the disease. It was freaking hard! We got maybe three right.
Day 41: Lecture again!! I some how got elected to play Jeopardy in Fundamentals lecture. It was clear my group had not read the chapter. I went to lunch with Texas...his baby boy is due any minute now! I am so excited for him!! Now its off to another lecture and then to the hospital to pick my patient!!!
1. I hate hypocracy.
2. I maybe a Republican, but I am not a right wing nut and I CAN logically defend my beliefs
3. My list of priorities goes: God, Country, Husband, Family, Friends, Education, Career, Money
4. I have increditably low self esteem, but that is what keeps me going to the gym
5. I am not afraid of zombies, but I am afraid of vampires...although I like Twilight
6. In my head I am an artist, a warrior, an Oscar winning actress, a Grammy winning Rocker, and a New York Times Bestseller author, and the female version of Indiana Jones
7. I love my dogs as if they are my children and I talk to them too.
8. I have talked to myself since I was a small child.
9. I love the weird feeling I get when I swing upside down on a swing set
10. The best "girl time" I have ever had was the Breast Cancer Walk with Amy and Sam
11. I WILL retire in Colorado on my own property.
12. I want to learn how to bow hunt.
13. My "five" are: Matt Damon, Henry Cavill, Ben Burnley, Ewan McGregor, and Hayden Christensen
14. I secretely wish I could dress like a punk rocker/ goth and get away with it.
15. My favorite sound is wind through pine trees.
16. My happy place is the top of Trail Ridge road.
17. I love/ hate movies that psychologically mess you up.
18. I have read one romance novel...and I liked it.
19. Halloween is my favorite holiday.
20. I do not like running, but for some reason it is the only thing sort of keeping the weight off
21. I wish I could redo my wedding...
22. My husband can always make me smile...sometimes i make him mad on purpose, just for the make-up sex.
23. My dad is my biggest Hero.
24. I have more than one mom: Sharon (step-mom), Grandma (psuedo-mom), Sandy B. (adopted mom), Belinda (mother-in-law with the mostest), Aunt Sonja (the cool mom), and then my actual Mom.
25. My purpose in life is to serve my family and friends!
I also have a new favorite quote for you all: "I like to keep my emotions pushed down. Compressed. So they come out at random and inappropriate times." Veronica NBC's Mercy.
So after I finished my last blog, I had a meeting with Prof Barbie and then later that afternoon I had a meeting with Prof Makey. I now know what I am doing wrong in both classes, and hopefully I can correct my mistakes for the next tests. In Prof Barbie's class, while I am essentially getting the answers right I am always coming down to two answers and just guessing the one she is looking for eventhough both answers are right. Apparently it is a matter of priority, which of the answers is more of a priority...now I see what I am doing wrong! In Prof Makey's class it is a matter of not fully reading the question, because when I went over the test with her, its not that I didn't know the answers I just didn't read the freaking question. Will take more time next time to READ the questions.
Day 38: This day is the reason I waited so long to blog. We are sworn to secrecy when we do simulation lab! Its so the classes after us (since we went on Thrusday), don't know what is coming so they have the same experience we did. We are working at a state of the art facility that we share with UNLV. In this facility there are simulated hospital rooms with manikins that can do all sorts of cool stuff: breathe, have a heart beat, they have a microphone so someone can pretend to be their voice behind one-way glass, you can even stick IVs in them and get simulated blood! Well they have all kinds of cameras and stuff hooked up in this room so a group of students can observe you in a confernce room and give you feed back. Its totally high tech! Well my clinical group split up and one group did a hip fracture scenerio and I was lead nurse for pneumonia patient. Well....I damn near suffocated my patient whose O2 sat (oxygen concentration) dropped to 74%. (Shut-up Sam and Shelly I know the two of you are laughing at me!! :-) ) I freaked out. Completely forgot everything I knew I was suppose to do! My brain was a block of cement that doesn't work...I tried everything. I tried to get Indy, who was the second nurse and Africa (we will call him that cause he is from Africa) and VeggieMan (we will call him that cause he is a vegitarian and from Iran) to help me out, but they stood there shocked too. They wanted me to call a code blue, but I couldn't. Slowly my brain returned and it was simply that the nasal canula (nose tubing) was not hooked up to the O2!! There was tubing there I ASSUMED was from the nasal canula...I was wrong. After that everything was much better. I felt like such an idiot when we "debriefed" the scenerio. But like Prof Papa said, it's something I will never forget to do again.
Day 39: Just a quiz....nothing more...because I am on top of the game!!!
Day 40: Lecture! Who doesn't love teaching your classmates how to make friendship bracelets? That was the project for Fundamentals...a five minute teaching session on anything we wanted. I figured if I could teach friendship bracelets to fourth and fifth graders I can teach it to a small group of nursing students....I was wrong. Vanilla Bear is not so good at the friendship bracelet thing. He did teach me how to sleep in class and we learned how to put on eye make-up (a real need to know for Vanilla Bear in case one of his little girls asks), and how to draw a vanishing point. It was a productive class session. Health Assessment was a marathon of playing solitaire on my iPhone...I need to download more games for that class. I did pay attention to Prof Makey's class. So I took notes. We did have a quiz...sort of...our clinical group was given a packet of respiratory problems and we were to name the disease. It was freaking hard! We got maybe three right.
Day 41: Lecture again!! I some how got elected to play Jeopardy in Fundamentals lecture. It was clear my group had not read the chapter. I went to lunch with Texas...his baby boy is due any minute now! I am so excited for him!! Now its off to another lecture and then to the hospital to pick my patient!!!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Day 35, 36, and 37: Official Fail...sort of.
Well now that I am down to one shift a week, day 35 turned out to be a Monday! So here we go:
Day 35: Yet another productive Monday...I am not being sarcastic. I can now officially stick you all with a needle full of drugs! MUWHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA! It really was not a hard pass off, which scared me at first. I thought I was missing something. I did shake a bit, but I don't like being analyzed while I am doing something that requires concentration. But apparently I did well.
Snoopy and I had our shift assessment. It was really awkward poking and proding eachother in blue hospital gowns while the instructor silently watched and took notes. In the end I managed to only miss two things and didn't fully describe the sound of the heart. Overall I think I did fairly well. I have no idea what I got for a grade.
Day 36: Lecture. I miss Fundamentals lecture because I sat in traffic for two hours!! I left at 7:00 am and did not get to school until almost 9:00am. I was PISSED. Not like I missed anything significant, I just don't like missing class. It makes me look like a slacker. So I studied for my patho/pharm test. I totally thought I was going to do well on the test. I did everything she told us to and studied thoroughly everything on her study guide. When I opened Prof Makey's test I about gave up half way through. NOTHING I studied was on that test. I felt completely unprepared! I have tried to set up an appointment with her, but she doesn't let students look at the test after. So I feel sort of screwed. I got a 73%. I am so disappointed in myself and so shocked at the shit grade I can't even cry. I might have to go run five miles to make my brain function again.
Health Assessment was boring as usual. No offense to the guest speaker, he is a great guy, but I just went over the musculosketetal system in A and P, why would I want to go through it again? We also had "seminar" that day. Stupid. Read two scenerios about patients dying and the nurse reaction then answer some touchy, feely questions. LAME.
Day37: More lecture. Its seriously freaky how Prof Mom reminds me of my parents. We had a "healing ceremony" today....whatever the hell that is. There was some speaking, some gathering of weeds, and then it was done. I took pictures because I felt so freaking awkward. I need a new point and shoot camera...mine is old and it goes through batteries like its, its job.
I am hoping Prof Makey will go over her test in class today. I want to know what I missed and why.
Ugh....half way through. I am not sure how much longer I can last!!
Day 35: Yet another productive Monday...I am not being sarcastic. I can now officially stick you all with a needle full of drugs! MUWHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA! It really was not a hard pass off, which scared me at first. I thought I was missing something. I did shake a bit, but I don't like being analyzed while I am doing something that requires concentration. But apparently I did well.
Snoopy and I had our shift assessment. It was really awkward poking and proding eachother in blue hospital gowns while the instructor silently watched and took notes. In the end I managed to only miss two things and didn't fully describe the sound of the heart. Overall I think I did fairly well. I have no idea what I got for a grade.
Day 36: Lecture. I miss Fundamentals lecture because I sat in traffic for two hours!! I left at 7:00 am and did not get to school until almost 9:00am. I was PISSED. Not like I missed anything significant, I just don't like missing class. It makes me look like a slacker. So I studied for my patho/pharm test. I totally thought I was going to do well on the test. I did everything she told us to and studied thoroughly everything on her study guide. When I opened Prof Makey's test I about gave up half way through. NOTHING I studied was on that test. I felt completely unprepared! I have tried to set up an appointment with her, but she doesn't let students look at the test after. So I feel sort of screwed. I got a 73%. I am so disappointed in myself and so shocked at the shit grade I can't even cry. I might have to go run five miles to make my brain function again.
Health Assessment was boring as usual. No offense to the guest speaker, he is a great guy, but I just went over the musculosketetal system in A and P, why would I want to go through it again? We also had "seminar" that day. Stupid. Read two scenerios about patients dying and the nurse reaction then answer some touchy, feely questions. LAME.
Day37: More lecture. Its seriously freaky how Prof Mom reminds me of my parents. We had a "healing ceremony" today....whatever the hell that is. There was some speaking, some gathering of weeds, and then it was done. I took pictures because I felt so freaking awkward. I need a new point and shoot camera...mine is old and it goes through batteries like its, its job.
I am hoping Prof Makey will go over her test in class today. I want to know what I missed and why.
Ugh....half way through. I am not sure how much longer I can last!!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Day 34: First 12 Hour Shift
I have been hesitating to write about my first 12 hour day. It was not a good day. My patient was sent to the hospital for a UTI, but throughout the day I found out the nursing home she was at sent her to the hospital because she was so mean to them they didn't want to deal with her anymore!! She was a little rough with the nurse, me , and the CNA. I just don't know where to start about the day. I fed my patient breakfast and then she kicked me and Indy out of her room. We gave her a bed bath and changed her linen. She was nicer to me then. They had the poor woman, who by the way, could not get out of the bed...RESTRAINED, and tightly. When I went to lunch apparently the CNA tried to force feed her lunch and she spit it out in the CNA's face...apparently that was enough to have her seriously restrained. She complained to me that she couldn't feel her hands...so when the nurse wasn't looking I loosened her restraint so she could get some blood flow back to her hands. She refused her medications...good and bad thing. They were giving her the wrong meds, but she needed her dementia medication because she was clearly in need of it. I just could not believe how rude the nurse and the doctor were to her. It made me sad and angry. I have decided I cannot work in geriatrics, I get to involved. I am still too confused and angry to write anymore.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Days 31 thru 33ish: Elementary School
This week was suppose to be round two of exams...in a way it still is, but in others its not. Yesterday I realized (no offense to the cool people) that I am in a class full of some very whiny people. They whined enough yesterday to convince Prof Makey to move our test from today, to next Tuesday! While some of you maybe wondering why that would upset me, the thing is, I was mentally prepared to take three exams this week. I may not have studied completely, but I felt ready. This is college after all...Professors shouldn't give a shit when the rest of your tests are, they give the test when they planned and thats the end of the story. I don't seem to recall any of the professors from my first years in college and my first degree telling us they would move the test because they don't want us to be overwhelmed. Welcome to the adult world people!!!! Its overwhelming at times and you need to learn to deal with it. Whining will get you nowhere and typically your boss could care less if you are overwhelmed. There is a reason why they are termed MIDTERMS...they are suppose to be taken in the MIDDLE of the term. The other frustrating thing is not only do we have an exam next Tuesday, but we have one in the same class a week later. How freaking retarded is that?! Or am I the only one who notices these things? The maturity level of my class is significantly lower than I expected and its very annoying and frustrating.
Day 31: Well I wish I could say it was a wasted Monday...in a way it was. I didn't get anything checked off on my parenteral medication list (injectables), eventhough everything is pretty much checked off by other students in the class. Injectables is far less regulated than I thought it would be. Going through oral medications was like trying to get a signed letter from the Pope...parenteral...well it seems they will let anyone poke you with a needle. I think I have the hang of it for the most part. The IM (intramuscular) injection pad is the same weight and consistancy as one of my butt cheeks...that was sort of depressing. I was able to do an intradermal injection correctly (like a TB test). Rest is, well, I guess good? I can draw up the medications, reconsistute them, and mix insulin. Hurray! The hard part is what syringe, what gauge, what length needle, and where to stick it (so to speak HA!). Suppose I ought to study that.
Health assessment lab went a little better than usual, although it was weird knowing that my Prof honestly did not want to be there. I know because she has said so on several occasions to different students. My health assessment partner and I, (I'll call her Snoopy, in honor of the freaking cute tat she has on her back), tried to spend our time effectively by really examining each others abdominal area (kind of hard she both of us were laughing so much) and by going over our "shift assessment" which we will be the first group to go on Monday. We were there until 5pm eventhough both of us insisted that we did not want to be there any longer than we had too. Overall I think we will do well on Monday
Day 32: Lecture wooohooo!!! I completely ignored Prof Plant for the majority of class because I was studying for my health assessment lecture test, which was my next class. I truly have no idea what the first two parts of the lecture were about, but I do know the last part was about sleep, because I am not getting any (so to speak HA!). Sorry honey, I love you! Anyways, the test was...I really don't know. I had no idea how I would do when I went in there and I had no idea how I did when I came out. I hate that. I find that is what it is like in Nursing school. You really just don't know. Turns out I got an 82%. Not bad, but I could have done better if I had actually took the time to study properly. Noted, will not use someone elses study guide notes again.
The last class of the day was Prof Makey's class. After everyone whined about being mentally challenged, I failed to pay attention to lecture and simply wrote notes on the study guide for next week. You can't follow or understand Prof Makey worth a crap, so you might as well study the print outs of class objectives because that is what she tests on. I was so brain numb after class that I went and ran four miles (on the treadmill, so didn't feel like I got an effective workout), and weight lifted. And once again my night was full of studying for Fundamentals!!!
Day 33: Fundamentals test!!! I felt better prepared for this test. I did all MyNursingLab tests and I even went over the questions at the back of the chapter like she told us to. And guess what? The majority of her questions were pulled directly from the book questions or from MyNursingLab. So I think I did fairly well on this test...if I didn't I am going to be a bit confused and pissed.
This afternoon is Prof Makey again, followed by a little trip to the hospital to pick up info on my patient for tomorrow. First twelve hour shift tomorrow!! Friday I was going to flop my ass on the couch all day and not touch a textbook, but thanks to my classmates...I'll be studying and I might have to give up my Saturday again. Boo. Sigh...I need a freaking vacation.
Day 31: Well I wish I could say it was a wasted Monday...in a way it was. I didn't get anything checked off on my parenteral medication list (injectables), eventhough everything is pretty much checked off by other students in the class. Injectables is far less regulated than I thought it would be. Going through oral medications was like trying to get a signed letter from the Pope...parenteral...well it seems they will let anyone poke you with a needle. I think I have the hang of it for the most part. The IM (intramuscular) injection pad is the same weight and consistancy as one of my butt cheeks...that was sort of depressing. I was able to do an intradermal injection correctly (like a TB test). Rest is, well, I guess good? I can draw up the medications, reconsistute them, and mix insulin. Hurray! The hard part is what syringe, what gauge, what length needle, and where to stick it (so to speak HA!). Suppose I ought to study that.
Health assessment lab went a little better than usual, although it was weird knowing that my Prof honestly did not want to be there. I know because she has said so on several occasions to different students. My health assessment partner and I, (I'll call her Snoopy, in honor of the freaking cute tat she has on her back), tried to spend our time effectively by really examining each others abdominal area (kind of hard she both of us were laughing so much) and by going over our "shift assessment" which we will be the first group to go on Monday. We were there until 5pm eventhough both of us insisted that we did not want to be there any longer than we had too. Overall I think we will do well on Monday
Day 32: Lecture wooohooo!!! I completely ignored Prof Plant for the majority of class because I was studying for my health assessment lecture test, which was my next class. I truly have no idea what the first two parts of the lecture were about, but I do know the last part was about sleep, because I am not getting any (so to speak HA!). Sorry honey, I love you! Anyways, the test was...I really don't know. I had no idea how I would do when I went in there and I had no idea how I did when I came out. I hate that. I find that is what it is like in Nursing school. You really just don't know. Turns out I got an 82%. Not bad, but I could have done better if I had actually took the time to study properly. Noted, will not use someone elses study guide notes again.
The last class of the day was Prof Makey's class. After everyone whined about being mentally challenged, I failed to pay attention to lecture and simply wrote notes on the study guide for next week. You can't follow or understand Prof Makey worth a crap, so you might as well study the print outs of class objectives because that is what she tests on. I was so brain numb after class that I went and ran four miles (on the treadmill, so didn't feel like I got an effective workout), and weight lifted. And once again my night was full of studying for Fundamentals!!!
Day 33: Fundamentals test!!! I felt better prepared for this test. I did all MyNursingLab tests and I even went over the questions at the back of the chapter like she told us to. And guess what? The majority of her questions were pulled directly from the book questions or from MyNursingLab. So I think I did fairly well on this test...if I didn't I am going to be a bit confused and pissed.
This afternoon is Prof Makey again, followed by a little trip to the hospital to pick up info on my patient for tomorrow. First twelve hour shift tomorrow!! Friday I was going to flop my ass on the couch all day and not touch a textbook, but thanks to my classmates...I'll be studying and I might have to give up my Saturday again. Boo. Sigh...I need a freaking vacation.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Day 27 thru 30: Purple Rings and Breaking Benjamin
I look at myself in the mirror everyday simply to make sure I brush my hair properly and brush my teeth and to make sure I get all the face lotion rubbed in. But lately I haven't really taken a look at myself. Two weeks ago I got my hair darkened because I needed a change, but I didn't realize that the change was greatly needed. Everyone likes the change, I think it distracts them from the fact that I no longer look like myself. At least I think I no longer look like myself. At clinicals Indy pointed this out to me. She was telling me that ever since school started she looks at herself in the mirror and does not recognize the person staring back at her. That night I went home and looked at myself in the mirror. Pale skin, blotchy with freckles and retreating stress acne. The greatest change was the great dark purple and black circles under my eyes. My lips have lost most of their color, so has the rest of my skin...I haven't gained any weight, but I haven't lost any (not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing), but I could tell it was no longer me. I have also noticed that I am more prone to crying. The smallest things can make me cry. Last night I was at a birthday party and several of the silliest things just made me want to cry for no good reason. I was so tired, I had to leave early, which is not like me at all. What is nursing school doing to me?
Day 27: Lecture, Lecture, Lecture....Lecture....lecture...................(screaming)
Day 28: Lecture in the morning...really boring. I might as well skip class and just read the freaking chapter! However I won't do that cause I am a good student. I have a four hour break in between Prof Mom's class and Prof Makay's class, so I decided to go to open lab. If I haven't already said what we are doing right now let me explain. Nevada State College is the only nursing program in the Las Vegas area that is allowed to let their first semester students pass medications in clinicals. So in labs we have been given six fake patients with long lists of medications and reasons for being in the hospital and past histories and we draw vitals and lab values for each patient. We are (for the first "pass off") to sort through their oral medications and figure out which ones we give and why and what ones we don't and why and what we do in each situation and what we are suppose to teach the patient and what we are suppose to watch for. Once you get the system down its pretty simple and takes about ten minutes to go through the whole thing with an instructor (when you know what you are doing). However, because of, once again, their failure to follow the seven P's, not everyone is going to be able to "pass off" in the amount of time they have given us. We have to present one patient at a time and wait for everyone else to go (which takes forever), before you can present your next one even if you are ready to present them all. So I spend four hours in lab on Wednesday an only passed off on two patients! By the time I was done with my second patient I was already late to Prof Makay's class so I just said "fuck it" and went and worked out. Right now that is my only way of relieving stress. If I don't go for a few days I get twitchy and grumpy.
Day 29: Ah clinicals! Last week at two six hour shifts. Indy and I both had very interesting patients. Her patient was more talkative and had a really sweet husband (they were an older couple), my patient was in the same room and only wanted to sleep. My patient's diagnosis was interesting and she exhibited classic signs of her disease. I have to admit I was fascinated...almost like she was my personal guinea pig, which in a way all of my patients through nursing school are. Its disturbing how fascinated I was with my patient. However we did spend most of our time with Indy's patient. Surprisingly the day went very quickly! We didn't even have time to sit down and do our paperwork. We changed linens and helped both patients bathe. We watched the nurse give medications, it was a crazy day. I felt satisfied at the end of the day that I actually did something effective with my time.
Day 30: My patient remained the same!! This time I took control of the situation and performed a health assessment on her and found some of the most interesting things!! She has COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, its mostly a combination of emphysema and bronchitis typically caused by smoking) she was exhibiting classic signs. Shallow inhale, deep exhale, crackles in the lower lobes and a strange thumping noise in her lower lobes, she had a wheeze in the tracheal area...it was so COOL to actually hear these things on a patient instead of being simulated. Indy's patient had pneumonia and so her lung sounds where abnormal too! She had rales...it is so fascinating to hear these things, I know people are thinking I am sick for thinking someone's misfortune is fascinating, but I have to learn somehow. Its actually satisfying to be able to recognize on a patient all the things you learn in class, things that are beaten into your head. Its like discovering a great new shopping hole or bistro. I feel a sense of accomplishment, like I am actually learning something.
Day 30 1/2: I just want to say I spent the majority of my Saturday in lab trying to finish off my final medications. I was finally able to get to the "final pass off" the seventh patient that would decide if I was ready to pass medications in the hospital or not. We are given a new patient and twenty minutes to prep our notes and pull their drugs. I worked quickly. My adrenaline was going 100 miles an hour, I hadn't eaten anything all day so I was shaking a bit. I managed to get everything together right as the bell dinged. I had to wait for Prof Mom to finish with the girl that was head of me. She had the same patient I did, but I didn't hear how she went through the medications. I just looked up to see her crying and Prof Mom, lecturing her. My stomach dropped. Crap, crap, crap.....I wish Prof Plant was the one passing me off. Prof Mom is one scary, anal lady. I can handle her...she seriously is like my mother with my dad's army mentality. I started to breathe a little faster. It was my turn. I went through my medications and rationalized everything...she stared at me with a blank face the whole time...no leads...I just kept talking until I had nothing left to say. I went through every scenario I could think of. In the end I passed by the skin of my teeth. Eventhough my reasons for giving a medication and not giving one were sound, they weren't the reasons she was looking for, but she still passed me. I greatfully grabbed my green slip that said I could pass medications, returned my pulled meds, and quietly left the room. I don't remember walking back to the lab where everyone else was. I was shaking and pale and on the verge of tears. I passed, but just barely...and it scared the shit out of me.
So this week the new Breaking Benjamin cd came out and I bought it after saying up late one night to listen to an interview with the lead singer and a premiere of the cd. It has been a saving grace this week. I can always rock out to BB and relieve stress. Ben Burnley is a lyric genius. So my nursing school survival kit now includes: retail therapy, hazelnut lattes, book club, and Breaking Benjamin.
Day 27: Lecture, Lecture, Lecture....Lecture....lecture...................(screaming)
Day 28: Lecture in the morning...really boring. I might as well skip class and just read the freaking chapter! However I won't do that cause I am a good student. I have a four hour break in between Prof Mom's class and Prof Makay's class, so I decided to go to open lab. If I haven't already said what we are doing right now let me explain. Nevada State College is the only nursing program in the Las Vegas area that is allowed to let their first semester students pass medications in clinicals. So in labs we have been given six fake patients with long lists of medications and reasons for being in the hospital and past histories and we draw vitals and lab values for each patient. We are (for the first "pass off") to sort through their oral medications and figure out which ones we give and why and what ones we don't and why and what we do in each situation and what we are suppose to teach the patient and what we are suppose to watch for. Once you get the system down its pretty simple and takes about ten minutes to go through the whole thing with an instructor (when you know what you are doing). However, because of, once again, their failure to follow the seven P's, not everyone is going to be able to "pass off" in the amount of time they have given us. We have to present one patient at a time and wait for everyone else to go (which takes forever), before you can present your next one even if you are ready to present them all. So I spend four hours in lab on Wednesday an only passed off on two patients! By the time I was done with my second patient I was already late to Prof Makay's class so I just said "fuck it" and went and worked out. Right now that is my only way of relieving stress. If I don't go for a few days I get twitchy and grumpy.
Day 29: Ah clinicals! Last week at two six hour shifts. Indy and I both had very interesting patients. Her patient was more talkative and had a really sweet husband (they were an older couple), my patient was in the same room and only wanted to sleep. My patient's diagnosis was interesting and she exhibited classic signs of her disease. I have to admit I was fascinated...almost like she was my personal guinea pig, which in a way all of my patients through nursing school are. Its disturbing how fascinated I was with my patient. However we did spend most of our time with Indy's patient. Surprisingly the day went very quickly! We didn't even have time to sit down and do our paperwork. We changed linens and helped both patients bathe. We watched the nurse give medications, it was a crazy day. I felt satisfied at the end of the day that I actually did something effective with my time.
Day 30: My patient remained the same!! This time I took control of the situation and performed a health assessment on her and found some of the most interesting things!! She has COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, its mostly a combination of emphysema and bronchitis typically caused by smoking) she was exhibiting classic signs. Shallow inhale, deep exhale, crackles in the lower lobes and a strange thumping noise in her lower lobes, she had a wheeze in the tracheal area...it was so COOL to actually hear these things on a patient instead of being simulated. Indy's patient had pneumonia and so her lung sounds where abnormal too! She had rales...it is so fascinating to hear these things, I know people are thinking I am sick for thinking someone's misfortune is fascinating, but I have to learn somehow. Its actually satisfying to be able to recognize on a patient all the things you learn in class, things that are beaten into your head. Its like discovering a great new shopping hole or bistro. I feel a sense of accomplishment, like I am actually learning something.
Day 30 1/2: I just want to say I spent the majority of my Saturday in lab trying to finish off my final medications. I was finally able to get to the "final pass off" the seventh patient that would decide if I was ready to pass medications in the hospital or not. We are given a new patient and twenty minutes to prep our notes and pull their drugs. I worked quickly. My adrenaline was going 100 miles an hour, I hadn't eaten anything all day so I was shaking a bit. I managed to get everything together right as the bell dinged. I had to wait for Prof Mom to finish with the girl that was head of me. She had the same patient I did, but I didn't hear how she went through the medications. I just looked up to see her crying and Prof Mom, lecturing her. My stomach dropped. Crap, crap, crap.....I wish Prof Plant was the one passing me off. Prof Mom is one scary, anal lady. I can handle her...she seriously is like my mother with my dad's army mentality. I started to breathe a little faster. It was my turn. I went through my medications and rationalized everything...she stared at me with a blank face the whole time...no leads...I just kept talking until I had nothing left to say. I went through every scenario I could think of. In the end I passed by the skin of my teeth. Eventhough my reasons for giving a medication and not giving one were sound, they weren't the reasons she was looking for, but she still passed me. I greatfully grabbed my green slip that said I could pass medications, returned my pulled meds, and quietly left the room. I don't remember walking back to the lab where everyone else was. I was shaking and pale and on the verge of tears. I passed, but just barely...and it scared the shit out of me.
So this week the new Breaking Benjamin cd came out and I bought it after saying up late one night to listen to an interview with the lead singer and a premiere of the cd. It has been a saving grace this week. I can always rock out to BB and relieve stress. Ben Burnley is a lyric genius. So my nursing school survival kit now includes: retail therapy, hazelnut lattes, book club, and Breaking Benjamin.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Day 24, 25, and 26: Don't Judge Me
As some of you will see, I have gotten a bit pissy with a few of my friends on Facebook. Not mature of me and very much a knee jerk reaction brought on by lack of sleep, hunger, and the fact that it is the end of September and still over a hundred degrees outside and my damn school scrubs don't breath. But I would like to clarify, if I may. My first BS is in Healthcare Administration...that does not mean "doctor's office paperwork bitch" it means ADMINISTRATOR, like board of directors. I had to thoroughly study the ins and outs of ALL forms of healthcare...socialized healthcare included. After much contemplation, study, and debate, I do not believe government run healthcare is in the best interest of the American people...and by American people, I mean those of us legal citizens that actually contribute to society and pay taxes. It is NOT benefical for the economy, medical progression, nor for the people. The bill that is being proposed is crap. And YES I have read it and understand what it means...thank you very much. Yes healthcare needs to be reformed and regulations need to be put in place, but not at the tax payer expense nor the expense of capitalism. There is no easy answer.
I take great offense to people who accuse me of sitting on a high horse and looking down at the "have nots" as my dear friend Chris calls them. What you all don't know is, my family hovered around the poverty line for a good portion of my life. While my dad was able to obtain a few nice things for us, it was because he saved. As a kid I lived off of hamburger helper and whatever veggies we grew in the garden. We didn't have health insurance for MANY years. My father payed for two broken arms, various childhood illnesses, and an ER visit for a kidney infection, OUT OF HIS OWN POCKET. He did not bitch. My mother paid for both the births of my half sisters and did not bitch. So do not tell me I look down on the "have nots," family members I love dearly are what you would consider "have nots." Do I think its fair that they work so hard and don't get coverage, of course! If you think government healthcare insurance is so great, why don't you go talk to a Vet? They'll tell you all about the wonders of government health insurance. I have government health insurance!!! So don't bloody argue with me about it because you will lose.
I am off my soapbox now. :-)
Day 24: Clinicals are going by sooooo slllllooooowwwwwllllllyyyyy. I had the same patient from last week who freaked out about everything, except this time she appeared to be feeling better. She was going to be discharged around the time I was suppose to be done for the day, so there wasn't much to do with her. She wouldn't let me get two sets of vitals on her and she was really rude about it. I tried to help Indy with her patient, but she had a sitter and really didn't need anything...apparently a lot of people try to commit suicide in this city, sometimes I have to look out the window and make sure I don't live in Seattle.
So Indy and I sat and did our paperwork. The charge nurse got pissy about that because she doesn't like it when we sit and look like we aren't doing anything (what are we suppose to do?) and we clump together. Come to find out she was pissy because some students who came in the week before did nothing and didn't even chart vitals...well those students were from the community college...not our college, so we have to make up for their mistakes. Its was a useless day.
Day 25: Since my patient from Thursday had been discharged I was given a new patient. He was an old EMT from the East Coast. You would think that he would be cool, but there is something about people from the East Coast that make them come off as pushy, demanding, and in your face. I can't stand that. He was nice enough. He talked a lot. He refused to take his diabetic meds, but I did get to see some of the late signs of congestive heart failure on him. I love heart patients...I love cardiology. You could say I heart the heart (ha! so cheezy I know!). Indy's patient was in the same room and in the same boat except worse off. He was suppose to go for surgery, but his kidneys weren't working right, so the doc said no. We got to follow the nurse around, really cool chick that actually graduated from our school!! She showed us how to administer some meds and pretty much just let us do our thing with our patients...change linen...bed bath. I really hope I get to follow her around again!
Day 26: Ahhh...Wasted Mondays...although I did actually have something to do this morning!! We are learning to pass off on oral medications. We have six patients we have to present to an instructor, then a final pass off, then I can give oral medication. The pain in the ass is, each fake patient has a million drugs and weird lab values, so we have to go back and forth...is this contraindicated...no,no...wait lab value...fuck do I call the doctor?.....Its a serious pain, but once you get it down it goes quickly. The problem is due to lack of regard to the Seven P's there are not enough people in lab to pass us off during class time! So I have to come in on my time off (saturdays...the bloody piss ants) so I can check off on time. So no golfing for me this weekend and no hiking. I know what you are thinking...there are sundays! Nope, I have my second Well Older Adult interview this weekend.
Health assessment lab starts here pretty soon...pretty sure it will be another wasted afternoon, plus my partner will probably keep me in lab until 5pm because she is VERY thorough...I haven't decided whether that is a good thing or a bad thing yet.
Heads up!!! Examinations Round Two is next week!!
I take great offense to people who accuse me of sitting on a high horse and looking down at the "have nots" as my dear friend Chris calls them. What you all don't know is, my family hovered around the poverty line for a good portion of my life. While my dad was able to obtain a few nice things for us, it was because he saved. As a kid I lived off of hamburger helper and whatever veggies we grew in the garden. We didn't have health insurance for MANY years. My father payed for two broken arms, various childhood illnesses, and an ER visit for a kidney infection, OUT OF HIS OWN POCKET. He did not bitch. My mother paid for both the births of my half sisters and did not bitch. So do not tell me I look down on the "have nots," family members I love dearly are what you would consider "have nots." Do I think its fair that they work so hard and don't get coverage, of course! If you think government healthcare insurance is so great, why don't you go talk to a Vet? They'll tell you all about the wonders of government health insurance. I have government health insurance!!! So don't bloody argue with me about it because you will lose.
I am off my soapbox now. :-)
Day 24: Clinicals are going by sooooo slllllooooowwwwwllllllyyyyy. I had the same patient from last week who freaked out about everything, except this time she appeared to be feeling better. She was going to be discharged around the time I was suppose to be done for the day, so there wasn't much to do with her. She wouldn't let me get two sets of vitals on her and she was really rude about it. I tried to help Indy with her patient, but she had a sitter and really didn't need anything...apparently a lot of people try to commit suicide in this city, sometimes I have to look out the window and make sure I don't live in Seattle.
So Indy and I sat and did our paperwork. The charge nurse got pissy about that because she doesn't like it when we sit and look like we aren't doing anything (what are we suppose to do?) and we clump together. Come to find out she was pissy because some students who came in the week before did nothing and didn't even chart vitals...well those students were from the community college...not our college, so we have to make up for their mistakes. Its was a useless day.
Day 25: Since my patient from Thursday had been discharged I was given a new patient. He was an old EMT from the East Coast. You would think that he would be cool, but there is something about people from the East Coast that make them come off as pushy, demanding, and in your face. I can't stand that. He was nice enough. He talked a lot. He refused to take his diabetic meds, but I did get to see some of the late signs of congestive heart failure on him. I love heart patients...I love cardiology. You could say I heart the heart (ha! so cheezy I know!). Indy's patient was in the same room and in the same boat except worse off. He was suppose to go for surgery, but his kidneys weren't working right, so the doc said no. We got to follow the nurse around, really cool chick that actually graduated from our school!! She showed us how to administer some meds and pretty much just let us do our thing with our patients...change linen...bed bath. I really hope I get to follow her around again!
Day 26: Ahhh...Wasted Mondays...although I did actually have something to do this morning!! We are learning to pass off on oral medications. We have six patients we have to present to an instructor, then a final pass off, then I can give oral medication. The pain in the ass is, each fake patient has a million drugs and weird lab values, so we have to go back and forth...is this contraindicated...no,no...wait lab value...fuck do I call the doctor?.....Its a serious pain, but once you get it down it goes quickly. The problem is due to lack of regard to the Seven P's there are not enough people in lab to pass us off during class time! So I have to come in on my time off (saturdays...the bloody piss ants) so I can check off on time. So no golfing for me this weekend and no hiking. I know what you are thinking...there are sundays! Nope, I have my second Well Older Adult interview this weekend.
Health assessment lab starts here pretty soon...pretty sure it will be another wasted afternoon, plus my partner will probably keep me in lab until 5pm because she is VERY thorough...I haven't decided whether that is a good thing or a bad thing yet.
Heads up!!! Examinations Round Two is next week!!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Days 19,20,21, 22,23: Round 1 PASSED
Hi all...I am so sorry for being a slacker, but as you will read I have exams for a week! Ugh...last night was my first brain break. I was a blob in front of the TV and watch the premiers of some of my shows and read a book and snuggled with the hubby. Can't wait until he is done with mids...mids suck.
Day 19: My patient for the day was a new admit. So there wasn't much I could do since she was being prepped for surgery and loved her pain meds. I did give her a partial bed bath though. When I was checking her vitals she complained that she sounded like she was wheezing...so testing my newly acquired skills from what I will now call "Wasted Mondays," I listened to her breath sounds with my stethoscope (very professional) and guess what!?! I HEARD THE WHEEZE!!! Not like the nurse cared anyway. And not like I can do anything officially, but tell the nurse...so the skill seemed wasted. Its not like the nurses at my hospital are taking a vested interest in our education anyway...which makes me glad that we are switching hospitals next semester.
For the rest of the day I ended up helping Indy with her patient, colon cancer. The woman was a year younger than my dad and looked 30 years older. It was strange that I didn't feel the lest bit of sympathy for her...that makes me sound uncaring, but getting emotional involved with patients at this stage in my "career" is not the best idea. All she wanted done was her teeth brushed and to be left alone to sleep in a HEAVLEY drug induced haze. The meds this poor lady was on would put down a horse.
Day 20: I spent the night making little gifts for everyone in my clinical group. It was an attempt to relax all of us before the math test we were going to take that afternoon. The math test would determine whether we could calculate the correct dosages for medication administration. We had to pass the test with a 90% or we would be put on remediation and take the test again. If we didn't pass the second time we were kicked out of the program. So no pressure.
I once again had a new admit patient. This lady freaked out about EVERYTHING. Just looking at her was apparently painful to her. She moaned and groaned when I took her vitals. She jumped both times I took her temp. She screamed bloody murder when the ultrasound techs came to look at her pancreas, and screamed even more when her blood was drawn. She didn't want anything from me, so once again I helped Indy with her patient...same patient from the day before and we helped the CNA with one of her patients.
Indy's patient wanted her linens changed and demanded more meds. So we changed the linens with her in the bed. Every move we made caused her pain. It was a painful process for the two of us. We spent a good portion of the morning chasing down her nurse because the second her meds got remotely close to low her husband would be on us like white on rice. We got a lecture from the patient advocate about the little pink rose on the lady's door. Apparently someone along the line pissed the lady off during her treatment so the advocate had to get involved and now everyone has to go above and beyond for this patient. Indy and I just stood there like "what the hell do you expect from us? This is our second week of clinicals in first semester!" We told Prof. Papa about it and she told us to come to her next time. So we just did the minimum with her and helped the CNA.
We helped the CNA with, what we guessed was, a patient who had let his diabetes get away from him. The CNA gave him a FULL bed bath (with our help), changed linens, and cleaned his teeth and mouth. I now have a new found respect for CNAs. I have always respected them, but after looking in this man's mouth...oh dear god...look up what happens when you are a mouth breather, on antibiotics, have diabetes, and haven't gotten a good tooth brushing in awhile...it still makes me gag!!
The math test was easier than I expected, but I didn't pass it...88% ONE BLOODY QUESTION!!!! I bawled, I soaked Jeremy's shirt, I called Prof Papa...freaking out. I had to stew in my own juices over the weekend while trying to study for my Fundamentals quiz on Monday and my Patho/Pharm test on Tuesday. Not to mention I had to start and finish the first part of my Well Older Adult project. Let me tell you how awkward it is to walk in to some random 93 year olds house and interview her about her health. She did make me miss my Great Grandma...so I called and talked to Great Grandma for a half hour after my interview. I would have much prefered to do the interview on Great Grandma, but it couldn't be anyone in my family.
Day 21: I found out I had to stew in my own juices about the math test for one more day...through a Wasted Monday. At least I made $21 and spent it all in gass. We went over what we are going to need to do to pass off on medications in lab and what our shift assessment is going to be like. If felt sort of useless to me. What is the point of going through all of this if I wasn't going to pass the math test anyway? I took the quiz in lab...ridiculous quiz that come to find out hardly anyone passed. So dejected, exhausted, and bogged down in clinical paperwork, WOA, and test studying, I went home.
Day 22: Lecture all day!! Fundamentals lecture was useless. We went over nursing theory in a two hour session when I originally went over theory in a semester long class at UCCS. I was a little peeved about the whole thing because theory is what we will be tested on in class and what we found our papers and clinical work on and to devote two hours to something so basic is ridiculous. So I am planning on making a proposal to the school about adopting UCCS's Theory class format. I was kind of cute that Prof Plant dress-up in an old school uniform.
Health Assessment went by quickly...she went over my favorite system...cardio...very lightly which was so lame and frustrating. We spent the rest of the class doing something called "seminar" where we sit in groups and talk about the little sceniro we read in our books and what we would do in that situation. Needless to say it started a pretty heated argument between Texas and Vanilla Bear after class. Prof Stick (cause she is tall and skinny), had to jump in and break it up. Vanilla Bear had made a snide comment that was pretty funny, but Texas took it personally...and well, words went a flying. It was pretty awkward because I am friends with both of them. I checked on Texas after to make sure he was doing alright, he was pretty upset. (I give an explaination of the whole thing later).
After analyzing the whole fight with the people who were waiting for the path/pharm test to start, the test started. There were answers I knew and some I didn't. The point was I passed the test. I waited around until class ended to get my math test back. Indy had to review hers too. She missed by one question too. After about ten minutes of reviewing we realized they made a mistake on the test and guess what!!??? I FREAKING PASSED!!! Indy and I were ssssssooooooooo relieved!!!! We don't have to take the test again until next semester like everyone else! That was a big load off my chest. I called Jeremy and woke him up to tell him the news!
Day 23: Still going but all the test results are in and more lecture this afternoon. Tomorrow clinicals. So follows round 1 one test scores:
Fundamentals (lecture): 80%
Fundamentals (lab): 76% (barely passed, but I am still counting it as a win since so few passed)
Math Test: 90% (after correction...THANK YOU LORD!!)
Health Assessment (lecture): 92.5 %
Patho/Pharm: 84%
Now I know what to expect and how I need to study for Round 2.
Day 19: My patient for the day was a new admit. So there wasn't much I could do since she was being prepped for surgery and loved her pain meds. I did give her a partial bed bath though. When I was checking her vitals she complained that she sounded like she was wheezing...so testing my newly acquired skills from what I will now call "Wasted Mondays," I listened to her breath sounds with my stethoscope (very professional) and guess what!?! I HEARD THE WHEEZE!!! Not like the nurse cared anyway. And not like I can do anything officially, but tell the nurse...so the skill seemed wasted. Its not like the nurses at my hospital are taking a vested interest in our education anyway...which makes me glad that we are switching hospitals next semester.
For the rest of the day I ended up helping Indy with her patient, colon cancer. The woman was a year younger than my dad and looked 30 years older. It was strange that I didn't feel the lest bit of sympathy for her...that makes me sound uncaring, but getting emotional involved with patients at this stage in my "career" is not the best idea. All she wanted done was her teeth brushed and to be left alone to sleep in a HEAVLEY drug induced haze. The meds this poor lady was on would put down a horse.
Day 20: I spent the night making little gifts for everyone in my clinical group. It was an attempt to relax all of us before the math test we were going to take that afternoon. The math test would determine whether we could calculate the correct dosages for medication administration. We had to pass the test with a 90% or we would be put on remediation and take the test again. If we didn't pass the second time we were kicked out of the program. So no pressure.
I once again had a new admit patient. This lady freaked out about EVERYTHING. Just looking at her was apparently painful to her. She moaned and groaned when I took her vitals. She jumped both times I took her temp. She screamed bloody murder when the ultrasound techs came to look at her pancreas, and screamed even more when her blood was drawn. She didn't want anything from me, so once again I helped Indy with her patient...same patient from the day before and we helped the CNA with one of her patients.
Indy's patient wanted her linens changed and demanded more meds. So we changed the linens with her in the bed. Every move we made caused her pain. It was a painful process for the two of us. We spent a good portion of the morning chasing down her nurse because the second her meds got remotely close to low her husband would be on us like white on rice. We got a lecture from the patient advocate about the little pink rose on the lady's door. Apparently someone along the line pissed the lady off during her treatment so the advocate had to get involved and now everyone has to go above and beyond for this patient. Indy and I just stood there like "what the hell do you expect from us? This is our second week of clinicals in first semester!" We told Prof. Papa about it and she told us to come to her next time. So we just did the minimum with her and helped the CNA.
We helped the CNA with, what we guessed was, a patient who had let his diabetes get away from him. The CNA gave him a FULL bed bath (with our help), changed linens, and cleaned his teeth and mouth. I now have a new found respect for CNAs. I have always respected them, but after looking in this man's mouth...oh dear god...look up what happens when you are a mouth breather, on antibiotics, have diabetes, and haven't gotten a good tooth brushing in awhile...it still makes me gag!!
The math test was easier than I expected, but I didn't pass it...88% ONE BLOODY QUESTION!!!! I bawled, I soaked Jeremy's shirt, I called Prof Papa...freaking out. I had to stew in my own juices over the weekend while trying to study for my Fundamentals quiz on Monday and my Patho/Pharm test on Tuesday. Not to mention I had to start and finish the first part of my Well Older Adult project. Let me tell you how awkward it is to walk in to some random 93 year olds house and interview her about her health. She did make me miss my Great Grandma...so I called and talked to Great Grandma for a half hour after my interview. I would have much prefered to do the interview on Great Grandma, but it couldn't be anyone in my family.
Day 21: I found out I had to stew in my own juices about the math test for one more day...through a Wasted Monday. At least I made $21 and spent it all in gass. We went over what we are going to need to do to pass off on medications in lab and what our shift assessment is going to be like. If felt sort of useless to me. What is the point of going through all of this if I wasn't going to pass the math test anyway? I took the quiz in lab...ridiculous quiz that come to find out hardly anyone passed. So dejected, exhausted, and bogged down in clinical paperwork, WOA, and test studying, I went home.
Day 22: Lecture all day!! Fundamentals lecture was useless. We went over nursing theory in a two hour session when I originally went over theory in a semester long class at UCCS. I was a little peeved about the whole thing because theory is what we will be tested on in class and what we found our papers and clinical work on and to devote two hours to something so basic is ridiculous. So I am planning on making a proposal to the school about adopting UCCS's Theory class format. I was kind of cute that Prof Plant dress-up in an old school uniform.
Health Assessment went by quickly...she went over my favorite system...cardio...very lightly which was so lame and frustrating. We spent the rest of the class doing something called "seminar" where we sit in groups and talk about the little sceniro we read in our books and what we would do in that situation. Needless to say it started a pretty heated argument between Texas and Vanilla Bear after class. Prof Stick (cause she is tall and skinny), had to jump in and break it up. Vanilla Bear had made a snide comment that was pretty funny, but Texas took it personally...and well, words went a flying. It was pretty awkward because I am friends with both of them. I checked on Texas after to make sure he was doing alright, he was pretty upset. (I give an explaination of the whole thing later).
After analyzing the whole fight with the people who were waiting for the path/pharm test to start, the test started. There were answers I knew and some I didn't. The point was I passed the test. I waited around until class ended to get my math test back. Indy had to review hers too. She missed by one question too. After about ten minutes of reviewing we realized they made a mistake on the test and guess what!!??? I FREAKING PASSED!!! Indy and I were ssssssooooooooo relieved!!!! We don't have to take the test again until next semester like everyone else! That was a big load off my chest. I called Jeremy and woke him up to tell him the news!
Day 23: Still going but all the test results are in and more lecture this afternoon. Tomorrow clinicals. So follows round 1 one test scores:
Fundamentals (lecture): 80%
Fundamentals (lab): 76% (barely passed, but I am still counting it as a win since so few passed)
Math Test: 90% (after correction...THANK YOU LORD!!)
Health Assessment (lecture): 92.5 %
Patho/Pharm: 84%
Now I know what to expect and how I need to study for Round 2.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Days 16, 17, and 18: The First Test
So Monday was a useless day. I have lab classes all day with a four hour break in between during which I studied until my eyeballs fell out, which is what I did all FREAKING weekend. No shit, all day Saturday and all day Sunday.
To continue with my lab classes...the staff here have a strict philosophy about this being a "self directed" program, but you cannot expect us to watch an online video an automatically KNOW how to a perform a skill. There are those of us who need to SEE it performed and then be directed through our first demonstration of the skill. Is this how they are going to "teach" us to do IVs? So basically I know very little about range of motion excercises, patient transfers, and moving a patient in bed. Although I think I can teach a patient to walk with crutches, a cane, and a walker...so look out nursing homes here I come!
My health assessment class is even MORE useless that Fundamentals. We were suppose to be learning to assess the skin and thorax, but I learned nothing...I only know what the book taught me, and what very little i gleaned from assessing my partner and the people around me in lab. Monday's are useless. Fortunately Vanilla Bear came up with a solution. We all meet before lab and go over the skills together, them maybe we might get something out of it. Unfortunately, when he wants to do it, I have to work...so I am going to have to give up an hour and half of work to be able to study, occasionally.
Day 17 was my first test. The day started out just fantastic (eye roll). For some dumb reason the 95 southbound was a parking lot from the north 215 till just past the Spaghetti Bowl, for no bloody reason. So I was stuck in traffic for an hour and was a half hour late to class. I hate Vegas. I had Fundamentals before my test and I tried to study during class. Then listened to lectures in between class. Then it was time for the TEST. Fifty questions of mulitple choice most of which had a firm right answer, but for shits and giggles appearently they like to throw in questions where technically all of the answers are right, just one answer is more right than the rest of them. I HATE GREY AREAS. These are the ones I usually do not so well on. I either read too much into the question or misread it. I have perfectly sound and logical explainations for the choices I do choose, but they are apparently not right enough. Or I missed something in the meaning behind the question.
All in all I ended up getting a 92% on the test, not bad, but not good enough for my standards. So last night I was so tired of studying I said "Screw it!" and went to book club, had a great time and came home and went to sleep. I also managed to go to the gym...still can't find my freaking stapler.
Day 18, today, well its still going. I managed to get out of the house this morning early enough to feed my caffiene addiction and make it to class on time for my test. Once again same type of test as yesterday, only more of the stupid grey area questions...therefore more challenging to the point where I almost stood up and yelled "Fuck it!" started crying, and ran from the room. Afterward, we did a "group test". Right off the bat I believe I missed the first question, that was not a good sign for the rest of the test. The grades haven't been posted yet, but I did just talk to Prof Mom and she said I didn't do too bad. I don't know what that means. Anyway, my last class is having a test next week...boo...but! Pro Makay is going to go over the structure of her test and what she expects...awesome.
I feel so awful (on the verge of tears) after fundamentals test, that I decided I needed retail therapy. So I left the school and went to the nearest mall, texting Jeremy and my step-mom the whole time. It turns out getting a pretty new shirt from GAP makes me feel better, not to mention walking through a halloween store. It made me think about that dumb chick who wrote Julie and Julia. In her blog she ended up asking her readers if they wanted to donate to her cause. I think my cause is more worthwhile: Please Help An Average Nursing Student Heal Her Stress By Supporting Her Shopping Habit and Caffiene Addiction. I am sure PHAANS (Ha! thats the acronym) will get a lot of fans!
To continue with my lab classes...the staff here have a strict philosophy about this being a "self directed" program, but you cannot expect us to watch an online video an automatically KNOW how to a perform a skill. There are those of us who need to SEE it performed and then be directed through our first demonstration of the skill. Is this how they are going to "teach" us to do IVs? So basically I know very little about range of motion excercises, patient transfers, and moving a patient in bed. Although I think I can teach a patient to walk with crutches, a cane, and a walker...so look out nursing homes here I come!
My health assessment class is even MORE useless that Fundamentals. We were suppose to be learning to assess the skin and thorax, but I learned nothing...I only know what the book taught me, and what very little i gleaned from assessing my partner and the people around me in lab. Monday's are useless. Fortunately Vanilla Bear came up with a solution. We all meet before lab and go over the skills together, them maybe we might get something out of it. Unfortunately, when he wants to do it, I have to work...so I am going to have to give up an hour and half of work to be able to study, occasionally.
Day 17 was my first test. The day started out just fantastic (eye roll). For some dumb reason the 95 southbound was a parking lot from the north 215 till just past the Spaghetti Bowl, for no bloody reason. So I was stuck in traffic for an hour and was a half hour late to class. I hate Vegas. I had Fundamentals before my test and I tried to study during class. Then listened to lectures in between class. Then it was time for the TEST. Fifty questions of mulitple choice most of which had a firm right answer, but for shits and giggles appearently they like to throw in questions where technically all of the answers are right, just one answer is more right than the rest of them. I HATE GREY AREAS. These are the ones I usually do not so well on. I either read too much into the question or misread it. I have perfectly sound and logical explainations for the choices I do choose, but they are apparently not right enough. Or I missed something in the meaning behind the question.
All in all I ended up getting a 92% on the test, not bad, but not good enough for my standards. So last night I was so tired of studying I said "Screw it!" and went to book club, had a great time and came home and went to sleep. I also managed to go to the gym...still can't find my freaking stapler.
Day 18, today, well its still going. I managed to get out of the house this morning early enough to feed my caffiene addiction and make it to class on time for my test. Once again same type of test as yesterday, only more of the stupid grey area questions...therefore more challenging to the point where I almost stood up and yelled "Fuck it!" started crying, and ran from the room. Afterward, we did a "group test". Right off the bat I believe I missed the first question, that was not a good sign for the rest of the test. The grades haven't been posted yet, but I did just talk to Prof Mom and she said I didn't do too bad. I don't know what that means. Anyway, my last class is having a test next week...boo...but! Pro Makay is going to go over the structure of her test and what she expects...awesome.
I feel so awful (on the verge of tears) after fundamentals test, that I decided I needed retail therapy. So I left the school and went to the nearest mall, texting Jeremy and my step-mom the whole time. It turns out getting a pretty new shirt from GAP makes me feel better, not to mention walking through a halloween store. It made me think about that dumb chick who wrote Julie and Julia. In her blog she ended up asking her readers if they wanted to donate to her cause. I think my cause is more worthwhile: Please Help An Average Nursing Student Heal Her Stress By Supporting Her Shopping Habit and Caffiene Addiction. I am sure PHAANS (Ha! thats the acronym) will get a lot of fans!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Day 14 and 15 (skipping day 13 cause it was boring): FIRST CLINICAL DAYS
Day 14: So Thursday was my first day in the hospital actually working with patients. Technically I had one patient assigned to me, but I was suppose to help out where ever I could and when ever my clinical instructor told me too. My first patient (and I thank her from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to use her as my first patient) was so sweet and so easy!! I cannot give out too much information about her because it would violate HIPAA, but she was a little older than me and had a chronic condition that occasionaly caused her problems, which was why she was in the hospital. I was so scared when I walked into her room that morning. Indy was my back-up and I was hers. I think I was shaking a little and all I was doing was vitals!! I introduced myself and told her I was a student. She asked me if I really wanted to talk her vitals since the nurse just did it, but I told her I had to. So she stuck out her arm and opened her mouth. She was so compliant I was shocked. So I just dove right in and got her vitals. She said thank you and asked if I needed anything else. I told her no and asked her if she needed anything. She said later she would want a change in linens and maybe some help cleaning up.
When I left the room I realized I didn't breathe through the whole thing. I realized I made it through the first big hurdle...just walking into a patients room! We walked into Indy's patient's room and it was a bit different. The woman was in some serious pain and the nurse was late getting her pain medicine. We helped her get a cool cloth for her head, took her vitals, and she thought if maybe she got up out of bed and brushed her teeth and had a change of linen she might feel better. So while Indy was helping her brush her teeth I got everything we needed to change the bed linens. When we got everything done, we helped her back to bed, she said she felt a bit better...brushing your teeth does amazing things to your pain tolerance.
After we did our intial duties with our patients (I let mine sleep a bit longer) we spent some time trying to figure out the ridiculous computer system. This is where we have to get all of the information for the ridiculous amount of paperwork we had to do. We also did a lot of standing around and doing nothing...because we really couldn't do anything. We were surrounded by some pretty unpleasant nurses. One in particular Indy and I had a run in with, and it turned out the next day she had bitched about us and the work we did for her to the charge nurse (BIG woman from the East Coast and had an EAST COAST attitude.) Well she in turn bit the head off our clinical instructor Prof Papa, and the next day she told us about it. We explained the situation to her. The Mean Nurse had asked us to take vitals for her entire row of patients because she didn't have time to do it. Well we figured there was no problem there since we knew how to take vitals and it was the end of our shift...so we did it. Well we missed doing resps...everyone had blankets on so we just didn't think about doing it, and two of her patients where NPO (which means they cannot take anything orally) so we assumed (since this is what we were taught in lab) since they were NPO we couldn't take their temperature orally and we had no idea where a different thermomater was, so we just wrote NPO and assumed the nurse would take care of it. Well apparently not. Prof Papa told us not to do anything any of the nurses ask us to do unless they go through her first. I don't think she was really mad at us (I was angry and disappointed with myself), but she just wanted to give us a heads up.
After I let my patient sleep a bit longer, and the nurse had to change her IV site...it was leaking, the nurse showed us a neat trick to monitor a leaking IV, I got to practice more of my skills! I gave my patient a complete bed bath!! She told me how the CNA did it the day before and I told her that I learned to do it a different way if she didn't mind if I did it the way I learned. She told me by all means do it the way I learned. She was excited to help me learn! It was great! I washed her hair, helped her to the bathroom so she could do "other" things. I changed her bed linen. Indy helped me with everything. I was so greatful she was there to help me. It was a GREAT first day...with the execption of the mean nurse. I was tired when I came home I slept for five hours and then studied my buns off.
So no one threw up on me on the first day and I did not have to change a bed pan, but Prof Papa spilled a whole cup of hot coffee down the right side of me before we started work...so I had to wear a lab coat all day since I didn't have an extra pair of scrubs in the car. And I walked into a room that required droplet protection (mask, gloves, gown) didn't even notice the sign posted on the side of the door...so I freaked out, but I found out it wasn't that serious. I need to pay more attention.
Day 15
Started off weird...my patient from the day before had been discharged so I had to wait for a new patient. That is when Indy and I found out about our little mishap. That kind of put a damper on my day. My new patient turned out to be considered something called a "legal 2000." I guess in the state of NV that means a mental health patient. I also found out that patients wearing a certain color gown are suicide risks. That was a bit disturbing for me. When I went to take my patient's vitals there was a mean little man in the room that was his "sitter" and he was there for my patient's roomate too. He gave me dirty looks every time I entered the room and told me there was nothing I needed to do for my patient. So I took his vitals anyway...it was then that I realized that feelings I thought I had for people like my patient were not really gone...just burried. If anyone knows the history of my mother, they will know what I am talking about. I had no sympathy for the man...maybe the tiniest drop of pity. As a nurse I know I am suppose to set biases like that aside and do my job. My feelings didn't prevent me from doing my job the way I would do it with anyone else, but at the end of the day I felt a bit broken. How do you overcome a bias that is so deeply ingrained into your brain and soul and so very personal? I tried to built a repore with the man, but I just wasn't feeling like he was being receptive, maybe it was my own reflection. Maybe his mean "sitter" was preventing him from being social or maybe he just gave up on life and didn't care that someone was there trying to learn and reach out.
Since there wasn't much I could do with my patient, we focused on Indy's patient. Same lady...we helped her clean up and provided her with some conversation until she had to go for some tests. We offered our services to my nurse and Indy's nurse (we asked if that was ok). But nothing. So we worked on our paperwork until noon vitals and that was the end of day two.
I worked an afternoon shift at the school and studied some more. My tests are next week and I feel slightly unprepared for them, but Jeremy keeps telling me I will do great. I wish I had the faith in myself that he has in me. He's been so great the past few weeks. He's let me cry on his shoulder, given me space and quiet to study, cooked dinner, he even hired a housekeeper for me. On my first day of clinical he got me a sweet card about how much he loves me. I am tearing up right now just thinking about how supportive he has been! Thanks honey!! Keep up the good work! Its really helping me! :)
When I left the room I realized I didn't breathe through the whole thing. I realized I made it through the first big hurdle...just walking into a patients room! We walked into Indy's patient's room and it was a bit different. The woman was in some serious pain and the nurse was late getting her pain medicine. We helped her get a cool cloth for her head, took her vitals, and she thought if maybe she got up out of bed and brushed her teeth and had a change of linen she might feel better. So while Indy was helping her brush her teeth I got everything we needed to change the bed linens. When we got everything done, we helped her back to bed, she said she felt a bit better...brushing your teeth does amazing things to your pain tolerance.
After we did our intial duties with our patients (I let mine sleep a bit longer) we spent some time trying to figure out the ridiculous computer system. This is where we have to get all of the information for the ridiculous amount of paperwork we had to do. We also did a lot of standing around and doing nothing...because we really couldn't do anything. We were surrounded by some pretty unpleasant nurses. One in particular Indy and I had a run in with, and it turned out the next day she had bitched about us and the work we did for her to the charge nurse (BIG woman from the East Coast and had an EAST COAST attitude.) Well she in turn bit the head off our clinical instructor Prof Papa, and the next day she told us about it. We explained the situation to her. The Mean Nurse had asked us to take vitals for her entire row of patients because she didn't have time to do it. Well we figured there was no problem there since we knew how to take vitals and it was the end of our shift...so we did it. Well we missed doing resps...everyone had blankets on so we just didn't think about doing it, and two of her patients where NPO (which means they cannot take anything orally) so we assumed (since this is what we were taught in lab) since they were NPO we couldn't take their temperature orally and we had no idea where a different thermomater was, so we just wrote NPO and assumed the nurse would take care of it. Well apparently not. Prof Papa told us not to do anything any of the nurses ask us to do unless they go through her first. I don't think she was really mad at us (I was angry and disappointed with myself), but she just wanted to give us a heads up.
After I let my patient sleep a bit longer, and the nurse had to change her IV site...it was leaking, the nurse showed us a neat trick to monitor a leaking IV, I got to practice more of my skills! I gave my patient a complete bed bath!! She told me how the CNA did it the day before and I told her that I learned to do it a different way if she didn't mind if I did it the way I learned. She told me by all means do it the way I learned. She was excited to help me learn! It was great! I washed her hair, helped her to the bathroom so she could do "other" things. I changed her bed linen. Indy helped me with everything. I was so greatful she was there to help me. It was a GREAT first day...with the execption of the mean nurse. I was tired when I came home I slept for five hours and then studied my buns off.
So no one threw up on me on the first day and I did not have to change a bed pan, but Prof Papa spilled a whole cup of hot coffee down the right side of me before we started work...so I had to wear a lab coat all day since I didn't have an extra pair of scrubs in the car. And I walked into a room that required droplet protection (mask, gloves, gown) didn't even notice the sign posted on the side of the door...so I freaked out, but I found out it wasn't that serious. I need to pay more attention.
Day 15
Started off weird...my patient from the day before had been discharged so I had to wait for a new patient. That is when Indy and I found out about our little mishap. That kind of put a damper on my day. My new patient turned out to be considered something called a "legal 2000." I guess in the state of NV that means a mental health patient. I also found out that patients wearing a certain color gown are suicide risks. That was a bit disturbing for me. When I went to take my patient's vitals there was a mean little man in the room that was his "sitter" and he was there for my patient's roomate too. He gave me dirty looks every time I entered the room and told me there was nothing I needed to do for my patient. So I took his vitals anyway...it was then that I realized that feelings I thought I had for people like my patient were not really gone...just burried. If anyone knows the history of my mother, they will know what I am talking about. I had no sympathy for the man...maybe the tiniest drop of pity. As a nurse I know I am suppose to set biases like that aside and do my job. My feelings didn't prevent me from doing my job the way I would do it with anyone else, but at the end of the day I felt a bit broken. How do you overcome a bias that is so deeply ingrained into your brain and soul and so very personal? I tried to built a repore with the man, but I just wasn't feeling like he was being receptive, maybe it was my own reflection. Maybe his mean "sitter" was preventing him from being social or maybe he just gave up on life and didn't care that someone was there trying to learn and reach out.
Since there wasn't much I could do with my patient, we focused on Indy's patient. Same lady...we helped her clean up and provided her with some conversation until she had to go for some tests. We offered our services to my nurse and Indy's nurse (we asked if that was ok). But nothing. So we worked on our paperwork until noon vitals and that was the end of day two.
I worked an afternoon shift at the school and studied some more. My tests are next week and I feel slightly unprepared for them, but Jeremy keeps telling me I will do great. I wish I had the faith in myself that he has in me. He's been so great the past few weeks. He's let me cry on his shoulder, given me space and quiet to study, cooked dinner, he even hired a housekeeper for me. On my first day of clinical he got me a sweet card about how much he loves me. I am tearing up right now just thinking about how supportive he has been! Thanks honey!! Keep up the good work! Its really helping me! :)
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Day 10, 11, and 12: In the Swing
Sorry I haven't had a chance to blog. Its been crazy...school work, half marathon, in-law family reunion...sigh...three weeks down (almost) and I need a vacation!
Well lets see....On Friday the 4th I "checked" off on vitals!! So I can now officially take your temperature in more ways than one...wink, wink! And I can take your blood pressure too and whatnot. Then we did something called "call light scenerios". Where we all take turns being the pt and pretend to need something from the nurse...apparently my pt just needed the phone to make some international calls...anyways, I am not feeling very secure in my ability to answer a call light, but we will see what happens. I did learn something interesting though. Did you know that you can be served alcohol in the hospital as a pt?!! I did not know that. You have to have a doctor's order, but you can sit there with your IV and stitches and swing a beer while the person next to you is being recessitated. Also if alcoholics are admitted to the ER or ICU they can be given an IV drip with vodka! Its so they don't go into withdrawl while being treated. The ER nurse that works with us says that some days she feels more like a bar tender than a nurse. For some reason I found all of this extremely hilarious. There is something wrong with me.
After a wonderful, but very short long weekend, it was back to lecture. It was hard for me to focus since I was sooooo exhausted still from the weekend. We are being prepped for our first tests, which are next week. I am oddly calm about the whole thing, which is kind of freaky...usually it means I am missing something and I am going to do bad. But all the same, I am still going to study my pants off...for whatever is coming.
Today, well, more lecture! We had a guest speaker in Fundamentals, who talked about old people. I learned NOTHING, and left depressed from the ridiculous video they showed us. It was a military montage and then it turned into this montage of some strange old man's life set to some horrid song. They were trying to convince us to go into gerntology...um....they sucked at it. I think my Great Grandma should have came and talked to us. If everyone knew how cool some old people can be they would get a lot of people wanting to work in long term care facilities.
Tomorrow, tomorrow, and tomorrow.....if anyone can name where that is from you get 20 points. Anyways, tomorrow is my first day in the hospital!! Keep your fingers crossed that no one throws up on me!
Well lets see....On Friday the 4th I "checked" off on vitals!! So I can now officially take your temperature in more ways than one...wink, wink! And I can take your blood pressure too and whatnot. Then we did something called "call light scenerios". Where we all take turns being the pt and pretend to need something from the nurse...apparently my pt just needed the phone to make some international calls...anyways, I am not feeling very secure in my ability to answer a call light, but we will see what happens. I did learn something interesting though. Did you know that you can be served alcohol in the hospital as a pt?!! I did not know that. You have to have a doctor's order, but you can sit there with your IV and stitches and swing a beer while the person next to you is being recessitated. Also if alcoholics are admitted to the ER or ICU they can be given an IV drip with vodka! Its so they don't go into withdrawl while being treated. The ER nurse that works with us says that some days she feels more like a bar tender than a nurse. For some reason I found all of this extremely hilarious. There is something wrong with me.
After a wonderful, but very short long weekend, it was back to lecture. It was hard for me to focus since I was sooooo exhausted still from the weekend. We are being prepped for our first tests, which are next week. I am oddly calm about the whole thing, which is kind of freaky...usually it means I am missing something and I am going to do bad. But all the same, I am still going to study my pants off...for whatever is coming.
Today, well, more lecture! We had a guest speaker in Fundamentals, who talked about old people. I learned NOTHING, and left depressed from the ridiculous video they showed us. It was a military montage and then it turned into this montage of some strange old man's life set to some horrid song. They were trying to convince us to go into gerntology...um....they sucked at it. I think my Great Grandma should have came and talked to us. If everyone knew how cool some old people can be they would get a lot of people wanting to work in long term care facilities.
Tomorrow, tomorrow, and tomorrow.....if anyone can name where that is from you get 20 points. Anyways, tomorrow is my first day in the hospital!! Keep your fingers crossed that no one throws up on me!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Day 8 and 9: Clinical Prep
Ah, lecture. Its so boring, especially when your prof teaches right out of the book and clicks through her slides at lightening speed. I take notes simply to stay awake. Its impossible to keep up with Prof Makey so I just record her lectures and take what notes I can. Its hard to concentrate in her class since the air conditioning is busted and its still over a hundred degrees outside here. Stupid Vegas. And what is worse they still crammed 60 people plus instructors in the tiny little no air classroom to teach us about the MASSIVE pile of clinical paperwork we have to do! Ugh...paperwork. What is this? The military? The most frustrating thing of the day was Prof Makey got my name confused with another girl in the class and told my clinical instructor I dropped the program. In her defense the girl's name is the same as mine and the last names sound oddly the same. However, I corrected the problem and all is well.
Today was clinical orientation! I am going to be doing my first semester clinicals at St Rose de Lima. At first they had me at the hospital in Boulder City (hour and half away from my house). Now I am two blocks from the school and my partner is Indy! I LOVE my clinical instructor! She is organized, informed, and SO nice! She is so excited to help us learn. When I first saw her in the Nursing office, I figured she was disorganized and always late...her hair is wavy and sticks up everywhere. She has a sleepy look about her. She is from the Phillipines, like Prof Makey. She reminds me of some polynesian goddess. I am going to call her Papa...after the Hawiian goddess, you can look it up on wikipedia. First day of clinicals was orientation. They sell Starbucks coffee in the caffeteria...awesome. We did a little scavenger hunt threw the "pod" we are going to be in. Next week is when we get in there and get our hands dirty. I can't wait! Now I am really looking forward to this semester!!
Today was clinical orientation! I am going to be doing my first semester clinicals at St Rose de Lima. At first they had me at the hospital in Boulder City (hour and half away from my house). Now I am two blocks from the school and my partner is Indy! I LOVE my clinical instructor! She is organized, informed, and SO nice! She is so excited to help us learn. When I first saw her in the Nursing office, I figured she was disorganized and always late...her hair is wavy and sticks up everywhere. She has a sleepy look about her. She is from the Phillipines, like Prof Makey. She reminds me of some polynesian goddess. I am going to call her Papa...after the Hawiian goddess, you can look it up on wikipedia. First day of clinicals was orientation. They sell Starbucks coffee in the caffeteria...awesome. We did a little scavenger hunt threw the "pod" we are going to be in. Next week is when we get in there and get our hands dirty. I can't wait! Now I am really looking forward to this semester!!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Day 6 and 7: The Seven P's
A few people have asked me what the Seven P's are. Well here is your answer:
Proper Pre Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
This is clearly something my nursing instructors did not take into account when planning the semester. They seem to have forgotten this weekend was a FEDERAL holiday. All of us were suppose to "pass-off" on vital signs in lab on Monday, but do to time constraints (poor planning and time management on the instructors' part) very few of us were able to complete this vital part of our check list. They would not allow us to "check- off" during open lab (a study period where we can practice hands on skills). The leader of this operation, Prof Mom, demanded we come in on Saturday since there is no class on Monday to "pass-off". Um....problem....half of us were going out of town for the holiday weekend and I believe by school manadate they cannot make us or other staff come in on a Federal holiday. So now I have to take time out of my paperwork schedule on Friday to accomadate their lack of appropriate planning. Once again the part of me that is my father's daughter is kicking in. ARRGGHH!!! Learn the Seven P's people!!! This is not hard! Leadership 101!!
So Monday was a bust and felt unproductive. I feel like lecture is the same way on Tuesdays. Everything is repetitive and they teach directly from the book, maybe add their own stories for spice, but I feel like lecture is a waste if I can just read the same thing in three different books. I find myself mimicking the panic my classmates are feeling. Its like saturation. If I am surrounded by water I am going to soak it up. I am having a hard time telling myself, that I know the information, that I am organized, and I am not forgetting anything. Its hard to remain calm and confident about your knowledge and skills when everyone around you is falling apart on the second week of school. I have been out of the intensity of school and high pressure situations for too long. I hate that I am being affected by their moods. They are all perfectly nice people by the way. I should strike a blow for my independence before I become dependent!! BE A LEADER JENNIFER!!! KNOW YOUR SHIT!!!
Proper Pre Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
This is clearly something my nursing instructors did not take into account when planning the semester. They seem to have forgotten this weekend was a FEDERAL holiday. All of us were suppose to "pass-off" on vital signs in lab on Monday, but do to time constraints (poor planning and time management on the instructors' part) very few of us were able to complete this vital part of our check list. They would not allow us to "check- off" during open lab (a study period where we can practice hands on skills). The leader of this operation, Prof Mom, demanded we come in on Saturday since there is no class on Monday to "pass-off". Um....problem....half of us were going out of town for the holiday weekend and I believe by school manadate they cannot make us or other staff come in on a Federal holiday. So now I have to take time out of my paperwork schedule on Friday to accomadate their lack of appropriate planning. Once again the part of me that is my father's daughter is kicking in. ARRGGHH!!! Learn the Seven P's people!!! This is not hard! Leadership 101!!
So Monday was a bust and felt unproductive. I feel like lecture is the same way on Tuesdays. Everything is repetitive and they teach directly from the book, maybe add their own stories for spice, but I feel like lecture is a waste if I can just read the same thing in three different books. I find myself mimicking the panic my classmates are feeling. Its like saturation. If I am surrounded by water I am going to soak it up. I am having a hard time telling myself, that I know the information, that I am organized, and I am not forgetting anything. Its hard to remain calm and confident about your knowledge and skills when everyone around you is falling apart on the second week of school. I have been out of the intensity of school and high pressure situations for too long. I hate that I am being affected by their moods. They are all perfectly nice people by the way. I should strike a blow for my independence before I become dependent!! BE A LEADER JENNIFER!!! KNOW YOUR SHIT!!!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Day 4 and 5: Our Bodies, Ourselves
I finally found the time to sit and blog. I need to find the time to sit and journal. My last two days of my first week of school were spent getting to know my fellow classmates. I mean "getting to know". We should have introduced ourselves on the first day of class in the following manner:
"Hello, my name is (for the example I'll use my name). I am 26 years old, been married for a little over six years to my hubby Jeremy, who is active duty AF. I have two dogs. This is my second degree and I will be your guinea pig for the next two years!"
I spent a glorious Thrusday afternoon having my vitals checked. Which meant my arms were crushed by multiple blood pressure cuffs, my temperature was taken in more ways than one, my pulse was palpated all over my body, and I was stared at until an acurate respiratory rate could be counted. No worries, I did the same to two manakins and several of my classmates. However, it was during this learning session that it was brought to the attention of the class and my instructors that I am a freak of nature. Vanilla Bear and Chocolate Bear (no crap, they call eachother by these nicknames, if you have seen Scrubs you'll totally get it.) pointed out to the class that I have no pulse and no blood pressure. As it turns out my blood pressure and pulse are so low, that it took a while for the instructor to find them. I know my pulse and b/p are naturally low but they have dipped quiet a bit since I have been training again. I was apparently a great lesson for the class on remembering to ask investigative questions about how a person is feeling and what their normal habits are like. Once Prof Purple Scrubs found out I was a runner, she stopped asking me if I needed something to eat.
The day in general was not too intimadating for me. I am not afraid to get in there and get "friendly" with my classmates...as my ARP friends well know. I am there to learn and being shy or hesitant is not going to help me learn. However, I do understand that some people have personal space issues. My friend "Indy" (that is what I am going to call her since her she is actually an archeologist), doesn't like being touched. Well, turn about is fair play in nursing school. So to be a supportive friend, I stuck with her for the two days of touching. She was nervous about getting vital signs and knowing what to look for. Since I already had a good idea of what to look for I helped her out. I am sure at some point in time there will be plenty of things I am going to need help with!
Friday was "wash your buddy day". Making beds and bed baths, putting on TED hose, back rubs, and teeth brushing. Nonthing says "I love you man" like sticking a toothbrush in your buddy's mouth, trying not to poke them, while laughing histerically at the comments the two dudes next to you are making behind the curtain. Also the funniest thing in the world is to watch a 6'5", 250+ lbs, ex-cop (Vanilla Bear), get bed bathed and get TED hose slapped on him by another dude just as huge (Chocolate Bear). Also whoever invented the bedpan, did not invent it to be comfortable nor easily removed. Needless to say I will become a pro at these skills in the next few weeks.
My first week of nursing school was great. I am kind of afraid that I am not as stressed as I thought I would be nor is the workload more than I expected. This kind of freaks me out. Am I forgetting something? Am I not doing enough? Are the tests going to be killer then? There is one thing that bothers me though. I know Sam keeps telling me organization is not totally possible. I know that, but here is one of my biggest pet peeves. My dad was very strict about teaching my siblings and I to be good leaders. He taught us to be leaders not followers and what it means to be a good leader. Rule number one for being a good leader: LEAD BY EXAMPLE. You cannot ask your followers to do something you, yourself cannot do, will not do, or haven't done. Our profs are asking us to get a massive amount of work done in a specific amount of time, and to be organized about it. The part of me that is my father's daughter and a good leader expects the same from my teachers. Thus far they have not performed to my standards. Their lack of organization has caused massive confusion and frustration amongst my classmates and myself. How can you expect us to live up to standards that you clearly are not capable of meeting?
Just a thought. This is also a good reason why I couldn't be in the military. I have issues with authority and will call my leaders out if I think they are full of shit or I will just take over. In the military you could get in serious trouble for insubordination, hence why I was always in trouble as a kid. :)
"Hello, my name is (for the example I'll use my name). I am 26 years old, been married for a little over six years to my hubby Jeremy, who is active duty AF. I have two dogs. This is my second degree and I will be your guinea pig for the next two years!"
I spent a glorious Thrusday afternoon having my vitals checked. Which meant my arms were crushed by multiple blood pressure cuffs, my temperature was taken in more ways than one, my pulse was palpated all over my body, and I was stared at until an acurate respiratory rate could be counted. No worries, I did the same to two manakins and several of my classmates. However, it was during this learning session that it was brought to the attention of the class and my instructors that I am a freak of nature. Vanilla Bear and Chocolate Bear (no crap, they call eachother by these nicknames, if you have seen Scrubs you'll totally get it.) pointed out to the class that I have no pulse and no blood pressure. As it turns out my blood pressure and pulse are so low, that it took a while for the instructor to find them. I know my pulse and b/p are naturally low but they have dipped quiet a bit since I have been training again. I was apparently a great lesson for the class on remembering to ask investigative questions about how a person is feeling and what their normal habits are like. Once Prof Purple Scrubs found out I was a runner, she stopped asking me if I needed something to eat.
The day in general was not too intimadating for me. I am not afraid to get in there and get "friendly" with my classmates...as my ARP friends well know. I am there to learn and being shy or hesitant is not going to help me learn. However, I do understand that some people have personal space issues. My friend "Indy" (that is what I am going to call her since her she is actually an archeologist), doesn't like being touched. Well, turn about is fair play in nursing school. So to be a supportive friend, I stuck with her for the two days of touching. She was nervous about getting vital signs and knowing what to look for. Since I already had a good idea of what to look for I helped her out. I am sure at some point in time there will be plenty of things I am going to need help with!
Friday was "wash your buddy day". Making beds and bed baths, putting on TED hose, back rubs, and teeth brushing. Nonthing says "I love you man" like sticking a toothbrush in your buddy's mouth, trying not to poke them, while laughing histerically at the comments the two dudes next to you are making behind the curtain. Also the funniest thing in the world is to watch a 6'5", 250+ lbs, ex-cop (Vanilla Bear), get bed bathed and get TED hose slapped on him by another dude just as huge (Chocolate Bear). Also whoever invented the bedpan, did not invent it to be comfortable nor easily removed. Needless to say I will become a pro at these skills in the next few weeks.
My first week of nursing school was great. I am kind of afraid that I am not as stressed as I thought I would be nor is the workload more than I expected. This kind of freaks me out. Am I forgetting something? Am I not doing enough? Are the tests going to be killer then? There is one thing that bothers me though. I know Sam keeps telling me organization is not totally possible. I know that, but here is one of my biggest pet peeves. My dad was very strict about teaching my siblings and I to be good leaders. He taught us to be leaders not followers and what it means to be a good leader. Rule number one for being a good leader: LEAD BY EXAMPLE. You cannot ask your followers to do something you, yourself cannot do, will not do, or haven't done. Our profs are asking us to get a massive amount of work done in a specific amount of time, and to be organized about it. The part of me that is my father's daughter and a good leader expects the same from my teachers. Thus far they have not performed to my standards. Their lack of organization has caused massive confusion and frustration amongst my classmates and myself. How can you expect us to live up to standards that you clearly are not capable of meeting?
Just a thought. This is also a good reason why I couldn't be in the military. I have issues with authority and will call my leaders out if I think they are full of shit or I will just take over. In the military you could get in serious trouble for insubordination, hence why I was always in trouble as a kid. :)
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Day 3- Remedial English
I am so sorry I did not post last night. I was ssssooooo tired. I went to class all day and then decided it was a great idea to run eight miles. The Disney Half is going to be A LOT harder than I expected.
Anyways, I got up yesterday at about 0530 and actually made it to class 15 minutes early!!! WHOOHOO!! I had lecture...blah, blah, blah. The new character I am going to introduce is Prof Mom. Not that she is like a mother, she is and a grandma, but that she is an old Army nurse and there are certain features about her that remind me of my mother. She is a bit taller than my mom but the weight carriage and the lankiness is the same, she also speaks slowly and with a lethargic tone of voice, not unpleasant. She is in charge of Fundamentals and Lab...very strict.
I had four hours in between my first class and my next class, so I worked and studied. I noticed that there are discrepencies between what my online modules are telling me and what the book and instructors are telling me. I am NOT a fan of that. I mentioned it to another professor and she wasn't sure what they were going to do about that. It makes it really difficult for me to keep things organized and straight when I have to remember one set of standards for class and another for the modules.
My next class was with Prof Makey...she is one fast talker. Not to mention her lectures do not make any sense whatsoever, so I am taping her and taking what notes I can gather. All of my professors use Power Point. I hate Power Point. What happened to taking good old fashion notes? I learn better that way. Power Point just gives students the right to be lazy and the teachers the right to cram as much CRAP into their lectures as possible, going so fast its impossible to take notes.
My last "class" was and introduction to what we are going to be doing for clinicals. It was totally as clear as mud. I am so confused about what I need to do for clinical and the only information we got was for the next two weeks!! So...anyways. By the end of the day I felt like the retarded kid in the class because one) I kept messing up all of my modules, two) I was so confused, and three) I felt because I was in the regular track that we were treated as a lower caliber of student than those in the accelerated. It kind of made me sad. All throughout my schooling I was ALWAYS in the advanced classes...until I got to high school. But even then I took college classes my senior year. It feels weird not to be in the "advanced" class.
Anyways, I got up yesterday at about 0530 and actually made it to class 15 minutes early!!! WHOOHOO!! I had lecture...blah, blah, blah. The new character I am going to introduce is Prof Mom. Not that she is like a mother, she is and a grandma, but that she is an old Army nurse and there are certain features about her that remind me of my mother. She is a bit taller than my mom but the weight carriage and the lankiness is the same, she also speaks slowly and with a lethargic tone of voice, not unpleasant. She is in charge of Fundamentals and Lab...very strict.
I had four hours in between my first class and my next class, so I worked and studied. I noticed that there are discrepencies between what my online modules are telling me and what the book and instructors are telling me. I am NOT a fan of that. I mentioned it to another professor and she wasn't sure what they were going to do about that. It makes it really difficult for me to keep things organized and straight when I have to remember one set of standards for class and another for the modules.
My next class was with Prof Makey...she is one fast talker. Not to mention her lectures do not make any sense whatsoever, so I am taping her and taking what notes I can gather. All of my professors use Power Point. I hate Power Point. What happened to taking good old fashion notes? I learn better that way. Power Point just gives students the right to be lazy and the teachers the right to cram as much CRAP into their lectures as possible, going so fast its impossible to take notes.
My last "class" was and introduction to what we are going to be doing for clinicals. It was totally as clear as mud. I am so confused about what I need to do for clinical and the only information we got was for the next two weeks!! So...anyways. By the end of the day I felt like the retarded kid in the class because one) I kept messing up all of my modules, two) I was so confused, and three) I felt because I was in the regular track that we were treated as a lower caliber of student than those in the accelerated. It kind of made me sad. All throughout my schooling I was ALWAYS in the advanced classes...until I got to high school. But even then I took college classes my senior year. It feels weird not to be in the "advanced" class.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Day 2- Death By Power Point!!!
It all started out well. I left 20minutes earlier than I normally do for work (I work at the school) and still managed to be 10 minutes late to Fundamentals lecture. I suck. At least I didn't get the stink eye and miss something important! I was glad that some of the confusion was cleared up today. All the access codes and keys are turned in, now its time to figure out what goes where when and with which class. I have an organizer and have set up my Google Calander (which reminds me I need to fill in some blanks), but I am still overwhelmed with the massive amount of repetitive CRAP we have to do. They do realize that we are going to forget half this stuff by the end of the semester and the majority of it after Christmas break, right? What happened to the good old days when students would just follow a wise old sage around and learn their ways? Now its read this, watch that module, fill out the forest-killing amounts of paperwork, show up to class on time...Ok maybe I am still confused.
Anyway...the day was full of lecture, mostly about how to read the sylabi...if you are at this stage in school and can't figure out a sylabus, there is something wrong with you. My lectures today were: Fundamentals, Health Assessment, and Pathophysiology/Pharmocology. Thus far my favorite is Health Assessment, because its easy and she gave us candy. Nobody sat next to me in my last two lectures. I was beginning to think I smelled or was scary ugly or something. I have come up with names for two of the people I have met so far. One is my Patho/Pharm prof. While she is very nice and seems knowledgable I couldn't overcome the fact she says "Mmmkay" A LOT. So I have decided to give her the psuedonim "Prof Makey". If anyone has seen South Park, they would be laughing their butts off right now. The other person is one of my classmates. Very nice guy!! His wife is active duty AF!! So at least we have that in common. He is a huge fan of Texas because that is where his whole family is from, eventhough he grew up in Utah. So his name will be Texas.
As far as meeting people goes, its been hard for me. Most of the people I know in the nursing program are in the accelerated track and I am good friends with them. While we have some classes together and clinical, somehow I still feel seperated. The seperation will get worse next semester when they are pushed forward and we plod along. Hopefully I will become better friends with the people in my class.
So far I have really calmed down about the amount of work I have to do. The load is what I thought it would be. I don't think its so much the quantity of what needs to be done, but that it seems so disorganized and the fact on all assignments we HAVE TO get a 75% or better. There are some assignments that we have to get an 80% or better. While I have never been one for failing or receiving an official D on anything...that is A LOT of pressure! PS they do not round in nursing school.
Tomorrow will be the introduction to clinical, the true challenge. I killed a small forest printing off some of the paperwork I needed and it wasn't even half of it. I couldn't get Word to open some of the documents so I have to try on Jeremy's computer or just wait until tomorrow at school. Anyways...I had better get some more work done!
Anyway...the day was full of lecture, mostly about how to read the sylabi...if you are at this stage in school and can't figure out a sylabus, there is something wrong with you. My lectures today were: Fundamentals, Health Assessment, and Pathophysiology/Pharmocology. Thus far my favorite is Health Assessment, because its easy and she gave us candy. Nobody sat next to me in my last two lectures. I was beginning to think I smelled or was scary ugly or something. I have come up with names for two of the people I have met so far. One is my Patho/Pharm prof. While she is very nice and seems knowledgable I couldn't overcome the fact she says "Mmmkay" A LOT. So I have decided to give her the psuedonim "Prof Makey". If anyone has seen South Park, they would be laughing their butts off right now. The other person is one of my classmates. Very nice guy!! His wife is active duty AF!! So at least we have that in common. He is a huge fan of Texas because that is where his whole family is from, eventhough he grew up in Utah. So his name will be Texas.
As far as meeting people goes, its been hard for me. Most of the people I know in the nursing program are in the accelerated track and I am good friends with them. While we have some classes together and clinical, somehow I still feel seperated. The seperation will get worse next semester when they are pushed forward and we plod along. Hopefully I will become better friends with the people in my class.
So far I have really calmed down about the amount of work I have to do. The load is what I thought it would be. I don't think its so much the quantity of what needs to be done, but that it seems so disorganized and the fact on all assignments we HAVE TO get a 75% or better. There are some assignments that we have to get an 80% or better. While I have never been one for failing or receiving an official D on anything...that is A LOT of pressure! PS they do not round in nursing school.
Tomorrow will be the introduction to clinical, the true challenge. I killed a small forest printing off some of the paperwork I needed and it wasn't even half of it. I couldn't get Word to open some of the documents so I have to try on Jeremy's computer or just wait until tomorrow at school. Anyways...I had better get some more work done!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Day 1...My Scrubs Are Stiff
Where do I start? I guess at the beginning of my day. I woke up before dawn's butt crack peaked above the horizon. I was hoping for a cloudy day. What did I expect in Vegas in late August? I did all my morning stuff...shower, lotion, breakfast, feed doggies, pack car, and speed off. Oh wait! From this list you would probably think I went to class naked! No, no...I put on the most uncomfortable pair of scrubs ever. They are the most boring shade of tan. I believe the offical color is "putty". And they are made with some sort of Teflon fiber stuff so they are stain resistant. I have to admit it was exciting and a little nerve racking putting on my school uniform this morning, but I was ready.
I got to the lab campus right on time. The facility is brand new and we are sharing it with UNLV Nursing, the Medical School and the Dental School. The building had that "brand new" smell to it. It was also weird that I noticed throughout the day it had that "back to school" smell. I don't know about the rest of you but, throughout all of my schooling that first day of school had a certain smell to it. I don't know whether it was a combination of floor wax and carpet cleaner or new school supplies and the nervous sweat of children, but it is a very distinct smell.
We took a tour of the facility...its nice. The air conditioner did not seem to be working at its prime so, in my apparently non-breathable scrubs I was sweating to death. My first class was rather boring. The whole "Welcome to Nursing School..MAWHAHAHAHAHAH you fools!!!" And then we learned to wash our hands (they use orange crap and a blacklight to make sure we did it right) and put on PPE (personal protective equiptment). I really just wanted to curl up and take a nap. It took three hours to learn something that should have taken all of 45 minutes, but what the hell do I know? Anyways, I met some of the more intellegent people in my class so I was pleasantly surprised.
I have a four hour break in-between lab classes, during which I foolishly think I can still work in the Nursing department and study and make it to my last class on time. HA! I did get some studying done, but I was three minutes late to my health assessment lab and got the evil eye from the instructors the whole time. We were issued a hospital gown, which we will be parading in all semester when learning to assess patients.
As you can see it was not a very exciting day. It was more confusing. I am one of those people, that if I am told I need to be super organized about something I expect my leaders (in this case my professors) to be ultra orgainized. There is so much random repetitive CRAP that we have to do that I am not sure which access code goes with which class or what assignments go where. And neither do the professors!!! I find disorganization to be one of my biggest pet peeves (SHUT UP JEREMY AND DAD). Even at my messiest I still know where things are and what is going on.
Anyways, I spent the rest of the day doing workouts and groceries. I finally was able to figure out what online assessments I had to do (no thanks to financial aid which kicked me out of all my classes and now I can't access them on WebCampus until tomorrow...I have a few dirty words for them). Apparently I don't know SQUAT about infection control, but I can assess a patient like a freaking PRO. I laughed histerically THANK YOU ARP!!! (For those of you who don't know thats Arapahoe Rescue Patrol). Can't wait to see what lecture brings tomorrow! MAWHAHAhAHAHAHA!!!
I got to the lab campus right on time. The facility is brand new and we are sharing it with UNLV Nursing, the Medical School and the Dental School. The building had that "brand new" smell to it. It was also weird that I noticed throughout the day it had that "back to school" smell. I don't know about the rest of you but, throughout all of my schooling that first day of school had a certain smell to it. I don't know whether it was a combination of floor wax and carpet cleaner or new school supplies and the nervous sweat of children, but it is a very distinct smell.
We took a tour of the facility...its nice. The air conditioner did not seem to be working at its prime so, in my apparently non-breathable scrubs I was sweating to death. My first class was rather boring. The whole "Welcome to Nursing School..MAWHAHAHAHAHAH you fools!!!" And then we learned to wash our hands (they use orange crap and a blacklight to make sure we did it right) and put on PPE (personal protective equiptment). I really just wanted to curl up and take a nap. It took three hours to learn something that should have taken all of 45 minutes, but what the hell do I know? Anyways, I met some of the more intellegent people in my class so I was pleasantly surprised.
I have a four hour break in-between lab classes, during which I foolishly think I can still work in the Nursing department and study and make it to my last class on time. HA! I did get some studying done, but I was three minutes late to my health assessment lab and got the evil eye from the instructors the whole time. We were issued a hospital gown, which we will be parading in all semester when learning to assess patients.
As you can see it was not a very exciting day. It was more confusing. I am one of those people, that if I am told I need to be super organized about something I expect my leaders (in this case my professors) to be ultra orgainized. There is so much random repetitive CRAP that we have to do that I am not sure which access code goes with which class or what assignments go where. And neither do the professors!!! I find disorganization to be one of my biggest pet peeves (SHUT UP JEREMY AND DAD). Even at my messiest I still know where things are and what is going on.
Anyways, I spent the rest of the day doing workouts and groceries. I finally was able to figure out what online assessments I had to do (no thanks to financial aid which kicked me out of all my classes and now I can't access them on WebCampus until tomorrow...I have a few dirty words for them). Apparently I don't know SQUAT about infection control, but I can assess a patient like a freaking PRO. I laughed histerically THANK YOU ARP!!! (For those of you who don't know thats Arapahoe Rescue Patrol). Can't wait to see what lecture brings tomorrow! MAWHAHAhAHAHAHA!!!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Political Review
Here is probably my last political review for sometime. Seeing how it is on the topic of healthcare, I feel its a fitting end to something I dearly love debating.
Whilst perusing the MSN page I came upon and article from Newsweek that talked about the new healthcare bill. This is the link: http://www.newsweek.com/id/211981 I would like to take the time and go through point by point and refute the author's arguments about the glories of the new healthcare bill.
First, tell me if this makes sense: "Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the Commission or the Center to mandate coverage, reimbursement, or other policies for any public or private payer.'' From my understanding this says that the commitees "that be" cannot mandate coverage or establish policies on public healthcare coverage or private healthcare coverage. So who's paying? Who is making the policies? The section of the bill this statement comes from is vague, it states what the commitees can't do, ignores what they can, and does not identify who makes the final decisions and payments.
Second, who is going to pay for this bill? The president has already increased the national debt significantly and he hasn't been in office for a year! His promise of not signing a bill that will cost the taxpayer sounds bleak. Has he kept any of the promises or made any of the "changes" that got him elected thus far? Obama has also said he has "identified two-thirds of those costs to be paid for by tax dollars that are already being spent right now." What costs are those exactly? As a taxpayer I feel I should have a say in what my money goes to especially if it is going to go to government programs.
Third, will private insurance become illegal? The article tries to deny that as a possibility, stating people will still be able to buy private insurance, however in the following paragraph the author contradicts his arguments: "Under the House bill, people who want to buy new individual, nongroup coverage will have to purchase it through a new health insurance exchange. They can still buy private insurance – the exchange, in fact, would offer a range of private plans, in addition to a new federal health insurance option. However, those who were already buying their own insurance before the bill went into effect – about 14 million Americans – will have their plans grandfathered in. The part of the bill IBD cites doesn't forbid insurers from issuing new plans. It says that new individual plans will not be considered grandfathered, and will have to be purchased through the exchange." My understanding of this paragraph is: all private insurance plans will be absorbed and regulated by the federal government, which would then have control on how much the insured would have to pay for their "private" plan, which is created by this health insurance exchange. However, it appears the cheapest opinion will be the standard government plan (how this is not classified as socialist healthcare, I have no idea). While "private" insurers will have the right to create new plans they cannot be sold and the people cannot buy them without going through the healthcare exchange...essentially making actual private (ungovernment regulated) insurance illegal.
Fourth, I am no fan of euthanasia, but end of life counseling is something I believe all people should consider. Do I think the federal government needs to involve itself in my life decision, absolutely not.
Fifth and Sixth, while the government is not cutting BENEFITS for Medicare, it is cutting SPENDING. Read that sentence again. While seniors are still entitled to all the "coverage" they receive now, the amount of money that is paid to physicians and facilities will be cut. Physicians and facilities are already reluctant to take Medicare patient because one) most have multiple healthcare problems that require regular care and because of that two) the amount of time and resources spent on older patients, is not adequetly paid for by the federal government. As of 2006-2007 the co-payments for Medicare were 20% of total cost of care, and the government would fill in the rest to a certain point, after that the physician or the facility would have to eat the remaining cost. So if the government cuts the reimbursment doctors and facilities are going to be less likely to take on the ever increasing Medicare population. Healthcare is a business.
Final point, illegal immigrants. The government says the new bill will not cover people who are here illegally and the article goes on to claim that no government program pays for illegal immigrants...I beg to differ. Medicaid covers illegal immigrants. While the new bill says it won't pay for people here illegally, what about the massive number of children they produce? While I don't want children to suffer, I don't want to pay for their children. I am sorry, but the whole "born in the US, automatic citizen" thing should not apply if one or both of the parents are illegal. (And if anyone starts on the whole "well technically you are an immigrant too, Native American thing" I have an argument for that too.) In this day and age we can't take care of our citizens, we don't take care of the ones who sacrificed their lives for the country, so why are we taking care of everyone else? Excuse my egocentric thinking, but how dare we criticize how other countries treat their citizens, when we treat illegal ones here better than we treat actual citizens?
Whilst perusing the MSN page I came upon and article from Newsweek that talked about the new healthcare bill. This is the link: http://www.newsweek.com/id/211981 I would like to take the time and go through point by point and refute the author's arguments about the glories of the new healthcare bill.
First, tell me if this makes sense: "Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the Commission or the Center to mandate coverage, reimbursement, or other policies for any public or private payer.'' From my understanding this says that the commitees "that be" cannot mandate coverage or establish policies on public healthcare coverage or private healthcare coverage. So who's paying? Who is making the policies? The section of the bill this statement comes from is vague, it states what the commitees can't do, ignores what they can, and does not identify who makes the final decisions and payments.
Second, who is going to pay for this bill? The president has already increased the national debt significantly and he hasn't been in office for a year! His promise of not signing a bill that will cost the taxpayer sounds bleak. Has he kept any of the promises or made any of the "changes" that got him elected thus far? Obama has also said he has "identified two-thirds of those costs to be paid for by tax dollars that are already being spent right now." What costs are those exactly? As a taxpayer I feel I should have a say in what my money goes to especially if it is going to go to government programs.
Third, will private insurance become illegal? The article tries to deny that as a possibility, stating people will still be able to buy private insurance, however in the following paragraph the author contradicts his arguments: "Under the House bill, people who want to buy new individual, nongroup coverage will have to purchase it through a new health insurance exchange. They can still buy private insurance – the exchange, in fact, would offer a range of private plans, in addition to a new federal health insurance option. However, those who were already buying their own insurance before the bill went into effect – about 14 million Americans – will have their plans grandfathered in. The part of the bill IBD cites doesn't forbid insurers from issuing new plans. It says that new individual plans will not be considered grandfathered, and will have to be purchased through the exchange." My understanding of this paragraph is: all private insurance plans will be absorbed and regulated by the federal government, which would then have control on how much the insured would have to pay for their "private" plan, which is created by this health insurance exchange. However, it appears the cheapest opinion will be the standard government plan (how this is not classified as socialist healthcare, I have no idea). While "private" insurers will have the right to create new plans they cannot be sold and the people cannot buy them without going through the healthcare exchange...essentially making actual private (ungovernment regulated) insurance illegal.
Fourth, I am no fan of euthanasia, but end of life counseling is something I believe all people should consider. Do I think the federal government needs to involve itself in my life decision, absolutely not.
Fifth and Sixth, while the government is not cutting BENEFITS for Medicare, it is cutting SPENDING. Read that sentence again. While seniors are still entitled to all the "coverage" they receive now, the amount of money that is paid to physicians and facilities will be cut. Physicians and facilities are already reluctant to take Medicare patient because one) most have multiple healthcare problems that require regular care and because of that two) the amount of time and resources spent on older patients, is not adequetly paid for by the federal government. As of 2006-2007 the co-payments for Medicare were 20% of total cost of care, and the government would fill in the rest to a certain point, after that the physician or the facility would have to eat the remaining cost. So if the government cuts the reimbursment doctors and facilities are going to be less likely to take on the ever increasing Medicare population. Healthcare is a business.
Final point, illegal immigrants. The government says the new bill will not cover people who are here illegally and the article goes on to claim that no government program pays for illegal immigrants...I beg to differ. Medicaid covers illegal immigrants. While the new bill says it won't pay for people here illegally, what about the massive number of children they produce? While I don't want children to suffer, I don't want to pay for their children. I am sorry, but the whole "born in the US, automatic citizen" thing should not apply if one or both of the parents are illegal. (And if anyone starts on the whole "well technically you are an immigrant too, Native American thing" I have an argument for that too.) In this day and age we can't take care of our citizens, we don't take care of the ones who sacrificed their lives for the country, so why are we taking care of everyone else? Excuse my egocentric thinking, but how dare we criticize how other countries treat their citizens, when we treat illegal ones here better than we treat actual citizens?
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Book Review- Julie and Julia by Julie Powell
Hopefully this will be my first review of many to come. I am a little tired tonight and scatter brained so bare with me!
How do I start my review? Well lets just start easy. In essence the book SUCKED. Period the end...oh wait not the end......ok now the end....wait, wait......now its the end....wait! I need to wax philosophical about how Julia's brains are rotting and how mine is a metaphor for heaven...now its the end. (If you are stupid and read the book you will totally get all that).
Plot: My original assumption about the plot was- lonely New Yorker needing to find something new in her life decides make all of the receipes in Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, blogs about it, finds 15 mins of fame (I saw the original CBS interview), and has life changing experience. HA!!! I was so fucking wrong (the f-word is used quiet a lot in the book, while the author apparently likes to use big words like impecunious and avuncular she apparently was incapable of finding a synonym for "fuck"). The REAL plot was this: fat alcoholic fake New Yorker from Texas, complains about not getting "any", working for a government agency run by heartless Republicans, and cooking discusting food, with filler.
When Mrs Powell was not complaining about herself, her work, or her friends, she took the liberty to remind us all that she wasn't having any sex and making tactless and tasteless (HA! no pun intended) jabs at the Republican party. And just for spice she threw in some blurbs about her Julie/Julia project...thats just what they were blurbs...which leads me to my next point.
Writing style: You call that a writing style?! I call that draft one! No, no...brainstorm one! She wrote like a drunken five year old with ADHD. Whoever the editor was for her book should be fired! Austen, the Brontes, and Wolfe are all rolling in their graves at the "writing" in this book!
Characters: Shallow, scattered, faceless, and pretty much blend together. No dynamic, no contrast, no life. For real live people I expected more.
Setting: Typical New York...grey, overwhelming, filled with drones. Nothing outstanding. Even when the author tried to add a little flavor to the setting it just turned out unsavory and down right unsanitary, and in some cases inappropriate.
Overall: In general I am all for the free speeched thing, but it seemed Mrs Powell used her book to express her ill educated political opinions and whine about her pathetic life. Here is my personal opinion, you want to spout political either do it sounding like you know what the hell you are talking about or keep your fucking mouth shut. Other than that Mrs Powell your book is now toilet paper. If I had a bird I would line its cage with your book...that is how bad it is. Please do not grace us with another of your insipid blurbs about your pathetic life.
How do I start my review? Well lets just start easy. In essence the book SUCKED. Period the end...oh wait not the end......ok now the end....wait, wait......now its the end....wait! I need to wax philosophical about how Julia's brains are rotting and how mine is a metaphor for heaven...now its the end. (If you are stupid and read the book you will totally get all that).
Plot: My original assumption about the plot was- lonely New Yorker needing to find something new in her life decides make all of the receipes in Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, blogs about it, finds 15 mins of fame (I saw the original CBS interview), and has life changing experience. HA!!! I was so fucking wrong (the f-word is used quiet a lot in the book, while the author apparently likes to use big words like impecunious and avuncular she apparently was incapable of finding a synonym for "fuck"). The REAL plot was this: fat alcoholic fake New Yorker from Texas, complains about not getting "any", working for a government agency run by heartless Republicans, and cooking discusting food, with filler.
When Mrs Powell was not complaining about herself, her work, or her friends, she took the liberty to remind us all that she wasn't having any sex and making tactless and tasteless (HA! no pun intended) jabs at the Republican party. And just for spice she threw in some blurbs about her Julie/Julia project...thats just what they were blurbs...which leads me to my next point.
Writing style: You call that a writing style?! I call that draft one! No, no...brainstorm one! She wrote like a drunken five year old with ADHD. Whoever the editor was for her book should be fired! Austen, the Brontes, and Wolfe are all rolling in their graves at the "writing" in this book!
Characters: Shallow, scattered, faceless, and pretty much blend together. No dynamic, no contrast, no life. For real live people I expected more.
Setting: Typical New York...grey, overwhelming, filled with drones. Nothing outstanding. Even when the author tried to add a little flavor to the setting it just turned out unsavory and down right unsanitary, and in some cases inappropriate.
Overall: In general I am all for the free speeched thing, but it seemed Mrs Powell used her book to express her ill educated political opinions and whine about her pathetic life. Here is my personal opinion, you want to spout political either do it sounding like you know what the hell you are talking about or keep your fucking mouth shut. Other than that Mrs Powell your book is now toilet paper. If I had a bird I would line its cage with your book...that is how bad it is. Please do not grace us with another of your insipid blurbs about your pathetic life.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Steam
I seriously want to throw the Xerox machine out the window. It keeps jamming for some reason and I am the only one they think can fix it. Stupid machine. A ton of silly students are coming in to get there paperwork done at the last bloody minute. Stuff that should have been taken care of sooner. Don't cop a freaking attitude with me, all I am trying to do is help. And honestly people the internet has been around for a while. Do a little freaking research, learn how to read, and FREAKING READ THE WEBSITE. I hate hearing the excuse "I don't have access" Thats CRAP! There are public libraries that have free access and will teach you how to use the internet. You know what is most annoying people who ask me the same question repeatly in a million different ways thinking they are going to get a different answer.
I keep telling myself "You know Jennifer you can be just as annoying." But that thought doesn't help, because I am cocky enough to think I have a decent amount of common sense. ARGH. I guess common sense is not available in Nevada.
I keep telling myself "You know Jennifer you can be just as annoying." But that thought doesn't help, because I am cocky enough to think I have a decent amount of common sense. ARGH. I guess common sense is not available in Nevada.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Twisted Sheets
Ha!! Ya perverts! Its not about that. Those with generalized anxiety know what I am talking about. It was one of those nights where you lay in bed tossing and turning because your brain is going a million miles an hour, over and over the most random crap. It also didn't help I tweeked my shoulder again so I really couldn't get comfortable and Jeremy is on swings...so...
Anyways, the anxiety started yesterday at the gym. I go to one of those mega gyms that has the full gamet of characters from the busty dumb blonde to the 500lbs man and everything beyond and in between. Its a great gym. Tons of classes, equiptment, and a great smoothie bar. Well I was sweating it out on the treadmill (and by sweating it out mean you could see the outline of my sports bra as a big dry spot in the center of the sweat). Sweat is running down my face and the back of my legs, my face has the angry look of "if you touch me I will kill you and Hey! Twitchy guy next to me, quit looking!!" I am coming to the end of my ardous run when this chick with zero body fat (ok maybe there was a little cellulite on the back of her legs), gets on the elipical in front of me. She's working for 15 mins and doesn't break a bloodly sweat in her little booty shorts!! At that pointed I am exhausted and soaked and looking at the back of the this chick thinking "Ah, hell, whats the fucking point!?" I start my cool down and the "the fucking point" walks right in front of me...all 300lbs of her, clutching a large soda, a gossip magazine, and chatting away on her cell phone. She finds the nearest stationary bike and sets it to the lowest level and starts to petal fast enough to keep the machine going, but slow enough to enable her to maintain her conversation. At that point I start planning my weight lifting circut and my workout for the next day.
The incident at the gym got me to thinking that night. Everyone says at some point in time in your life, you just stop caring what others think about you and start enjoying what you were given. When exactly do we get to that point? I looked at myself in the mirror that night before getting into the shower and thought "At the age of 26 I am past my peak...in fact I don't think I even reached one." I stared glumly at the cellulite on the sides of my thighs and fanny, that no matter how far I run or how many weights I lift, will never go away. My belly, that on a good day its flat, but I know when I have children...it will never go back. My execptionally broad shoulders, mismatched by the trademark small chest size that comes with the Vaughn genes. The blemishes on my skin and on my face that I sat through laser torture to get rid of, the flappy arms that don't respond to the weights, the beginnings of crows feet sprouting from the dark circles under my eyes, to the grey hair hidden under my fresh highlights. Yep. Crap. At what point in time do I get to say "Fuck you!" to the "man" or well...woman or both that decided that beauty is perfection and 26 is old? When do I get to find a pair of jeans that not only fit my weirdly bubbled fanny, but are small enough to fit around my waist? When do I get to find a blouse in my size that doesn't do the funny button thing over my chest, without me having to go a whole size bigger? When do I get the respect I deserve for working my butt off at the gym, restricting my cheeseburger intake, and generally giving up tasty fat soaked foods? When do I get my chance to walk around and feel beautiful!?
Which brought me to the next thing that raced through my head. That night I slumped on the sofa and watched "LA Ink". The retarded new shop manager (really stupid and really ugly) wanted to have a baby with or without a husband/ boyfriend. She said she was trying for that white picket fence thing, but at the age of 33 it wasn't happening. In a way I felt bad for her, but on the other hand if you saw the show you would totally understand why she is where she is in life. Anyways, the reason I felt bad was, because of the GAD, I started think about, what if, God Forbid, I find myself in that situation? Past 30 and single, with my clock ticking like a time bomb? I would never have a child with out being married, but in this day and age most people are holding off on marriage and kids until past 35. That doesn't work for me. Plus most men these days are looking for someone to have "fun" with, not to bring home to mom. So what would I do if I found myself on a first date like the shop manager did, being asked what I am looking for in a relationship. Do I be honest like she was (when it came out of her mouth it sounded sort of stupid)? Or do I claim I don't know? In the end it doesn't really matter what I would do because I won't find myself in that situation since I am married and intend on being so for the rest of my life. (I love you honey!!!!) But for the sake of conversation, I think I would be honest. If a guy can't handle something serious then why waste the time?
Then the next thought was of wasting time. At the age of 26 what exactly have I accomplished? A degree, a marriage, two houses, but what about all the childhood dreams? Writing a book? Finishing my reading list (might not ever be possible)? Learning to sword fight? Thats when I finally fell asleep.
Anyways, the anxiety started yesterday at the gym. I go to one of those mega gyms that has the full gamet of characters from the busty dumb blonde to the 500lbs man and everything beyond and in between. Its a great gym. Tons of classes, equiptment, and a great smoothie bar. Well I was sweating it out on the treadmill (and by sweating it out mean you could see the outline of my sports bra as a big dry spot in the center of the sweat). Sweat is running down my face and the back of my legs, my face has the angry look of "if you touch me I will kill you and Hey! Twitchy guy next to me, quit looking!!" I am coming to the end of my ardous run when this chick with zero body fat (ok maybe there was a little cellulite on the back of her legs), gets on the elipical in front of me. She's working for 15 mins and doesn't break a bloodly sweat in her little booty shorts!! At that pointed I am exhausted and soaked and looking at the back of the this chick thinking "Ah, hell, whats the fucking point!?" I start my cool down and the "the fucking point" walks right in front of me...all 300lbs of her, clutching a large soda, a gossip magazine, and chatting away on her cell phone. She finds the nearest stationary bike and sets it to the lowest level and starts to petal fast enough to keep the machine going, but slow enough to enable her to maintain her conversation. At that point I start planning my weight lifting circut and my workout for the next day.
The incident at the gym got me to thinking that night. Everyone says at some point in time in your life, you just stop caring what others think about you and start enjoying what you were given. When exactly do we get to that point? I looked at myself in the mirror that night before getting into the shower and thought "At the age of 26 I am past my peak...in fact I don't think I even reached one." I stared glumly at the cellulite on the sides of my thighs and fanny, that no matter how far I run or how many weights I lift, will never go away. My belly, that on a good day its flat, but I know when I have children...it will never go back. My execptionally broad shoulders, mismatched by the trademark small chest size that comes with the Vaughn genes. The blemishes on my skin and on my face that I sat through laser torture to get rid of, the flappy arms that don't respond to the weights, the beginnings of crows feet sprouting from the dark circles under my eyes, to the grey hair hidden under my fresh highlights. Yep. Crap. At what point in time do I get to say "Fuck you!" to the "man" or well...woman or both that decided that beauty is perfection and 26 is old? When do I get to find a pair of jeans that not only fit my weirdly bubbled fanny, but are small enough to fit around my waist? When do I get to find a blouse in my size that doesn't do the funny button thing over my chest, without me having to go a whole size bigger? When do I get the respect I deserve for working my butt off at the gym, restricting my cheeseburger intake, and generally giving up tasty fat soaked foods? When do I get my chance to walk around and feel beautiful!?
Which brought me to the next thing that raced through my head. That night I slumped on the sofa and watched "LA Ink". The retarded new shop manager (really stupid and really ugly) wanted to have a baby with or without a husband/ boyfriend. She said she was trying for that white picket fence thing, but at the age of 33 it wasn't happening. In a way I felt bad for her, but on the other hand if you saw the show you would totally understand why she is where she is in life. Anyways, the reason I felt bad was, because of the GAD, I started think about, what if, God Forbid, I find myself in that situation? Past 30 and single, with my clock ticking like a time bomb? I would never have a child with out being married, but in this day and age most people are holding off on marriage and kids until past 35. That doesn't work for me. Plus most men these days are looking for someone to have "fun" with, not to bring home to mom. So what would I do if I found myself on a first date like the shop manager did, being asked what I am looking for in a relationship. Do I be honest like she was (when it came out of her mouth it sounded sort of stupid)? Or do I claim I don't know? In the end it doesn't really matter what I would do because I won't find myself in that situation since I am married and intend on being so for the rest of my life. (I love you honey!!!!) But for the sake of conversation, I think I would be honest. If a guy can't handle something serious then why waste the time?
Then the next thought was of wasting time. At the age of 26 what exactly have I accomplished? A degree, a marriage, two houses, but what about all the childhood dreams? Writing a book? Finishing my reading list (might not ever be possible)? Learning to sword fight? Thats when I finally fell asleep.
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