my life as a geripsych nurse

Psychiatric nursing

2008-11-24T15:47:00.000-08:00

Woo - Long time no post but I am still here. Thanks for hanging around. I've finally gotten my life a little more under control and can post more frequently (hopefully).

So - I am working as a nurse. It was not easy to find a job. I graduated at a time where all the fiscal years were ending and that was not a good time to enter the job market. But, I was offered a job in psychiatric nursing, and while that was not my FIRST choice, it's going well. It's only part time so the flexibility is there for other offerings. However, I would like to say, that I like my job. Now, I got a lot of negative feedback from all over the place about accepting a job in this field at the start of my career. It has been a little difficult for me. I have gotten everything from "I'm not doing real nursing" to "You won't be marketable after that". Kind of tough to take. But, I appreciate everyone's stance on what I am doing but I will not be discouraged by such comments. Bottom line is I have to work and I have to work now. I fully and truly believe that I landed here for a reason although that reason is not clear to me.

So - with that said - I already have a lot of stories and I must warn you, they are sad as I am working with children and adolescents. But, patient outcomes are what it is all about in nursing. I will start sharing these with you so please stick around dear readers.

No an rnsomeday Anymore!!!!!

2008-10-10T07:04:00.000-07:00

I passed! I'm a licensed registered nurse! I'm overwhelmed and relieved. I'm grateful and a little sad. School was my life. Now, onto the real world. It's about time!

NCLEX - Check!

2008-10-08T04:58:00.000-07:00

I took the NCLEX yesterday. I thought it was hard. I got 75 questions and like everybody else, I feel like I failed. I check the state department of health website every hour on the hour to see if I have a license number although I know it's too soon. Tomorrow I can check my results online. I wish I had something more exciting to say but I'm freaking out right now.

Sorry dear readers

2008-09-24T10:48:00.001-07:00

I've been away far too long. The last semester took the wind from me. I promise to catch you up - but for now - I must prepare myself for the mighty NCLEX which I am taking on October 7th! I'm terrified.

Shocking episode at work!

2008-05-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

Nursing is a field where you really need to put your biases aside. You see and deal with all types of people and it is really important not to let your own personal beliefs get in the way of the care that you give to your patients. I saw some serious bias the other night and I was so shocked by this nurses behavior.

The patient was very large and edematous from a non functioning liver. An alcoholic, the patient had end stage liver disease and some serious electrolyte issues. The patient was coughing up blood and having black diarrhea and a GI bleed. Not a pretty picture. This patient had so much excess fluid they had blisters on their feet. I Have never seen anything like it in my life. Going through withdrawal from alcohol, the patient was nearly impossible to understand. Well, this patient required a lot of care and assistance was needed by many to be able to turn them to clean them up about every hour on the hour. I really like the nurse that was taking care of this patient. I witness this nurse giving excellent care on every shift I have ever worked with her. There were two of us assisting her in cleaning the patient up when the patient became combative. Oh I forgot to mention his scrotum, which was the size of a cantalope (no lie!) biggest scrotum I have ever seen. I'm not sure why but he had some skin tears on his scrotum (ouch). He was in a lot of pain and confused from the withdrawal. Well, the nurse smacked him on the leg and yelled, "stop it!" then - she proceeded to say "I hate alcoholics, they are just going to go back and start drinking when they leave!" Man, I was shocked and thought about what I should do about this. I wanted to tell the charge nurse but she was the charge nurse. What the hell - I felt bad for the guy.

I hope and pray I never do anything like that.

14 weeks

2008-05-13T08:21:00.001-07:00

I just started my last semester of nursing school! 14 weeks to go. I am scared and excited. I am overwhelmed. We are starting the semester out with psych, although we have no clinical in psych and then onto critical care. This is goign to be a busy semester as there are numerous tests and we should all be doing NCLEX questions to get ready for the big test in the end. Wish me luck!

Recap Spring 2008

2008-04-25T17:21:00.000-07:00

I have done a bad job of keeping up with this blog this semester. The semester of OB Peds seemed like kind of a vacation but I spent an awful lot of it feeling guilty about the work that I did not do. I tried really hard to do the readings but they were really unrealistic. I scathed by with a 89.47 - ridiculous - 3/100th away from an A-. I'm embarrassed. I made the worst grade ever on a final for me - 84 - spring fever had been hitting hard and I have been unable to turn down the allure of the outside for studying (although I would usually have my books with me, just got distracted by the lovely spring). Done now! Some highlights of the semester -

Live birth witnessed!
Awesome Pedi clinical instructor!
Got to play with darling babes!
Bonded with my nursing friends! Friends for life!
Lost 20 pounds and started exercising and liking it!
Feeling confident as a nurse (some of the time)

So much more. I am off for a little vaca and will be back for the last and final fling of this thing called nursing school!

ALIVE and KICKING

2008-04-20T15:18:00.000-07:00

Like the 80's song!

Tomorrow is the final and I am ready to kick the finals ass! One more semester to go. I'll do a semester wrap up later this week when all is said and done. Hope everyone out there in blogland is having a great semester!

Beginning life or ending life

2008-03-28T15:10:00.000-07:00

Next semester I have my clinical on an oncology floor. I picked it. I still don't know what draws me that way. Maybe because my stepfather died of cancer. It will be an incredible experience.

Anyway, the title of the post. I am trying to decide what kind of nursing to do. I like the idea of the ED because I love change. I get bored easily. I like the idea of oncology and L and D as well. I love the newborns. I guess I can do it all. Who knows where I will end up. I was just thinking of it earlier in the context of life beginning or ending and helping people die with dignity and respect. We'll see. There are a lot of possibilities out there.

Pedis and parents

2008-03-26T08:23:00.000-07:00

My pedi rotation is going O.K. I don't think peds is for me. The style of nursing is very different than caring for the adult population. Sure, kids are cute and sweet and all and I adore the infants, but... the parents. The parents are there taking care of their kiddos. The nurses administer meds and treatments and that's about all. For the most part. I had an interesting kiddo last night. In for dehydration but had a history of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and ended up with an ostomy. Not fun for a youngster. Not fun for anyone. Anyway, this kid also needs a liver transplant. The situation just blows big time. I had to give the child some meds by mouth and he had already fallen asleep. Well lets just say that he does not like to wake up. His dad screaming and yelling at him, in front of me, loudly so others come in the room. Uncomfortable. And I feel bad for the sick child. I did'nt know how to handle the situation. It was my first of the kind and I don't find it right for a student nurse to try to tell the child's parent what to do. Next time I have to though, it was not right. I know dad and child are stressed but no need in yelling at him because he would not wake up and swallow the meds. For those of you wondering where my instructor was, he was not with me. He checked the meds and told me I could go in the room and give them. I love the little kids but yeah, not for me.

IV Meds

2008-03-12T11:08:00.000-07:00

Why, oh why do IV meds freak me out so? I get to my first pedi clinical yesterday and have a patient on IV meds. My guess is a lot of the pedi kids in the hospitals need IV meds. They are sick after all. I have not given a lot of IV meds and the fact that it has been at least 4 monthes since I have given IV meds makes me so green. I need to do something repetitively to get it and I just have not gotten that in clinicals. I think I might get my chance to get proficient this semester. I hope so anyway. I don't get what my hangup is with it. I guess I'm afraid I'll get air in the line or something. Got to find a way to get over it.

I did OK with it. My instructor is cool and said I did fine except when I shot some of the flush on the mom because I was shaking so bad trying to flush the line. It was comic relief. I'm so retarded I forgot to make sure there was no air in the flush before I flushed the line before I administered the med. The air thing scares me see? I'm really not retarded but it was funny.

*UPDATE* I worked with a nurse tonight at work who let me hang some fluids for more practice. Feeling better now.

Stress Test!

2008-03-02T08:04:00.000-08:00

The OB test is in the past and the first NLN testing experience is behind us. It was crazee and stressful! We were all freaking out! I got a 91 and for now, I am so glad it is over.

Exams, Papers, Presentations, Irritations...

2008-02-25T13:51:00.000-08:00

Warning - Rant following -

I will be so glad when nursing school is Fini. I've said this before, I enjoy learning, but being put thru the ringer by the nursing school administration is irritating as hell. What I mean is our school is always changing the rules so they can improve their NCLEX pass rate and make themselves look better. I get it but come on, change your rules with the next class and let us keep on the way we are keepin on for now. The latest rule change has been to drop the HESI and institute NLN testing. Even with the HESI, the individual instructors used to administer their own exams and students would just take the HESI as an exit exam. Now, our exams our standardized NLN and administered on the computer and our instructor cannot even confirm for us if the exam is timed. We asked our instructor the other night if the exam will be timed and she said she did not know. She did not say, "I will find out and let you know." I find that to be bullshit. Really.

Oh yeah, did I mention I have to write an 8 page paper in APA format with 6 sources that counts 5%! Yes, you read it right, 5%. Complete and utter bullshit. We have to do a powerpoint presentation also to teach the class about a childhood disease that also counts 5%. It comes with its own very specific set of instructions: "You must include three nursing diagnoses prioritized with 2 short term goals and 1 long term goal with 4 interventions......" A care plan within a presentation.

No wonder there is a nursing shortage.

Almost 1/2 way there (then last semester!!)

2008-02-15T14:38:00.000-08:00

The semester is almost 1/2 way done! Two more weeks of OB and then on to the children's hospital for Pedis. I like OB, it is nice and calm for the most part. Our instructor is a cute little lady who does not give us a hard time. It's not challenging, but at this point, it's nice for a break from "challenging". There will be plenty of that next semester.

As for lecture, we have only had quizzes so far. We have a final which is 30 % of our grade. I'm doing OK in class. I don't really care at this point. Sometimes your brain just gets tired of trying to get the best grade. I have an 86 average at this point and that is just fine with me. My good friend and study partner (a guy) is getting better grades than me. I'm happy for him. It's all good. As long as I pass the OB final - I'm golden for now.

Birth!

2008-02-06T13:03:00.000-08:00

Last night I got to witness my first ever birth! It was so amazing.

A little update on the semester. We are on a labor and delivery unit right now at a small community hospital. It is a wonderful unit and a great experience. The nurses are awesome and the patients are great letting us observe their births and so forth. The past few weeks I have had the opportunity to take care of post c section moms and their newborns. It's been quite the learning curve for me since I have never given birth and am not a mom. But, a positive experience and I am surprised at how much I am liking it. I thought as a nurse, I wanted to take care of "sick" people but it is actually more fun caring for "well", happy people. I'm not saying I want to be a L and D nurse, I'm just saying it is now a possibility that I had not previously considered.

OK - so about the birth. Oh My God! It was unbelievable. The mom came in in active labor. It was her 2nd or 3rd child and when the nurses got her all set up, she was 8 cm! and I'm not sure about the effacement and station and all that but her contractions were coming quickly, less than 2 minutes apart. She was close to delivery! By luck of the draw and a coin toss between me and another classmate, I got to go in. It's hard to explain what it looks like to see another human being coming out of the vagina. Painful, excrutiating, horrible, beautiful, amazing - every emotion. The mom did so good, she had no pain meds! ouch! Once the head was delivered, the rest of the body just slid out onto the table. It was so wild! I still can't believe it. The nurses called me over to the baby and asked me if I wanted to give it its Vitamin K shot! YES! How awesome and I measured the baby's head!

OK, so now about the really bad part. TMI follows. Mom looked so beaten up in her vaginal area. I have never seen something so awful. It was swollen and bruised and distorted! I can't imagine the pain!

I had some serious anxiety during the birth. I had to stand in the back and keep my mouth closed. The mom was yelling and screaming and it was intense. So intense at one point I thought about leaving the room. I was half scared that something would be wrong with the baby. I don't know why those kinds of things go through my head. When the baby came out, the coloring was more blue than I thought normal but what the hell do I know? Most all babies are born with what is called acrocyanosis, meaning their extremities are blue when they are first delivered. The baby did not spontaneously cry for probably 6 or 7 seconds. (it seems like more but it was probably less) I was holding my breath waiting to hear the cry. It came and everyone was smiling. It was a really awesome night!

We have a few more nights left on the unit and I hope to see a section. We'll see.

From Martin Luther King, Jr.

2008-01-21T14:31:00.000-08:00

"Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane."

New year, New Semester

2008-01-21T10:29:00.000-08:00

Hi all - Happy New Year. We enjoyed our holidays but they were very busy and now school is back in session.

I started class last Tuesday. 4th semester out of 5! I am almost there! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am certainly excited about the possibility of completing my nursing degree but this semester is shaping up to be very busy. The first 7 weeks will be focused on OB and the second half on Pedis. So far, things seem great with instructors etc.., the only problem is the workload. We have a lot of projects and papers this semester. Ugh, I hate papers. I see no point in them. I'd rather do a presentation to the class. Oh wait, I have to do one of those too. The reading is crazy as well. I will do my best but I see no way possible to get all of the reading done. Also, our school has just switched over to testing us via the NLN (National League for Nursing). Our instructors used to formulate the exams but now they are coming from the NLN. Does anybody out there have any experience with this at their school? They are always changing things in our program to increase their NCLEX pass rate.

I hope everyone is enjoying the new year and a new semester or chapter in their life.

New York and the holidays

2007-12-28T08:13:00.001-08:00

We live close enough to Manhattan that it is an easy 1 and a half hour drive or train ride away. One of the highlights this holiday was a day we spent in the city just seeing the sights. The store windows were incredible.

Semester Post Mortem

2007-12-28T07:57:00.000-08:00

It's been 10 days since the end of the semester and I still do not feel like I am caught up. Ugh, I struggle to get out of bed by 10 am, I am just so beat up. My job does not make matters any better. More on that later.

The test. was HARD. Some of my fellow classmates did not think the test as hard as I did. When I am testing, I go through the entire test the first time and answer the questions I am absolutely sure of. The I go back through and start to work on the ones I cannot figure out between the 2 best answers. I leave the really impossible questions for the end since I am just going to be guessing the answer anyway. I always put a star by the questions that I am not sure I picked the correct answer. On this exam, I had about 25 stars which is a lot for me. So basically, I was unsure of my answer for at least 25 questions. Obviously, I got a lot of them correct since I passed with a 90. But, regardless, it was a challenging exam. Thank God I do not have to take this class over. As I said in previous posts, the instructor is a drill sargeant and I am so glad to be done with her.

Unfortunately, a few of my friends did not pass and have to repeat the class. I feel kind of guilty over this although I can reason in my mind that I worked damn hard and deserve the grade I got. It's just hard to see them have to stay back and we go on without them.

My text came for next semester and it's 2000 pages that we have to cover in 15 weeks. I thought maybe women and babies would be easier but now I am not so sure. I realized that I know very little about this subject whereas in previous semesters, I had some prior knowledge of some of the diseases we were covering.

Good news, I got my clinical changed! Now I have an evening clinical closer to home. It should be no more than a 30 minute drive and it's only for 7 weeks. I also got my pedi clinical changed to the local children's hospital so that should be interesting.

That's all I can think of for right now. I am trying to enjoy my time away from school and resist the urge to start reading my new text. I need to enjoy my break through January 15. Happy New Year all!

Advertisers on my blog

2007-12-27T08:05:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed that I have accepted an advertiser who approached me about placing an ad on my blog. The link is to the right. It's a very nice scrub store. Have fun.

90 People 90

2007-12-21T19:38:00.000-08:00

I did it! I passed the final and the class with a 90 and a B plus respectively. Such a weight off. I just wanted to let my readers know. I'll post more about the testing experience soon.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Good vibrations

2007-12-17T14:55:00.001-08:00

Study group today for 7 hours - study 4 more hours in the morning. Put a fork in me I'm done. Give me the test. I can do this. I know I can.

73

2007-12-16T10:16:00.000-08:00

I have to get a 73 on my final exam Tuesday in order to progress. The exam is cumulative from the beginning of nursing school in January. Ouch. I am stressed and scared. I am trying to study but how do you study for a years worth of stuff? I'm going back and forth between NCLEX review books and CD's to powerpoints and trying to stay focused on the major diseases.

Just thought I'd let you know what's going on in my own personal hell.

The Unluck of the Draw

2007-11-27T08:43:00.000-08:00

Guess who got picked NEXT TO LAST for the clinical draw for next semester? Why you are so smart, yes, that would be correct, ME. In fact, I did not even get a choice of what I wanted as I had to take what was left because the only thing left is a hospital an hour away from my house, in January, at the crack of dawn. Well, well, well, this should be fun. Southern girl driving an hour away from home in the dark in January. I can't think of many better things at this moment. Oh, it's on Saturday too, did I mention that? This presents many problems for me. One of the big ones being my J-O-B at which I am required to work every other weekend, including Saturday. Not sure what I am going to do yet. I've e-mailed the instructor asking for an evening clinical if one opens up since half of the people who got to pick a clinical site are FAILING. It is doubtful they will be around next semester because they will be repeating 3rd semester. BUT, I have to turn my work schedule in by mid December for my schedule from Mid January thru the beginning of March so that could cause some problems if I have not gotten the clinical switched by that time. The final exam is not until December 18 so the likelihood of me getting the clinical changed before my schedule is next to nil. I'm just unlucky I guess. I'm still trying to find some positive in this situation.

What does your school do for clinical? I've heard that most schools do not let you choose like ours does.

Untitled

2007-11-15T07:57:00.001-08:00

Sorry - can't think of a title and this post is going to be a mish mash of all things.

First and foremost, the semester is coming to a close. 5 more weeks people. Yes!!! Next semester is all OB/Maternity/Geri, 7 weeks clinical OB and 7 weeks clinical peds. I still have no idea where I will be yet but it won't be the same hospital where I currently attend clinical and work. This I am not happy about as it will entail driving somewhere, which I do not want to do. Especially in the winter but hopefully we can get a carpool going. I'll know more about my schedule next week. I'm not terribly thrilled about the content of next semester. Since I have never given birth, I feel at a slight disadvantage to most of my peers who have. (Many moms and dads in my class). I also don't feel as though it is an area of nursing that I am interested in working in. I think it will be a very cool thing to watch a live birth but that's about the extent of the excitement I have about next semester. Maybe I will be surprised. I hope so.

Clinical is still moving along but I have to say, it has been disappointing. There are a lot of graduate nurses on the floor, and as student nurses, we cannot be co-assigned with them. My CI seems to have not a clue regarding certain course requirements, mainly our care plans and tells us they are wrong the second time we turn them in. I can't figure out any other reason other than the fact that she did not know the first time around. Then she tells one of my peers that if we do not score perfectly on the last and final care plan, we will not pass clinical. I think that is a little extreme and late to be making such an announcement. Welcome to my hell called nursing school.

Lecture drones on incessantly. Our next exam encompasses all the hormones (a lot) and kidneys. I am struggling with all the content but I keep telling myself that I'll be alright. I've got a good average right now at an 87 and I secretely hope to get an A in the class. It will be difficult to do but not impossible. I feel like I deserve it I have worked so hard. I don't want this instructor to defeat me. She is so rigid. Won't throw out any questions no matter how many people get it wrong. It's quite ridiculous but now I think she is feeling bad because so many are failing. I want to show her some people can make an A in her impossible class.

I have a lot more to write about but I should get back to the books if I am going to secure that A.

Thanks for stopping by.

Torture

2007-11-03T08:02:00.000-07:00

Writing a care plan with three nursing diagnoses, 15 goals and 8 interventions is some of the worst torture I have ever experienced. Add to the pile the 15 page clinical worksheet and the ethical/legal journal - all due on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Someone kill me now.

This is the reason you have not heard from me and probably won't until the dust settles.

A lot of catching up to do

2007-10-22T14:56:00.000-07:00

I've been too buried in school work to blog. This semester is terribly hard and very frustrating. I made my transition from A student to B student. I hope I can stay at B student, but at this point, as long as I pass, I'm O.K. with that.

My mother asked me on the phone the other day what makes this semester so hard. I'm not sure I know how to answer that question other than the fact that there is a lot of information and it takes an incredible amount of focus. I tried to explain to her what nurses do because I don't think a lot of people understand what nurses do. It's hard to explain what nurses do because they do so freakin much! For example, most people don't know the detail involved in giving people medications, especially through an IV. As a student, we need to know all about the medication (even though this semester my CI barely asks me anything abut a med before I give it - I can't stand it), do vitals need to be checked prior to administration, can it be crushed or is it compatible with this other fluid running into the vein. All sorts of things.

My CI this semester is frustratingly ignorant. She's nice and all but she is pretty incompetent when it comes to monitoring our medication administration at clinical. It's kinda scary. Plus, I don't feel as though she is teaching me anything. Most of the time I feel like we are paying the school 4500.00 a semester for me to teach myself. I don't know, maybe all nursing programs are like this.

Don't get me wrong. I am so blessed and fortunate to be in a nursing program. Nursing feels like a good fit for me. It mostly comes natural except for those IV's that scare me to death. I always feel like if I do one little thing wrong with a line the patient is just going to expire right there. I gotta get over that.

OK - I have a big exam on Wednesday and I still need to be studying for it. Here's hoping for a B.

Peace People and thanks for sticking around.

Last Lecture

2007-10-22T14:54:00.000-07:00

Go see this - Now - watch the video

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/

Confidence

2007-09-27T17:06:00.000-07:00

Hello friends.

Failing that math comptency, coupled with other things going on in my life, took me deep down and I really questioned my abilities. I retook the math and passed with a 100. It did help that it was the same exact test as before. Not that I got to bring it home and study it but, anyway, it helped. I also did well on my first quiz which was more memorization and retention than NCLEXy. I'm not so good with memorization. I'd rather think through a problem any day. All this to say that I am feeling like my old confident self. I'm ready to take on my first exam next week. I'm working as hard as ever and I just want to get through this semester and on to the next.

This semester is a "weed out" semester in a big way. We have quite a few people in our class that are repeating. The school has implemented an exit exam for students to pass from this semester to the next. You must achieve a 73 on the final exam (also the exit exam) in order to progress to the next semester. Does'nt matter what your average is, you could have a 90 average and be having a bad day and make a 72 and guess what, you gotta repeat. It's a lot of pressure and I am trying not to think too much about it until about a month before that day arrives.

Happier news. We are leaving in less than 12 hours to go out to San Francisco to attend a dear friends wedding. We have not been anywhere that did not involve visiting family (not saying there is anything wrong with that) in so long I can't remember. We are very excited to get away, even for a long weekend. In addition to the wedding, we will visit Sonoma to check out some wine and I am not sure what else we will be able to fit in, except for some general kicking around the city. I'm hoping to continue my studies during the long plane ride across the country. We'll see how it goes. I am just ready to have some fun and relax.

Failed

2007-09-15T08:07:00.000-07:00

I failed my math competency the first day of class. Luckily, I get a second chance. The pass goal for this semester is 90 percent so if you missed more than 2, you failed. I missed three. I suck at math. I have to really work hard at it and there were two questions on the test that did not make sense to me. Throw in also the fact that they don't teach us math. I guess they expect us to teach ourselves. It's really ridiculous. So, those of you who failed the first time around, I am joining your ranks. This means I cannot pass meds in clinical until I pass the test and my instructor is not offering a retake until the week of September 25. That's just idiotic and embarrassing for me. This is going to be a long semester.

Rest in peace Grandpa

2007-09-10T05:44:00.000-07:00

11-13-18 - 9-8-07

You will be dearly missed.

My first code

2007-09-03T07:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the day that I experienced my first code blue. I was at work. This is how it happened.

I work on a cardiac telemetry unit. We get a lot of admissions from the ED for Syncope(fainting), Dyspnea(shortness of breath), acute MI's and cardiac arrythmias. This particular patient was admitted the previous evening and I, alongside the nurse, admitted this particular patient. The patient presented to the ED with dyspnea on exertion. Not sure of any other history. Anyway, I get to work yesterday at 3 pm. Chaos ensues as is the norm lately. Beds are wet and people need help getting up and down. I get a call from the monitor tech to check the leads in this patient's room. Everybody on our floor wears a portable cardiac monitor and someone watches a monitor 24/7 to make sure these people are safe and not going into deadly arrythmias. I go into the patient's room and the patient is sitting on the toilet in the bathroom and the monitor is on the floor. The patient is alert and talking to me. I get the patient hooked back up and tell them I will be back shortly. The patient was allowed to walk to the bathroom so I saw no problem with them being in there by themselves. I continue to do my rounds and make it back to this room. Maybe, 5 minutes later. I see the bed empty and wonder if they are still on the toilet. I look in the bathroom and there is the patient on their back unresponsive. I didn't have to get close to realize this patient is not breathing. I scream for help and I am scared at this point. Never have I seen this. I hit the call light and tell the secretary this patient is not breathing. People come running. Code blue is called for the room. I am standing there in shock and feel like any idiot for not approaching the patient and checking for a pulse. Another CNA runs in and takes over. If I had acted quickly enough I could have seen everything. They get the patient back on the bed and we try to empty the room of all the furniture to make sure there is plenty of room for the code team. More doctors come running. Crash cart. The code looks like what you see on tv. Tons of people, crash cart, rounds of pushing epinephrine and atropine. Doctors are calling to us in the hall to go grab this or that. The patient was dead people, flat line, asystole. One minute they were sitting on the toilet, the next, dead. They intubated and compressions started immediately upon the transfer back to the bed. Codes are run by something called ACLS protocol. I think it stands for advanced cardiac life support. It's an algorith that tells the team what to do in what order based on the findings of the patient, etc... Since this patient was asystole, they did not shock them. But, they did get them back and transferred to the ICU.

You're probably wondering why the monitor tech did not see this on the monitor. Well, according to him, at the time I called in to say the patient was not breathing, that was about the time he started to see rythmn changes. So, apparently the patient went down right before I came in the room, which was a very good thing and can affect the outcome.

A code on the floor really affected everybody there. Especially the patients around the room where it occured. Several of my patients wanted to know, "Did they make it?" It felt good to tell them yes.

I'll never forget it to be sure. I hope to be able to handle myself a little better next time instead of standing there in a daze. Thank God I called for help.

Live your Dreams

2007-08-22T21:50:00.000-07:00

Here's the chance of life
Get ready, set, fly
High
Above the fear of you mind
Go for it, it's hit or miss
Too late for you to quit
You gotta show them how bad you really want this

Live your dreams
It's not as hard as it may seem
You gotta work to get the c.r.e.a.m
On your hopes you must lean
From your fears
You have to win yourself
It's all or nothing
Give your everything

You are what you believe
You've got to bring the heat
Set the pace
Competition: take the lead
This is it, all eyes on you
So stay on point and prove
That you deserve what's long overdue

Live your dreams
It's not as hard as it may seem
You gotta work to get the c.r.e.a.m
On your hopes you must lean
From your fears
You have to win yourself
It's all or nothing
Give your everything

My heart is still recovering
From Heartbreak of another kind
I'm still drying my tears
Getting over my own fears
In my life
I wanna make sure this time
That I'm strong enough
To give it my all

Live your dreams
It's not as hard as it may seem
You got to work to get the c.r.e.a.m
On your hopes you must lean
From your fears
You have to win yourself

It's all or nothing
Give your everything
Live your dreams

Live your dreams
It's not as hard as it may seem
You gotta work to get the c.r.e.a.m
On your hopes you must lean
From your fears
You have to win yourself
It's all or nothing
Give your everything

Live your dreams
It's not as hard as it may seem
You gotta work to get the c.r.e.a.m
On your hopes you must lean
From your fears
You have to win yourself
It's all or nothing
Give your everything

You know you've got to live your dreams
So don't you be afraid
Sacrifice
take the lead
It's your time to shine
Please believe

"All or Nothing" Athena Cage

Feeling a little bad about my last post

2007-08-20T11:41:00.000-07:00

I should clarify that not all nurses are nasty, of course. Bad things always seem to stand out against the good and that probably should not be the case. I met a few awesome nurses this semester. I also work with some really awesome nurses. Both men and women. Great group of people on the floor where I work - love them. OK - just wanted to set the record straight

Nurses do eat their Young

2007-08-18T07:07:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have witnessed this firsthand this semester. It is a sad phenomenon but it is alive and well and living at a hospital near you. If you are thinking of becoming a nursing student, be warned, you will be dealing with some of the rudest, condescending and nastiest people you can imagine. I hate to bust your bubble but it's true. Sad, but oh so true.

The floor I had my clinical on this semester was a general medical surgical floor. There were a lot of abdominal surgeries, gastric bypass, GI cancers and bleeds, a whole lot of different things. The floor was very busy and the last thing these nurses seem to want is a student asking them questions. But come on, rolling your eyes, challenging my clinical instructor in front of me, bad mouthing my clinical instructor to me, and the list goes on and on. The best part of all of it is, yes, you guessed it, you must take this and keep your mouth closed. One of my classmates complained a few times to the CI about the nurses and she ended up hearing about it during her final evaluation. I saved my comments until my final clinical worksheet where I spilled my thoughts about the way I felt I was treated all semester.

What can you do except to hope to learn from it and never forget it so as not to perpetuate the stereotype down the road. Wonder what we'll have to deal with next semester. The best advice I can give to any students out there and to myself is, Approach each clinical day like it will be your best and suck it up and deal with it and get through it. Keep your confidence and don't let these people wear you down.

One more final

2007-08-18T06:39:00.000-07:00

Then I think I can consider myself a Second year nursing student. I'm not sure, maybe that comes after my next semester but now instead of Nursing 100 or Nursing 110, it turns into Nursing 200, so I think I can now answer that question that so many of the nurses I encounter ask, "What year are you?"

My final is on Tuesday and I have barely studied for it. I'm sitting comfortably with the information I have learned all semester and I'm just not concerned about my grade. I need a little down time. I've got two study groups planned for Monday to refresh myself.

My final clinical of the semester is done. I maxxed out on my core competencies scores and my instructor tells me, "You are right where you need to be." She had no suggestions for improvements. I did well clinically this semester but I am by no means perfect. My care plans have come a long way. (I spend like 6 freakin hours a week on them) I am really proud of those.

I'm tired of this boot camp called nursing school. While it is fun and I enjoy learning, it is scary. I think I mentioned in a previous post that there is no room for error as a nursing student. You better do it right and not screw up lest you might get a written warning or get booted for real. I am not exaggerating people. My instructor for the upcoming semester told our class, "Nursing 200 is where people start to fail clinically". Great. It won't be me because I won't allow it to happen. The finish line is in sight (only a year).

I am however very disappointed about my clnical this fall. I selected and got a clinical with my current clinical instructor. Come to find out, she is not teaching next semester but nobody knows why. At our last clinical she did not mention it to us. I feel bad for her. She's not the type to commit to something and then back out of it 3 weeks before it starts so I feel like something has gone way wrong for her. We also still do not know who her replacement will be. I felt somewhat safe having the same instructor again. I already know her ways of doing things and with a new instructor you have to figure them out so you can succeed. Also, there's that whole. "I hope we get along and she's not a bitch" aspect of it. I'm sure it will work out.

Everything happens for a reason, blah, blah, blah.

Confirmation

2007-08-06T11:53:00.000-07:00

Last night the words of one of my patients made me cry. Since I work part time, I often don't see a lot of the same patients day after day. The only time I get to take care of the same patient a few days in a row is when I work the weekend. Well, I worked this weekend. Friday thru Sunday. I took care of this man for 3 days. He was very kind and always apologizing if he asked for something. When his food tray would come and he looked at it like I knew he did not like what he saw, I tried to get him something to eat that he wanted. He had a roommate for a few days that was verbally abusive to all the staff and he had to sit there and listen to it all. I go in last night toward the end of the shift and he asked me if I was working tomorrow. I told him no, that I work part time. He tells me he wishes there is something he can do for me because of the kindness that I have shown him over the past few days. I tell him, "just get better". He tells me that I handled myself well dealing with the verbally abusive roommate that he had for several days. He says he wants to write a letter to the president of the hospital about me. I say, "Hey, that would be great." I tell him it was a pleasure to take care of him and make his hospital stay a little bit better. He tells me I will make a great nurse because I care. I gave him a hug and left the room and started bawling. THIS is why I am doing what I'm doing. And it feels so good.

My friend - almost a complete thru-hiker

2007-07-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

My friend and former massage instructor extraordinare is about 500 miles from completing his hike of the Appalachian Trail. He left Georgia on March 17 and is expected to reach Mt. Katahdin in Maine in late August or early September. What an awesome experience. He has had a few hard time along the way but he has not given up - Go Fred! www. fredhikes2007.com

I swear I have not abandoned this blog

2007-07-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

I'm just busy and tired. Buried under the 14 page clinical worksheet per week, 3 shifts earning a paycheck as a CNA, lecture 3 hours a week and clinical 9 hours a week. Oh, then there is the 20 plus hours a week studying. I'll post a real post this weekend. Promise.

Catching up

2007-06-28T08:48:00.000-07:00

I've decided to put my books away after a few hours of studying to catch up on posting. I have clinical this afternoon, so, technically, I'll be studying for nine more hours today. I'm trying to justify and lose the guilt here. OK?

This semester is insane. I hate going to school in the summer. I want to go on vacation. I want to take the NCLEX and for all of this to be OVER. Sorry for bitching, I am just overwhelmed.

So, I went to the OR last week. It was a fabulous experience. I observed a thoracotomy, wedge lung resection and lobectomy. I saw a heart beating inside a chest! It was an incredible experience that I will never forget. I don't think I want to work in the OR though. I think the nurse's job is very routine and repetitive and that does'nt work for me. I need change, everyday, and excitement and new things to keep me from getting bored. I've been giving a lot of thought lately to what I do want to do with my nursing career and right now, I am thinking, critical care/ICU/ER type work. I won't be able to start out there but can probably get a job in one of those areas after a year or two of medical surgical floor nursing. I have no desire to emulate the nurses that I work with on the telemetry floor. They have 5-6 patients and run down the hall pushing their computers and giving out medications. Yuk - I'm not doing this just to pass meds.

Class and clinical are going along. We are at midsemester this week and quite a few people are failing in lecture. If these people are doing the work, I feel bad for them. Can you imagine having a dream and not being able to obtain it because you can't grasp the nature of nursing test taking? It's hard to watch people dropping out of the program like flies. I'm doing well, and sometimes, I actually feel guilty about it. I say things in class that let people know I am doing well. I don't mean to. It's not like I am bragging. I made a comment at clinical last week during dinner about how I felt like the last test was not as challenging as I imagined it would have been. Everybody looked at me like I had ten heads. Then, I felt guilty. I wasn't trying to make anybody feel bad. Open mouth - insert foot, that's me. I try to keep my grades confidential. When people ask me how I did, I usually just tell them I did well. I don't want to shove my 94 average in their face, especially if they are failing. Oh well, whatever. I am still struggling with care plans. I am interested in hearing what my clinical instructor has to say tonight during evals. I have a feeling I "need improvement" in that area.

I hope you ahve enjoyed this update. Please tune in for further news. Peace - Gina

Everything and Nothing

2007-06-15T07:20:00.000-07:00

I've been so busy. Between work, school and clinical, it's hard to find the time for anything. Summer means nothing to me this year. I love to have a tan but I've had to resort to the bottled lotions for a "healthy summer glow". I don't have the time. Although this Sunday, we are hoping to get to the beach.

Work has been fine. I have seen some interesting cases. I am learning quite a bit working on the telemetry floor.

Clinical has been interesting. So far I have taken care of a GSW x 6 and a patient post radical neck for Squamous Cell Carcinoma. I've given my first injection, of Heparin, of course since everyone who is in the hospital receives Heparin. If you are ever in the Hospital and concerned that you are on Heparin, don't worry, everyone gets it. I've hung my first TPN but have not done a lot with IV's yet. My skills are coming along. I am satisfied with where I am at.

Exciting news is that I go to the OR next week. I have to be at the hospital very early and will receive my patient assisgnment then. I hope I get to see a really good surgery. So far some of my class have seen Thyroidectomies and hysterectomies. I hope I don't feel sick or pass out. I think I'll be O.K. - I love blood and guts so I think I'll be fine. I have to write a paper about it and I'll post it online here.

I wish I had more exciting news to share but lately I've been feeling guilty and worried about sharing too much patient info. I'll try to get better and have some more exciting stories to share.

Run-Ins

2007-06-06T10:26:00.000-07:00

I keep having run ins with people at work. Is run ins a word? Anyway, I keep encountering people with bad attitudes. Or, let me say, people that I perceive to have bad attitudes. I'm quite tired of it. Why can't we all get along? I used to walk away from the people with the bad attitudes, avoiding any kind of confrontation. Now, I confront the bad attitude standing before me and then walk away. I'm sorry but if these people with the bad attitudes keep giving me their "tude" and I keep taking it, then that means more for me later because I am willing to accept it. I don't know when I decided to do this, but I'm glad that I did. Bottom line: treat people the way you wish to be treated and we all might have a happy life.

Birthday ideas

2007-05-31T10:14:00.000-07:00

In case you are wondering what to get me for my birthday - here's an idea. My feet are freakin' killin' me. Tried on a coworkers pair - pure bliss.

11 People failed

2007-05-30T07:33:00.000-07:00

The first exam of the new semester. Luckily, I was not one of them. I squeaked by with a 90. I was shocked. Not that I did not work hard for it, but, the test was an 8/10 on the pain scale. As you can probably surmise from my previous posts, the main content matter for the test was fluids and electrolytes. Now we are onto new material that is equally as difficult, endocrine.

Clinical experience is rolling along. We'll be on the floor this week practicing our new skills of giving injections. I'm nervous, but somehow, I think I'll be alright.

First Nurse to successfully reach the Seven Summits

2007-05-24T07:23:00.001-07:00

Pat Hickey, a nursing professor at the University of South Carolina, completed his climb to the top of Mt. Everest today. This is his final and seventh summit, making him the first nurse to ever conquer the seven summits of the world. In doing so, he has also established the summit scholarship for future nursing students. If this interests you, please follow the link in my blogroll to read more.

Ramblings

2007-05-23T13:33:00.000-07:00

Got the garden planted yesterday. Sean came home early and we had a fine time planting the red leaf and romaine lettuces, arugula, bell peppers, collards, rosemary, basil, lavender, cilantro, parsley, tomatoes (of course), cucumbers, zuchinni - can't remember what else. Should be a great season and I'll bet we see some tomatoes earlier this year than last, due to the warm temps. I'd still like to add some flowers to the plot. Will post some pictures soon.

I had to remove our picture from the blog. Several medical bloggers are gone due to the fact that someone found them out and shut them down. I don't know all of the specifics but I think it is better for my face to not be related to the blog where I talk about any of the medical things that I encounter. HIPPA rules.

School is going along. A lot of material but I still put in at least three hours of study time a day. First exam of the semester is Tuesday. I was really freaked at the beginning of the semester but have decided I have to relax a bit about it. I am doing this for a reason and I am here for the right reasons. I'll be fine.

Thanks for reading.

For the love of Chick Fil A ( a true love story)

2007-05-23T12:44:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, my husband travelled South to visit his family. I was unable to go due to.. my many obligations and uncertainty regarding schedule. I asked him to bring me one thing back, a Chick Fil A sandwich. If you do not know what this is, I'm sorry. Google it and find out. No, really, Chick Fil A is an Atlanta based chain. I would call it fast food, because I guess it really is, although, it is more healthy than most. The chicken filets are breaded lightly and pressure cooked. I guess that is what makes them so special. They don't taste fried because they aren't. Placed on a warm bun with 2 pickles, and voila, magic in your mouth. At least for me anyway. O.K., back to the story. When my husband arrived home Monday evening and picked me up from work, I walked in the door to see the familiar Chick Fil A bag, YES - He did bring me back a sandwich! Then he proceeded to tell me the story about how he had to get the prized chicken on a bun. He did not fly in and out of Atlanta but had a layover there. So, he found online that there was a Chick Fil A in the Atlanta airport. So he thinks, no prob, I'll pick up the sandwich there and it will be a little fresher than getting it where he originally came from. However, the franchise in the airport is CLOSED DUE TO RENOVATIONS. Holy hell, he thinks, I cannot show up back in Connecticut without the damned sandwich. What to do, What to do? Well, my friends, he called Chick Fil A to find out where the closest one was. He then got on MARTA (rapid transit in Atlanta) and took one train South to the middle of the MARTA system (Little Five Points) and then hops another train to CNN Center where the closest franchise is. He gets Three fabulous Chick Fil A's and makes it back to airport in 15 minutes before his flight back home is to depart the gate. Very close. I'm very endeared by this story. We miss the South so much. It was so wonderful having a little piece of home on a bun. My honey loves me, yes he does.

"I'm not the nurse" and other miscellany

2007-05-21T05:57:00.000-07:00

At my job, people think I am a nurse(instead of a nursing assistant). This happens at least once a shift. I have been approached by doctors, family members and other people who work in the hospital, like transport and respiratory. The other night, another nurse thought I was a nurse. It was really funny. I needed to get a short break in to eat, it was really insane Friday night. I went to the nurses station to tell the secretary I had to take a break and could someone cover for me. A nurse that was on our unit from the ICU said she would do it. I gave her the rundown, so and so is on frequent vitals, so and so is having diarrhea, etc... When I came back she gave me report and I looked at her and said, "you know I'm not the nurse, right?" She thought she volunteered to cover for another nurse. It was really funny. I think people think I'm a nurse because I am the only nursing assistant that wears my stethoscope. I wear it in case there are learning opportunities. I don't know, maybe I should'nt wear it anymore? Nah, I'm gonna keep on wearing it.

I'm it

2007-05-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

Diasappearingjohn has meme tagged me. Yah - I feel so accomplished, blogospherically speaking.

Here are the rules: Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves. Write a post about your own random things. Post these rules. At the end of your blog, tag 8 people and post their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment and tell them they're tagged.

1. My favorite movie is 50 First Dates. The end makes me cry every single time.
2. I love Disco, it's my favorite kind of music. I always wanted to have a disco themed party. I hope to someday.
3. My most embarrassing moment was in college. I was standing in line in the student bookstore. Someone from behind tapped me on the shoulder to tell me there was smoke coming from my purse. I freaked of course. Some matches in my purse somehow sparked a flame and indeed, a fire in my purse.
4. No matter how many times I have burned myself, I will still iron clothes while they are on my body.
5. I have lived in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, the Virgin Islands, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
6. I have never travelled outside the country but I will.
7. My husband and I are getting our finances in order and acting like grownups. For the first time in my life, I am living on a budget and we are slowly paying off debts accumulated from years ago. We have not used a credit card since 12/05. We'll never use a credit card again.
8. I spend a lot of time reading blogs and lurking, not always posting.

I'm tagging:

Student Nurse Nancy over at www.stethoscopesanddiapers.blogspot.com
Soulshine at www.my-journey-as-a-student-nurse.blogspot.com
Prisca at www.nursesomeday.blogspot.com
Bohemian Road Nurse at www.bohemianknitter.blogspot.com

Sorry - can't think of any others.

Fluids and Electrolytes Made Incredibly Easy

2007-05-13T21:40:00.000-07:00

Off to Border's tomorrow (today - late at night, just got home from work) to purchase this gem. I'm desperate. I don't give up easily. Friends over at www.allnurses.com say this is the best resource to drive this concept home. My big Med-Surg book is just not doing it for me. I'll continue to post questions on this subject though because it is helping me learn. I think I need to get on my knees and start praying.

Work - such a bear today - four hours I had to cover the ENTIRE floor - that's 36 patients!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks God their life did not depend on little ole me.

Happy Mother's Day Everyone

2007-05-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

Enjoy the laughs and smiles of your kids today. I miss my moms and gradmoms - they are all so far away.

The nurse is assigned to care for a group of clients. On review of the clients' medical records, the nurse determines that which client is at risk for fluid volume excess?

A. The client with renal failure
B. The client with an ileostomy
C. The client taking diuretics
D. The client who requires gastrointestinal suctioning

Spring is here..that means garden time

2007-05-12T07:18:00.000-07:00

Not much going on here except the usual school and work. I am itching to plant our garden but Sean is working today and will be out of town next weekend - so I'm not sure when we'll get to plant - but hopefully by the end of May. I'd do it without him, but it's more fun to do it together. The weather has been glorious and that just makes it harder to focus on school. I try to get outside with my books as often as possible. Last May was dreadful, I remember it rained for weeks on end. Hope everyone is enjoying the challenging NCLEX review questions on fluids and electrolytes. I've been posting the answers and the rationales in the comments section if you are curious.

The nurse is caring for a client with acute congestive heart failure who is receiving high doses of a diuretic. On assessment, the nurse notes that the client has flat neck veins, generalized muscle weakness, and diminished deep tendon reflexes. The nurse suspects hyponatremia. What additional signs would the nurse expect to note in this client if hyponatremia were present?

A. Dry skin
B. Decreased urinary output
C. Increased specific gravity of urine
D. Hyperactive bowel sounds

Review Question 5.11.07

2007-05-11T09:50:00.000-07:00

The nurse reviews the serum Phosphorus level and notes that the client's level is 2.0 mg/dL. Which condition most likely caused this serum phosphorus level?
A. Alcoholism
B. Hypoparathyroidism
C. Tumor Lysis Syndrome
D. Renal insufficiency

More fun and Games

2007-05-10T05:45:00.000-07:00

A nurse is caring for a client who has been taking diuretics on a long term basis. The nurse suspects a fluid volume deficit. Which assessment finding would the nurse note in a client with this condition?

A. Rales
B. Increased Blood Pressure
C. Decreased Hematocrit
D. Decreased Central Venous Pressure

Losing it.

2007-05-09T11:53:00.000-07:00

I am really losing it. Not a day goes by that I don't question my ability to do this. This fluid and electrolyte business is blowing my mind. Maybe it is the sheer volume of information. I am searching for a way to make my mind understand this material. Any suggestions?

Today's Winner will receive.....

2007-05-09T11:49:00.000-07:00

More info on fluids and electrolytes.

The nurse is preparing to care for a client with a potassium deficit. The nurse reviews the client's record and determines that the client is at risk for developing the potassium deficit because the client

A. Requires nasogastric suction
B. Has a history of renal disease
C. Has a history of Addison's disease
D. Is taking a potassium-sparing diuretic

Online Nursing Degrees for Busy RN's

2007-05-09T07:01:00.000-07:00

*The following is a Sponsored post*

There are a lot of programs out there designed for working RN's with Associates, Diploma and Bachelor's degrees. These specialized programs are detailed extensively at www.earnmydegree.com.

Online programs are designed for the working RN who is interested in furthering their degree, whether it be to a BSN or MSN. Many of the online programs offer specialized nursing program certifications in such specialities as Case Management and Forensic Nursing. Online programs offered by such institutions as University of Phoenix, Kaplan University Online and Indiana Wesleyan University offer the working RN flexibility, interactive online course material and all that technology has to offer.

I have thought about this a lot myself. Once I graduate with my RN, I hope to begin work and will consider going for an MSN at some point, hopefully with the financial help of my employer. Since work will be my priority at that time, online courses would be the best way to go. My "student" days will be over after this. Online coursework will give me the flexibility I need to work and to continue my education as it fits my work and home life. I think it is an excellent way for RN's to continue to educate themselves.

Another important aspect of online learning is the pace. It allows you to work at your own pace. Some might like to do a little work everyday while others might enjoying putting in 2 eight hour days of dedicated study time. It is tailored to fit the individual's needs.

I am unsure of the cost of online learning but would think it would cost less than traditional classroom learning since no instructor is needed for each classroom experience.

I think it is worth some thought and will definitely consider online learning to further myself and to complete my Master of Science in Nursing in the future.

Starting the semester off right!

2007-05-08T16:59:00.000-07:00

Scored 98 on the math test today. I counted 5 grades below the required 85 (e-mail is in code so you can see all grades but only know your grade by the code designated for you) - that means those folks have to retake and get an 85 before they will be allowed to pass meds this semester - Bring on the narcs - for me at least. Woot! (As soulshine says over at www.myjourneyasastudentnurse.blogspot.com)

Let's do this nursing thing together

2007-05-08T11:46:00.000-07:00

O.K. - so today was our first lecture of 110. Fluids and Electrolytes. This stuff is hard for me to understand but very necessary to assessing patients. So, I thought I would post a question everyday this semester. The questions will correlate with whatever we are covering in class at the time. This will help me learn as well as teach everyone out in cyberspace a thing or two about this thing we call nursing and all we have to learn.

First question:

The nurse is caring for a client with congestive heart failure. On assessment the nurse notes that the client is dyspneic and that rales are audible on auscultation. The nurse suspects fluid volume excess. What additional signs would the nurse expect to note in this client if fluid volume excess is present?

A. A Decreased central venous pressure
B. Flat neck and hand veins
C. An increase in blood pressure
D. Weight loss

Ahh, Massage

2007-05-02T18:00:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity tonight to do a massage on a paying client (Bonus!). I think it has been about 5 monthes since I last did a massage (except for shoulder rubs on friends here and there). I had some problems with my arm and shoulder and that caused me to take a break from my massage activities.

Oh, how I love massage (drool). Giving and receiving. Sean and I are finally at a point where I am able to receive massage myself once per month, which is so necessary for my body. As a massage therapist, I got massage at least twice a month. My body was so used to it. The we met Dave Ramsey and it went to the wayside for a while. But, now I see a great therapist monthly and I am so thankful for that.

Anyway, back to my original thought. I really enjoyed giving the massage and was so happy to realize that I was very cognizant of my body mechanics. In massage school you are taught how to utilize your body to deliver the pressure without killing your back and other body parts. It just came naturally for me. Then I started thinking about my current and future employment in the healthcare field. Body mechanics are so important. As a nursing assistant and also as a nurse, it is so important to protect your back. Patients are constantly needing "boosting" up in the bed since they tend to slide down in the bed. The nursing assistants and nurses are doing this repeatedly to make the patients more comfortable. I have been doing this repeatedly in the last three weeks to make the patients more comfy. I am usually the one who pipes up and says, "We need to raise the bed height" or "We need to trend the bed", before boosting said patient. Putting the bed in the trendelenburg (sp?) position reverses the head of the bed so it is lower to the floor, really assisting a heavier patient with getting them up in the bed. Hope that makes sense. Anyway, as healthcare professionals, we really need to take the time to take care of ourselves and our backs. We might be busy, but not too busy to remember to raise the bed height or whatever else. I'm glad I am keeping this in mind early on. My new job has really help me to heighten my awareness and my back thanks me for it.

Take care of your back and have a massage - your body will thank you for it.

It's been a crazy couple of weeks

2007-04-30T06:58:00.000-07:00

I'm finally starting on the evening shift this week. I did agree to work 4 shifts this week since I am not in school. These past two weeks have been so hectic. I have been orienting and on the day shift primarily which means getting up at 5:30 every single day, which I hate. The job is pretty much what I expected. The girl who has been training me is really nice and very good with the patients but her chaos has been driving me crazy. She is very disorganized and has bad time management skills which makes for a very hectic shift. I can't wait to get my own assignment (in a week or so) where I can go about the shift in my own organized manner. At least that's the plan. I don't mean to judge her, it's just not how I would do things.

Being in the hospital environment has been a real eye opener as to the actual shortage of health care professionals. I don't know if there is an actual shortage or if it is just budgeting. But, most days, most shifts there are 2 nursing assistants for 36 patients. Most of the nurses have 5-6 patients but there are some days they have 7. Oh, and these are cardiac patients, did I mention that? Scary stuff.

I started my reading assignment for next semester. We are starting with fluids and electrolytes. I spent about 5 hours yesterday reading 1 chapter. It's kind of confusing stuff. My plan is to have all 3 chapters completed by lecture next Tuesday. I don't want to get behind. So, no vacation for me. Not that I planned on having one.

Hope all is well with everyone. Peace - Gina

Final grades

2007-04-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

Gina
Exam 1 (15%) 98.00
Exam 2 (15%) 94.00
Exam 3 (15%) 94.00
Pharmacology (15%) 94.00
Skills (20%) 96.50
Final (20%) 96.00
FINAL GRADE: 95.50
FINAL LETTER GRADE A

Fini

2007-04-24T12:17:00.000-07:00

The first semester is done. Final examination taken today. Good, deep sigh of relief. The exam was long but "fair", as one of my classmates put it. There were some questions that were so easy it was kind of silly, then there were others that required some thought. We had to complete a SOAP note and also a care plan as part of the exam. Think - Link and critically think, as our instructor would say. I'll let you know how I did.

Our clinical ended last Wednesday, but due to my insane schedule, I have not had a chance to post about it. We had our evals and passed some more meds. Somehow the only med I have been allowed to pass is Zocor (high cholesterol) - where is my Oxycodone? I want to give some Narcs, O.K.? We were released extremely early so we could get our party on. (Actually, I think our instructor was just plain sick of us) We all headed to a local pub and toasted our sucesses (see photo). A good time was had by all, and that's all I'm gonna say. I will miss these people. Being my sentimental self, I cried. I know I am making friends that I will stay in touch with for a long time.

Now, a brief 2 week rest and then Part 2 begins. Our next semester starts, literally on the first day, with a math exam. My favorite. Everybody say it together now, "GOOD TIMES!"

Quick post

2007-04-23T13:42:00.000-07:00

It's been so long since my last post. I never intended for this to happen. I started my new job and the semester is ending. My final is tomorrow. I am working my butt off at my new job orienting the day shift last week and this week. Next week should calm down some. I hope. I am not used to working 40 job hours. Ugh - maybe I will be a part time nurse. Will post more when I get a breather. Peace - Gina

A Night of Firsts for the Student Nurse

2007-04-12T07:54:00.000-07:00

YAA!!!!! Had my first med pass last night at clinical, my first IV infiltration (I removed the needle)...... AND..... drum roll...... first straight cath.

Nights on the ortho floor can get a little boring past 8 pm. Most of the patients are sleeping and there is not a lot to do. So, I go looking for opportunities to learn. It really paid off last night. The patient I cathed was not even assigned to me. I just asked if I could do it. We did a bladder scan to see how much urine was being retained in the bladder. The scan revealed 377 mL. We only needed it to read 250 for the go ahead to cath from her nurse. Let me just say, it was not an easy task. She was post op from a total knee and she was a very large woman. It was difficult for her to spread her legs far enough in order for me to be able to find the correct opening to insert the catheter. But, I did it, maintained the sterile technique, got 900 mL from her and relieved a lot of her pain. It was awesome. I was a little nervous, especially since my instructor brought every single student in to watch. Talk about pressure.

I also made a 94 on the math exam. It seems to be my lucky number as I have made a 94 on the last 3 exams. Guess I should take that number to the lottery.

Exams and other Miscellany

2007-04-10T12:52:00.000-07:00

I scored a 94 on Exam 3.

We had our calculations exam today and I think I did enough to pass and not have to retake. We shall see. The problems were not that hard, it was the memorization of certain things that I had some trouble with. For example, remembering how many drops in a teaspoon is difficult for me. We had a long list of things to memorize and that is not my strong point, bring on the concepts and critical thinking any day! I'll have another calc exam at the beginning of 110. I better get to memorizing. I don't think there is any way around it.

Clinical last week was fine. I had a patient with MRSA, an amputation (DO NOT TOUCH THE BANDAGE, ONLY THE MD CAN TOUCH IT!, got it, don't want to touch it anyway), renal failure to the extent that no urine was being output, serious skin breakdown in a place nobody should have it. Patient had severe depression (who would'nt?) and my care plan includes "Risk for Suicide". Being that sick is awful. When I graduate from nursing school, my next tattoo will definitely be "DNR". The thing about clinical that I dislike the most is not knowing what happens to these folks. I guess I will have to learn to deal with that as it is probably that way in the real world.

Next semester will be on a general surgery floor. Hopefully will get to watch some real life surgeries in the OR. That will be so exciting! I can't wait.

That totally Sucked

2007-04-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

I just came from saying goodbye for now to some old friends. I hate that. For the past year, I have been doing volunteer massage at a home where everyone who lives there has AIDS. I've volunteered in many places (mostly HIV/AIDS related) in the past and see it as a good opportunity to give back. Something that has always been important to me. Anyway, I started to have some physical problems with my shoulder, arm and hand at the end of last year. I had to go through some Physical Therapy to get the problem resolved but was unable to do massage there. Along the way, I figured my schedule was already so hectic, I probably needed to give it up for now. You know the whole, "take care of yourself first" thing. So, I went there today during their weekly group meeting to say goodbye "for now" and gather my stuff. I have a very heavy heart over this. I truly made a difference in their lives and they did so with mine. If you have never volunteered or given of your time, I strongly encourage you do to so. There is nothing like the feeling of giving of yourself without asking or expecting anything in return.

Goodbye "for now" my sweet friends and take good care of yourself. You are missed by my heart.

Change

2007-04-08T15:14:00.000-07:00

I'm making some changes. I have been working in the same position for a while now. I decided the commute was too far for me and wanted to experience some new things. I start my new job next Monday. I'll be working at the same hospital where I have my clinicals. I'll be working closely with other nurses as an aide so I think it will be some good experience to bring to the table of nursing school. I'll also be on a cardiac telemetry floor which should help prepare me nicely for Nursing 200 - clinical on a Cardiac ICU. Wish me luck on my new journey.

Other things going on - 3 tests the next three weeks and the semester is over. I get a 2 week break but will still be orienting on my new job, so not sure how much time I will find myself having off. I've heard from other students before me that the jump from Nursing 100 to 110 is pretty significant. We'll see. I enjoy learning but I feel so stupid sometimes that I find myself where I am right now. Why the hell could I have not figured out what I wanted to do years ago? I already know the answer to it. I wasn't ready. Logically, it makes sense, it just pisses me off. Arg!

Please check out the AT and Everest links. It is really cool stuff. Take care everyone, thanks for reading and have a great week.

In peace - Gina

Since I'm on a posting roll......

2007-04-01T18:03:00.000-07:00

Please let me know you are here. Please leave me a comment even if you have to do so anonymously - just sign your name. It makes me feel good to know you are reading. Thanks for visiting.

Quest for Everest Blog

2007-04-01T17:02:00.000-07:00

Keep up with Pat Hickey's quest for Everest at

http://www.myeverest.com/node/465

Geez - I am getting pretty good at this stuff.

Nursing Professor attempts Everest, Possibly the first nurse to summit Everest

2007-04-01T16:50:00.000-07:00

My sweet mil told me about this tonight on the phone. She said she was going to mail me the article but curiosity got the best of me and I had to go ahead and check it out. Sean and I both graduated with undergrad degrees from the University of South Carolina and I consider Columbia, SC my home. This is such a neat article, complete with a scholarship for nursing students. Hope the link works.

http://www.sc.edu/usctimes/articles/2006-12/hickey.html

Dreaming

2007-04-01T12:05:00.000-07:00

I need a study break. I want this to be my next car (gently used, not brand new). I'm thinking in about 5 years. Paid for with cash of course. Thanks Dave Ramsey for making me wait so long to have what I want!

Miles and Miles

2007-04-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

I am so impressed that my friend and former teacher of massage has hiked 167 miles along the AT. All I can say is WOW. I was also thinking how interesting it is that by the time he completes the hike in Maine, which will take him until roughly September or October, I will be in my 3rd semester of nursing school.

It has been another busy week for me. I am feeling more confident in my clinical and assessment skills. We had a patient walk into our office this past Friday. Well, she was not really walking but rather being supported by her son. I grabbed our pulse ox and went out into the waiting room with another one of my co-workers. As soon as I was in front of her, I told the girls in the front office to call 911. Something was not right with this woman. You could tell just by looking at her. Her sats were in the low 80's and her heart rate in the 130's. I asked her if she was having any weakness on either of her sides because I noticed that one side of her face was slightly drooping. She said yes. I'm thinking stroke here and she is only 35, yikes, my age. Thankfully, it did not turn out to be a stroke. Not sure what yet but they gave her some Narcan in the ER and she got better. She does have a lot of stress in her life so the possibility of an OD cannot be ruled out I guess. I think the best part of the experience for me is I remained calm. I thought of pertinent questions to ask and I did not hesitate with what my gut was telling me to do. Go me.

Rubberband

2007-03-25T08:10:00.000-07:00

I feel like a rubberband. Being pulled in too many directions this past week. The semester will be over in 5 weeks and we have four more exams. It's all I can do to keep up. I should not be blogging but it has been long since my last post and I feel like taking a break to catch my breath.

I'm still trying to get through these 12 chapters of math. Math scares me. Science used to, but not anymore. The calculations exam is coming and I am shaking in my shoes. I know I can do this and I will. I try to complete all of the readings, but sometimes, it is just not humanly possible.

So, as I said, this week has been crazy. I'm considering a job change and that has taken up some of my time this week, with interviews, etc... I don't advise this as a nursing student. The plate is already way to full. Getting dressed up and going to interviews, trying to sell myself. Put me back in my scrubs where I belong.

Clinical this week resulted in the dreaded incident report. I had a patient with RA and Osteoporosis, weak from a spinal surgery. We were ambulating her to the BR when she decided to sit down on her knees. She did not fall, per se, but nonetheless, I had to answer for it. Felt bad that the nurse had to file the incident report, as if she does not have enough to do. Ack, I felt bad and still do. But, the good thing, lesson learned, it will not happen again. Another good thing, she was fine.

O.K. - I feel better now. Off to do more learnin'. Wish me luck with the math.

Oh My.....

2007-03-17T13:20:00.000-07:00

WHAT have I gotten myself into? I am experiencing an overwhelming feeling today. I thought I was doing so well, having completed all the reading for this week (thanks to our huge snowstorm yesterday). I thought today, well, since I am so ahead, what more do I need to do. Well, it turns out I need to get through 12 chapters of my math book for class week after next and read over 100 pages of pharmocology. Oh, yeah, I still need to finish this week's care plan due Wednesday. I think the main thing is the drug calculations are coming and I am really starting to get nervous. Math has never been my strong point and this is serious stuff. No way to make mistakes administering meds to real people. I take this stuff seriously. Six more weeks of the semester to go and the last four weeks include a test each week. Pharm, skills, etc..... Seriously, I am freakin' out folks.

Oh yeah, it's St. Patrick's Day and if any of you have the time to enjoy it, please do!

O.K. - DEEP BREATHS...........

Wrong on so many levels....

2007-03-15T10:49:00.000-07:00

I hate to be judgemental and try very hard not to be but I am having a hard time getting my head around this one.

We had a patient last night, admitted with AIDS, Hep C and TB. Here's my problem. The patient's spouse is unaware of the HIV/AIDS. Can you imagine? I can't. I'm sorry. This is horrifying to me. I have a special interest in HIV/ AIDS and Infectious Disease. I have volunteered with people with AIDS. I don't know what first drew me to it. Initially, I think I just felt bad about the public rejection that these people face. I hope to work more with it as a nurse. I think.

I can empathize with people that are given this diagnosis. I certainly have not been there, but, I can empathize and care. I can't really empathize or understand how a person can decide they have the right to put another person's life at risk by exposing them to a deadly virus.

Maybe I am being too judgemental here. Maybe this person and their spouse do not have an intimate relationship. Maybe, Maybe???

Test results and registration

2007-03-13T10:46:00.000-07:00

Finally got my test back from last week, made a 94. Feel great about it. Most of the ones I missed were dumb mistakes. Today we also had to register for next semester, which means the dreaded lottery. If you're a nursing student, I'm not sure how your school does it but I would love to know, so please comment. Our school has a list of days, times and clinical sites. They pick our name out of an envelope and based on the order, you can get your first choice, etc. I got really lucky the first time. Got my first choice. Today, I was like the next to the last one called. So, I still got the same facility I am at now, which I wanted - but, I will be spending every Saturday from May through August at the hospital from 7am - 4 pm. Ugh - there must be some reason why. I did manage to avoid getting a clinical instructor I did not want, so that is a great thing.

Gotta finish up that care plan now for clinical tomorrow.

Lesson for the Day: Perspective is everything

2007-03-12T16:03:00.000-07:00

I think I've mentioned in the past that I am currently working as a medical assistant in a doctor's office. Something to do through nursing school. (The times they may be a changin' though). Anyway, had a bad interaction with a patient today. The other MA took the patient back for intake and then she comes out of the room and says,"Can you go take care of that patient because she does'nt want me touching her since I have a cold." Alrighty then, no prob. So I go into the room and the first thing she says to me after my hi and hellos is, "Are you germ free?" I should have kept my mouth closed, but no, the conversation goes something like this:

I say, "Well, I think so, have no symptoms of anything (except this pain in my ass called you, methinks to myself), but you never know." I continue on by saying that, "She (my coworker) might just have allergies and not a cold" The patient states that, "She told me she has had a cold since Friday." I say, "Oh she mentioned to me earlier that she thought that it could allergies." She wants to keep going on and on about this but I divert her by saying, "Would you like to check your weight today?"

Patient gets on the scale and my reading is off from her reading from yesterday by 12 pounds. Patient says, "That can't be right, my weight was 162 yesterday." I say, "Sometimes scales vary and usually you end up weighing more at the doctor than at home." (Has always been true for me - even by 10 pounds or so) I tell her, "I'll make a note of that so the doctor can see." She gets back on the scale as I am filling out paperwork and fiddles with the thing. She finally sits down and we have a non confrontational conversation.

Then as I am preparing to leave the room, she looks me dead in the eye and says, "I just want you to take a look at that scale one more time." I look at the scale and do the quick calculations in my head and realize that I have either miscalculated or she has changed it to be closer to what she thought it was. So, I take the high road and say, "I'm sorry, I guess I looked at the scale wrong, I made a mistake." She says, "That is a very painful mistake." I say, "Ma'am, as I said, I am sorry, I am human and I make mistakes." With that I turned on my heel and said, "Doctor will be with your shortly." Goodbye angry patient. No, Patient is not in any pain, she is only there for a routine follow up. She is just a nasty, rude thing. Anyway, I made the doctor aware that patient was upset with me as I got the scale wrong.

This incident happened right after lunch, so all day I am waiting for the "talk" from the doctor. Finally comes at the end of the day. "What happened with so and so," MD says. I tell my stuff. MD says, " I just want to let you know what she had to say from her perspective and how she viewed the conversation." Fine, whatever. MD keeps saying she does not feel I did anything wrong but it is important for me to understand how some people view things. Yes, I already know this, I am 36 years old. Am I going to make friends with everybody I come into contact with, no. Sometimes people just don't mesh and this was one of those times. MD tells me that when I said my coworker might have allergies that she felt I was lying to her. I tell MD that I was only trying to assuage her anxious feelings about "catching germs" (hello, you are in a doctor's office and they are everywhere). Even though, my coworker did tell me she did not know if it was a cold or allergies. Wow, that sure did backfire. Sheesh, now I don't know what to say. To anyone, lest they get offended or whatever. End of story really, just wanted to get it off my chest.

Some people, I just don't know about them.

Hiking the AT

2007-03-10T06:48:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite massage instructors is hiking the AT from Georgia to Maine. I think this is great. Check out his site at www.fredhikes2007.com. He should be hitting the trail next Saturday. Join me in cheering him on.

MRSA, Masturbation and .....

2007-03-08T17:04:00.000-08:00

Need I say more?

Absolutely! Clinical this week rocked! Not only did we have a good time, but we all had a great mix of patients with all sorts of stuff going on. Hence, the title. More on the specifics later.

Last night was our first night on the floor with our co-teacher, Maxine. We have two clinical instructors. They are both really good. We all have a good time with them. They alternate between clinicals. Last night was our first night with Maxine. It was really entertaining. I pulled my patient's chart and immediately came to the conclusion that it would be pretty boring, post op total knee day 2 , off PCA, able to get out of bed. I'm thinking, yeah, I'm not gonna have a lot to do with her. She's 62, she's post op a few days, she's ready to get out of this place. Realization is: not so much. She is totally drugged out. Cannot even remember that her spouse visited her earlier, WTH? Then find out, no voided urine since foley came out early am. That becomes the problem of the day. WILL SHE PEE? and if so, WHEN AND HOW MUCH? After her failed attemps at the bedpan, must straight catheterize her. No, I have not learned this skill yet. My instructor must show me the way. By the third attempt, yes, you read that right, we evacuate 450 mL of straw colored urine. I won't go into the painful part of the three attempts at the cath, it just simply took the three times, maybe possibly because the patient was female and a little obese and, bless her heart, somewhat anxious. I wish I could have done it but I have not practiced that skill yet - so, will have to wait until another time. But, hey, I am ready, willing and able. My patient also had to go down for an ultrasound of one of her legs. Her nurse felt like she could be developing a DVT. The calf circumfrence was 2 inches different on her surgical leg than her other leg. That was a cool experience.

That was about it for my patient. But, woohoo, the other student nurses had some humdingers. I was peeking into the rooms to see if I might be of assistance (remember NOSY). At the end of the night, right before post conference, one of our other patients had made bad BM all over the bed. Poor fella, enlarged scrotum (what is that all about anyway?), BM all over the place. It took about 4 of us to clean him up. I'm sorry if this is grose, but this is nursing school, ya know? Another 2 patients on the floor could not quite make it to the bathroom, thus, more BM on the hospital floors for us nursing students to clean up. Although, poor Maxine, had to clean up some liquid stool that splashed everywhere. Sorry, but I had to laugh. By the end of the night, she is wearing hospital scrubs because she has some "stuff" on her street clothes. So funny. I see this happening to me in the future.

And last but not least. One of the younger girls in my clinical says to me right before post conference, "Gina, Guess what my patient was doing when I went in to let him know we were leaving for the night?" Um, yeah, "What?" "He was masturbating." "Oh, really?" "Was he using his good arm or his bad arm?" HAHAHA Guy was end stage renal disease , positive for MRSA and had an AV fistula and his arm was the size of two of my thighs. I just had to laugh it was so funny. Sex is at the very basic level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. I guess it does not matter if the sex includes another person or a hand.

Stayed tuned for more - Thanks for reading - Gina

Monster Test

2007-03-06T10:08:00.000-08:00

The test today was pretty hard I tell ya. I know a 110 or 200 student would be laughing about it, but to us, we were freaked. Everybody was pretty stunned to see the discussion type questions on the test. I feel like I did pretty well on those. It's those pesky mutiple choice questions that get me every time. I'm still keeping a positive attitude that I met my goal of at least a 90.

Then I get my care plan back and red pen everywhere! I'm not so good at this care planning business. I am working on the plan for this week, trying to follow all of the advice given by the instructor. I'm not the only one, but it's still embarrassing, I am officially in the "Needs Improvement" category on my care plans. I don't think I've been classified in that manner since grade school. HAHA

Back to care planning.

Peace - Gina

Things about Clinical I really Like

2007-03-01T15:47:00.000-08:00

I was thinking about Clinical today and realized, it is a lot of fun. There are some elements that I really enjoy.

Teamwork: We are there to help eachother. Yeah, we have our own patients, but usually somebody's patient may be a little less work than someone else's so that person is always like, "What can I do to help?" "Does anybody need me to help them?" One student had to leave last night because she got violently ill all over the bathroom. So, another student just picks right up and starts taking care of her patient. Love it. Really did not need to be told to do it, just picked right up and kept the flow rolling.
More on teamwork: The first thing we do when we arrive at the hospital and get our assignments is get the patient's chart and start going through every single page. I love this part but I will tell you why a few lines down. Anyway, here we all are looking at the admitting diagnosis, previous admission info, diseases and medications, etc... Yesterday it went something like this:

"What's ETOH?"
"alcohol"
"What's SVT?"
"Supraventricular Tachycardia"
"What's NWB?"
"Non weight bearing"

It's cool because everyone is asking or answering. Someone in the group knows. I love it. There are times when nobody knows but the instructor - that's cool too.

Knowledge and information: Oh boy, I am almost salivating each and everytime I get a new chart in my hands. Our instructor has this thing about nurses. "Nurses are nosy", he says. Yep, that's me, must be the right profession. Oh, how I love to read the chart and find out all the details. I even ask my cohorts (HAHA, makes me laugh every time) if I can have a peek at their chart when they are done, I am so nosy.

There are other things but I will post as I think of them. I wish I could spend my student nursing time with these 8 people but there is a great possibility that won't happen due to the way things are configured in our program.

Peace - Gina

Clinical, Care Plans and Exams

2007-03-01T06:25:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a week because there really has been anything to post about. My time has been spent preparing for our next Fundamentals test, which is Tuesday, and dealing with the dreaded Care Plans.

I'm looking forward to getting the next test behind me. I am still testing the waters to see if my study routine is really working for me. This is the first time in my life that I have actually read the textbook. Usually, I just show up to class, pay attention, review my notes, and VOILA - instant "A". I was literally 'scared' into reading the book by other nursing students ahead of me. Last night at clinical, one of my cohorts (that's what they call us - hilarious), who made a 94 on the exam, told me that he did not read any of the chapters. Ugh, he only scored 4 points less than me. Oh well, I'm going to keep reading.

So, care plans, not a fan here. I can see how they are a learning tool but what a pain in the a$$. Especially since real nurses don't do these in real life. I just have to accept that care plans are a part of my life for the next 17 monthes. :)

Had clinical last night. It's getting better each and every time. My instructor informed me I had a patient that "walked and talked". Thank the Lord. Then he says, "Oh yeah, she worked here for 30 years, she's a retired nurse." OH NO! It actually was very good. The patient loved to chat and tell me all kinds of stories, she was easy to take care of (not always a good thing), but I actually had a chance to talk to my patient, unlike previous weeks.

One of my peers finally broke down and cried last night. I knew it would happen eventually, I just figured it would be me. The Aides on our floor are pretty slack and lazy, to say the least. There are 9 of us taking care of 9 of their patients so they have a lot of free time to gossip in the hall, wrap themselves up in blankets and sit in patient rooms watching TV (yes, I actually saw this), and the like. Well, apparently this student needed some help from the aide and the aide was rude and nasty to her. The student was so angry she started crying. Those aides really pi$$ me off. As students, we more or less have to suck it up and take it.

Oh well, another fun day as a nursing student.

Peace - Gina

A magnet for confusion

2007-02-22T13:37:00.000-08:00

Yeah - That would be me. Regarding clinical patients, that is.

Got to clinical yesterday, got my assignment, pulled the chart and started sifting through the mountain of info. Oh No - I can't believe it - not again - Patient is CONFUSED. CONFUSED - PEOPLE! Why oh why do I always get the CONFUSED patients? God bless them.

O.K., moving on, what can I do, right?

Patient had a laundry list of medical diagnoses. Admit was for fall and fracture to the right femur. Post op times one day open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) (I wish I knew how to set up links in this page so I can explain some of these abbreviations, but I don't, I'll ask Sean and seem much more savvy next time.) Also, HTN, MI, GERD, Seizures, Meningioma and the list goes on and on.

Main goal for today is interview and head to toe assessment. Upon meeting Miss sweet old thing (southern roots coming out there) , automatically determine interview will not be taking place. My instructor came in the room for the initial intro and asked her "Tell me how you fell?" Miss sweet old thing says, "My father's not here." She was so cognitively impaired there was no possibility of getting a straight answer out of her.

It's good to have experience with patients with dementia. However, it is not so good to have them at every single clinical. I am unable to work on some of the skills I need to master. Such as, sitting down and having a conversation with a patient. So far, both the patients I have had at clinical have no idea what is going on. Oriented times nothing. It's sad to see this is how some folks turn out in their older years, but unfortunately, it is reality.

On a brighter note, I did enjoy my time with this patient. I, along with a classmate of mine, got to help her get ready for bed. So, we washed her up and rubbed her down, changed her brief and tucked her in for the night. She really was a sweet thing.

I asked my instructor for a patient that I might have a chance of communicating with next week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Peace - Gina

Nursing School Etiquette (or any educational program for that matter)

2007-02-20T13:06:00.000-08:00

A few tips on becoming and staying a nursing student:

Come to class and clinical each and every time on time.
Do not bring your children to class with you.
Bring an open, non-judgemental mind, along with a positive attitude and willingness to learn.
Please do not interrupt the instructor when he/she is lecturing. This includes answering the questions posed to the instructor from another student. The student is asking the instructor for their expertise, not yours.
Please keep your shared comments and "life experiences" to a minimum. We all have stories to share, however, some of us don't feel the need to dominate the classroom time with all our "life experiences".
When selecting your wardrobe for the day, please choose attire that covers your abdominal region.
While you may be confident, and that's great, please don't be a know-it-all, seen-it-all, done-it-all kind of nursing student. This is a very scary thing.

Just some thoughts from class today :) Clinical is tomorrow and I am looking very forward to it. I can't wait to share my experience. Feel free to comment on the above tips, I am sure I missed a few important ones.

Babysitting MD's

2007-02-18T18:02:00.000-08:00

Monday is looming.

This is a rant about my job. I work as a medical assistant for a doctors office. Small office, but pretty busy. I work part time. Hours depend on the MD availability, but usually at least 20 hours a week.

I am irritated by many things at this job. I'm sure you will hear more on this later. My biggest beef is the fact that someone has to babysit the doctor at the end of the day. This really grates on my nerves. Supposedly it has something to do with safety. I would feel safe leaving the location at night by myself , but that is just me.

So, our last patient appointment is 4:45, which means XYZ MD is done by maybe 5:15 at the earliest. XYZ MD has had 20 patients throughout the day and has 20 patient notes to complete. Little MA (ME or whoever else) has to wait until XYZ MD is done with said notes before leaving the premises. Most of the time this encompasses XYZ MD doing work to keep MA busy until XYZ MD is done so MA is not sitting around doing nothing or playing solitaire on the outdated computer (another problem).

Really ridiculous. Anyway, we all try to rotate the week so no one person has to babysit XYZ MD more than once thru the week.

I wonder if tomorrow will be my day?

WOOHOO Good Times -

Kind of in peace - Gina

Alas, snow, sleet and my clinical is cancelled

2007-02-14T10:23:00.000-08:00

Why does it have to be that the only winter storm we received this year comes on a clinical day for me? This means I have to stay inside and study all day as opposed to going to the hospital to deal one on one with a post surgical orthopedic patient. The latter being much more exciting.

I had an exciting plan for my clinical today, it being the second one where I have had patient interaction. My first clinical experience was not so hot. Kind of boring, actually. Had an older fella, age of 87, post op times 2 days for a total knee arthroplasty. He was tired and confused. Not really interested in dealing with all of us students. Today I planned to really make it a great experience. Go in and introduce myself to my patient and complete my assessment very thoroughly, checking heart, lung and bowel sounds and everything else in between. I also planned to let the nurse in charge of the patient know that if she needed me to do anything at all, please let me know. I am ready and willing to take another patient to the bathroom or lift them up in the bed. Whatever is necessary, whatever it takes to just get my hands on a few more people and not sit around browsing through my nursing books.

Alas, I must wait until next week to make it a great clinical experience. And I shall.

Back to reading about wounds, at least I have a snowy scene outside the window.

Peace - Gina

About that Grade

2007-02-13T10:18:00.000-08:00

Well, I got my first nursing exam back today. I was kidding with one of my classmates the other day. When he asked me how I did, I said "I think I got a 100" and laughed. I felt like I did pretty well on the test. Probably not that well, but, let's just say, I was feeling confident. So, I got close, I made a 98 - HAHA. That is awesome since it means I grasped the concepts and answered most of the questions (all but one) successfully.

This is what's wierd. I missed the very first question. Here it is:

When formulating a definition of "health", a nursing student should consider that health is:

a. a function of the physiological state of the person
b. the absence of disease
c. a state of well being involving the whole person
d. the ability to pursue activities of daily living

Which answer do you think is correct?

Nursing tests are designed to present the student with 2 answers that seem correct so that the student can identify the BEST answer. The nursing test that students take at the end of their program, called the NCLEX, is designed this way. So, it's just best to get in this mindframe of thinking early on for better success on the NCLEX so you can actually get a license to be a nurse.

I'm not going to tell you which answer I picked, but it was obviously not the right one. Share some comments and let me know what you think the correct choice might be.

On another note - We are expecting a Nor'easter here tonight and tomorrow and I hope my clinical at the hospital does'nt get cancelled tomorrow.

Peace - Gina

Round 1

2007-02-10T14:11:00.000-08:00

Thanks for visiting RN someday, my blog about my adventures, or misadventures, at times, as a nursing student. I am only 5 weeks into my studies as an ADN student. I graduate in August 2008 if all goes well. What they say about nursing school is very true. It is unlike any other kind of class or course you have ever taken. I feel like I eat, drink and sleep nursing. It is very hard to describe. I think it is very different because when you actually become an RN, well, even as a student, you are literally responsible for other peoples lives and that is a very powerful thing. Life changing for sure. Right now, I am waiting until class this week to find out how I did on my very first test. I am used to making A's, as I did in all of my pre req courses. I feel pretty good about the test, but, who knows, we shall see. I will keep you updated on my progress. I don't really care if I make an "A" or a "B", my main goal is LEARNING and KNOWING so I can build on my knowledge as it grows.

Wow - I have a blog. I feel crazy, I feel wierd. I cannot believe I am actually writing to the world about my experiences as a student nurse, and maybe beyond, if I decide blogging is for me.

Why blog? A few reasons -

Release!!! (tension and stress) Also, I started reading other student blogs and other nurses blogs just to learn and for support. Also, to post for a scholarship I read about. It must be submitted to a blog. Good motivation to start. I also want to help others by sending any advice or knowledge their way.

I think this might be enough for my first ever blogging post.

More later - In Peace - Gina