Was I crazy thinking that I could move into a house with my parents so we could all get through these trying times financially and not go stark raving MAD?
It's been 3 months and I am already starting to want to slit my wrists and scream my bloody head off!
I moved out when I was 17 and moved 3000 miles away... I remember why now!
So you idiot Christine .... I told you so!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
8 weeks done!
Only 10 weeks more to go till summer! You know these 8 weeks really have flown by, but they sure were crammed.
So what did I learn this week in clinical?
1. That I still don't want to be a CNA in LTC!
2. That I may be a bit too ambitious for my own good and that picking the recent kidney transplant person, as my first Careplan, just because it contained all the COOL drugs does not make for a short med pass!
3. That 0400 is too damn early, but I like being done with a full day by 1400
4. That those on Coumadin sure can bleed when stuck with a small lancet!
5. That nurses in LTC do in fact still work their butts off even if it does look fun just passing meds!
So what did I learn this week in clinical?
1. That I still don't want to be a CNA in LTC!
2. That I may be a bit too ambitious for my own good and that picking the recent kidney transplant person, as my first Careplan, just because it contained all the COOL drugs does not make for a short med pass!
3. That 0400 is too damn early, but I like being done with a full day by 1400
4. That those on Coumadin sure can bleed when stuck with a small lancet!
5. That nurses in LTC do in fact still work their butts off even if it does look fun just passing meds!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Musings and such
So in class yesterday we never did get to the Mental Health Chapters. We were trying to finish up some things that were going to be on the test next week. There is so much, although the chapters in the books are short reads they encompass such a broad range of stuff to throw at us in a 20 question test.
Rehabilitation (Chpt 39)
Long Term Care (Chpt 38)
Home Healthcare (Chpt 37)
Culture (Chpt 7)
Coping Mechanisms, Stress and Anxiety (Chpt 34)
Death, Dying and Loss (Chpt 9)
It's no wonder we are all feeling so discombobulated!
Oh... in the randomness that is my thought process sometimes... I just realized that in three months I will have TWO children in High School!! I am feeling so OLD!
Rehabilitation (Chpt 39)
Long Term Care (Chpt 38)
Home Healthcare (Chpt 37)
Culture (Chpt 7)
Coping Mechanisms, Stress and Anxiety (Chpt 34)
Death, Dying and Loss (Chpt 9)
It's no wonder we are all feeling so discombobulated!
Oh... in the randomness that is my thought process sometimes... I just realized that in three months I will have TWO children in High School!! I am feeling so OLD!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Hybrid Day.. Start of week 8
Ah... I love hybrid days, especially when my husband doesn't have to go to work and I don't have to go and get him. I may have a line on a car for $1500 that I can get now that my student loan money is finally almost here! I've already paid my tuition for the semester and was counting on the money to "support" me while in school so I don't have to work right now. Hybrid days are great! It's like having another 3 day weekend. Of course I need to get cracking on the Pharmacology and Theory studying for the tests next week. Tomorrow starts our Mental Health Chapters,I've always been interested in Mental Health and thought Psych. Nursing would be interesting, of course I am not sure yet, but this will give me an idea I suppose.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
A meme for Couples
I always find these interesting. Thanks Jen in the Desert!
What are your middle names?
Lee, David
How long have you been together?
12 Years this time, alhough we first met and fell in love in December of 1989
How long did you know each other before you started dating?
About 5 minutes
Who asked whom out?
He asked me out, but I sent him a birthday card this time to get the ball rolling.
How old are each of you?
Me- 33 Him - 37
Whose siblings do you see the most?
They all live in another state and the last time we saw them, we saw them all. But I talk to my sister the most
Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
Infertility which lead to a cancer dx
Did you go to the same school?
Yes but not at the same time.
Are you from the same home town?
i don't really have a home town (we moved alot) but in a round about way, yeah you could say we were.
Who is smarter?
I have the higher IQ but he knows alot about things i don't and vise versa
Who is the most sensitive?
Ha! That would have to be him actually
Where do you eat out most as a couple?
We like to try different things all the time so we don't really frequent the same place too many times.
Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Across country from Massachusetts to Arizona
Who has the craziest exes?
That is a total TIE!
Who has the worst temper?
Him without a doubt
Who does the cooking?
ME... as a matter of fact he just came in asking what was for supper
Who is the neat-freak?
Me, but not by much. I hate to clean
Who is more stubborn?
depends on what it is that we are being stubborn about. It can be me or him equally
Who hogs the bed?
Me!
Who wakes up earlier?
He does for sure. But he naps, I don't.
Where was your first date?
I don't know if we had a real first date. We hung out a lot at my house, then his house. When we were kids, but this last time we went to dinner.
Who is more jealous?
Me.
How long did it take to get serious?
About minutes after we first met each time. But it took 10 years to get married.
Who eats more?
Him, even though he's skinny and I am NOT
Who does the laundry?
We both do, or else it would be way more wrinkled if I let him do it alone.
Who's better with the computer?
Me
Who drives when you are together?
he does
What are your middle names?
Lee, David
How long have you been together?
12 Years this time, alhough we first met and fell in love in December of 1989
How long did you know each other before you started dating?
About 5 minutes
Who asked whom out?
He asked me out, but I sent him a birthday card this time to get the ball rolling.
How old are each of you?
Me- 33 Him - 37
Whose siblings do you see the most?
They all live in another state and the last time we saw them, we saw them all. But I talk to my sister the most
Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
Infertility which lead to a cancer dx
Did you go to the same school?
Yes but not at the same time.
Are you from the same home town?
i don't really have a home town (we moved alot) but in a round about way, yeah you could say we were.
Who is smarter?
I have the higher IQ but he knows alot about things i don't and vise versa
Who is the most sensitive?
Ha! That would have to be him actually
Where do you eat out most as a couple?
We like to try different things all the time so we don't really frequent the same place too many times.
Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Across country from Massachusetts to Arizona
Who has the craziest exes?
That is a total TIE!
Who has the worst temper?
Him without a doubt
Who does the cooking?
ME... as a matter of fact he just came in asking what was for supper
Who is the neat-freak?
Me, but not by much. I hate to clean
Who is more stubborn?
depends on what it is that we are being stubborn about. It can be me or him equally
Who hogs the bed?
Me!
Who wakes up earlier?
He does for sure. But he naps, I don't.
Where was your first date?
I don't know if we had a real first date. We hung out a lot at my house, then his house. When we were kids, but this last time we went to dinner.
Who is more jealous?
Me.
How long did it take to get serious?
About minutes after we first met each time. But it took 10 years to get married.
Who eats more?
Him, even though he's skinny and I am NOT
Who does the laundry?
We both do, or else it would be way more wrinkled if I let him do it alone.
Who's better with the computer?
Me
Who drives when you are together?
he does
Home Sweet Laptop
Yeah my laptop is home! Oh how I missed it's fast Internet connection, it's glorious sound and gasp! a screen I can actually see without the aide of a magnifying glass... thank you Geek Squad for my "brand new" laptop!!
First Week of Clinical and Week 7 OVER!
Ah... so with that being said, I sure as hell am tired! I am not liking this getting up at 4am crap one bit! Clinical schmincal! Blah! Plus it is in the nastiest Nursing Home I have been to in years! The smell and the dirty sticky floors! Egad! I did manage to escape being on shower and poop brief changing duty. We actually got to do Nursing things! I mean if we are forced to be in the LTC setting again I want to learn those things I haven't already been doing or had been doing for 5 years! I want to see the things we are being tested on in theory, or at least watch them. I was on the rehab side to start off with so at least it's more acute care and many were on IV therapy or post surgical patients expected to go home soon.
I sat in on two discharges, really neat to think I will be one one doing that someday. Patient education. They sound so smart.. LOL . We shadowed the Med Nurse and even got to see some wound care of some nasty Stage Four DU's. Chart reviewed getting ready for the dreaded Care plan and of course did the Vitals rounds, not such a big deal there, but it kept me away from the crap! We also got to sit in on report, of course it wasn't really that informative, but it gives you some tools for future use. The nurses by day two were great. We go to clinical on Thursday and Friday every week from 5:40am to 2:15pm until May 8th ish. I so wish it were May already! Next semester really is all the good stuff!
So now you know where I have been... sleeping! LOL
First Week of Clinical and Week 7 OVER!
Ah... so with that being said, I sure as hell am tired! I am not liking this getting up at 4am crap one bit! Clinical schmincal! Blah! Plus it is in the nastiest Nursing Home I have been to in years! The smell and the dirty sticky floors! Egad! I did manage to escape being on shower and poop brief changing duty. We actually got to do Nursing things! I mean if we are forced to be in the LTC setting again I want to learn those things I haven't already been doing or had been doing for 5 years! I want to see the things we are being tested on in theory, or at least watch them. I was on the rehab side to start off with so at least it's more acute care and many were on IV therapy or post surgical patients expected to go home soon.
I sat in on two discharges, really neat to think I will be one one doing that someday. Patient education. They sound so smart.. LOL . We shadowed the Med Nurse and even got to see some wound care of some nasty Stage Four DU's. Chart reviewed getting ready for the dreaded Care plan and of course did the Vitals rounds, not such a big deal there, but it kept me away from the crap! We also got to sit in on report, of course it wasn't really that informative, but it gives you some tools for future use. The nurses by day two were great. We go to clinical on Thursday and Friday every week from 5:40am to 2:15pm until May 8th ish. I so wish it were May already! Next semester really is all the good stuff!
So now you know where I have been... sleeping! LOL
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Start of week 7
So yes the start of week 7 starts off with a bang of course! I had a presentation on Home Health Care to present, which came out well. Not bad for a last minute throw together I did last night. So yes, class... a surprise move of the next test to a week earlier was awaiting us. Of course it just so happens to include 6 Chapters and is 1 day after the 4 Chapter Pharmacology Test! I also think it is right before our very first Care Plan too for clinical. So yeah next week will be a busy study week,
We are also starting Mental Health Nursing next week, which I am excited about. Except she mentioned it would be a lot of work and a lot of information thrown at us quickly. Like it hasn't been already?
We are also starting Mental Health Nursing next week, which I am excited about. Except she mentioned it would be a lot of work and a lot of information thrown at us quickly. Like it hasn't been already?
Monday, February 16, 2009
Double Date for V-day
He's just not that into you and Outback Steak House with my husband, my daughter and her boyfriend. It was fun. I really liked the movie, kind of a slow starter, but it had its funny parts. Justin Long's part in it made the movie. The Scarlet Johansen parts were... well...icky! LOL
But over all it was a really nice night and I really needed a break.
No class today but I have 8 chapters to read and a power point presentation to get to by tomorrow. Of course I haven't started yet, so off to the races I guess.
Hope everyone had a nice weekend.
But over all it was a really nice night and I really needed a break.
No class today but I have 8 chapters to read and a power point presentation to get to by tomorrow. Of course I haven't started yet, so off to the races I guess.
Hope everyone had a nice weekend.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
SIM... meltdown
It's 1730 you've just been dumped a Pt from PACU, whoever drops him off is talking nonsense and throwing report at you, like a deer in head lights you stand there, not asking the questions that are screaming in your head. The Pt is moaning from the bed he's in pain. You are the Primary Nurse, what do you do first? You can't read the chart, your Aide is standing around, your Secondary Nurse does not really speak English well. Primary Nurse starts to think, Ok delegate, "Secondary looks through the chart to see when last med was given." Secondary nurse begins to freak out over the discrepancy of the age of the pt while he looks for the MAR to find the order for pain meds. Of course he doesn't know how to read the MAR either.
Primary- " Get a set of vitals Aide please." She wanders the room lost. Primary Nurse greets the pt. Assesses his pain on a 0-10 scale, he's talking, then snoring. He is in pain a 46 he says. What does the Primary Nurse do next? She has no idea. Finally trying to gather her thoughts and be assertive she forcefully tells freaking out Secondary Nurse to " Call the Charge Nurse and get the info and check to see if we have the right chart and pt info before we worry about the meds. Secondary Nurse who is locked on the one point calls the Charge but as yet has even looked once at the Pt or the pt ID band.
Charge comes in and we get to the bottom of it, we check the band, it matches the chart, So at least we have his info, but Secondary Nurse is still freaking about the age! So Primary let's the Charge Deal with it and starts to assess the VS, that are still not done. BP 120/72, the AIDE is still standing around looking blank and had no idea what she was doing or how to read the machines. Can't blame her, non of had seen this thing before, but Primary knows enough to look at the computer screen for the data. Sheesh! As we are finally getting through the orders and trying to put on the O2, when Primary noticed the O2 was at 90% and the orders stated keep O2 above 93%, Primary knows she has to assess the pt, but can't for the life of her think of where to begin, and wonders what the hell the cranial nerves have to do with assessment at this point?
"That's enough come on in guys to debrief." the instructors say.
Good news is that all the groups were the same and it turns out that this scenario was for 3rd Block of the RN program, but overall we started to think like nurses by the end, or at least some of us did. So after being scared, sad, pissed, then laughing hysterically we all realized.... "That was fun let's do it again! "
WTF???
Primary- " Get a set of vitals Aide please." She wanders the room lost. Primary Nurse greets the pt. Assesses his pain on a 0-10 scale, he's talking, then snoring. He is in pain a 46 he says. What does the Primary Nurse do next? She has no idea. Finally trying to gather her thoughts and be assertive she forcefully tells freaking out Secondary Nurse to " Call the Charge Nurse and get the info and check to see if we have the right chart and pt info before we worry about the meds. Secondary Nurse who is locked on the one point calls the Charge but as yet has even looked once at the Pt or the pt ID band.
Charge comes in and we get to the bottom of it, we check the band, it matches the chart, So at least we have his info, but Secondary Nurse is still freaking about the age! So Primary let's the Charge Deal with it and starts to assess the VS, that are still not done. BP 120/72, the AIDE is still standing around looking blank and had no idea what she was doing or how to read the machines. Can't blame her, non of had seen this thing before, but Primary knows enough to look at the computer screen for the data. Sheesh! As we are finally getting through the orders and trying to put on the O2, when Primary noticed the O2 was at 90% and the orders stated keep O2 above 93%, Primary knows she has to assess the pt, but can't for the life of her think of where to begin, and wonders what the hell the cranial nerves have to do with assessment at this point?
"That's enough come on in guys to debrief." the instructors say.
Good news is that all the groups were the same and it turns out that this scenario was for 3rd Block of the RN program, but overall we started to think like nurses by the end, or at least some of us did. So after being scared, sad, pissed, then laughing hysterically we all realized.... "That was fun let's do it again! "
WTF???
Thursday, February 12, 2009
fun fun fun
Now this is what I am talking about! Today we are rotating through stations for skills.
* Started with Assessments- Listened to the SIM-woman for Breath sounds! Too cool.
* Now I am in study (45 min) for my Medication Practicum for tomorrow
* Now on to wound care
* then Foley insertions
Then its meet the clinical instructors for the PM session!
* Started with Assessments- Listened to the SIM-woman for Breath sounds! Too cool.
* Now I am in study (45 min) for my Medication Practicum for tomorrow
* Now on to wound care
* then Foley insertions
Then its meet the clinical instructors for the PM session!
2009... you suck
2009- wow where to begin, you are only a little over a month old and you already Suck. First you blow up my husband's car and make me have to carpool! Don't you understand I am not a morning person and do not want to get up at 4:30am! Then you blow up my laptop. Don't you understand that I am a Nursing Student and a laptop is my lifeline! I can't afford to purchase the software it takes to reload a damn operating system! Now you are messing with my car! How dare you cause the motor on my heater/ac to die!! OK so I live in Arizona and it's supposed to be warm here, mild winters, blah blah blah, I had ice on my windshield yesterday and we don't have scrapers here! What am I to do when its as hot as the surface of the sun in a few months with no AC?
What do you say for yourself, 2009?
What do you say for yourself, 2009?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Zuccini, Sardines, Watermelon & Pepper Jack Cheese
I love that show Chopped on FoodNetwork with the guy Ted from those Queer Eye shows. They give the nastiest foods to them to create three courses with 30 minutes for each hence the title of this blog. Yummmm.... NOT!
In other news...
Class was weird yesterday. Some random person recorded the Instructors during a private conversation and was passing it around the class or something, and some people complained, because the gist they got out of it was that people weren't even trying or something. OK... I wasn't in that loop so I have no idea what they heard or who it was, but whoever did it is up for a character violation and well.. who knows what will happen after that. There is talk of not allowing recorders in lecture anymore, and well that would SUCK! So anyway it just set a negative tone for the class after that point. Thank God it was after the test, but still, I think it's just people feeling really bad about how they are doing and trying to rationalise.
So we have the dreaded check all that apply on the test yesterday and well as the choose the BEST answer questions. It's pretty hard to choose the best from a list of correct answers, but happy to say I got a 19/20! So yeah, whatever I do it's on the right track.
I have decided that I am going to practice a bit more assertiveness when it comes to those that think they are entitled to "learn" whatever it is I do to study and grasp the material. I just told them flat out, " What works for me may not work for you and I am studying all the same notes and readings you are." The End.
In other news...
Class was weird yesterday. Some random person recorded the Instructors during a private conversation and was passing it around the class or something, and some people complained, because the gist they got out of it was that people weren't even trying or something. OK... I wasn't in that loop so I have no idea what they heard or who it was, but whoever did it is up for a character violation and well.. who knows what will happen after that. There is talk of not allowing recorders in lecture anymore, and well that would SUCK! So anyway it just set a negative tone for the class after that point. Thank God it was after the test, but still, I think it's just people feeling really bad about how they are doing and trying to rationalise.
So we have the dreaded check all that apply on the test yesterday and well as the choose the BEST answer questions. It's pretty hard to choose the best from a list of correct answers, but happy to say I got a 19/20! So yeah, whatever I do it's on the right track.
I have decided that I am going to practice a bit more assertiveness when it comes to those that think they are entitled to "learn" whatever it is I do to study and grasp the material. I just told them flat out, " What works for me may not work for you and I am studying all the same notes and readings you are." The End.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Burn Out
Wow could I be burned out so soon in the semester? I think it needs to be spring break already.
I wonder if it's just the toxic environment I sit in 4 days a week that is sucking the life out of me? The negative spewing of sludge surrounding me is getting deeper with every test we take. Is it fair to be safely on the yacht while there are flailing people just barely holding on to the proverbial lifeboat that is their Nursing Dream?
Everyone around me is stressing about the tests and whining and I feel like I don't have the right to worry for myself. Like my fears are not valid because I am doing fine? I am not enjoying nursing school. However, I kinda of think I would be if it were not for the joy suckers!
I feel like I should be stressed more about the test today, but I am not! I mean I studied. I hope it was enough or is the right stuff. Everyone around me is slitting their wrists,metaphorically speaking of course. So I have pushed them away a little more.
I got an email asking me how I studied for the Pharmacology test? I mean like how on earth do I answer that? URGHH!! I felt totally unprepared for that test as it was!
OK I am bitching now too much. I need to be excited and positive! Well one good thing is that we have SIM-Man on Thursday or Friday... of course that is after the medication practicum, which I am stressing about.
OK that's enough... I'm going to look over my notes one more time and get ready to go to class. Cranial nerve names, functions & assessments are part of today's test, as well as Communication and LifeSpan Development and Hospice. I feel good about these topics, but you never know. Those Nursing Tests are just designed to trip you up!
***Oh and the GEEK SQUAD called and my computer is ready. Of course they had to replace EVERYTHING! So everything on it was lost. Now I have to find the recovery disk from the company or something like that. I have to go down there today and figure that out!***
I wonder if it's just the toxic environment I sit in 4 days a week that is sucking the life out of me? The negative spewing of sludge surrounding me is getting deeper with every test we take. Is it fair to be safely on the yacht while there are flailing people just barely holding on to the proverbial lifeboat that is their Nursing Dream?
Everyone around me is stressing about the tests and whining and I feel like I don't have the right to worry for myself. Like my fears are not valid because I am doing fine? I am not enjoying nursing school. However, I kinda of think I would be if it were not for the joy suckers!
I feel like I should be stressed more about the test today, but I am not! I mean I studied. I hope it was enough or is the right stuff. Everyone around me is slitting their wrists,metaphorically speaking of course. So I have pushed them away a little more.
I got an email asking me how I studied for the Pharmacology test? I mean like how on earth do I answer that? URGHH!! I felt totally unprepared for that test as it was!
OK I am bitching now too much. I need to be excited and positive! Well one good thing is that we have SIM-Man on Thursday or Friday... of course that is after the medication practicum, which I am stressing about.
OK that's enough... I'm going to look over my notes one more time and get ready to go to class. Cranial nerve names, functions & assessments are part of today's test, as well as Communication and LifeSpan Development and Hospice. I feel good about these topics, but you never know. Those Nursing Tests are just designed to trip you up!
***Oh and the GEEK SQUAD called and my computer is ready. Of course they had to replace EVERYTHING! So everything on it was lost. Now I have to find the recovery disk from the company or something like that. I have to go down there today and figure that out!***
Monday, February 9, 2009
So Random **updated**
My ex-husband friend requested me on Facebook... WTF?
Oh and I must say that I have come to the conclusion that Facebook is in fact... LAME! Yup I said it. So sue me. It is so stupid. Do I really care when someone I don't know comments on someone else's Wall, photo, or takes a random quiz and do I really need to be notified by email of such? How the hell do I shut that spam email thing off? My daughter says she keeps getting crap requests from me for the stupid shit too, and I don't even send anything! I've been hijacked I tell you! So yeah Facebook is lame!
Ok so off to get ready for the Pharmacology test.
*****UPDATE - TOOK PHARM TEST, PASSED! BUT FREAKING PISSED CUZ I FORGOT TO PUT ML INSTEAD OF MG ON THE MEDICATION DOSAGES AND SO YEAH I GOT THAT ONE WRONG,EVEN THOUGH THE MATH WAS RIGHT!!!! THEN I MISREAD THE QUESTION ABOUT HALF-LIFE, IT SAID EXCRETED I WROTE DOWN THE REMAINING AND YEAH SO THAT ONE WAS WRONG. BUT OTHER THAN THAT I DID WELL***** OK so I just checked blackboard and I did in fact get credit for the Math question so I got a 14/15 !!! That's an A!!
I have two hours to kill after class before I have to go and pick up hubby. Guess I'll be in the library studying for tomorrow's Theory Test!
Oh and I must say that I have come to the conclusion that Facebook is in fact... LAME! Yup I said it. So sue me. It is so stupid. Do I really care when someone I don't know comments on someone else's Wall, photo, or takes a random quiz and do I really need to be notified by email of such? How the hell do I shut that spam email thing off? My daughter says she keeps getting crap requests from me for the stupid shit too, and I don't even send anything! I've been hijacked I tell you! So yeah Facebook is lame!
Ok so off to get ready for the Pharmacology test.
*****UPDATE - TOOK PHARM TEST, PASSED! BUT FREAKING PISSED CUZ I FORGOT TO PUT ML INSTEAD OF MG ON THE MEDICATION DOSAGES AND SO YEAH I GOT THAT ONE WRONG,EVEN THOUGH THE MATH WAS RIGHT!!!! THEN I MISREAD THE QUESTION ABOUT HALF-LIFE, IT SAID EXCRETED I WROTE DOWN THE REMAINING AND YEAH SO THAT ONE WAS WRONG. BUT OTHER THAN THAT I DID WELL***** OK so I just checked blackboard and I did in fact get credit for the Math question so I got a 14/15 !!! That's an A!!
I have two hours to kill after class before I have to go and pick up hubby. Guess I'll be in the library studying for tomorrow's Theory Test!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Week 5.... OMG this turned into a RANT
Wow it really seemed like I just wrote week 4 was done. The weeks are flying by.
There have been so many things this week, Lifespan Development ,Therapeutic Communication methods,Heart and Lung sounds, Assessments, and Hospice chapters. More skill practice of course and its been exactly what I expected it to be... hard. However, not really hard, if you know what I mean? I guess its because I read NCLEX-PN test questions for a whole month prior to classes starting. Perhaps it is due to the numerous resources that www.allnurses.com had about the Nursing Process. Whatever it was, I feel as if those are the reasons that I am, although stressed and studying like crazy, still feeling as if I have some time to myself. So I am treading water pretty well I think.
However, I am as usual disillusioned with the female element of class. Fair weather friends or just being used? Then comes the jealousy of course. Am I in High School again? I find that I can actually relate better to the ESL students than to those that are contemporarily closer to my demographic. Africans, Nigerians specifically, really are a great people! I don't think I have made and "true" friends yet, I doubt I will. ( This probably comes off bitchy or worse to those of you that don't know me. But to those of you that do, you understand what I mean)
The luck or fate shows some peoples true colors. I don't know which? But it all really starts with this:
Instructor: "If you are giving a digoxin dose what do you need to take first?"
Instructor looks around the room and who does she call on? Christine, of course.
Christine: "Apical pulse"
Instructor: "Which is located where?"
Christine: "The Mitral Valve, point of PMI at the apex of the heart."
Instructor: " Using the locations for the cardic sounds you learned yesterday?"
Christine: "5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line"
Girl sitting next to me announces: " She knows the whole thing!"
Instructor: " Give it a try Christine."
As Christine states verbatim that which was taught yesterday, Instructor's eyes nearly pop out of her head and her smile widens. I can see that it is a "eureka!" moment for the Instructor, who is used to looking into a room filled of people with that dear in the headlights look. Great ego boost for her too.
Then you hear the murmurs!!! " Of course she knows" Coming from the girls in my row who are friendly and want to get together and study ( me teach them ), or want my notes, or something else. Those who have either failed the first two tests or who are passing by 1 point. It irks me, it makes me mad.
So, as has become my habit, I pull back into myself. Pack my bag at the end of the day and rush out of the room after class not waiting for the usual laments of misery I empathetically listen to, encouraging them, that they will do fine, That they will get it. Its a processes. blah blah blah.
So I will revert back into my shell. Minimally talk to anyone, outside of the basic niceties. Walls back up, people at an arm's distance.
It would be one thing if I was one of those people who hijacks the class, I only talk pretty much when the Instructor asks me a direct question. Most times I know the answer, sometimes I do not, I'll admit that. But it all goes back to the binder, and the fact that I actually take notes when I read and I am lucky she just happens to ask me the questions I know.
I blog my successes on here, because, well it's mine! Other than that I hate to tell people in the class how I did on the test, but they badger sometimes I swear! Do I lie and say I am struggling too? Well hell no! This isn't a PC world where everyone gets a trophy. I work hard for my grades! Just because you think it looks easy for me, doesn't mean you know me.
It takes Benadryl and Blood Pressure Pills to keep this fake calm facade.
There have been so many things this week, Lifespan Development ,Therapeutic Communication methods,Heart and Lung sounds, Assessments, and Hospice chapters. More skill practice of course and its been exactly what I expected it to be... hard. However, not really hard, if you know what I mean? I guess its because I read NCLEX-PN test questions for a whole month prior to classes starting. Perhaps it is due to the numerous resources that www.allnurses.com had about the Nursing Process. Whatever it was, I feel as if those are the reasons that I am, although stressed and studying like crazy, still feeling as if I have some time to myself. So I am treading water pretty well I think.
However, I am as usual disillusioned with the female element of class. Fair weather friends or just being used? Then comes the jealousy of course. Am I in High School again? I find that I can actually relate better to the ESL students than to those that are contemporarily closer to my demographic. Africans, Nigerians specifically, really are a great people! I don't think I have made and "true" friends yet, I doubt I will. ( This probably comes off bitchy or worse to those of you that don't know me. But to those of you that do, you understand what I mean)
The luck or fate shows some peoples true colors. I don't know which? But it all really starts with this:
Instructor: "If you are giving a digoxin dose what do you need to take first?"
Instructor looks around the room and who does she call on? Christine, of course.
Christine: "Apical pulse"
Instructor: "Which is located where?"
Christine: "The Mitral Valve, point of PMI at the apex of the heart."
Instructor: " Using the locations for the cardic sounds you learned yesterday?"
Christine: "5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line"
Girl sitting next to me announces: " She knows the whole thing!"
Instructor: " Give it a try Christine."
As Christine states verbatim that which was taught yesterday, Instructor's eyes nearly pop out of her head and her smile widens. I can see that it is a "eureka!" moment for the Instructor, who is used to looking into a room filled of people with that dear in the headlights look. Great ego boost for her too.
Then you hear the murmurs!!! " Of course she knows" Coming from the girls in my row who are friendly and want to get together and study ( me teach them ), or want my notes, or something else. Those who have either failed the first two tests or who are passing by 1 point. It irks me, it makes me mad.
So, as has become my habit, I pull back into myself. Pack my bag at the end of the day and rush out of the room after class not waiting for the usual laments of misery I empathetically listen to, encouraging them, that they will do fine, That they will get it. Its a processes. blah blah blah.
So I will revert back into my shell. Minimally talk to anyone, outside of the basic niceties. Walls back up, people at an arm's distance.
It would be one thing if I was one of those people who hijacks the class, I only talk pretty much when the Instructor asks me a direct question. Most times I know the answer, sometimes I do not, I'll admit that. But it all goes back to the binder, and the fact that I actually take notes when I read and I am lucky she just happens to ask me the questions I know.
I blog my successes on here, because, well it's mine! Other than that I hate to tell people in the class how I did on the test, but they badger sometimes I swear! Do I lie and say I am struggling too? Well hell no! This isn't a PC world where everyone gets a trophy. I work hard for my grades! Just because you think it looks easy for me, doesn't mean you know me.
It takes Benadryl and Blood Pressure Pills to keep this fake calm facade.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Damn Happy
The final grades for Test #2 were posted and I did in fact get a 17/20. The class average was 14.4 on that one!! I got full credit for my DARE Documentation which as far as I am aware no one else did! Yeah me!
Time to stress about test #3 of course.
Oh we finally learned cardiac and breath sounds today, and we have to verbalize our way through the steps as we go... "The aortic point, located on the 2nd Inter coastal space, right sternal border, the soft s2 sound. The dub of the lub/dub. This is the end of systole, the beginning if diastole, the AV Valves are closed" etc etc etc etc...
I memorized the spiel and the points by the end of class. This kinda stuff stick with me sometimes. Then it was on to breath sounds. Got those down too. Well the placement of the stethoscope that is, and the bronchial, bronchial vesticular, and vesticular sounds that it. Adventitious can wait a few more days. Course I can't spell those yet either ;-)
Busy busy week! Nite!
Time to stress about test #3 of course.
Oh we finally learned cardiac and breath sounds today, and we have to verbalize our way through the steps as we go... "The aortic point, located on the 2nd Inter coastal space, right sternal border, the soft s2 sound. The dub of the lub/dub. This is the end of systole, the beginning if diastole, the AV Valves are closed" etc etc etc etc...
I memorized the spiel and the points by the end of class. This kinda stuff stick with me sometimes. Then it was on to breath sounds. Got those down too. Well the placement of the stethoscope that is, and the bronchial, bronchial vesticular, and vesticular sounds that it. Adventitious can wait a few more days. Course I can't spell those yet either ;-)
Busy busy week! Nite!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
What's the plan Stan?
The next two weeks are gonna be big as clinical starts in three weeks.
Tomorrow I don't have to go in for my usual 8-4 (6am carpool)due to lab availability, so we have to do two case studies online and then email them in the morning and go in for 10. Hum... I am not sure this is a better thing, as traffic could be an issue and I do NOT want to be late.
We will be working more on foley and wound care practice. And will be going over assessments again.
We have the medication practicum test next Thursday or Friday and with that comes with it more dosage calculations of course. Monday is the first Pharmacology test and Tuesday is Test #3 for Lecture. People want to get some study groups together, but since my husband has to work all weekend, and we only have one car, I don't think that'll happen. Plus, I think I study better on my own. I don't know?!?
So, then we are meeting our Clinical Instructors and its paperwork paperwork! Where we learn what will be expected of us when it comes to those dreaded CarePlans!
Ok thats about all I can remember. I have to go and study some more!
Tomorrow I don't have to go in for my usual 8-4 (6am carpool)due to lab availability, so we have to do two case studies online and then email them in the morning and go in for 10. Hum... I am not sure this is a better thing, as traffic could be an issue and I do NOT want to be late.
We will be working more on foley and wound care practice. And will be going over assessments again.
We have the medication practicum test next Thursday or Friday and with that comes with it more dosage calculations of course. Monday is the first Pharmacology test and Tuesday is Test #3 for Lecture. People want to get some study groups together, but since my husband has to work all weekend, and we only have one car, I don't think that'll happen. Plus, I think I study better on my own. I don't know?!?
So, then we are meeting our Clinical Instructors and its paperwork paperwork! Where we learn what will be expected of us when it comes to those dreaded CarePlans!
Ok thats about all I can remember. I have to go and study some more!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Meet Assessmente Ho
She is a work in progress. I have some changes to make to adjust her label "tattoos" as we call them. Also, as I learn more landmarks her labels increase.
I'm a visual learner!! HEHE!
Monday, February 2, 2009
LOL
So last night hubby and I are getting a little friendly, and I said to him, "You are kissing my medicine off."
" Would you stop talking in medical terms please?" He says, looking up briefly, then returning to his task at hand.
"Huh, my medicine?" I asked confused. OK so that is technically a "medical term" but I was pretty sure he knew what it meant.
Now in his defense he was really only half listening to me, he was sort of busy, so I laughed and repeated myself. He looks up and notices that he has cream on his lip.
" Oh!" he says. " I thought you were saying something else." (Maybe the medical term for cheek maybe?)
* * *
stress = zit ... BTW Clearasil does not taste good according to hubby.
" Would you stop talking in medical terms please?" He says, looking up briefly, then returning to his task at hand.
"Huh, my medicine?" I asked confused. OK so that is technically a "medical term" but I was pretty sure he knew what it meant.
Now in his defense he was really only half listening to me, he was sort of busy, so I laughed and repeated myself. He looks up and notices that he has cream on his lip.
" Oh!" he says. " I thought you were saying something else." (Maybe the medical term for cheek maybe?)
* * *
stress = zit ... BTW Clearasil does not taste good according to hubby.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Man Vs Food
Gotta say I love this show and I don't know why. I am sitting here watching it when I should be studying. Um.. yeah and eating a straberry sundae. Not a single school book opened all day!!
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