Exam One Down

{borrowed image}

And I got a B and said Yippee!
Th old 4.0 student in me tried to scoff but I didn't let her!!
I was shocked the exam was not that difficult.

The class the test was in is called Nursing Foundations.
A few weeks ago my professor claimed we would all nearly fail because we could not possible prepare for this type of test.

I do think I am a decent test taker but they had me frazzled.
I kept wondering what these test questions could possibly entail that I had never encountered.

Between my crazy anatomy and physiology teacher and the horrors of pharmacology I was stumped about what my current professor would present on the exam.

We were warned to use our time wisely because we could not press the back button and would not be allowed to stand up even if we finished early. They advised reading the problem thoroughly to be sure we understood the question in order to void being tricked.

So as I was clicking through I was trying to force myself to slow down cause I was getting way ahead but i was also pretty sure about my answers. I nearly fell asleep once or twice from the boredom of waiting.

I do need to improve on that. Slowing down, really thinking it through on every one.
I missed 11 out of 75. The ones I missed were ones where I had two choices that were the topic next thing to do but I chose the wrong one to do first. Even though I knew the correct but went off into my what-if scenario just a tad. That is important to control.

Others were basically not knowing. I did cram 3 chapters out of 11 in that morning. So not bad!

All I can say is that was a huge sigh of relief. I cannot wait to kick butt from here on it. I am getting fearful of the hands on aspect now but I know that more hand-on experiences will build my confidence!

Read more...

I Cracked......

So it finally got to me. I had my first nursing school breakdown, tears and all. So this has been brewing for some days now. The school was closed on Wednesday meaning I could not take the exam. I hardly got any sleep the evening prior to the now canceled exam.

I never sleep very well on test nights and the impending snow storm made it worse.
Well, that evening basically last night I received an email from my clinical instructor telling me that I had 6 hours of online orientation to complete prior to attending clinicals on Friday.

Well, this was Wednesday evening and I was required to attend the hospital lab the following morning and work the following evening. I was kinda devastated. At first I was shocked she would ask me to find an extra 6 hours on such short notice.

Then I dissolved into a self-pity mess. It did not help that I am sleep-deprived and barely finding time to eat. Even when I do have time to eat I usually don't have food cause I don't have time to buy it. Its kinda horrible.

So after whining and crying for several hours while attempting to study I decided I need to call curl up with a cup of hot cocoa and watch the latest Teen Mom 2.

I had an OK day today learning how to insert a Foley catheter and a NG tube. I also got to change a wound dressing. All on Sim men of course.

And lastly a co-worker whom I now love let me finish up the modules tonight at work while he manned the check in desk.

I love my job and my co-workers. I am feeling a lot better. I am gonna kick nursing schools ass in the end even if it briefly takes me out every once in awhile.

Read more...

if a nurse, when meeting friends, finds
herself . . . gossiping about doctors, nurses
and patients, she must realize she is on the
road to unhappiness and cynicism”
– —Parsons (1916)

Read more...

today was a good day...

I had the bestest day today. I was on campus from 8 am to 5 pm. I have a full day of assessment on Wednesdays. Two hours lecture in the morning, with four hours lunch/ lab prep time and 3 hours of lab on the afternoon. I found the sweetest study spot on the top floor of the library this morning. Special Collections. There were only three people using the space. So my neighbor and I sat, ate lunch and prepped for our first assessment lab.

The lab experience was awesome. I met with my clinical group and our instructor. I had a sweet moment while we learned blood pressures. Whenever I visit a health care setting and the nurse is present I am so eager to speak to her about nursing but often they are busy nursing and I do not want to bother them. So today in assessment I found myself in a health care setting with a nurse who is there to answer my questions and guide me. It felt good. I actually have at least 150 years worth of experienced nurses willing to pass the art down to me.

I am happy and ready for the challenge!

Read more...

Happy Monday!

Read more...

thinking about what your thinking when your thinking

I need to do more of that^^^
So I survived my first meeting with my clinical group.
It was a good time. I was of course not nearly as nervous as I was for a moment while I blogged that morning. The experience was pretty much what I expected. We went over hand hygiene and personal protective equipment...you know stuffs like that.....

I want to take a moment to reflect on thinking patterns I can improve.
I want to listen and observe more. I need to make a conscious choice to reflect on the moment in front of me....

I also want to make sure I utilize time wity my instructors effectively. I need to formulate questions before hand and take advantage of time during idle moments.

And most importantly I need lots of rest and nourishment.

Read more...

Oh My Gosh!

Today is a big day!!!!

The first day of school was Tuesday but I feel like the first day was two weeks ago at nursing orientation. It was two full days of information, expectation, reassurance and love. I went in looking for some clarification regarding the next few months of my life and left feeling like a privileged challenge laid before me. One that will require hard work but also one that I am capable of especially because I am part of a exceptional nursing family that will shape and support me with loving hands.

And today is the first day I really get to know my nursing family. I will spend seven hours with my clinical instructor, nursing class and clinical group. We will dive into the everyday basics of nursing. I have a feeling they are the most basic of the basics and barely cover the nursing iceberg. I am nervous! I know I can do it! I am gonna feel scrutinized because I will be scrutinized. Sigh. Big Sigh!!

But it will be done by tonight. I am nervous but ready for this step. I am ready to be challenged and motivated. I am ready to experience the science coma with a nursing twist. I think it will be partially familiar yet shockingly new.

I have already immersed myself in material for the past week. This morning I am reviewing and condensing my notes trying t get that last minute preparations done.

Well, I must study now!!

Bye!!

Read more...

Happy New Year!!
In the end Twenty-Ten came out better than it started and left me with many promises for Twenty-Eleven.

May all of you have long days and pleasant nights in the year ahead.

Read more...