Well, once again I'm way long on updating. I've been going pretty much non-stop this semester. Randy has dubbed himself a widower, that's how little we see each other! Ugh.
So I got my practicum requests in, but the more I think about it, the more I kind of wish I had gone ahead and selected something in peds. I know, I know. That's pretty much the last thing I expected myself to say at this point. I came into this program thinking that I was really not going to enjoy peds (despite how much I love kids), but the more time I spend at my peds rotation the more I love it! I really enjoy the hospital too, so maybe that plays into it, but I'm really facing some interesting thoughts these days, and most of them revolve around wanting to stay in peds or work with neonates. So we'll see... maybe after working a year with adults, I'll go ahead and make the switch. For now I guess I just have to make the most of the rest of my clinicals.
Which are: complex and public health plus practicum. Ooooooo. For complex we'll focus on more critical care, which I am SO excited about. We'll get a chance to (finally) see the ED (which I know some people have seen but I have not so I'm looking forward to that a lot), and we'll see some ICU stuff. Clinical is going to be at Fairfax, which is also where I requested my practicum, so I may get more of Fairfax than I was expecting, lol.
Um, I don't have a count-down or anything. I am just getting the last assignments done and trying to keep my focus. Seems like it took me a long time to get it this semester, so I need to hang on to it for dear life. I'm really trying to end strong.
That's pretty much it. I'll update at the end of the semester!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Long Time No Post!
Whoops, it really got away from me for a while, didn't it? I've been crazy busy. Let's see if I can recap.
My clinicals have been going along pretty wonderfully. Peds started out in the clinic - and I got to rule out walk-in clinic nurse from my list of potential jobs! LoL, not that I hated working with the kiddos, not at all. But if the only thing I do with a bachelor's degree in nursing is take vitals and admit patients all day (with the very occasional PPD placement), then thanks very much but I'll pass. It reminded me way too much of working in the pharmacy - people come up angry that they've been waiting, which is completely understandable. But, sir, if your child has bug bites and nothing else wrong, then don't you think an appointment would be a good idea? Yeah, not so fun. Then giving shots - oh man. I never want to make my kids have 9 shots at once! People, for the love of everything holy, pay attention to vaccinations and when they're due! Would YOU want multiple injections in one go? No? Didn't think so.
Going up to the GI rehab floor was something else entirely. I really enjoyed working with those kiddos - and I got to do lots of stuff with the nurse I was following! She really made me explain what I know, and let me give meds. It was a great experience. And the kids I got to work with were JUST awesome. Couldn't talk yet, which made it challenging to know exactly what was wrong when they fussed, but.... well let's just say that I am pretty sure I could be a peds nurse in that kind of setting.
Maternal health clinical has been awesome too. Our instructor is just so enthusiastic, it's really pretty cute. She's convinced I'm going to be a labor and delivery nurse, but I'm going to work with adults first before I consider specializing like that - but more on that in a minute. I saw two c-sections and got to put in my first Foley catheter! Man what pressure. I had my nurse with me (keep in mind this is a super aseptic technique because you don't want to give her an infection!), and then I believe 4 other people trying to tell me how to do this. I would have been perfectly fine if they'd let me do it my way from the start, but I got so nervous with all these people telling me what to do that I had to kind of stare at it all for a minute. Luckily my nurse told everyone else to back off and let me do it the way I was taught. I had perfect sterile field the whole time... hopefully the next time I'll just block everyone else out and do it the way I know how. Oy.
Classes in general are... well they're going. I was incredibly frustrated with peds because our first exam was on material that we actually never covered in lecture (unless we got information in the one class I missed because I was sick). I was going to say something to the prof, but it appears that from here on out we're being taught, rather than having all kinds of guests like the freaking resource librarian (I swear if I see her one more time during lecture time I'm going to pitch a fit). That first exam didn't go as well as I'd like, so I'm currently trying to improve my approach - my hope is that between my oomph and the lectures we're (finally) getting this one will be better. Maternal health is the same deal except the prof is an awesome teacher. So I'm just kind of searching for my footing. I don't have bad grades by any means, they're just not good enough for my standards.
Now, on to the decisions. I've been keeping tabs on what I want to do, and more importantly, what I don't want to do. Mental health is a no go. Peds clinic is a no go. That's all well and good, but that leaves a LOT of open space - and I have to choose my practicum! I've been pretty nervous about making a decision that I don't feel informed about, but then I got a chance to sit and talk with several nurses and I feel better now. The gist of those conversations is this: unless I KNOW that I want to work as a NICU nurse, or even with kids in general, or laboring moms, or any pretty specialized area, then starting out in one of those won't do me any good as far as long term move-ability. However, if I start with adults and master my assessment skills, THEN specialize, I have way more options. So basically, I'm hoping to start for a year or two in adult ICU - unless I have to I'm not starting med-surg, because I hope to go back to school before Randy and I have kids. Accordingly, my choices for practicum are: ICU, OR/PACU, or interventional units (these are my INOVA system choices). My hospital choices are Inova Fairfax, Inova Fair Oaks, and George Washington Hospital.
SO! Now you're pretty much caught up. And now I have to get ready for my one class today. Next time, we won't be scheduling a single class on any one day... un-cool.
My clinicals have been going along pretty wonderfully. Peds started out in the clinic - and I got to rule out walk-in clinic nurse from my list of potential jobs! LoL, not that I hated working with the kiddos, not at all. But if the only thing I do with a bachelor's degree in nursing is take vitals and admit patients all day (with the very occasional PPD placement), then thanks very much but I'll pass. It reminded me way too much of working in the pharmacy - people come up angry that they've been waiting, which is completely understandable. But, sir, if your child has bug bites and nothing else wrong, then don't you think an appointment would be a good idea? Yeah, not so fun. Then giving shots - oh man. I never want to make my kids have 9 shots at once! People, for the love of everything holy, pay attention to vaccinations and when they're due! Would YOU want multiple injections in one go? No? Didn't think so.
Going up to the GI rehab floor was something else entirely. I really enjoyed working with those kiddos - and I got to do lots of stuff with the nurse I was following! She really made me explain what I know, and let me give meds. It was a great experience. And the kids I got to work with were JUST awesome. Couldn't talk yet, which made it challenging to know exactly what was wrong when they fussed, but.... well let's just say that I am pretty sure I could be a peds nurse in that kind of setting.
Maternal health clinical has been awesome too. Our instructor is just so enthusiastic, it's really pretty cute. She's convinced I'm going to be a labor and delivery nurse, but I'm going to work with adults first before I consider specializing like that - but more on that in a minute. I saw two c-sections and got to put in my first Foley catheter! Man what pressure. I had my nurse with me (keep in mind this is a super aseptic technique because you don't want to give her an infection!), and then I believe 4 other people trying to tell me how to do this. I would have been perfectly fine if they'd let me do it my way from the start, but I got so nervous with all these people telling me what to do that I had to kind of stare at it all for a minute. Luckily my nurse told everyone else to back off and let me do it the way I was taught. I had perfect sterile field the whole time... hopefully the next time I'll just block everyone else out and do it the way I know how. Oy.
Classes in general are... well they're going. I was incredibly frustrated with peds because our first exam was on material that we actually never covered in lecture (unless we got information in the one class I missed because I was sick). I was going to say something to the prof, but it appears that from here on out we're being taught, rather than having all kinds of guests like the freaking resource librarian (I swear if I see her one more time during lecture time I'm going to pitch a fit). That first exam didn't go as well as I'd like, so I'm currently trying to improve my approach - my hope is that between my oomph and the lectures we're (finally) getting this one will be better. Maternal health is the same deal except the prof is an awesome teacher. So I'm just kind of searching for my footing. I don't have bad grades by any means, they're just not good enough for my standards.
Now, on to the decisions. I've been keeping tabs on what I want to do, and more importantly, what I don't want to do. Mental health is a no go. Peds clinic is a no go. That's all well and good, but that leaves a LOT of open space - and I have to choose my practicum! I've been pretty nervous about making a decision that I don't feel informed about, but then I got a chance to sit and talk with several nurses and I feel better now. The gist of those conversations is this: unless I KNOW that I want to work as a NICU nurse, or even with kids in general, or laboring moms, or any pretty specialized area, then starting out in one of those won't do me any good as far as long term move-ability. However, if I start with adults and master my assessment skills, THEN specialize, I have way more options. So basically, I'm hoping to start for a year or two in adult ICU - unless I have to I'm not starting med-surg, because I hope to go back to school before Randy and I have kids. Accordingly, my choices for practicum are: ICU, OR/PACU, or interventional units (these are my INOVA system choices). My hospital choices are Inova Fairfax, Inova Fair Oaks, and George Washington Hospital.
SO! Now you're pretty much caught up. And now I have to get ready for my one class today. Next time, we won't be scheduling a single class on any one day... un-cool.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Whoa, baby heart. Whoa.
And I mean that. I got to see a newborn with Tetralogy of Fallot in my peds rotation today, and they kept the chest open to prevent cardiac tamponade. Let me just say, hearts are THE coolest invention EVER. And to get to see one actively working? Just. Blows. My. Mind.
This is a short post because I'm tired, and I can't really give away too many more details, but I got to be pretty involved today shadowing in the CICU (cardiac intensive care unit). I keep coming across the question - "What kind of nurse do you want to be?" and I never have a real solid answer. I still don't, but I can totally see myself in the ICU setting. Maybe I'll aim for CICU or NICU (neonatal). It was SO great. I mean, sad, yes. But also just cool. I don't want to sound heartless, but it wasn't hard for me to see past the fact that it was a little baby lying there to just the medical condition and needs. It was slightly shocking at first to see all those wires, but I got over it fast and went right into my fascinated mode. I even got to help bag (ventilate) the infant when it was time for suctioning the ET (breathing) tube.
I am so jazzed! It's a good thing we have a new bed as of today (Tempur-Pedic, heck yeah), or I think I'd be up alllll night! As it is, I'm gonna get some sleep now!
This is a short post because I'm tired, and I can't really give away too many more details, but I got to be pretty involved today shadowing in the CICU (cardiac intensive care unit). I keep coming across the question - "What kind of nurse do you want to be?" and I never have a real solid answer. I still don't, but I can totally see myself in the ICU setting. Maybe I'll aim for CICU or NICU (neonatal). It was SO great. I mean, sad, yes. But also just cool. I don't want to sound heartless, but it wasn't hard for me to see past the fact that it was a little baby lying there to just the medical condition and needs. It was slightly shocking at first to see all those wires, but I got over it fast and went right into my fascinated mode. I even got to help bag (ventilate) the infant when it was time for suctioning the ET (breathing) tube.
I am so jazzed! It's a good thing we have a new bed as of today (Tempur-Pedic, heck yeah), or I think I'd be up alllll night! As it is, I'm gonna get some sleep now!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Back to school, back to school, fa la la la la
So. The third of four semesters has begun. So far I've had Health Care Delivery Systems and Peds lecture, and so far I enjoy them both. I have to say that Peds was a LOT of information about assignments, the syllabus, etc, that probably won't stick in my brain because it was overload city, but I'm a good reader so I'm sure I'll find the instructions on my own.
Today I got a break (already) to clean up my apartment. I'm terrible about keeping it as clean as I want, but then it really stresses me out when it becomes too cluttered, and then I have trouble studying because all I want to do is clean. A little bit OCD, to be sure. So my goal for the rest of the program is to attempt to keep my space clear from clutter, which I hope will keep my brain free from clutter! There's still so much to learn, I don't want to get side-tracked by a distracting, all-powerful urge to clean!
Classes ended on a superb note, even though the summer semester was grueling. I am proud of myself for pulling off my goal for summer. My next goal for this semester aims a bit higher, and I think I can pull it off, too.
Our cohort apparently had a heck of a time with the way summer was set up, so now the admin folks want to sit down with us. I want to go just to see what people end up saying. I did my fair share of complaining this summer, and I agree that the arrangement is tough as nails, but I'm not sure what other way it could be set up. I'm sad that so many people had such a hard go of it, and that we lost a few to deceleration. On the other hand, it's a hard route, and it's probably pretty normal that some will find it harder than others do. So I'm a little confused what this big meeting is about. Guess I'll find out if it's scheduled for a day I have time to go.
In other news, I'm wicked excited about our genomics course. Turns out Julie DeLoia, our interim NHS dean, is teaching it. This has me chomping at the bit even more, because she's also a cancer geneticist! Woo! She's had a few R01's from NIH (I'm guessing NCI based on the whole cancer focus, lol), and it's possible she's worked with some of my colleagues. I really hope to pick her brain for as much new info as I can - I understand that this class will be the first genetics exposure many of my fellow students will get, so I know I have to temper myself JUST a bit. I expect we'll cover the basics; my goal is not to complain if it goes to slowly for me! :)
Ok, I think that about covers my thoughts for now. I hope to update this blog more regularly for this semester. Stay tuned!
Today I got a break (already) to clean up my apartment. I'm terrible about keeping it as clean as I want, but then it really stresses me out when it becomes too cluttered, and then I have trouble studying because all I want to do is clean. A little bit OCD, to be sure. So my goal for the rest of the program is to attempt to keep my space clear from clutter, which I hope will keep my brain free from clutter! There's still so much to learn, I don't want to get side-tracked by a distracting, all-powerful urge to clean!
Classes ended on a superb note, even though the summer semester was grueling. I am proud of myself for pulling off my goal for summer. My next goal for this semester aims a bit higher, and I think I can pull it off, too.
Our cohort apparently had a heck of a time with the way summer was set up, so now the admin folks want to sit down with us. I want to go just to see what people end up saying. I did my fair share of complaining this summer, and I agree that the arrangement is tough as nails, but I'm not sure what other way it could be set up. I'm sad that so many people had such a hard go of it, and that we lost a few to deceleration. On the other hand, it's a hard route, and it's probably pretty normal that some will find it harder than others do. So I'm a little confused what this big meeting is about. Guess I'll find out if it's scheduled for a day I have time to go.
In other news, I'm wicked excited about our genomics course. Turns out Julie DeLoia, our interim NHS dean, is teaching it. This has me chomping at the bit even more, because she's also a cancer geneticist! Woo! She's had a few R01's from NIH (I'm guessing NCI based on the whole cancer focus, lol), and it's possible she's worked with some of my colleagues. I really hope to pick her brain for as much new info as I can - I understand that this class will be the first genetics exposure many of my fellow students will get, so I know I have to temper myself JUST a bit. I expect we'll cover the basics; my goal is not to complain if it goes to slowly for me! :)
Ok, I think that about covers my thoughts for now. I hope to update this blog more regularly for this semester. Stay tuned!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Summer time, and the living's easy
So, I haven't posted as much as I had planned this summer. Now the semester is over and we're on summer vacation. About 4 weeks of bliss! The semester ended with quite a bang, and I'm happy about it.
Now it's time for rest and recovery - fall brings pediatrics, mother/baby, genomics (yay!), health care delivery systems (hmm, huh?), and at least one more, but since my brain is turned off I can't remember which class it is! lol.
Anyway, I'm chillin for now, then heading to the beach at the end of August (at my birthday, hooray!). Peace out, all!
Now it's time for rest and recovery - fall brings pediatrics, mother/baby, genomics (yay!), health care delivery systems (hmm, huh?), and at least one more, but since my brain is turned off I can't remember which class it is! lol.
Anyway, I'm chillin for now, then heading to the beach at the end of August (at my birthday, hooray!). Peace out, all!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Grrr!
So I got my pharm grade back yesterday (the fastest yet). I am not pleased. I know that the grade I got is nothing to sneeze at, and I don't want to come across as complaining. But I also know full well that the grade I got does not indicate my ability or the level of preparation I put into studying for the exam. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.
Now I have to prep for the final, which is ATI. It isn't at all like what we've been doing. I hope that doesn't screw me up.
For the moment, my focus is on med-surg for the exam tomorrow. I'll have to worry about final preparation tomorrow afternoon.
Now I have to prep for the final, which is ATI. It isn't at all like what we've been doing. I hope that doesn't screw me up.
For the moment, my focus is on med-surg for the exam tomorrow. I'll have to worry about final preparation tomorrow afternoon.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Well, I am certainly not keeping up with this blog as much as I'd like. Quick summary:
I did well on med-surg, which pleased me. I did not do as well on pharm, which did not please me. Fastforward to now - pharm exam #3 is today, med-surg exam #3 is Wednesday. Finals are next Monday and Tuesday. It's down to the wire, and I'm hoping to pull out the hat-trick.
I'm also REALLY looking forward to some decent sleep.
I did well on med-surg, which pleased me. I did not do as well on pharm, which did not please me. Fastforward to now - pharm exam #3 is today, med-surg exam #3 is Wednesday. Finals are next Monday and Tuesday. It's down to the wire, and I'm hoping to pull out the hat-trick.
I'm also REALLY looking forward to some decent sleep.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Waiting
We took the second med-surg exam today. Now we sit and wait for grades to be posted, which is really the hardest part. Man, I'm type A sometimes!
Also, I've reached a level of exhausted lately that really annoys me. Sadly, it reminds me of my days with Lyme, so I'm going to get it checked out. I think it's probably just stress, but it wouldn't hurt to know if I need some antibiotic therapy again. I'm hoping against it though, because it's been 2.5 years since my last flare up! Oh well... high stress can make things happen.
Also, I've reached a level of exhausted lately that really annoys me. Sadly, it reminds me of my days with Lyme, so I'm going to get it checked out. I think it's probably just stress, but it wouldn't hurt to know if I need some antibiotic therapy again. I'm hoping against it though, because it's been 2.5 years since my last flare up! Oh well... high stress can make things happen.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Crunch time
So here we are with four weeks of classes left in the second semester. Holy crap, where did the time go?
Since I managed to hang in there and not fail pharm, I'm in a good position still to get a better grade than what I've got. It's going to take some focus, which I find comes in spurts during the summer months. But over the next four weeks I'm going to crank it out and really nail this semester down.
Med-surg exam two is on Wednesday. I had a great 4th of July weekend, but now it's time to strap in and go full speed ahead. I am bound and determined to hang on to my grade in med-surg. So today I will finish the readings and start on the questions from the cd. This afternoon I'm going to get a massage, and then I'm coming back to hopefully start using the NCLEX review questions as well.
And, go!
Since I managed to hang in there and not fail pharm, I'm in a good position still to get a better grade than what I've got. It's going to take some focus, which I find comes in spurts during the summer months. But over the next four weeks I'm going to crank it out and really nail this semester down.
Med-surg exam two is on Wednesday. I had a great 4th of July weekend, but now it's time to strap in and go full speed ahead. I am bound and determined to hang on to my grade in med-surg. So today I will finish the readings and start on the questions from the cd. This afternoon I'm going to get a massage, and then I'm coming back to hopefully start using the NCLEX review questions as well.
And, go!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Reigning it back in
So I find myself having a heck of a time with pharmacology, which is surprising to me. I expected this to be my easy A, and med-surg to be my major challenge. As it turns out, those two classes are reversed.
Honestly, nothing is an easy A in this school. I work my butt off on a (mostly) regular basis. But there is something missing in my pharm preparation, and I can't figure out what it is. I read all but 2 chapters for the second exam (which was on Wednesday), and did all the homework, and got note cards. Yet somehow, as I walked out of the exam, I felt abysmal about it. I felt like I had failed.
As it turns out, I did NOT fail. The feeling of relief this morning is great. But I'm still not happy with my grade in this class, so I'm on a mission to fix how I study for it and bring the grade up to my standards. I don't have any idea on how to do that.
For now, it is enough that I have a mission. For tonight, I will map it out. In the meantime, I'm off to campus for a whopping 45 minutes in the simulation lab.
Honestly, nothing is an easy A in this school. I work my butt off on a (mostly) regular basis. But there is something missing in my pharm preparation, and I can't figure out what it is. I read all but 2 chapters for the second exam (which was on Wednesday), and did all the homework, and got note cards. Yet somehow, as I walked out of the exam, I felt abysmal about it. I felt like I had failed.
As it turns out, I did NOT fail. The feeling of relief this morning is great. But I'm still not happy with my grade in this class, so I'm on a mission to fix how I study for it and bring the grade up to my standards. I don't have any idea on how to do that.
For now, it is enough that I have a mission. For tonight, I will map it out. In the meantime, I'm off to campus for a whopping 45 minutes in the simulation lab.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Half way already??
It really feels like just yesterday (or at least last week) we started summer session. Yet here I am, half way through the semester! I'm doing as well as I had hoped/planned, but there's always room for improvement. I feel like I should take a page from Melissa's book and read 15 pages a day in med/surg, and probably also mental health and pharm.
So far, I think med/surg is my favorite clinical. The class itself is challenging because we're really expected to teach ourselves - classes are just to supplement our reading. Thankfully I spent so much time grilling on patho that it's not bad. My big problem is how horrid the book is! Clinical, however, has been a blast. I adore my clinical instructor - I feel like I'm learning SO much from her!
Mental health clinical has been a real challenge for me. I'm not sure what I expected from it, but it's certainly challenging my brain!
Pharm is interesting, to say the least. Again, it's really a class where the focus is on the reading, and lecture supplements. I love the way the book is laid out and written. It makes it fun to read, so I tend to save it for after med/surg to cheer me up!
Well, that's about all I have time for right now. Lots to do before I sleep!
So far, I think med/surg is my favorite clinical. The class itself is challenging because we're really expected to teach ourselves - classes are just to supplement our reading. Thankfully I spent so much time grilling on patho that it's not bad. My big problem is how horrid the book is! Clinical, however, has been a blast. I adore my clinical instructor - I feel like I'm learning SO much from her!
Mental health clinical has been a real challenge for me. I'm not sure what I expected from it, but it's certainly challenging my brain!
Pharm is interesting, to say the least. Again, it's really a class where the focus is on the reading, and lecture supplements. I love the way the book is laid out and written. It makes it fun to read, so I tend to save it for after med/surg to cheer me up!
Well, that's about all I have time for right now. Lots to do before I sleep!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Summer School
Summer classes begin today: Mental Health, Med/Surg (yay) and Pharmacology. And heeeere we go!
Monday, May 10, 2010
And, go!
Finals week. The words students across the nation (and possibly world) fear. Will we have prepared enough? Did we retain the information?
Time to find out.
Time to find out.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Nurse, heal thyself
Dehydration is the pits. I want to take the time to remind anyone who follows this blog that ignoring the need for water has VERY serious consequences which are just not enjoyable.
I've heard the term "nurse's bladder" - it's when nurses (or others in fast paced jobs with few opportunities for breaks) don't relieve themselves enough and end up stretching the muscles that allow you to hold urine in. That's bad enough. But it's also bad to avoid drinking water just because you're busy.
So my public service message of the day: don't be like me. Drink enough water and avoid the pitfalls of getting sick from dehydration!
I've heard the term "nurse's bladder" - it's when nurses (or others in fast paced jobs with few opportunities for breaks) don't relieve themselves enough and end up stretching the muscles that allow you to hold urine in. That's bad enough. But it's also bad to avoid drinking water just because you're busy.
So my public service message of the day: don't be like me. Drink enough water and avoid the pitfalls of getting sick from dehydration!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
End of Semester, Like Whoa
So it's the end of the semester, and I have mixed emotions. Today was our last clinical day - now we have tons of testing on all the skills we have learned thus far. I have to be honest here, I'm not sure just how much I've learned. Technical skills? No problem.
But head to toe assessment?
I find that I'm better able to cope with the stress of school than in my PSU days. This pleases me. I don't get myself worked into quite the same tizzy - I'm very pleased with my first semester of work.
I just wish I was getting more understanding of nursing skills. Or, well, maybe not. Maybe I'm just over-thinking it all.
Maybe I should just get some sleep for once.
But head to toe assessment?
I find that I'm better able to cope with the stress of school than in my PSU days. This pleases me. I don't get myself worked into quite the same tizzy - I'm very pleased with my first semester of work.
I just wish I was getting more understanding of nursing skills. Or, well, maybe not. Maybe I'm just over-thinking it all.
Maybe I should just get some sleep for once.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thoughts from the OR
So today I made up my missing clinical hours (from my missed days due to strep throat, blegh!) with another group. This group's clinical instructor runs things differently from how mine does, so I got the opportunity to spend the morning shadowing in the OR!
It's amazing to me the amount of energy I can glean from being near surgeries! I'm such a surgery junkie.
The OR tech (who is also an LPN) showed me the ropes and talked to me about a great many things that got my mind to thinking. I would very much like to be in a position to work in an OR. He and I were very similar in mindset, and he really seemed to thrive in his position. I enjoyed watching him work. I've got many thoughts now about how to pursue my nursing career.
In any case, one of the surgeries I watched was a diagnostic laparoscopy of the abdomen. The gentleman was having a good deal of pain for quite a while, but it turns out there was nothing evident that was likely to be causing his pain. Hopefully for him, he will feel better knowing there is nothing physically wrong.
The second surgery was an orthopedic case - an ankle fusion! Boy was that interesting to watch. You always hear how strenuous ortho is, but it doesn't really mean anything until you've seen it done. They really have to put their backs into it! And now that gentleman has some hardware in his leg that will hopefully help with the pain he's been experiencing from his degenerated ankle joint. As someone who has her own hardware (broken navicular), I hope his surgery helps him as much as mine helped me. I also wish him luck with the rather impressive wound on that same ankle. I cannot imagine living with such painful-looking damage!
So that is my summary. I have a lot to think on, but for now I am in serious need of sleep. Good night to all!
It's amazing to me the amount of energy I can glean from being near surgeries! I'm such a surgery junkie.
The OR tech (who is also an LPN) showed me the ropes and talked to me about a great many things that got my mind to thinking. I would very much like to be in a position to work in an OR. He and I were very similar in mindset, and he really seemed to thrive in his position. I enjoyed watching him work. I've got many thoughts now about how to pursue my nursing career.
In any case, one of the surgeries I watched was a diagnostic laparoscopy of the abdomen. The gentleman was having a good deal of pain for quite a while, but it turns out there was nothing evident that was likely to be causing his pain. Hopefully for him, he will feel better knowing there is nothing physically wrong.
The second surgery was an orthopedic case - an ankle fusion! Boy was that interesting to watch. You always hear how strenuous ortho is, but it doesn't really mean anything until you've seen it done. They really have to put their backs into it! And now that gentleman has some hardware in his leg that will hopefully help with the pain he's been experiencing from his degenerated ankle joint. As someone who has her own hardware (broken navicular), I hope his surgery helps him as much as mine helped me. I also wish him luck with the rather impressive wound on that same ankle. I cannot imagine living with such painful-looking damage!
So that is my summary. I have a lot to think on, but for now I am in serious need of sleep. Good night to all!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
It's About Time
When I started nursing school at Georgetown in January, they gave us all journals. The idea was to reflect on what we learn, how we experience nursing school, and then to carry our reflective nursing on to whatever practice we end up in.
It's April. My journal is blank and dusty and I think it may be pouting.
Problem is, there's no time. I write ever so slowly and I just don't have the energy at the end of my days to sit and write in it. Since typing is much faster and I spend so much time on the computer anyway, I got inspired by MB to create my own blog. So here it is, a glimpse into my 16 months of nursing school.
"Hold on to your butts!"
It's April. My journal is blank and dusty and I think it may be pouting.
Problem is, there's no time. I write ever so slowly and I just don't have the energy at the end of my days to sit and write in it. Since typing is much faster and I spend so much time on the computer anyway, I got inspired by MB to create my own blog. So here it is, a glimpse into my 16 months of nursing school.
"Hold on to your butts!"
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