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!
Friday, September 10, 2010
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!
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