Clinically speaking

So, my clinical experience has been so much different from last semester. First off, I love love love my clinical instructor. Ms. Clinical Instructor (AKA Ms. CI) also interviewed me for school and ever since then, it's been all love! She's smart, hilarious and really knows her stuff. You can tell she really wants us to be great nurses, but she's not looking over our shoulders all the time. Last semester's instructor was good as well, but there's something about Ms. CI.

These past few weeks in clinical have definitely been interesting. The first week was really light. We were just trying to figure out the lay of the land...figure out the electronic MAR (Medical Administration Record) system...where the bathroom/kitchen/lounge were. The second week, we actually picked up our patients. As is with most hospital stays, when I got to the floor, my patient had already been discharged. So, I ended up with one of the "hardest" patients known to the floor. My instructor didn't want to give me this patient but because I had heard so much about her, I was up to the challenge. I'm not going to give any background information since she's identifiable but she is known as a "frequent flyer"..someone who can almost always be found at this particular hospital. The thing about her, she was young and had a pretty bad medical history. So, it was understandable that she would be depressed..but she was also rude and manipulative. But, I am not the type to let anyone..sick or not..be rude to me. Because knowing me, I'll be rude back. And not in a way that I would get in trouble with my instructor..but to let her know that I'm not intimidated and that you bite..I bite back. But, with a smile of course. I know that every patient is not going to be sweet as pie..and that's fine. But, I don't plan on being an abused nurse!

The next week, I had pretty cool patients. A sweet old lady and another woman that was 70..and did NOT look it at all. I also came across a patient that had pica, which is basically a disorder that has you persistently and compulsively eating nonfood items. Among many crazy things, this chick digested an engagement ring. AN ENGAGEMENT RING! Now, as hard as I'm trying to get one of those..aint no way I'm swallowing it! I want one too much! Lol! But, seriously..the things you see. Working as a nursing assistant has also gotten me to see some crazy things too.

But, I'm also developing my skills. I can give insulin like the pros. I also gave my first IV push (with my instructor standing right beside me), meaning that a syringe is connected to the IV access device and the medication is injected directly. I am also certain no one in my class has done one yet so I'm pretty psyched.

I'm looking forward to what else I'll learn this semester! Now, it's off to studying for my Pharm quiz tomorrow..can't give those drugs if I don't know what they are or what they are for! The exams never end! :-/