And we're off!

Ok..so we've been back in school for about 2 weeks and I'm already ready for it to be May. So much to do! Well, let me first report that I started the semester off right..got my first A of the semester! Yay! It was on our first unit exam (there are 5 that will equal 75% of our final grade. The final will be 25%). The topics were Fluid & Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, etc.) as well as the Renal System (hello, Acute/Chronic Renal failure!) and Male GU system. Nice. I would have gotten a 100 but I changed 2 of the answers..darnnit! But, oh well..as a fellow classmate said..an A is still an A! "Candace" also got an A and "Morgan" was right behind us so I'm happy about that too!

I also started clinicals last week. I'm at a bigger hospital and I love it! I also love my clinical instructor. She's so smart and witty..just a joy to be around (I sound old..lol). Well, we'll see how I feel once I really get into clinicals. The first week we didn't do much. We got the lay of the land and we also paired up with another classmate. On last Thursday, we met up with our instructor late because we had an orientation for the Operating Room. This semester, 3 of our clinical days will be spent off the floor - 1 day in Cardiac Cath, 1 day in the Operating Room and 1 day in Endoscopy. For the OR we had to watch a video and then we got a tour of the OR department. It was pretty standard. I'm not interested in working in the OR but it will be cool to see something like a liver resection. I am definitely interested in the cardiac cath lab day since I'm interested in working in cardiac. The only thing is we have to be there at 7am but atleast we don't have clinical that night since that will take the place of it. "Candace" lives near the hospital where our clinical rotation is so I have already warned her to get the couch ready for me the night before. We're also doing our cardiac cath and OR days on the same day. It's so cool because "Candace", "Morgan" and I ended up in the same clinical rotation again! "Morgan" and I have been in the same clinical group since we started school! The names are drawn out of a hat (after they make sure you're not with the same clinical instructor again). How cool is that!

We started cardiac tonight (I had to miss the first night due to a church obligation) but I'm looking forward to this section, even though I heard it's the hardest section! Ms. Clinical Instructor is also the instructor of cardiac. So, while I know that the material may be hard (even though she said it's not - yeah right), she's a great teacher so I'm hoping that the material will be understood a little better since she'll be able to break it down better. We'll see.

On a somewhat different note, a week ago today, a devasting earthquake rocked the country of Haiti. I'm hearing reports now that 70,000 people (and counting) have died. Every time I see reports of the devastation, my heart breaks. I don't think I've watched any reports of the earthquake without my eyes misting. I know that there is a dire need of doctors and nurses to go down there. And while things are really crazy, I believe that if I was a nurse with experience..and had the approval of my husband (who is non-existent right now but that is a whole 'nother blog!)..I would definitely make my way down there to help. I feel like one of the reasons why I'm studying to be a nurse is to help people. And while that sounds so cliche'-ish, I feel drawn to help the neediest. And yes, there are needy people right here in my backyard..but I dunno. I know what I want work in the ICU or cardiac or neuro...hopefully, one day becoming a nurse practitioner. But, I know, without a doubt, I definitely will be making an international trip somewhere to help those that need my help the most. Otherwise, what else would be the purpose of getting all of this education and experience, if I don't give back?

And so we start again..

Ugh! Well, I have officially started the much-dreaded 2nd semester. I have heard much about this semester AKA the do-or-die semester! Even my advisor has said that this semester is really hard. And why wouldn't it be with topics such as Fluid & Electrolytes (BORING!), Cardiac (HARD!), Metabolism (BORING!), GI (HARD!) and Respiratory (HARD!). Ok..I'm not sure how boring or hard each section is (even though we started F&E last night and it has lived up to it's boring status already..even my instructor stated she hates teaching F&E.

Our first exam is 2 weeks from tonight..what in the world! I am so overwhelmed already and it's just the 2nd day. My strategy is to do what I did last semester -- start off and try to do as well as possible on the first couple of tests so that I don't have to stress at the end of the semester. Let's see how well that goes!

We also have a paper due and a poster project! The paper is Pass/Fail and the poster project is only 2% of our final grade..but still..busy work that takes up time!

One good thing is that we got our clinical rotation schedule and "Morgan", "Candace" and I are again in the same group..which is awesome! And we're not at the same hospital we were last semester, which is the same hospital I work at. Finally..new scenery.

Well, I'm off to learn more about sodium, potassium, ABGs and all that other fun stuff..NOT!!

After all is said and done

I FINALLY got my grades for the semester..after what seemed like forever waiting for them. I already knew what my grades were based on what I had gotten on my tests and quizzes but I wanted to see them in person so *drumroll please* I ended up with a B in Nursing 110 and an A in Pharmacology. The crazy part is that they don't give us any number grades (even though we get number grades all semester with our tests). So, a B is anywhere between an 87-93. I figured out that I ended up with a 91.25..which normally would be an A..but nothing is normal at this school!

So, all in all, my cumulative gpa (with my other pre-reqs scores and such) is a 3.06 and my term gpa is a 3.1. Not nearly as high as I thought I would end up with..but I can't complain.

I'm on break now (Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy New Year, etc., etc!) until next week so this week I plan on getting some pre-studying done. I start with fluid and electrolytes next week/semester (boring!) so I need to get a jump on everything. Pulled out my old A&P book and I'll get some reading done.

See ya next year!

The end is...HERE!

I cannot believe I am writing after my first nursing final exam! This semester has gone by so fast! But, I'm glad it's here because I need a BREAK! Albeit, 2 weeks break.

The final today was ok. The instructors gave us a blueprint of what would be on the exam..but nothing too specific. One instructor actually gave us the exact same questions from the unit exam..which was awesome! I waited for "Morgan" and "Candace" afterwards (I was the 2nd person done!) and duing the wait, as other people came out, we were comparing answers. Honestly, I don't know what I'm going to end up with..I trust I didn't fail, though. There were 100 questions on the exam - 1point each - so you can only get 20 questions wrong to not fail. I don't think I got 20 questions wrong so I should be good.

Tomorrow is the pharm exam. 60 questions. So, 1 down and 1 more to go. Then I'm going to party, party, party afterwards! Ok..maybe not..but I'll definitely be relaxing!

Off to study for the last time in 2009! lol

Last dance

Or rather last week of class and clinicals!! Which is exactly what it was this week. The first semester went by FAST! Of course, EVERYONE tells you that but you think you have so much time. Well, the time has run OUT!

I can't even say it's been rough..it's been ok. I started out on a high and then didn't do as well (didn't do as well means I didn't continually get As! lol) but I'm still doing well and I am looking forward to next semester (even though it's been said that it is the hardest semester. Teachers AND students alike have attested to that). I have 1 more unit exam and then 2 finals (for the general Nursing course and 1 for the Pharmacology course). I also have to complete a physical assessment and get my clinical evaluation. By December 16th, that will be all she wrote!

I hate to say it but I know everyone will not be coming back. And it will be interesting to see how that goes since the school is closing down. Time will only tell.

Well, I have a lot of studying to do so I'm going to get to it! :-)

Money, money, money, money.....MONEY!!!

I got the best news yesterday!!! I got a $5000 scholarship at my school!! That's right!! And I all had to do was remain beautiful and smart! lol Well, not exactly..but I guess technically so since all I had to do was write a letter regarding my need - which being I couldn't afford books this semester and I left my high-paying legal position (NOT!) to become a nursing student who worked full-time and went to school full-time. Sent that in and BAM! My bill for school was $5000 cheaper! The best part was "Morgan" was able to get the same scholarship too!

AND since I only owe like $600..my loan that I was getting anyway..that can cover those Benjamins. What oh what shall I do with the remaining money from my loan? Do I turn it back in and apply it to next semester (where I definitely do intend on applying for another scholarship at the school..may even use the same letter..lol) or do I go on a shopping spree?!?!

Hmmmmm.....;-)

Who shot ya? And other fun updates..

It seems like it's been a minute since I've blogged but so much has been going on. Granted, it's about midnight now and after a long day of teaching non-stop-chatting 1st graders and clinical from 4 - freaking 11pm!..I'm beat! But here's the top 10 thoughts I've had since the last time we spoke.

1 - The semester is almost over!! Time has surely flown..flew..whatever! The last day of the semester is December 16th or so..and I have so much to do in between then! There are so many tests/quizzes in between now and then..my brain is going to spin out of control with info before the end of the semester. Speaking of which...

2 - Nursing school is a BEAST! Who knew that nurses needed to know all of this information! It's so daggone much! And it's like all of the information is loosely scattered in my brain and hopefully, it will all come together..some day..lol

3 - Even though it's crazy..I really enjoy nursing school and learning everything. I've always been interested in the human body and the way things work and the intricate patterns and workings..no one can know how a human body works and what it does..and not believe in a God. Simply not a coincidence. It's simply fascinating and the things I see sometimes blow my mind.

4 - And the things you see can be crazy! The #1 crazy thing for me are the stage wounds..even though I've seen enough for a life time! You always hear it's so important to turn your patients but people still don't do that in hospitals or nursing homes..but to see the result! You see my pics on here..would you like to be sitting on one of those wounds?? Yeah..didn't think so! Even better..would you like your MOTHER to be sitting on one of those?!?! I already told my mama..while there may be some great nursing homes out there, she is never, ever, EVER going into a nursing home..EVER! No matter what I have to do. Well, unless she starts acting up..and then I'll have to ship her off to Shady Pines or something..lol.

5 - People need to take care of themselves..and their liver/kidneys! The liver and kidneys are so important..and if you have liver or renal (kidney) failure..you're in a whole bunch of trouble! But, people just want to drink their livers away! And I'm not judging..not at all. But, when you see a patient who you originally thought was Hispanic or some other race but then find out he's just really, REALLY jaundiced (which aint just for babies) and is literally the color of Big Bird, AND he has ascites and you can literally see and feel his liver..makes you think about that Long Island Iced Tea!

6 - But you see patients that are really sad cases. Cancer is NOT nice..obviously. Kidney failure..bad motorcycle accidents...falls down stairs that leave someone with a subdural hematoma..strokes..you name it, I've probably seen it so far. Makes you so appreciative of your health and your families health. It could be so so much worse..

7 - But, I get to shoot people and that's always fun! lol I've given two subcutaneous shots! One of Lovenox and the other of Heparin - both anticoagulants...basically to prevent blood clotting/DVTs. My first guy was nice and easy..but my second one was pretty much wasted away and had no fat to grab. It was pretty hard to find a good "handle" but I got it and it was smooth sailing!

8 - I also got to hang 2 piggyback medications! The first time, I felt so stupid. While seeing someone hang an IV bag is one thing..once you're doing it yourself, you're like..um..what am I suppose to do first. First rule..always clamp after you attach the tubing to the bag. Don't want to turn it right-side up and whoosh..all the medication spills on ya! I did my second tonight and it was smooth sailing again. Even primed the line (got out all the air bubbles) perfectly. Boo-Yah! lol I also had the fun experience of catheters! I had the joy of taking out a foley catheter, even though at the time I was working as a nursing assitant and that was well out of the scope of my duties. However, the nurses I work with are super cool and they know I am a nursing student. So this particular nurse let me take one out, under their careful guidance and even more careful eyes. I also had the "pleasure" of putting on a condom catheter, this time while I was a nursing student and under the direction of my nursing instructor (as well as under her voice as she stated "It's just like putting on a condom!"). I mean, which it IS..but still..doesn't necessarily have to be announced! Especially since reason why we were putting one on was because the previous one had slipped off so we figured that it was too big. So, we got a smaller one..and then struggled with 4 hands to put it on. Nice.

9 - Nursing school is nothing without good buddies. I've met some awesome new friends in school. Some more awesome than others...LOL. I've already mentioned "Morgan". She's still hilarious and I know will continue to be throughout school. While she has this crazy, funny attitude that I can't properly describe, she has a really caring heart and I can tell she'll be a great nurse. A hilarious one too! I've also become really cool with another girl, "Candace". "Candace" is a super cool chick. She has a fiance' and baby..and is working on weekends. She actually started the program last year but had to retake the semester. I don't know how she felt at the time, but I know she's really glad she's with me and "Morgan" now..lol! Sometimes things happen and you never know why. And it may seem like a bad situation but all things work together for the good (of them that love the Lord, the Bible says). And I believe in this situation, this worked out for the really good because if "Candace" hadn't come back this year, we would have never had met and never would have had such a good time we're having now and will have for the rest of these 2 years!

10 - I need sleep! Which is what I'm going to do now..:-)