Just call me Mary..

I'm going to write this entry really quick because it's 11:30pm and I have to be at my new job as a PSA (Patient Service Associate..a really fancy way of saying Nursing Assistant) tomorrow morning at 7am. This has been a REALLY crazy and tiring week! Monday I worked as a substitute teacher and then that night, took my exam and had class. Tuesday, up early for 8am orientation for previously said PSA position..finished at 3pm..and then class from 5pm until 9:30pm. Came home...did clinical homework..studied for Pharm exam and then did some MedsPub (which I'll explain at some later time) until 1:30am. Today, up again for 8am orientation. Finished at 3pm..then clinical from 4pm until 10pm. So, I'm about to crash soon since I have to be up in a few hours.

I'm writing because I had the sweetest old lady today as my patient in clinical..but she touched me deeper than I thought she would. 94 years old..medical reason for coming into the hospital is really irrelevant (atleast for this story). What is relevant was that she was HOH (hard of hearing -- just trying to introduce myself was crazy. She didn't understand so somehow we ended up with Mary..so we went with that and that's what she called me for the entire night) and had very bad vision due to glaucoma.

I knew that she was not married and had no children and that she had a niece and nephew. But, when I asked about family visiting (trying to get her family/psychosocial background), she mentioned how no one had came to visit..or ever came to visit. She normally lived at home alone with a home health aide but due to different circumstances, was in and out of an assisted living facility. She had gotten ill and had to go to the Emergency Department in an ambulance and she stated how she had to ride in it alone. Also, about how her niece and nephew had so many excuses as to why they couldn't come and visit..and she started to cry. Mind you, as she's telling me all of this..I start to tear up but to see her cry just sent me over the edge. Now, I think it's because I'm PMSing that I'm so sensitive..I'm still crying hours later! But, it's truly sad how the elderly are so forgotten! How can you NOT come visit your own family..your own flesh and blood? Yeah..we're all busy..but come on now! Not even once?!?! She didn't mentioned that they lived far so I'm pretty sure they are around here somewhere..just so sad!

But, I did have a funny moment. She had mentioned that she had lost her hairbrush. She was brushing her hair when she was told that she would be moved from the previous floor she was on to the one she's at now. She remembered putting her brush in her tissue box but couldn't find it anymore. Of course, she can't see well so it almost seemed hopeless to her. So, me trying to help..I'm searching the tissuebox (obviously not there). I looked under her bed and felt around in the covers. I just happen to glance over to her little night stand in the corner and lo and behold, there's the brush as well as a comb. I shout with glee "I think I found it!" When I held up the brush and comb for her (within 2 inches of her face so she could see it), I'm telling you..it was like I told her I found a million bucks for her. I had to stifle a laugh when she replied "Oh, Mary! Thank you so much!" It was quite humorous because she replied like I really did find a million bucks for her! Hilarious but I could tell she really appreciated it and I was glad I was able to bring her that little bit of joy.

I visited her regularly through the eveing and told her that I would be back tomorrow. I start work at the same hospital as my clinical so I may try to go visit her during my break..but I'm wondering if that's getting too attached. I really wished I could bring her home with me. Even though my apartment is such a mess because it's been so neglected because of my crazy, busy schedule..but that's a whole 'nother topic!

Anyway, I'm off to bed..but not before I send up prayers of comfort for my patient. I feel like I really need to do that..

Who says As don't exist in nursing school?

Took my first nursing exam and I got an A!! Whoo-hoo!! A 96.3 to be exact! Given that an A is a 94 and higher..I'm pretty psyched!

Even though our grades won't be posted for another week, we were able to figure out what we got. The exam is 55 questions. We were told to mark our exams, fold them and leave them at our desk to go over later (we were actually told of this at the beginning of the semester). After we took the exam, we took a break for dinner (of course, as we ate...some of us ate together and went over questions that we remembered and potential answers). Once back to the room, we gathered our exams and were divided in groups and "re-took" the test..by comparing all of our answers. Once we kinda had a consensus (some of the questions, the groups were split over an answer), the answers were posted on the screen above.

I knew I got 2 wrong (our grades are figured out by # of right - 53..divided by total number - 55) but some of the questions were question marks for my group..but I had gotten those right. I'm so excited! I know the exams are going to get harder..and I'm going to have to study harder..and with working 2 jobs..it's going to be super hard. But, I am DETERMINED! I want scholarships..and a good externship..so I am going to do what I need to to get what I want!

Just because I got an A..the studying doesn't end! I am about to stay up for a bit to go over clinical work. I am SOO tired..but I need to do it because I have nursing assistant orientation tomorrow morning at 8am..until 4pm. And then class from 5pm until 9pm. It never stops! I had to work this morning too! But, I won't complain.

Here's to more As in my future!! :)

Week 3

I'm in the middle of week 3 of school and things are definitely chugging right along. Our first major test is next Monday and I've already had a dream that I failed (anything below an 80 is failing). I know that's just my mind playing tricks on me but it's still nerve wracking to have that dream..or rather nightmare! I canNOT fail the first exam..not at all! I want to get an externship next summer and a scholarship for next semester. Both of those things depend on me doing well and I can't start off on the wrong foot.

I've been studying but not as much as I should, in my opinion. The thing is..as I mentioned before..nursing exams are not like exams that I'm used it. It is a lot of critical thinking and applying what we've learned...not simply knowing what primary prevention is..or what the nursing process is..but actually APPLYING them in certain situations. I'm just really nervous about this first test. I think once I get through it..I'll be more prepared for the rest of the exams for the semester.

We finally should meet our clinical instructor tonight after lab. After sunbathing in Greece for the past 3 weeks, I'm sure she's anxious to meet us..lol. Our substitute instructor started out cool but at the end of the last week..we were all ready to get away from her. I liked clinical during the nursing assistant course and I hope I can get back to liking them again once I meet our regular instructor.

Other than that..I'm just trying to adjust to my new life. I'm working as a substitute teacher, which is good because it's flexible. I can go in when I want but if I need to take a day off to study or do something, I can without any consequences. I also got a part-time job as a nursing assistant at the same hospital I'm doing my clinicals out..which works out great. Not so great that I'll be working at the crack of dawn from 7am - 3pm but since clinical starts at 4pm, I'll be right there after work. TI-RED..but at least I don't have to travel far. We'll see where I end up for clinical next semester..that might be a problem but we'll jump that bridge when we get there.

Well, I have the day off today until lab so I'm going to go get my hair done (even though it's raining!), clean up my room (which has taken a HUGE backseat to my schedule) and get my study on. Tiring..but well worth it :)

Study Break

I'm taking a quick study break to update the blog. So far, things have gone well. We've FINALLY gone into the hospital for my clinical group. Our clinical instructor is still on vacation and won't be back for another week or so..go figure. So, we have a "substitute clinical instructor"..who is pretty cool. However, we're kinda behind the other clinical groups, especially the days program..since 2 times we were let out early because our sub instructor didn't show up. I think it was a matter of miscommunication..but still...

We started pharmacology last week and I can tell I'm going to like it. Granted, this semester, it's only 1 credit..and I won't be getting too deep into it..but I can already tell...learning about drugs will be interesting!

Last Thursday was our first time in the hospital since the nursing assistant course and it was cool. We didn't do any patient care but we were assigned patients and had to record almost everything about them..history of admission/illness..allergies..past health history..psychosocial/family history..medical management, etc. Then there were a million questions we had to answer - Did the patient develop further complications during hospitalization? How were they addressed? What is the patient's condition now? What are the important assessments to make? Yadda yadda ya. It's cool though..because I had to get really familiar with the chart! The hospital I'm doing my clinical rotation has computer charting too..but they also have the paper ones. Which is good and bad. Since I don't have full access to the computer charts, it's more bad!

We also started lab, which counts as clinical time. We basically got an introduction to lab last week. The lab instructor is HILARIOUS..I know I will enjoy the lab time well.

Well, that's all for now. The clinical paperwork is due on Wednesday but since I have awful handwriting, I'm re-writing all of my work. *sigh* Might as well get a start on it now..

What a week...

This week has been my official entrance into school as a *drum roll please* NURSING STUDENT!

The first day was orientation. Even though I am in the evening program, all students (freshmen and seniors) had to attend from 9a to 2p. It was the standard orientation -- meet the faculty, look over the "Rules" book AKA school policy and procedures guidebook (which makes nursing school seem like Catholic school. For example, rules for clinicals -- "No hair on the collar! No colored nail polish, only clear! No anklet sock, must cover ankles! No hoop earrings, only posts! Don't dare let us see any tattoos!"), get our keys to our mailboxes, etc. The rules for class were basically common sense ones however the "No cell phones or texting" will be a killer for some students..lol. We also met our advisers and learned more about what to expect from our courses NURE 110/111. All in all, it wasn't boring to me but my pal "Morgan" from the nursing assistant course was bored to tears. She was yet bored when we heard about the MANDATORY Student Nurses Association convention that we have to attend in February. However, when we were told that we could sign up to be monitors for the convention (which happens to be held in Atlantic City) and get our rooms paid for..AND the time away would be classified as clinical time..she woke up..even if just for a moment :)

The next day was the first day in class. First, I want to just say..looking at the syllabus and calendar will make you go nuts. There are due dates highlighted and flagged all over the place. There is something on EVERY day! We have exams (4 that are 17% of our final grade a piece)..quizzes..presentations. Not sure if there are papers but I'm sure there's some somewhere up in the mix. And let's not even forget clinical. There's that and some other things that I've already forgotten that will be pass/fail. Did I mention that to get an A, you need a 94...yes, a 94! Anything below 80 is FAILING! Also, I don't have any of the books...a little too poor right now. I just have the book we used over the summer (or I should say rarely used). The first few readings are from that book so I have a little time..but just a little. I heard our med-surg book is like 50 lbs and can be used to workout with. I'm sure. I've heard notorious things about med-surg books! Luckily, our class has powerpoint presentations for each class so that is a type of saving grace. But, I still would like the books so I could look back and review. I'll get them soon enough.

Our semester is divided up into 4 units in which we learn about Professionalism, Wellness/Illness, Mobility and Safety/Protection. Very fundamentals of nursing. Which right now is boring..lol. In class, we learn the theory part - in clinical/lab, we apply those ideas. But, it definitely will be interesting. It's just the syllabus/calendar is very...busy! LOTS of reading! I thought I read a lot in college..this is not the same!

Another thing that is not the same, something that I've been warned about by other nursing students/graduates, as well as the professors at nursing school -- all tests are multiple choice but not the multiple choice that we're used to! Normal multiple questions consist of "What is the color of the sky?" A) pink B) yellow C) green or D) blue. Of course, the color of the sky can be any of these colors but in general, the answer is mainly blue, without a shadow of a doubt. In nursing school, it won't be that easy (not that we've ever had a question THAT easy!).

In nursing school, the question would be "which of these would a nurse do FIRST?" or "when dealing with a patient with diabetes, which lab results are most important?" Of course, with these questions, there could be many right answers..and usually, there are! But, the correct answer that the test is looking for is the MOST right answer. Crazy, right? No one wants to know the definition, structure or function of something. You're already suppose to know that! You will be presented with scenarios, hypothetical cases. You are suppose to answer with a nursing diagnosis and care plan. Rough, right?

Tonight, we started clinical..even though we didn't do much. We just did chart review. Since the hospital where I'll be doing my clinical rotation has computerized charting, and my school is associated with the hospital, we were able to access patient records right from the school. Since I worked at a hospital before which had patient information online (but still used paper charts at the time), I wasn't one of those that were oohing and ahhing or making comments like "Patient B was admitted for severe diarrhea..cool!" After going through the online charts, we were given a very old (1994) copy of a paper chart and were asked to find different information within the chart such as patient's age, medical history, allergies, type of surgery done, vital signs for a certain day/time, etc. It was pretty cool. We got to leave super early for some odd reason..so I didn't complain at all.

This weekend, I will spend time typing up my notes onto the powerpoint presentations for class..reviewing and making online flashcards. September 21st (my first nursing exam) will be here soon enough! :)

C=RN

I received an IM from a friend of mine early this morning, who attended the same community college I did for Chemistry, that she received her grade today (in another class). I figured since school ended last Thursday..and it was a summer course..that my grade would be up soon..and it is!

I got a C..which is all that I had hoped for. Of course, in nursing school..my aim will not be Cs. I need scholarships..and an externship..so a C will NOT cut it. But, for a class that will not be factored into my nursing school GPA..a C is just fine!

Now, I will spend this week cleaning and completing a nursing school assignment (that is due the first day of class!) - getting ready for nursing school orientation next week. I can't wait!

It's been so long!!

I'm back! I didn't forget about the blog..just things have been SOOO busy! And I didn't have a laptop so it was really hard to get on and post. However..it's a new day!!

I finally got a laptop!! So, there will be no excuses..well, except for times of homework..working 2 jobs (yes, TWO!)..readings..sleep deprivation..ya know..the usual.

Let's see..where did we leave off? Well, I was done with the Nursing Assistant course at my school at the end of July..and it was fantastic (I also passed..yippee!). It just confirmed my desire to go into nursing. I loved the time I got to spend with the patients..it was so rewarding! There were some funny patients! As well as some touching ones..I was assigned a patient with Parkinson's Disease because my clinical instructor knew that my dad has Parkinson's. Even though my dad isn't as bad as my patient's "Mr. Park", it really hit home when I had to feed him breakfast and lunch. I cried while feeding him breakfast! Luckily, no one came into the room, but later on when I told some of my nursing student friends, I started to cry again. I'm realizing, going into nursing, I'll be doing a lot of crying..

As I said, my dad isn't as bad as him but Dad was diagnosed young (in his late 50's) and he has some of the characteristics of those with Parkinson's (rounded face..shuffled gait..stiff muscles) and while feeding Mr. Park, I began to think of my dad in that state. Parkinson's is a degenerative disease..which means..there's no getting better. However, some people don't get as bad as others. We can only hope and pray for a cure real soon.

Right now, I'm taking a study break from Chemistry...oh my goodness..it is the WORST! This is the last week (tomorrow is the last day). We have/had FOUR exams this week! A lab quiz this past Monday, lecture exam #4 AND the department lab final tonight, and the department lecture exam is tomorrow. This isn't just regular Chemistry..it's regular, inorganic AND organic chemistry! All this crammed into 5 weeks! I'm just PRAYING for a C..that's right..a C!! That's all I need to pass and be done with it! And the professor isn't as bad as it was made out to be..but the class IS as bad as I was told.

Once I'm done with this..I'll be free to chillax until August 25th, which is when orientation starts! Yippee! I'll be officially in the evening program then after taking the nursing assistant course during the day with the day program students. But, I have a friend, "Morgan", who I met in the day nursing assistant course who will be in the evening program with me. I was ecstatic to find out that she'll also be in my clinical group next semester...yippee!!

This will be a busy semester..I have TWO jobs - substitute teaching and a part-time nursing assistant position at a hospital, while in school full-time. I have no choice but to work. I'm not working at all this month and won't get paid substitute teaching until 2 weeks after school returns..so a sista is a lil broke! But, I know God will provide..so I'm just trusting Him!

That's it for now! I'll let you know how I do in Chemistry soon!