I felt so good about clinicals today. I was not nearly as nervous about it today and I'm not sure why. I woke up with the thought of.....what would be worse - a completely dependent patient who can't do anything or someone in contact isolation? Thank God I got neither. The lady I had was wonderful and almost completely independent. I washed her back and feet and that was about it. She was lots of fun to talk to. The assessment was easy to do by watching her during her physical therapy and doing her bath and things. I got bowel sounds and lung and heart sounds. Did the neuro assessment and everything. NOW the fun begins with the write up and 3 pages of drugs.
Oh and I got my emergency loan today so that helped since my bank account was at $0.00! I picked up my daughter from school and we drove out to get the check. Then I took her to see where mommy spends all her time. I let her look in the window at the lab....had to be quick since there was a class going on at the time but we tried not to make noise or be too obvious.
Bad thing today was my boyfriend just texted me and said he is sick, vomiting, fever, chills and major stomach cramps. I feel so bad for him. I'm not with him tonight but I have been there since Friday night so I'm praying I don't get it! Hoping for his sake it's just a 24 hour stomach bug but with a fever I'm not so sure.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tomorrow has to be better.....a whole day off
So no clinicals tomorrow. YEAH! I was looking forward to sleeping in but instead will be taking my daughter to school at 9. Then, after calling for 3 weeks to the dentist for cancellations they finally have one....tomorrow at 11 - so not enough time to go back home and nap. Plus I was supposed to have lunch with my bf but he has lunch at 11:30 on the other side of town so I don't know if I'll make it.
So much for my "day off"! I'll be running around like crazy.
Also found out today that my bf's schedule changed for this huge project at his work and instead of being tied up all weekend THIS weekend....it's going to be my birthday weekend instead. He did everything he could to make it any other weekend but his boss told him it had to be that weekend. Oh well. Guess it's good.....I can spend the weekend studying for the final that's gonna happen the following Wednesday! Still sucks though!
So much for my "day off"! I'll be running around like crazy.
Also found out today that my bf's schedule changed for this huge project at his work and instead of being tied up all weekend THIS weekend....it's going to be my birthday weekend instead. He did everything he could to make it any other weekend but his boss told him it had to be that weekend. Oh well. Guess it's good.....I can spend the weekend studying for the final that's gonna happen the following Wednesday! Still sucks though!
Friday, September 17, 2010
A huge sigh of relief....
I'm SOOOOOOOOO relieved. I got an 88 on the midterm. I'm so excited I can't stand it. Normally I would be beating myself up for not getting an A but an 88 is pretty darn good considering it was over 12 or 13 chapters of material I absorbed in 3.5 weeks. Yeah....I'll take an 88!
I was really nervous about clinicals this week but I survived despite all things stacked against me.....alarm being set for 5:45 PM instead of AM, getting stuck in the TINY elevator with 8 other people and bags and giving a naked old man a shower. I even got a good BP this time....it was high but that was normal for the patient.
My personal life is going MUCH better than it was last week so that's a huge weight off my back. I have my daughter this weekend and following week so another bright spot. YEAH!
I will be working on my paper this weekend....can't put it off any longer...and taking it to the Learning Commons on Monday to review. I finally found a decent article to use, now I just have to figure out how to START the paper. I vaguely recall Ms. Damelio saying it had to be written in third person but that's about it. Still not quite sure how we are supposed to work in a reference to this article. I guess I will write the paper, take it to LC and ask them how to work it in. I wish we could've seen one as an example just to know what it's supposed to look like. It has been 10 years since I've had to write a paper....I'm kinda rusty!
Have a great weekend everyone!
I was really nervous about clinicals this week but I survived despite all things stacked against me.....alarm being set for 5:45 PM instead of AM, getting stuck in the TINY elevator with 8 other people and bags and giving a naked old man a shower. I even got a good BP this time....it was high but that was normal for the patient.
My personal life is going MUCH better than it was last week so that's a huge weight off my back. I have my daughter this weekend and following week so another bright spot. YEAH!
I will be working on my paper this weekend....can't put it off any longer...and taking it to the Learning Commons on Monday to review. I finally found a decent article to use, now I just have to figure out how to START the paper. I vaguely recall Ms. Damelio saying it had to be written in third person but that's about it. Still not quite sure how we are supposed to work in a reference to this article. I guess I will write the paper, take it to LC and ask them how to work it in. I wish we could've seen one as an example just to know what it's supposed to look like. It has been 10 years since I've had to write a paper....I'm kinda rusty!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Day before midterm.....my brain is fried!
After two study sessions with my awesome group I feel pretty confident...hope it's not in vain. I did all the tests in the success book and did much better on them the second time after talking with the group about stuff.
I'm a little more nervous about this clinical just because I don't know what kind of patient to expect. With Westminster I was pretty sure it was gonna be an elderly person....with Rehab it could be ANYONE.
I had a pretty bad Sunday that kinda threw me for a loop but I pulled it together and got back on track. I have to keep my focus on school no matter what else is going on in the rest of my life. It's really hard to not become sidetracked with something I want so badly in my personal life but nursing is more important than anything else going on. I cannot fail! I WILL NOT FAIL!
Regardless of what is going on with anything else I have a lot of support from my family (finally) and my classmates. My boyfriend has been amazingly supportive and gave me the courage to actually pursue my dream again after 15 years. If it weren't for him I'm not sure I would've had the confidence to do this. He is amazing and supportive and I couldn't ask for a better partner to go through this crazy time with me. We have been through a lot together and this is just going to be one more hurdle we will get over together. I can't wait to be standing on that stage for pinning and look out and see my daughter, him and his family and my parents all there celebrating my accomplishment.
Keeping my eye on the prize!
Heather
I'm a little more nervous about this clinical just because I don't know what kind of patient to expect. With Westminster I was pretty sure it was gonna be an elderly person....with Rehab it could be ANYONE.
I had a pretty bad Sunday that kinda threw me for a loop but I pulled it together and got back on track. I have to keep my focus on school no matter what else is going on in the rest of my life. It's really hard to not become sidetracked with something I want so badly in my personal life but nursing is more important than anything else going on. I cannot fail! I WILL NOT FAIL!
Regardless of what is going on with anything else I have a lot of support from my family (finally) and my classmates. My boyfriend has been amazingly supportive and gave me the courage to actually pursue my dream again after 15 years. If it weren't for him I'm not sure I would've had the confidence to do this. He is amazing and supportive and I couldn't ask for a better partner to go through this crazy time with me. We have been through a lot together and this is just going to be one more hurdle we will get over together. I can't wait to be standing on that stage for pinning and look out and see my daughter, him and his family and my parents all there celebrating my accomplishment.
Keeping my eye on the prize!
Heather
Friday, September 10, 2010
Another week over
Wow....I survived my first clinical. I was so glad to have Katie in the room with me. It was much less nerve wracking. I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would.
I also enjoyed lab today. I LOVE my group. We had a great study session and I really feel like I'm "getting it". I passed my vital signs assessment and we learned about making beds and bed baths.
Oh....and good news. I responded to my mom's letter with a 7 page one of my own. She didn't say much to me for two days until last night when I was upset about something and didn't want to talk to her. She actually admitted that every thing I said in my response was right and she was sorry.
More good news....after clinicals my daughter's doctors office called and her bone age test was normal. What a HUGE relief. She said we should celebrate by going to Disney :) She cracks me up.
I also enjoyed lab today. I LOVE my group. We had a great study session and I really feel like I'm "getting it". I passed my vital signs assessment and we learned about making beds and bed baths.
Oh....and good news. I responded to my mom's letter with a 7 page one of my own. She didn't say much to me for two days until last night when I was upset about something and didn't want to talk to her. She actually admitted that every thing I said in my response was right and she was sorry.
More good news....after clinicals my daughter's doctors office called and her bone age test was normal. What a HUGE relief. She said we should celebrate by going to Disney :) She cracks me up.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
How much more can I handle?
UGH! So does 2 posts in 2 days make up for being a day late?
Today I went to assessment lab and learned respiratory assessment and practiced vital signs. Made a few people laugh and encouraged others. I was feeling pretty good. Went home, washed the love bugs off the car, took a shower and studied.
Had to take my 7-yo daughter to the doctor for her well child check up. I had concerns as she has been having some underarm odor for about the last 6 months (turned 7 in July). It started after she started drinking milk every day at school so I was wondering if it was the hormones in the milk or something. I asked the Nurse Practitioner about it and she said she would check her out and let me know what she thinks. So....I watch her examine my daughters chest and private areas, do a scoliosis check and then she tells me...."Well, she is starting to develop a little bit of breast tissue and she's getting an hourglass figure with very prominent hips." I'm sitting there trying not to see it but I do. It's too soon. She's too young. She told me she didn't expect her to start her period for at least two more years. That would be when I started mine...at 9, on Christmas Eve, in third grade! At least she would be 9 in 4th grade so that's a little better but still entirely too early. The NP is sending her for a bone scan to make sure her bone age is matching her chronological age. If she's maturing too fast and hits puberty too soon it can apparently stunt her growth and she won't reach her full adult height. She's already 50.5" tall at 7 (90th percentile) for her age but I don't want her to be that height for her adult life! If the bone age is off they will send her to an endocrinologist for further testing.
So....if that's not enough on my plate I end up in a screaming fight with my mom. I am currently living with my parents (at 36 yo) because I needed help with my daughter while I'm in school and financial aid wouldn't cover an apartment. I don't want to be here as it is but I have no choice right now. Anyway....my mom told me she would do my laundry for me to help me out. I NEVER ASKED NOR EXPECTED HER TO DO IT! Great, that's nice. I appreciate it. So last night when I got home from my boyfriends for the weekend I put my scrubs and a few shorts/shirts in the presorted piles she had. Tonight I discover when I went to put my daughters clothes in the hamper that my clothes are all there.
As I walked through the living room to go wash them she says "I'll do Kyra's clothes." I said, "Oh, but not mine?" She said that since I could go off and have fun all weekend and not let them see Kyra all weekend that I could do my own. Fine, just freakin let me know that. I was here for 3 hours this afternoon that I could've had it done. She didn't get out of the bed till 4:30 this afternoon. I was furious. She is doing a power trip and trying to put my daughter in the middle of it. She's mean and evil and I cannot stand it here. Thank God I have every other week with my boyfriend when we don't have our kids. That's my sanity saver. Otherwise I end up feeling like I'm in high school again and have to approve where I go and what I do through my parents. She doesn't care if I live here....she just wants my daughter. She doesn't understand the custody agreement doesn't include HER visitation. She is lucky that she sees her as much as she does because we live here every other week. Most grandparents are lucky to see their grandkids for holidays! I can't win. When I would let them keep her for a night and go to my boyfriends then I got a guilt trip about "She misses you. You don't care about her. You only care about yourself." So I take her with me (he has a daughter the same age and they're best friends) and then I get griped at because I'm taking her away from them! I can't win. Now I'm supposed to be studying and I just want to scream. I HATE IT HERE! How can I deal with this for the next two years. I have tried talking to her and telling her that I can't have these guilt trips and power plays for the next 2 years and she just doesn't get it. If I could win the lottery and didn't need my pell grant then perhaps my situation could change but right now I'm stuck. I have to make this sacrifice for the next two years to get help with my daughter but I just don't know how I'm gonna handle it. I'd almost rather live in my car than put up with this craziness. Now I basically hide out in my 12 x 12 room and hope she forgets I'm here.
Ok, sorry. Just ranting and worrying aloud. I'm very open about my life so apologies if I offend anyone.
Today I went to assessment lab and learned respiratory assessment and practiced vital signs. Made a few people laugh and encouraged others. I was feeling pretty good. Went home, washed the love bugs off the car, took a shower and studied.
Had to take my 7-yo daughter to the doctor for her well child check up. I had concerns as she has been having some underarm odor for about the last 6 months (turned 7 in July). It started after she started drinking milk every day at school so I was wondering if it was the hormones in the milk or something. I asked the Nurse Practitioner about it and she said she would check her out and let me know what she thinks. So....I watch her examine my daughters chest and private areas, do a scoliosis check and then she tells me...."Well, she is starting to develop a little bit of breast tissue and she's getting an hourglass figure with very prominent hips." I'm sitting there trying not to see it but I do. It's too soon. She's too young. She told me she didn't expect her to start her period for at least two more years. That would be when I started mine...at 9, on Christmas Eve, in third grade! At least she would be 9 in 4th grade so that's a little better but still entirely too early. The NP is sending her for a bone scan to make sure her bone age is matching her chronological age. If she's maturing too fast and hits puberty too soon it can apparently stunt her growth and she won't reach her full adult height. She's already 50.5" tall at 7 (90th percentile) for her age but I don't want her to be that height for her adult life! If the bone age is off they will send her to an endocrinologist for further testing.
So....if that's not enough on my plate I end up in a screaming fight with my mom. I am currently living with my parents (at 36 yo) because I needed help with my daughter while I'm in school and financial aid wouldn't cover an apartment. I don't want to be here as it is but I have no choice right now. Anyway....my mom told me she would do my laundry for me to help me out. I NEVER ASKED NOR EXPECTED HER TO DO IT! Great, that's nice. I appreciate it. So last night when I got home from my boyfriends for the weekend I put my scrubs and a few shorts/shirts in the presorted piles she had. Tonight I discover when I went to put my daughters clothes in the hamper that my clothes are all there.
As I walked through the living room to go wash them she says "I'll do Kyra's clothes." I said, "Oh, but not mine?" She said that since I could go off and have fun all weekend and not let them see Kyra all weekend that I could do my own. Fine, just freakin let me know that. I was here for 3 hours this afternoon that I could've had it done. She didn't get out of the bed till 4:30 this afternoon. I was furious. She is doing a power trip and trying to put my daughter in the middle of it. She's mean and evil and I cannot stand it here. Thank God I have every other week with my boyfriend when we don't have our kids. That's my sanity saver. Otherwise I end up feeling like I'm in high school again and have to approve where I go and what I do through my parents. She doesn't care if I live here....she just wants my daughter. She doesn't understand the custody agreement doesn't include HER visitation. She is lucky that she sees her as much as she does because we live here every other week. Most grandparents are lucky to see their grandkids for holidays! I can't win. When I would let them keep her for a night and go to my boyfriends then I got a guilt trip about "She misses you. You don't care about her. You only care about yourself." So I take her with me (he has a daughter the same age and they're best friends) and then I get griped at because I'm taking her away from them! I can't win. Now I'm supposed to be studying and I just want to scream. I HATE IT HERE! How can I deal with this for the next two years. I have tried talking to her and telling her that I can't have these guilt trips and power plays for the next 2 years and she just doesn't get it. If I could win the lottery and didn't need my pell grant then perhaps my situation could change but right now I'm stuck. I have to make this sacrifice for the next two years to get help with my daughter but I just don't know how I'm gonna handle it. I'd almost rather live in my car than put up with this craziness. Now I basically hide out in my 12 x 12 room and hope she forgets I'm here.
Ok, sorry. Just ranting and worrying aloud. I'm very open about my life so apologies if I offend anyone.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Whoops!
So having a day off completely messed me up. I'm on the way home from the beach and it occurred to me that I was supposed to write yesterday. I hope I don't get in trouble. I'm not always near a computer so I don't think about it a lot.
I'm nervous about my clinical Thursday. I hope I get someone nice who will talk and share things.
My personal life is in a flux right now and I have some tough decisions to make that I don't want to deal with. I don't have time to be worried about other stuff besides school and my daughter. I need to stay focused on school. I'm so scared I'm not gonna pass. This 2 test deal is stressing me out. The test format is stressful too. I did the tests in the one book and didn't do well on any except for safety....guess that's good since safety is important!
Oh well...that's all for now.
I'm nervous about my clinical Thursday. I hope I get someone nice who will talk and share things.
My personal life is in a flux right now and I have some tough decisions to make that I don't want to deal with. I don't have time to be worried about other stuff besides school and my daughter. I need to stay focused on school. I'm so scared I'm not gonna pass. This 2 test deal is stressing me out. The test format is stressful too. I did the tests in the one book and didn't do well on any except for safety....guess that's good since safety is important!
Oh well...that's all for now.
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