Today was my last clinical day for this month of Fundies I. I am glad it is over. My goodness, this month flew by! Nothing spectacular or really funny happened to me today. Sorry, we'll have to wait and see what happens next week.
I finished the class with a 4.0!!! Go me!!!! I am so glad. I worked hard for that A. I really did enjoy my first clinical experience. There is soooooo much to learn. Each month, I think I feel a bit more confident that I can do this. So many people are pulling for me. I really appreciate all the support that friends and family are giving me. Each month, I am in awe of how much our Instructors care about their pupils. I am really glad that I decided to attend Brown Mackie!
Next month is Fundamentals II. Pharmacology and Intravenous Infusion Therapy. I can't wait for this class to start! I do feel smarter and. . . . . . . I am doing Blood Pressures like a pro now. I don't know why I went so crazy before. I guess my son in law is right, I love drama! (not)
Tonight, I am taking the night off! I am going to a Bon Fire with my grandbabies. It's Apple Cider and Doughnuts!!!! Mmmmmmmm!!!! I love Halloween!!!!
Ten months to go!!!!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Can You Hear It? No, I Don't!
Okay! I can't believe I am two days away from finishing Fundamentals I, and I have to pass BP and I can't hear it! I must be going deaf! Everyone else has passed, even the one in the class who has never taken BP before and I CAN'T hear the darn boom, boom, boom!!!!
When I took my last one with Ms Leomi, I was dead on the diastolic, and two off on the systolic. I wish she would have passed me off, but she wants me to do a few BPs and then pass off the skill again. I CAN do this, I WILL do this!!!!!
Tomorrow, is the final exam. Theory has been pretty easy for me this month. I checked the schedule for next month and all those that started the PN program with me, who couldn't start fundies this past month are starting Nov 3rd. I miss those friends. My study group. This class has great people in it and I have made friends and that's great, I am still on target to graduate next August. Only 10 more months to go.
Pray for me!!!! I want to sign off with someone with a LOUD boom, boom, boom!!!
When I took my last one with Ms Leomi, I was dead on the diastolic, and two off on the systolic. I wish she would have passed me off, but she wants me to do a few BPs and then pass off the skill again. I CAN do this, I WILL do this!!!!!
Tomorrow, is the final exam. Theory has been pretty easy for me this month. I checked the schedule for next month and all those that started the PN program with me, who couldn't start fundies this past month are starting Nov 3rd. I miss those friends. My study group. This class has great people in it and I have made friends and that's great, I am still on target to graduate next August. Only 10 more months to go.
Pray for me!!!! I want to sign off with someone with a LOUD boom, boom, boom!!!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Last Week of Classes for October
I can't believe how fast the month goes when you are taking one class per month! Today, was my last "test" for the month and I got a 97%. I'll take it! We have only a total of three chapters to go through this week and lots of skills to be signed off on. Wednesday, we have our last quiz and then on Thursday, our final. I am finding that I have alot less test anxiety because of the way I study now. I hope my next instructor will lecture the way Ms. Leomi did. I just highlighted what she stressed in lecture, went through the chapter and out lined the info and bam! Great grades on quizes and tests. I also did my class presentation today. Call me crazy, but I like to give presentations and talks at Church!
I am feeling incredibly tired today. I think my brain is starting to scream for a break! We were let out of school early today and I stayed over an hour and outlined one of the chapters we went over today. It is quiet at school and I seem to be able to get so much more completed. I also got the paperwork for my CNA certification today. That is going to cost me about $60, but then I will be able to get a job as a CNA. I have decided that I will just continue with school, working part time and go for my BSN. Three of my instructors have told me they think I would be a great teacher. I think I would enjoy teaching as well. We will see. My dream has been to be a Mid Wife. Lots more schooling!!!!
That's it for now. I am going to crash!!!!
I am feeling incredibly tired today. I think my brain is starting to scream for a break! We were let out of school early today and I stayed over an hour and outlined one of the chapters we went over today. It is quiet at school and I seem to be able to get so much more completed. I also got the paperwork for my CNA certification today. That is going to cost me about $60, but then I will be able to get a job as a CNA. I have decided that I will just continue with school, working part time and go for my BSN. Three of my instructors have told me they think I would be a great teacher. I think I would enjoy teaching as well. We will see. My dream has been to be a Mid Wife. Lots more schooling!!!!
That's it for now. I am going to crash!!!!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Clinical Experience #2
Today, was a crazy day! I was so looking forward to working with the same client I had last week, alas, it was not to be. I guess I just am going to have to learn how to be flexible! I am more accepting of change and I am really trying to stay positive. My family knows, that I can be pretty negative. Going to school to be a nurse, has changed me in many ways. Firstly, I think I am learning to be more tolerable of the elderly. Yes, Mom, I am learning. Secondly, there really is a circle of life. These people at the facility I am doing my clinicals at really are in different parts of the circle. More toward the completion of the circle. I spoke with my new client today extensively today and found that I could learn much from her by just listening. Most of these people just want someone to listen and care. Fortunately, my client's family visits every week. Many families don't visit. How sad.
Anyway, I was alot more hands on today. I made beds, with perfect hospital cornors, I might add! I took temps, respirations, pulses, worked on care plans, took people potty, wiped bums, and made a difference in several people's lives today. Needless, to say, I was busy, busy, busy. Ms. Leomi, said that I wasn't so fast zipping around today! I made an effort to be much more aware of what was going on around me. My client had to go into the hospital today. My heart broke for her. She was so upset. I am hoping that she will be back to her home next Friday when I go back to the facility for my last clinical day for this month. I can't believe we are going into week four of this month. Time flies when you are in this excelerated program. Five months down (well, almost) and only ten more to go!!!
Like McDonalds, I'm Lovin It!!!!
Anyway, I was alot more hands on today. I made beds, with perfect hospital cornors, I might add! I took temps, respirations, pulses, worked on care plans, took people potty, wiped bums, and made a difference in several people's lives today. Needless, to say, I was busy, busy, busy. Ms. Leomi, said that I wasn't so fast zipping around today! I made an effort to be much more aware of what was going on around me. My client had to go into the hospital today. My heart broke for her. She was so upset. I am hoping that she will be back to her home next Friday when I go back to the facility for my last clinical day for this month. I can't believe we are going into week four of this month. Time flies when you are in this excelerated program. Five months down (well, almost) and only ten more to go!!!
Like McDonalds, I'm Lovin It!!!!
Connection!
Today, I was reunited with my best friend all through elementary, jr high and high school. It was so wonderful to see her again. I have not seen her in about 23 years. I have so many wonderful memories of the crazy, fun and totally off the wall things we did. I am hoping to keep in touch now that we have reconnected. Our lives are so different now, we don't have a whole lot in common any more, except our memories. I didn't realize how much I missed her until I saw her today. What a terrific gift from my Heavenly Father! Thank You!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Third Week of Fifth Month
I can't believe how fast the month flies by when you have one class per month. This has been a busy learning month for me. I did enjoy my first day of clinicals despite all the craziness that happened.
This week's test was a hard one. I really didn't do as well as I would have liked. When will I learn, 1) don't change my first answer, 2) read the question twice before answering, and 3) don't read too much into the question?! This is going to be a busy week for me. I have to make up several of the sections of the care plan from last week, since I couldn't get my client's chart last week. The part of the care plan I was able to complete, I got a good mark on! Yippieee! I love paper work!
I have a quiz tomorrow and one on Thursday. We will be working in the lab both days as well. Then, Friday, and clinicals again! I am sure there will be something funny to share!
This week's test was a hard one. I really didn't do as well as I would have liked. When will I learn, 1) don't change my first answer, 2) read the question twice before answering, and 3) don't read too much into the question?! This is going to be a busy week for me. I have to make up several of the sections of the care plan from last week, since I couldn't get my client's chart last week. The part of the care plan I was able to complete, I got a good mark on! Yippieee! I love paper work!
I have a quiz tomorrow and one on Thursday. We will be working in the lab both days as well. Then, Friday, and clinicals again! I am sure there will be something funny to share!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Ms Leomi
I love Ms Leomi! She is an awesome teacher and you can tell she really enjoys teaching. I am sure she will be a great mentor for me. She gets really excited when she can see that "learning has taken place". It makes me want to get it, just to see her so pleased!
She has a couple of sayings that I love! They make me laugh and when she uses them, you know it is knowledge that you have to write down, remember and make a part of your life!
The first one: "I'm not trying to scare you, I'm just scaring you straight"! She uses this one when there is a really important safety, paperwork, or issue that you better remember!
The next one is: "Now, let's make sense, out of nonsense"! This one is for helping us figure out myth from truth, fact from fiction and just plain ridiculous from a good thing to know and understand."
I cracked her up on my first day of clinicals. She calls me Kimmie and I love it. I haven't been called that for many, many years. I can't wait to get to class with her. I am so blessed to have her as my instructor.
She has a couple of sayings that I love! They make me laugh and when she uses them, you know it is knowledge that you have to write down, remember and make a part of your life!
The first one: "I'm not trying to scare you, I'm just scaring you straight"! She uses this one when there is a really important safety, paperwork, or issue that you better remember!
The next one is: "Now, let's make sense, out of nonsense"! This one is for helping us figure out myth from truth, fact from fiction and just plain ridiculous from a good thing to know and understand."
I cracked her up on my first day of clinicals. She calls me Kimmie and I love it. I haven't been called that for many, many years. I can't wait to get to class with her. I am so blessed to have her as my instructor.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Catching Up & Such
Ok. I am taking my daughter's advice and starting a blog to journal my "college" experience. I must say that going back to school (for the first time at college) at 51 was a tad overwhelming! I have to say, though, that it is probably one of the best decisions I have made. I am loving every minute of it!
I am attending a school which has an accelerated PN program. They weren't kidding! One week is like being in school one month and one month is one quarter. Whew!!!!!! I have been doing really well and am excited to move forward each month. So far, I have taken the following classes since I started: June '08. . .Intro to Nursing, July '08. . .Anatomy & Physiology I, August '08. . .Anatomy & Physiology II, September '08. . .Intro to Micro Computers & Psychology, October '08. . .Nursing Fundamentals I. I have a 3.7 GPA (go Me!). Friday, Oct 17th, was my first day in clinicals. Okay! I was stoked for this!
I was assigned to a nursing home in Elkhart, called Golden Living. It is a really nice extended care facitilty. The night before, I hemmed my scrub pants, pressed my scrub top, attached my name tag, cleaned my white shoes and put in new shoelaces. I was ready. Could I sleep? Nope. So, finally I got up, got dressed and headed to Elkhart. Nervous! but excited. I was assigned my client and I gathered my courage and went in and met him. A very nice man. A very nice man who, lets, just say, can't use the restroom. So. . . after trying to make sense of his chart and changing his incontenence device, I was just sure I made the wrong decision to be a nurse! I was able to give my client a bed bath, learned how to change sheets with someone still in the bed, make a "foot pleat". . . all very exciting skills to have passed off. After lunch, it was necessary to again assist my client with his toileting needs and this time, there was a "little" surprise in there! I totally lost my lunch! Yep, I made a HUGE mistake choosing nursing as my new career!
Then we all were in the education room and learning about care plans, etc. I was having a bit of a problem putting this all together, when, my light bulb of learning clicked on!!! I was born to be a nurse! I am sure I will be riding a roller coaster of emotions, but I am in it for the long haul! I love doing care plans. It is exciting looking up the diagnoses, making the plan and then evaluating and monitoring how my plan is going and if it worked! I have to say, I love using my brain!
I love my Fundies I instructor. I have Ms. Leomi for theory and clinicals. I had her laughing at me. She promised when I graduate, she will remind me of my very first clinical day! I am sure I will never forget it! =0 )
I am attending a school which has an accelerated PN program. They weren't kidding! One week is like being in school one month and one month is one quarter. Whew!!!!!! I have been doing really well and am excited to move forward each month. So far, I have taken the following classes since I started: June '08. . .Intro to Nursing, July '08. . .Anatomy & Physiology I, August '08. . .Anatomy & Physiology II, September '08. . .Intro to Micro Computers & Psychology, October '08. . .Nursing Fundamentals I. I have a 3.7 GPA (go Me!). Friday, Oct 17th, was my first day in clinicals. Okay! I was stoked for this!
I was assigned to a nursing home in Elkhart, called Golden Living. It is a really nice extended care facitilty. The night before, I hemmed my scrub pants, pressed my scrub top, attached my name tag, cleaned my white shoes and put in new shoelaces. I was ready. Could I sleep? Nope. So, finally I got up, got dressed and headed to Elkhart. Nervous! but excited. I was assigned my client and I gathered my courage and went in and met him. A very nice man. A very nice man who, lets, just say, can't use the restroom. So. . . after trying to make sense of his chart and changing his incontenence device, I was just sure I made the wrong decision to be a nurse! I was able to give my client a bed bath, learned how to change sheets with someone still in the bed, make a "foot pleat". . . all very exciting skills to have passed off. After lunch, it was necessary to again assist my client with his toileting needs and this time, there was a "little" surprise in there! I totally lost my lunch! Yep, I made a HUGE mistake choosing nursing as my new career!
Then we all were in the education room and learning about care plans, etc. I was having a bit of a problem putting this all together, when, my light bulb of learning clicked on!!! I was born to be a nurse! I am sure I will be riding a roller coaster of emotions, but I am in it for the long haul! I love doing care plans. It is exciting looking up the diagnoses, making the plan and then evaluating and monitoring how my plan is going and if it worked! I have to say, I love using my brain!
I love my Fundies I instructor. I have Ms. Leomi for theory and clinicals. I had her laughing at me. She promised when I graduate, she will remind me of my very first clinical day! I am sure I will never forget it! =0 )
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)