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 )