Clinical Day One, Month Nine

Do you ever wonder how some people make it through life? Well, after yesterday, this is a question I have asked myself yet again! Clinicals was l.....o.....n.......g yesterday. I have definately made one decision about my career as a nurse. NO 12 HOUR Shifts for me!!!! Don't like 'em at all. I just can't handle it.

This month, I feel like a real nurse. I have about a million assessments to do, a paper which is a "biography" of a patient at my clinical site, monitor an elopement patient for 12 hours every hour on the hour, give complete care to my assigned patient, change bed linens, briefs, wipe fanny's, butts, noses, feed, dress, shower, . . . . . . well, you get the drift. If I don't break this month, I know I will make it! Funny, I don't see the nurses on the unit doing all this stuff, they sit behind the nurses station and the CNA's disappear into the abyss of the facility, never to be found until they punch out at the end of their shift!

This month's theory class is going to have about 40 people in it. This causes me some concern because, I don't like change, or being around tons of people and if the people I met in clinicals yesterday is any indication at all, I am going to be frustrated, stressed and pissed off allot this month.

Questions I am pondering at this point: Since I have NO patience, will I make a good nurse? This one I actually have an answer for. Yes, why, you ask? Well, I like to think that I have empathy and compassion and I care. It is a fact that I have no patience for annoying, irritating and basically stupid people. Questions #2: Will this be my make it or break it month? Will I be able to keep my mouth shut this month and maintain my 50 points for professionalism? This one is definitely iffy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On this first morning after my clinical for the month of February, I have hope. I have determination and I am going to make the best of this situation, because, I want to be a nurse. I must keep my eye steady on the goal! Yes, I will survive!!!!!!