I have meant to put together a brief update since finishing up with school last week, but haven't found the time or energy until now. It has been an expedient week since that point in time and it scares me a bit to think that I am already one week more proximate to school and one week more distal from the onset of my vacation (had to use proximate and distal after hearing it so much in physical descriptions in school).
School finished with a flourish. Though they would have preferred I not missed any time from my unit (and I would have preferred not vomiting for a few days) it was determined that, though there existed a make-up day on the calendar, no one was willing to proctor it for me. Hence, Thursday was my last day. My final evaluation was quite good actually, with some room for growth of course. The comment I thought most intriguing was related mostly to my personality as a whole. To paraphrase the comment (since I am too lazy to look for it amongst the mess of our apartment; residuals of our recent move), my clinical instructor essentially said that I was somewhat enigmatic until she observed me in simulations because, on the floor, I often just did my own thing without being a 'squeaky wheel.' I took that as a compliment because it is just who I am. I don't ask for help for every little detail or I ask for help from whomever I can grab that might know rather than seeking my clinical instructor out constantly. I also just do what needs to be done with my patient and try to do so professionally and efficiently. So, all to the good.
As for classes, I finally broke through the barrier and got and A. Two actually. The other two grades were of the A- variety which I am still quite proud of. Does that mean anything? Not really......but it is nice to do well.
As I stated previously, the move is a memory (a lingering one, but a memory nonetheless). The house finally closed today after a few small snafus (The garbage situation has been the most laughable as they cannot seem to bring themselves to actually pick up the trash though Tia has repeatedly contacted them and has paid for the final pick-up service. Despite not picking it up, they have taken our trash can and sent a driver and a supervisor at this point to 'inspect' the remaining trash which, though bagged and set upon the end of the drive, is deemed somehow too 'trash-like' to pick up. We have also been informed that it needs to be in a can which is a problem since they collected the can and told us to just put the garbage on the curb. I cannot wait to have a patient that I need to clean up and then, instead of doing so, just observing them and telling a supervisor that they are too messy to clean up. Does this line of thinking work in ANY other job?). We are now officially apartment dwellers. I really hope we are able to sell a majority of our remaining belongings before we move again. I hate moving and have reason to having participated in not one, but two transcontinental moves and a total of 4 additional local moves in the span of three years.
Christmas was pleasant, though somewhat bare. We spent the eve of at Tia's friend Sherri's home. Her husband Kevin made mussels, risottos, Maine lobster with drawn butter and lava cakes amongst other dishes. Altogether fabulous. In contrast, we went out to eat on Christmas but only found a few asian restaurants open to accommodate us. We ended up at a mediocre Chinese restaurant with the fastest service this side of a restaurant with a drive through. I would bet even money that our harried waiter suffered a heart attack by the end of the evening. It will be nice to be near friends and family next holiday season.
I am certain that this update misses much, but that is to be expected of any posting. I hope anyone who reads this had a wonderful holiday season and has a happy and safe New Year's celebration.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Almost there
Just one more day now. I would say a couple more days, but there still exists the possibility that there will be only the 1 day without a make-up day. Even if I have to do a makeup day, it hardly dampens my excitement that it is almost over. I will be thrilled beyond imagining when I don't have another bed bath to perform for three weeks!
Today I spent out with VNS (visiting nurse service). As I thought, it was interesting going out into the community and into people's homes to provide care. As I also suspected, it is wholly incongruent with my personal interests. I worked with a pediatric nurse today. I give the nurses who work with the population I saw a lot of credit. Part of me feels so badly for these children knowing what hurdles they face because of their surroundings and the disadvantages that lie in their path coming from single teenage mothers. However, another part of me feels angry at the parent (or parents) who continue to make poor decision upon poor decision, which likely stems from their own parents making the same bad choices. One household was littered with beer cans as the 1 year old wandered around playing with whatever she picked up off the floor while the mother tended to the 1 year old (and the father watched TV in the other room). The really interesting thing to me was that, even though these people lacked much furniture, had beaten up vehicles, and often had mainly WIC appropriated food, they still had big screen televisions and cable. How badly out of whack priorities are.
Thursday marks the final day on the adult floor, which is mercifully shortened to go over our evaluation (and then the aforementioned possibility of Friday as a makeup). All in all, things haven't gone too badly when I look back and consider all the things we (Tia has shared the burden) have had to get through to make it to this point. The whole thing seems very unreal at the moment........as though the dean of the nursing school might crawl out of her office, see her shadow, and determine that there will be three more weeks of clinical (it is hard to type with a shiver crawling up your spine).
I am still awaiting one more grade to trickle in. The grade in question was a paper that encompasses a fifth of our grade in the course however so it is not nearly complete, but, unless I butchered it horribly, I don't see how I could get less than an A-. Could end up being a highly successful term. Looks like I won't know for certain for some time though........at least until Thursday when they are obligated to post them.
Looks like I just got a delivery from my roommate of a list of meds I need to look up for tomorrow......and it is doosy. I hope I am never in the position to require 13 medications at 8am every day (and more than that throughout the remainder of the day). I don't know how you would even manage the side effects of such treatment. Wish me luck that there is no required makeup.....I will do it if I have to, but I definitely don't want to.
Today I spent out with VNS (visiting nurse service). As I thought, it was interesting going out into the community and into people's homes to provide care. As I also suspected, it is wholly incongruent with my personal interests. I worked with a pediatric nurse today. I give the nurses who work with the population I saw a lot of credit. Part of me feels so badly for these children knowing what hurdles they face because of their surroundings and the disadvantages that lie in their path coming from single teenage mothers. However, another part of me feels angry at the parent (or parents) who continue to make poor decision upon poor decision, which likely stems from their own parents making the same bad choices. One household was littered with beer cans as the 1 year old wandered around playing with whatever she picked up off the floor while the mother tended to the 1 year old (and the father watched TV in the other room). The really interesting thing to me was that, even though these people lacked much furniture, had beaten up vehicles, and often had mainly WIC appropriated food, they still had big screen televisions and cable. How badly out of whack priorities are.
Thursday marks the final day on the adult floor, which is mercifully shortened to go over our evaluation (and then the aforementioned possibility of Friday as a makeup). All in all, things haven't gone too badly when I look back and consider all the things we (Tia has shared the burden) have had to get through to make it to this point. The whole thing seems very unreal at the moment........as though the dean of the nursing school might crawl out of her office, see her shadow, and determine that there will be three more weeks of clinical (it is hard to type with a shiver crawling up your spine).
I am still awaiting one more grade to trickle in. The grade in question was a paper that encompasses a fifth of our grade in the course however so it is not nearly complete, but, unless I butchered it horribly, I don't see how I could get less than an A-. Could end up being a highly successful term. Looks like I won't know for certain for some time though........at least until Thursday when they are obligated to post them.
Looks like I just got a delivery from my roommate of a list of meds I need to look up for tomorrow......and it is doosy. I hope I am never in the position to require 13 medications at 8am every day (and more than that throughout the remainder of the day). I don't know how you would even manage the side effects of such treatment. Wish me luck that there is no required makeup.....I will do it if I have to, but I definitely don't want to.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Interventional Radiology
I spent the past two days in Interventional Radiology working with a number of patients ranging from age 2 to 72 and seeing procedures such as catheter embolizations, angiographies, and biopsies. Pretty interesting stuff by my account anyway and, best of all, not an ADL amongst them. No bed baths! No ass wiping! No bed changes! Just medications, assessments, and assisting with procedures........or ACTUAL nursing. How very novel indeed. I am quite happy I chose to observe there. Another possibility on the plus side of the column is always a good thing.
Other than that, things are still a complete mess at the house (well, not complete, but comparably it is) with unpacked boxes cluttering up the apartment. I dont think the apartment will look normal until AFTER school is done.....or until I decide the boxes are just part of the decor.
The weather has turned once again as well with 4 inches already on the ground and more to come today and this Sunday. No temptation to do any outdoorsy stuff when I should be studying I guess. Thank goodness for an apartment with free heat.
Speaking of studying.....the end is nigh! One more test to go! Two more clinical days! One more simulation! I can't stop using exclamations I am so damned happy to type this!!!!!
Other than that, things are still a complete mess at the house (well, not complete, but comparably it is) with unpacked boxes cluttering up the apartment. I dont think the apartment will look normal until AFTER school is done.....or until I decide the boxes are just part of the decor.
The weather has turned once again as well with 4 inches already on the ground and more to come today and this Sunday. No temptation to do any outdoorsy stuff when I should be studying I guess. Thank goodness for an apartment with free heat.
Speaking of studying.....the end is nigh! One more test to go! Two more clinical days! One more simulation! I can't stop using exclamations I am so damned happy to type this!!!!!
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Moving Day
Yesterday was officially moving day, though moving is never a process accomplished in so short a time. It will be another week at least before the house is empty and another week beyond that before the apartment isn't full of cardboard boxes.
So far, the apartment is pretty nice. The rooms are spacious, we have free cable TV (and the channels come in clearly), free heat (and heat in the bathroom), copious hot water, and we are a lot closer to school and the local strip of shopping and restaurants. The downside, is that the apartment, like all apartments, has thin walls (which is painfully evident since our downstairs neighbor evidently doesn't like quiet time without the TV on......consequently we feel asleep with its murmur and I awoke to it this morning around 7:15), we have to go back to paying to do laundry, and there is this odd double door security system to get in and out. On the whole, I think it will all work out....especially with the short span of time we have left here. In two weeks, I am 2/3 done and that is followed by three weeks of holiday before the home stretch starts in January. I am giddy just thinking about it!
There is much to do and not much more to say at the moment. Back to the move.
So far, the apartment is pretty nice. The rooms are spacious, we have free cable TV (and the channels come in clearly), free heat (and heat in the bathroom), copious hot water, and we are a lot closer to school and the local strip of shopping and restaurants. The downside, is that the apartment, like all apartments, has thin walls (which is painfully evident since our downstairs neighbor evidently doesn't like quiet time without the TV on......consequently we feel asleep with its murmur and I awoke to it this morning around 7:15), we have to go back to paying to do laundry, and there is this odd double door security system to get in and out. On the whole, I think it will all work out....especially with the short span of time we have left here. In two weeks, I am 2/3 done and that is followed by three weeks of holiday before the home stretch starts in January. I am giddy just thinking about it!
There is much to do and not much more to say at the moment. Back to the move.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Sick sick sick
I hate being sick!
Not the best turn of events today. Arrived at clinical feeling nauseas which quickly evolved into me puking like a sorority girl after her first kegger. Suffice to say, with a neutropenic patient you have to concern yourself with passing any kind of bugs along in their compromised immune state, let alone hocking up breakfast on them, so I ended up being picked up by Tia in the early AM and have spent the remains of the day alternately reading, sleeping, and dry heaving. Guess which one is my least favorite?
My main concern at the moment is trying to make up the days......or if I will have to. Who knows? This was obviously unplanned, but the schedule doesn't permit much in the way of catch up. I guess I will find out soon enough. In the meantime eat something savory for me. I think I will be on the BRAT (banana, rice, applesauce, toast...........though I wish it stood for bacon, red meat, apple crisp and tuna rolls) diet today and, most likely, tomorrow since my clinical instructor has already advised I stay home then as well.
Almost made it the term without illness. Almost, but not quite.
Not the best turn of events today. Arrived at clinical feeling nauseas which quickly evolved into me puking like a sorority girl after her first kegger. Suffice to say, with a neutropenic patient you have to concern yourself with passing any kind of bugs along in their compromised immune state, let alone hocking up breakfast on them, so I ended up being picked up by Tia in the early AM and have spent the remains of the day alternately reading, sleeping, and dry heaving. Guess which one is my least favorite?
My main concern at the moment is trying to make up the days......or if I will have to. Who knows? This was obviously unplanned, but the schedule doesn't permit much in the way of catch up. I guess I will find out soon enough. In the meantime eat something savory for me. I think I will be on the BRAT (banana, rice, applesauce, toast...........though I wish it stood for bacon, red meat, apple crisp and tuna rolls) diet today and, most likely, tomorrow since my clinical instructor has already advised I stay home then as well.
Almost made it the term without illness. Almost, but not quite.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
From burnt to scorched
Not sure when I will next have the time to post so, in my efforts not to fall asleep and take a 5:00 pm nap (which is like fast food, gratifying at first, but generally unpleasant afterwards) I thought I would post a quick blog.
There is too much happening at the moment to fully take in. I honestly feel pushed to the edge yet again, but will muddle through it with Tia helping to nudge me along. Right now I am just exhausted mentally and physically after a few days of sleep deprivation. Two exams to study for and a few papers to write over the weekend will do that. Now the two tests and papers are done and turned in and I just have to get my patient prep together and try to make it through yet another 2 days of clinical. I have a bad feeling that I am going to get very sick as soon as the stress stops. My body is beginning to feel the weight of it, but there is little that can be done. After clinical is over on Thursday early evening, I have another patient care plan to write, a simulation and a move to a new apartment on Friday/Saturday followed by writing up another critical appraisal on Sunday. I swear I will have one proper Sunday where all I do is read the paper and watch some football. It HAS to happen. I am really missing life of late. I am sure Tia couldn't feel less like she was living with someone presently.
The weather has turned recently for the worse, just before our move. I guess it is early for snow accumulations such as this, but mother nature rarely follows a tight schedule. Anyway, it has been windy and snowing for the past few days.....more than I have seen since I was too think about measuring such things in Ohio. I shoveled my first driveway. Hopefully we will move soon enough I will have shoveled my last driveway as well. On the plus side, the snow was so bad they sent us home early from class on Monday evening.
Computer took a recent dump on me thanks to Windows Updates. I have expended zero time on my blog bitching about Microsoft Vista because it is so low on the priority list at present, but it really sucks. I am wishing the school wasn't so opposed to Macs, because I know Krista is very happy with hers. One day I will have one too. The result of repeated calls overseas was that I can no longer accept Windows updates but must instead only get updates from the HP website that have been vetted prior to downloading. In the meantime, I lost pretty much everything again........except the important files I transferred to my jump drive (which thankfully wasn't much). I sometimes wish I could just go back to handwriting things.
On the positive side, classes are going well. I think I will do better academically than last term, which is mildly surprising. I still have a few walls to climb to get there, but at least the dogs aren't snapping at my dangling feet. Evidently, risk of failure notices went out to about 1/3 of the adult and home class.....Krista and I evaded that. Small kudos to us both.
Well, it looks like its once again time to slip on my cardigan and head out the door like Mr. Rodgers. Wish me luck on the apartment move and holding on to my health and sanity.
There is too much happening at the moment to fully take in. I honestly feel pushed to the edge yet again, but will muddle through it with Tia helping to nudge me along. Right now I am just exhausted mentally and physically after a few days of sleep deprivation. Two exams to study for and a few papers to write over the weekend will do that. Now the two tests and papers are done and turned in and I just have to get my patient prep together and try to make it through yet another 2 days of clinical. I have a bad feeling that I am going to get very sick as soon as the stress stops. My body is beginning to feel the weight of it, but there is little that can be done. After clinical is over on Thursday early evening, I have another patient care plan to write, a simulation and a move to a new apartment on Friday/Saturday followed by writing up another critical appraisal on Sunday. I swear I will have one proper Sunday where all I do is read the paper and watch some football. It HAS to happen. I am really missing life of late. I am sure Tia couldn't feel less like she was living with someone presently.
The weather has turned recently for the worse, just before our move. I guess it is early for snow accumulations such as this, but mother nature rarely follows a tight schedule. Anyway, it has been windy and snowing for the past few days.....more than I have seen since I was too think about measuring such things in Ohio. I shoveled my first driveway. Hopefully we will move soon enough I will have shoveled my last driveway as well. On the plus side, the snow was so bad they sent us home early from class on Monday evening.
Computer took a recent dump on me thanks to Windows Updates. I have expended zero time on my blog bitching about Microsoft Vista because it is so low on the priority list at present, but it really sucks. I am wishing the school wasn't so opposed to Macs, because I know Krista is very happy with hers. One day I will have one too. The result of repeated calls overseas was that I can no longer accept Windows updates but must instead only get updates from the HP website that have been vetted prior to downloading. In the meantime, I lost pretty much everything again........except the important files I transferred to my jump drive (which thankfully wasn't much). I sometimes wish I could just go back to handwriting things.
On the positive side, classes are going well. I think I will do better academically than last term, which is mildly surprising. I still have a few walls to climb to get there, but at least the dogs aren't snapping at my dangling feet. Evidently, risk of failure notices went out to about 1/3 of the adult and home class.....Krista and I evaded that. Small kudos to us both.
Well, it looks like its once again time to slip on my cardigan and head out the door like Mr. Rodgers. Wish me luck on the apartment move and holding on to my health and sanity.
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