I am having a really hard time with this IPR that is due tomorrow. Basically I was to have a conversation with a patient and then transcribe it verbatim while noting my "therapeutic responses" using "proper terminology". Sure, okay, except I talked to this guy a week ago and of course did not take any notes in the meanwhile.
Also, I got a 64 on a Pharm test last week because I tried to jam too much info into my head in too short a time frame.
So...I think I'm going to implode now.
Camping was excellent!
Today I had to do a simulation in the skills lab which pretty much sucked, except the VitaSim mannequin is pretty neat. I also got checked off on injections, so now I can give them to real live people. Well, guess I better go study for Thursday's test now.
This week I had a test in my nursing lecture class. I started the reading a bit earlier than I normally do, but couldn't make myself finish the last chapter of reading. I was told that only 5 questions out of 50 came from that chapter so I wasn't too worried. I also did all the review questions for all the chapters. I got an 88%. Of course I would prefer an A, but the effort to grade ratio is pretty good.
Then after my test, I had to go home and write a case study that was due at 11pm that night. I did the research part of it at Taylor's soccer practice and then compiled and typed it at home. Took maybe 1.5 hours I guess. I don't know what my grade is yet (and probably won't for awhile because my teacher takes for. ever. to grade) but I'm pretty pleased with it. It just made so much sense in my brain that I wondered if I was missing something. It seemed too easy. You know, I wanted to go into nursing to provide the type of L&D care that I got when I had my daughter. It's really great to realize that the booksmart stuff is a good fit too. I actually had fun writing that case study. I enjoy figuring out why a test has been ordered for my patient, what the results mean to me as a nurse, and what I need to do for the patient from there. It is just all coming together and that is an AWESOME FEELING!
In other good news, I am leaving work in just over 3 hours and my camping weekend shall begin. Alex is meeting me at my house around 3:45, we are loading up the car and heading off to the state park. We have a 'cabin' so we are not really 'roughing it' but we do plan on doing all of our cooking outside even though we have a kitchen indoors. The main reason we got the cabin was for comfort of sleeping. He paid for both nights at the campsite as my birthday present, in addition to a few other small presents (his words). I am beyond excited. Hopefully we get some fishing and canoeing in too, but 25 mph winds are forecast, so we might not be able to.
Speaking of birthdays! Mine is actually Nov 17, but we couldn't go that weekend because we have to plan around the Dolphins schedule since Alex works all home games. Anyhow, Sabrina called me last night and said that for my gift she is taking me to the Melting Pot on the 17th! Woohoo! I. LOVE. THE MELTING POT. So so excited. Now I just need to figure out when the heck I can see Shannon. She's going out of town my birthday weekend.
Anyhow, camping, birthday, school, Alex, wooooooooo! My life isn't perfect, but it's the best it's ever been. I'm lovin' it.
Monday I got to observe in Labor and Delivery here at Good Sam. There were two patients laboring but unfortunately neither of them delivered in the 6 hours we were there. We did get to take vitals on a mom and learn how to do an assessment on a newborn, though. So. damn. cute. I couldn't stay any longer because the migraine that I had fought off with Advil in the morning was making a comeback. What is up with two migraines in two weeks? I really hope that it's not all the beer I drink on weekends. I read in my Pharm text that that is a possible trigger, and it would explain why I get them early in the week. Maybe I'll cut down the next weekend or two and see what happens. :(
Aaaand last night I had my recert class for CPR. It was supposed to go from 6pm-10pm but I was done by 8:30. Kick ass. I got 100% on my written exam. They changed some of the protocol lately. Instead of 15 compressions and 2 breaths, the ratio is now 30:2 in all cases except 2 person infant CPR. Also, they are reprogramming all AEDs to give one shock instead of 3 for VFib. All in all wasn't a bad night. The instructor had a Southern accent that was very nice to listen to.
Oh yes, and we are having our first "cold front" of the season. It's been in the 50s at night and goes from the low sixties to mid seventies during the day. Yes, that's a cold front, people! I love it :)
This weekend is the premiere of Markham Horror!
Today:
8:00 am Midterm evaluation for clinicals I got a great review from my instructor, AND found out I get to do another OR rotation!
8:30 am Check off for meds
This means that I am now allowed to dispense medication to patients in
the hospital during clinicals! I did everything up to parental
(injections). I feel confident about my technique, but I need to review
the anatomical landmarks a bit more before I have to demonstrate that Make loan payment Drop off clothes to Goodwill Get eyebrows waxed
I also got a pedicure while I was there. I can't wear fingernail polish
ever again basically (it's a no-no for nurses) so I might as well have
pretty feet. Deposit student loan check into savings account, minus $200 Renew car registration
I did this in person because I wanted to change my plate. I had the
Challenger plate for the past few years, but last year they changed the
design and issued me a new tag without telling me. Well, the new tag
was butt ass ugly, so screw you NASA. Now I have a Miami Dolphins
plate. Yes, I know they suck ass right now, but I am no fair weather
fan. I told Alex it was between that and the Miami Heat plate (who, of
course, rule all). I said I decided on the Dolphins plate because it
matches my car better. He laughed and said, "Oh, I thought you were
going to say because I work there but okay" Deposit remainder of student loan into my checking account
Mail out Shannon and Jim's anniversary card It is already a week after the fact and I finally found their new address and now I can't find the damn card!
And now I'm back home. I was up late last night doing my care plan, etc to turn in to my clinical instructor today so maybe I'll take a nap after I have a roast beef sandwich on fresh italian bread. Then tonight I have to go to a four hour class to get my CPR card renewed. Ooh, fun. SO much better than the Guns and Roses concert I could have gone to tonight (although since Alex ended up having to go to California on business at the last minute, it's just as well)
I love getting things accomplished. Too bad I don't do it more often :)
Alex called me last night and told me that half the film footage from one of the cameras is lost. He went to tape a scene at Todd's house and the camera just started spitting tape. So, he still has all the footage from *his* camera, but the movie isn't going to be near as polished as it could have been with the footage from both cameras.
In other news, I have a severe crispy potato craving going on right now. Also, I got an 84% on my Pharm test last night. *shrug* It's better than I did on the last one, anyway.
AND! I don't know if I mentioned but I get to observe in Labor and Delivery on Monday! Woohoooooooo!
I have a Pharm test tomorrow, and of course I haven't started reading the chapters. I thought it was 14-20, but I just looked and it's 14-28!!! Ohhh shite.
I finally found out my grade on the journal critique I did. I got a 90/100. My teacher said "Very well done. Lacking running headlines as required in APA format." Huh. Must have missed that memo. Anyway, not too bad considering I wrote it in 2 hours the night that it was due.
I had a migraine yesterday. I took 4 advil and a magnesium tablet as soon as it started and went to bed. It took awhile to fall asleep, but the pain never got too bad fortunately. Still couldn't get out of bed for a few hours though. I think it's worth noting that I haven't had a migraine in almost 4 months. The frequency has gone way down since I stopped working for douchebag Adam.
This week in clinicals we did our first assessments. Our teacher walked us through and now I feel pretty comfortable doing it on my own. I also got to do my first Accu-check (blood glucose monitoring) yesterday. The patient I did it on was super nice and said I did a good job. I'm looking forward to stopping in on her next week if she is still there. This weekend I should be checked off on med administration.
(For some reason Vox isn't letting me change the date on this entry)
