Merry Christmas!

I have been working like a dog for the past week and will continue to do so until after Christmas, so I wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas today because I probably won't post anything until after Christmas.

My very first day.....

As of today, school is over! I am soooo glad. I really need a break about now. Oh, and I just started my new job at a local hospital. The break from school comes at a good time so I can focus on getting used to the routine at work.
My first night at work was last night and let me tell you it was very exciting! Let me tell you what happened......keep this in mind as I tell you, this is my first job ever at a hospital. My shift started at 3pm. I had to talk to the Nurse Mgr. first off so I could sign some forms, etc. Then she called the lady that is going to help me get aquainted with the system and how the floor runs. So, she introduces us and first thing we get called into a room by the nurse to help her with something. So, I'm walking down the hall wondering what it could be, maybe she needs help turning the patient or something. I walk in the room and the patient has passed away! What are the odds that on my very first day at my very first hospital job that my very first patient would be, well would be no longer??? Honestly, people, really?? Don't get me wrong, it was very sad and I am a very compassionate person, but I still can't get over the fact of the "very first" thing. Could this be an omen? Is my nursing career over before it's even really started? I certainly hope not!
After that, we had a code red in the ER! For those of you that don't know, a code red is a fire. The firetrucks came, the police came with sirens blaring. Well, come to find out one of the employees had decided to make some popcorn and kind of burnt it. The smoke had set off the fire alarms which in turn notified the fire department. Someone from the ED came outside to meet them and let them know it was a false alarm. Okay everyone THAT is funny! I couldn't help myself. I couldn't stop laughing! Maybe I was just so relieved that it wasn't me that burnt the popcorn! LOL
The rest of the night went okay. I now have a new respect for nursing assistants. Respect them, they (we) deserve it.

Update

The hospital called me Wednesday afternoon and offered me the nursing assistant position! I am so excited. Not only for the fact of gaining TONS of experience but also for the extra money. Although, I was a little disappointed due to the fact that it takes forever to actually start working! I had no idea I would have to jump through so many hoops to start working. I'm sure all the people out here in blog world that already work in a hospital environment know what I'm talking about. It's very frustrating! I was hoping to be able to get at least one paycheck before Christmas, but it looks like that will not happen. Orientation doesn't even start until the 21st of December! Oh, well. I guess Christmas will come later for my family.

As I was talking with the HR guy yesterday, it was as if he was trying to talk me into working full time. He kept mentioning the tuition reimbursement the hospital offers and it's only available to employees that work at least 32 hours a week. I don't know if I can work full time and go to nursing school. I know there are some people in my class that do, but I'm old! Well, not THAT old, but still. I've got A's in all my classes so far, but will I be able to keep that up if I work fulltime?

I'll have to talk to the nursing director later on and maybe she will let me try it out for a while.

Clinicals are over

The 16th of November was our last clinical day. I will definitely miss it! I really enjoyed interacting with my patients and learning TONS of interesting things. Sadly though, as mentioned in a previous post, one of my patients passed away. Thankfully, it didn't happen on a day that I was there. I'm not sure how I would have handled it.

Next semester Adult nursing and Maternal/Child nursing starts. I've heard many, many things about maternal/child. I'm still not sure if I'm looking forward to that or not. My sister has been a nurse for over 10 years now and when she first started school she told me that she wanted to work OB......well, that changed dramatically after she started her OB rotation. I'm sure most new nursing students want to work in OB or peds because it's all warm and fuzzy. But, I'm thinking about all the screaming, dilated, 100% effaced women! I don't know if I can handle all the screaming women! ARGH! I've never had children so I don't understand the pain. But, to defend myself. I can't stand the women that get all hysterical in movies either. It just really grates my nerves!

Oh, good news! I have a job interview today! I've been trying for quite a while to get a position in a hospital, which by the way are very hard to come by around here. The hazards of living in a very small city. Anyway, I'm nervous as can be expected but also very excited. I'll post the outcome of the interview as soon as I know.

I better run....gotta get all prettied up for my interview.

Clinical Rotations

Wow, I didn't realize how long it's been since I posted last. Good grief! Nursing school does keep one busy. Well, lets see.......I've been to clinicals 4 times so far. The first day, my patient was a very sweet older man. He was confused and completely immobile for several reasons, but kept wanting to get out of bed. Thankfully, we had a "buddy system" that day and I had some help. While I was giving my patient a bath, my "buddy" was doing the assessment. Oh, during the bath my patient kept saying...."oh, that feels so good.....that feels better". I now know since actually being in a hospital environment how busy nurses really are. I understand how they may not have time to do the "little" things that we as freshman nursing students do. It's also nice to know that our patients really appreciate those "little" things.

My next patient was a precious little old lady. I don't remember exactly the reason she was admitted into the hospital, but come to find out she had ovarian cancer (stage 3). Very, very sad. Anyway, PT sat her in a chair for a little while and being the newbie nursing students that we are, we were having a little trouble changing her gown while she was sitting up. Nevermind the fact that she had a central line, various IV's and a Foley. During the gown changing, our patient actually said "Your not doing it right". I'm sorry, but I started laughing. Mind you the only thing she had said all morning, was "Sweet Jesus, help me". After a while, we asked her if we were doing better and she said "a little". At clinicals on Thursday, we found out she passed away. I'll never forget her. Rest in Peace, Ms. H.

My third clinical day was at a nursing home. I have to be honest, I was not looking forward to it. I've been in a couple of nursing homes in my life and none of them smelled even remotely like a home for a human being. The smell of urine was almost unbearable! Anyway, I like the rest of the group was completely amazed to the quality of the nursing home. It was beautiful! It smelled nice, it was clean. The cafeteria even had "formal dining" every day for the residents. That means that they used beautiful china, crystal stemware and beautiful linens. The food even smelled good! That's saying alot!

My patient this last Thursday was middle aged and had been admitted for bariatric surgery. Well, sadly enough when the surgery had just began, the surgeon noticed a mass on her fundus. So, obviously the surgery was changed to a gastric biopsy. She was in good spirits and was in very little pain. She was a joy to talk with. Her labs are still out. I sure hope it's nothing serious.

Oh, I've noticed that care plans really aren't as bad as I thought they would be. I was scared to death about having to do one. The night before my first clinical, I spent about 6 or 7 hours on my path sheet, surgery sheet and careplan. They don't take me near as long to finish now. But, we only have to use one nursing diagnosis. My cousin is currently working on her BSN. I talked with her recently and she told me about a 30 page care plan she had to write. All I can say is I'm glad it's her and not me!

Clinical rotations are posted

Woohoo! I just looked at the nursing website for school and found out that they (our instructors) have FINALLY posted our rotations! I am sooooooo excited! Of course, I absolutely have no idea what I am in for, but still. Am VERY EXCITED!

Okay, so I found the posting, looked at it, found my name (mind you, after ALOT of looking....we have almost 300 in our class), and I got the clinical instructor I was wanting. Oh Yes! I am so happy about that too! Anyway, I take a look at it (the posting) and realize that I have no idea what the little acronyms mean. Why post something for the class when they have no idea what it means?? Really?! Anyway, I am hoping to find out tomorrow.

My blog will be more exciting in the near future, I promise......

Another day closer to clinicals

I will be starting my first clinical rotation in October. The closer it gets the higher my anxiety level becomes. Is it really as bad as I think it will be? Should I be as nervous as I am? Please, please someone let me know. Our instructor in class Monday, said "Fake it until you make it". He of course was referring to auscultating a patients circulatory system, but I'm sure that would work with a few other skills also. For instance, paplating the lymphatic system. Where are they?? How do you know when you are actually in the right place if they are not papable until they are swollen? I suppose that all is well UNTIL you find one that is swollen?!

Time to start the coffee pot and I'm off to engage in some light (hehe) reading.

Have a beautiful day, everyone!