Today was such a great day! I, along with about 75 other students, went to a public school to assist the school nurse do health screenings on the kids. The school has kindergarten through third grade. In just under three hours we were able to screen 280 kids! We did vision tests, height and weights, and also checked for color blindness and depth perception. I was at a station checking depth perception. This was pretty fun. I had the kids put on some really fancy neon orange glasses, aka 3-D glasses, and they had two cards to look at. One of the cards they would see a raised E and the other, nothing. They had to identify the raised E. It was fun to see how serious they took this quick task. So many smiles and so many adorable kids!! I can't wait until I get to do my pediatrics rotation!! Kids make me so happy :)
Now, I am baby-sitting and need to focus on studying for pharmacology and finishing my case study paper. This paper is 12-13 pages and due on Wednesdsay. My first pharm exam is this Thursday and I am already feeling the nerves in my stomach. This looks like the beginning of a long work filled weekend and stressful week ahead. Only two more weeks until a week off!! That means only two more weeks of psychology and the psych ward until we switch to advanced med surg. I am already nervous!! I am seeing a trend.
Off to work I go!
Friday, September 27, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Fortunate.
It is 10:50pm, I am up working on some pharmacology study guides and a patient write-up for psychology, my lovely wife has gone to bed (along with the furry kids); and I feel fortunate. I am beyond lucky to be where I am, and to be succeeding. I really dislike school work, I really dislike feeling so far away from my Erin, I really dislike staying up late and being nervous about school work; but again, I am so fortunate.
This whole journey so far in nursing school gives me a whole mix of emotions. Nervous, stressed, overwhelmed, scared, excited, accomplished, empowered, smart, not so smart, tired, cranky, and happy. I find that I am already thinking of when it is over (so much for living in the moment, right?). The people I have met in this program I have bonded with so quickly and it will be strange to not have daily/weekly interactions with them. Is the saying, "misery loves company" appropriate here? Or, just the idea that relationships are built in stressful situations? I never really made any friends during my community college experience. Not to say that is comparable to the intensity I am experiencing now. This is a journey unlike any I have ever been on. I am so fortunate to have such a supportive wife, loving family and friends. I could not do what I do without them. I wouldn't be where I am without them! I have such an amazing support system that surrounds me with love and laughter. I try to remember this at least once everyday.
This past weekend was pretty full...just not with much school work. It seems, in talking with a few friends today, the weekend was more fun than school work filled. We just had our first exam and a quiz, so it seems appropriate to have given myself a slight break this past weekend. Now to play catch up! Friday, I spent a couple hours with the adorable twins that have recently come into our lives. Always a highlight to my week when I get in some baby snuggles. There is nothing else like it! I actually had a second visit with the other twins in my life; I baby-sat 15 month old twins Friday evening. Another high point to my week! Saturday, Erin and I took Jackson for a long walk, participated in our street cleaning and tried a new local deli for a late breakfast, which was delicious! Later that evening, just before we left for the evening, I dropped my iPhone in the toilet...oh yes. I am usually so careful with my phone, but I was being careless, in a hurry and had my phone in my back pocket while in the bathroom. I heard the phone hit and took a second to realize what happened. Without thinking, I shoved my hand in the toilet water to rescue my sinking phone. I ripped it out of the case, dried it with the hand towel and put the hair dryer on it for a few. Somehow, it seems the swim my phone took has had no effect on it!! SO SO FORTUNATE!! After my minor panic attack (again, so so sorry Erin) we met up with my school friend and her boyfriend for dinner and to see Jim Gaffigan. It was hilarious!! Sunday, Erin and I got up and went with her family to NYC to see her brother and his boyfriend and their new AMAZING apartment, in the Upper West Side. WOW! It is unbelievable!! We also walked through Times Square and saw the 9/11 memorial and Freedom Tower. It was a great day. I then had to stay up a little late Sunday evening to finish up an assignment that was due first thing this morning. Whew, I am tired!
Today, was a pretty uneventful day at the hospital, although I felt it was my most productive day so far. I participated in a few group meetings and had some interesting conversations with some of the patients. Later this evening, we met some friends at our local pizza place to have delicious pizza and their delicious beers. And again, I sit up to finish up/catch up on school work. This program is going by a lot faster than I realized it would. I am trying my best to stay in the moment, to enjoy the exciting parts, to learn from the challenging times and to make it through, smiling. How fortunate I am!!
This whole journey so far in nursing school gives me a whole mix of emotions. Nervous, stressed, overwhelmed, scared, excited, accomplished, empowered, smart, not so smart, tired, cranky, and happy. I find that I am already thinking of when it is over (so much for living in the moment, right?). The people I have met in this program I have bonded with so quickly and it will be strange to not have daily/weekly interactions with them. Is the saying, "misery loves company" appropriate here? Or, just the idea that relationships are built in stressful situations? I never really made any friends during my community college experience. Not to say that is comparable to the intensity I am experiencing now. This is a journey unlike any I have ever been on. I am so fortunate to have such a supportive wife, loving family and friends. I could not do what I do without them. I wouldn't be where I am without them! I have such an amazing support system that surrounds me with love and laughter. I try to remember this at least once everyday.
This past weekend was pretty full...just not with much school work. It seems, in talking with a few friends today, the weekend was more fun than school work filled. We just had our first exam and a quiz, so it seems appropriate to have given myself a slight break this past weekend. Now to play catch up! Friday, I spent a couple hours with the adorable twins that have recently come into our lives. Always a highlight to my week when I get in some baby snuggles. There is nothing else like it! I actually had a second visit with the other twins in my life; I baby-sat 15 month old twins Friday evening. Another high point to my week! Saturday, Erin and I took Jackson for a long walk, participated in our street cleaning and tried a new local deli for a late breakfast, which was delicious! Later that evening, just before we left for the evening, I dropped my iPhone in the toilet...oh yes. I am usually so careful with my phone, but I was being careless, in a hurry and had my phone in my back pocket while in the bathroom. I heard the phone hit and took a second to realize what happened. Without thinking, I shoved my hand in the toilet water to rescue my sinking phone. I ripped it out of the case, dried it with the hand towel and put the hair dryer on it for a few. Somehow, it seems the swim my phone took has had no effect on it!! SO SO FORTUNATE!! After my minor panic attack (again, so so sorry Erin) we met up with my school friend and her boyfriend for dinner and to see Jim Gaffigan. It was hilarious!! Sunday, Erin and I got up and went with her family to NYC to see her brother and his boyfriend and their new AMAZING apartment, in the Upper West Side. WOW! It is unbelievable!! We also walked through Times Square and saw the 9/11 memorial and Freedom Tower. It was a great day. I then had to stay up a little late Sunday evening to finish up an assignment that was due first thing this morning. Whew, I am tired!
Today, was a pretty uneventful day at the hospital, although I felt it was my most productive day so far. I participated in a few group meetings and had some interesting conversations with some of the patients. Later this evening, we met some friends at our local pizza place to have delicious pizza and their delicious beers. And again, I sit up to finish up/catch up on school work. This program is going by a lot faster than I realized it would. I am trying my best to stay in the moment, to enjoy the exciting parts, to learn from the challenging times and to make it through, smiling. How fortunate I am!!
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Advising Meeting
What a day! I had my fall advising meeting with my advisor (have I mentioned that I love her!!). My advisor, which I assume was chosen at random, is a former pediatrics and NICU nurse! She loves kids!! She is also very down to earth and straightforward. During our 40 minute meeting she said "poop" "a$$hole" and "big girl panties"! Too funny!
Well, we went through what I have for the duration of this program...only two more semesters after this one! Didn't I just start nursing school?? She gave me the schedule and says, "that's all you have left!" She also informed me that I do not have to take research since I have already taken in with my previous degree. BONUS!! So instead of a 20 credit semester in the spring, I will only have to take 17. Spring is also when we do Pediatrics and Obstetrics!! I CAN'T WAIT!! I am sure I sounded like a 5 year old on Christmas morning when I talked to her about how excited I am for spring :) I don't even care, I am literally that excited!! I expressed my concern for the emotional side of pediatrics. WHEN I am a peds nurse and have a child smile for five minutes, give a parent reassurance and they maybe forget about the illness for those few minutes because I am there...that is why I want to be a nurse! She was reassuring and added; maybe make today better for a kid which will translate to a not so bad day tomorrow :) I really cannot wait!!
We also discussed the mission trip that (hopefully) I will go on over spring break. I will learn more about the application process next Tuesday. I know there is an essay, so I am already thinking of ideas. I need to make my essay so compelling they would have to choose me!!
After my meeting, which gave me a new sense of hope and motivation, I went to take my first psych exam. I was terrified, overwhelmed and nervous AND anxious...I could almost diagnose myself and should know what drugs I would need!! Haha I left the 100 question multiple choice exam feeling defeated (per usual)...then talking to the other stressed out students I had convinced myself I failed; I was never going to pass nursing school! Then we had an exam review, and I felt better. I got home and checked my grade, and...I passed the exam!! I did not fail and I will finish nursing school...until the next exam I will go through this same neurotic process. That what doesn't kill me can only make me stronger...right!?!?!
Well, we went through what I have for the duration of this program...only two more semesters after this one! Didn't I just start nursing school?? She gave me the schedule and says, "that's all you have left!" She also informed me that I do not have to take research since I have already taken in with my previous degree. BONUS!! So instead of a 20 credit semester in the spring, I will only have to take 17. Spring is also when we do Pediatrics and Obstetrics!! I CAN'T WAIT!! I am sure I sounded like a 5 year old on Christmas morning when I talked to her about how excited I am for spring :) I don't even care, I am literally that excited!! I expressed my concern for the emotional side of pediatrics. WHEN I am a peds nurse and have a child smile for five minutes, give a parent reassurance and they maybe forget about the illness for those few minutes because I am there...that is why I want to be a nurse! She was reassuring and added; maybe make today better for a kid which will translate to a not so bad day tomorrow :) I really cannot wait!!
We also discussed the mission trip that (hopefully) I will go on over spring break. I will learn more about the application process next Tuesday. I know there is an essay, so I am already thinking of ideas. I need to make my essay so compelling they would have to choose me!!
After my meeting, which gave me a new sense of hope and motivation, I went to take my first psych exam. I was terrified, overwhelmed and nervous AND anxious...I could almost diagnose myself and should know what drugs I would need!! Haha I left the 100 question multiple choice exam feeling defeated (per usual)...then talking to the other stressed out students I had convinced myself I failed; I was never going to pass nursing school! Then we had an exam review, and I felt better. I got home and checked my grade, and...I passed the exam!! I did not fail and I will finish nursing school...until the next exam I will go through this same neurotic process. That what doesn't kill me can only make me stronger...right!?!?!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Annnnd Overwhlemed Again!
The fall semester is well underway. We are about to begin week four and I still feel like this semester has just begun! Our first psych exam is Tuesday and I really do not feel ready. I have some more studying to get in before Tuesday at 2:50!!
After a whooping three weeks in my psych rotation, I think I can say I do not see myself looking for a psych nursing job WHEN I graduate. (I am also practicing more positive thoughts) I am so fascinated by psychology, but I am not sure I would want to work in a psych ward. I have had an okay experience so far, but I just do not think it is the fit for me. Maybe after the next few weeks things will change. We will see!
I cannot stop getting excited for the spring...pediatrics and obstetrics!!! I am sure I will regret this statement once I see how involved the course work will be with kids and babies and pregnant ladies (did I just rhyme?), but I cannot wait!!! I think learning about kids will be easier for the sole reason I will enjoy learning about their body systems. Naive much, probably. I have heard from the previous class that pediatrics is challenging. I am ready!! I have felt every aspect of this program is challenging, what's a little more!
This week I have a psych exam and a pharmacology quiz. I am dreading that quiz...that course is HARD! I have my work cut out for sure!! In addition to the exam and quiz, I have more course work do hand in and to get caught up with. I am also meeting with my advisor...who also happens to be the professor who takes the students on the mission trip that I am so excited about. I have a list of questions for her already. Hopefully it is productive and I do not find myself even more overwhelmed. Who and I kidding, of course I will be more over whelmed!!
I am losing my train of thought and starting to panic about taking this time away from studying...off I go to cram!!
After a whooping three weeks in my psych rotation, I think I can say I do not see myself looking for a psych nursing job WHEN I graduate. (I am also practicing more positive thoughts) I am so fascinated by psychology, but I am not sure I would want to work in a psych ward. I have had an okay experience so far, but I just do not think it is the fit for me. Maybe after the next few weeks things will change. We will see!
I cannot stop getting excited for the spring...pediatrics and obstetrics!!! I am sure I will regret this statement once I see how involved the course work will be with kids and babies and pregnant ladies (did I just rhyme?), but I cannot wait!!! I think learning about kids will be easier for the sole reason I will enjoy learning about their body systems. Naive much, probably. I have heard from the previous class that pediatrics is challenging. I am ready!! I have felt every aspect of this program is challenging, what's a little more!
This week I have a psych exam and a pharmacology quiz. I am dreading that quiz...that course is HARD! I have my work cut out for sure!! In addition to the exam and quiz, I have more course work do hand in and to get caught up with. I am also meeting with my advisor...who also happens to be the professor who takes the students on the mission trip that I am so excited about. I have a list of questions for her already. Hopefully it is productive and I do not find myself even more overwhelmed. Who and I kidding, of course I will be more over whelmed!!
I am losing my train of thought and starting to panic about taking this time away from studying...off I go to cram!!
Monday, September 2, 2013
Pharmacology..."It's Hard"
Well that surely didn't take long; I am so stressed ALREADY!!
I am at the tail end of my four day weekend, on Labor Day, and I am sitting home working and missing out on yet another family dinner at Erin's parents house. I maybe could have gone, but I would have been so stressed thinking I should be home working. So here I sit. Blah.
Last week went pretty well. I realized I missed my classmates! We went from an insane schedule and seeing everyone everyday for those first few months to a two week break. Don't get me wrong, I loved every second of being away from school!! My classes will be tough. My one course only meets on occasion as half of it is online. This is good and bad. Good that I won't have to be on campus as much; bad because I have to be self-motivated to go through the lectures on my own. My clinical is short, only 8 actual days in the psych unit. BUT the work load for clinical in unreal. My course that goes along with clinical is also a lot, but so far it is interesting. I have always been a fan of psychology. Hopefully I feel the same about psych nursing!
Pharmacology, the course I have been fearing, so far after one lecture will live up to my fears. In the first five minutes the professor says, "yes, this is a hard course, the material is hard and the exams are hard. I give pop quizzes. If you fall behind, there is no way to catch up." Awesome. I will keep you posted on that. For now I would rather forget I am taking that course!!
Tomorrow is Tuesday already...extra short week! I will be meeting group members a couple hours before class to work on our group presentation. We are the first group, which is fantastic! Get it done and out of the way!!
Back to the grind I go :)
I am at the tail end of my four day weekend, on Labor Day, and I am sitting home working and missing out on yet another family dinner at Erin's parents house. I maybe could have gone, but I would have been so stressed thinking I should be home working. So here I sit. Blah.
Last week went pretty well. I realized I missed my classmates! We went from an insane schedule and seeing everyone everyday for those first few months to a two week break. Don't get me wrong, I loved every second of being away from school!! My classes will be tough. My one course only meets on occasion as half of it is online. This is good and bad. Good that I won't have to be on campus as much; bad because I have to be self-motivated to go through the lectures on my own. My clinical is short, only 8 actual days in the psych unit. BUT the work load for clinical in unreal. My course that goes along with clinical is also a lot, but so far it is interesting. I have always been a fan of psychology. Hopefully I feel the same about psych nursing!
Pharmacology, the course I have been fearing, so far after one lecture will live up to my fears. In the first five minutes the professor says, "yes, this is a hard course, the material is hard and the exams are hard. I give pop quizzes. If you fall behind, there is no way to catch up." Awesome. I will keep you posted on that. For now I would rather forget I am taking that course!!
Tomorrow is Tuesday already...extra short week! I will be meeting group members a couple hours before class to work on our group presentation. We are the first group, which is fantastic! Get it done and out of the way!!
Back to the grind I go :)
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