I'm headed in for clinical this morning. My instructor has a "review" today, so we're supposed to be on our best behavior. I hope we get to give an evaluation today because I am ready to vent. I feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick that isn't very long to begin with.
You know what they say, "You get what you pay for."
-DV
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
2nd Test
AGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!
I am so freaking tired of this. The first test I took a few weeks ago I made a 90%. Not too bad. I studied, did all of the reading, answered nclex questions out the wazoo and I made some stupid mistakes, but still got an A on the exam. Today after busting my butt every day, reading, answering nclex questions,reading, doing objectives, reading, working from the online and CD resources I end up with a big fat 72% on my second test. Did I mention that I did all of the reading? WHAT AM I DOING WRONG????????????
There is just too much information to grasp in a short amount of time.
If anyone has suggestions for studying SMARTER not HARDER. Please let me know. I don't know if I can put in any more hours.
Very frustrated with nursing school right now.
-DV
I am so freaking tired of this. The first test I took a few weeks ago I made a 90%. Not too bad. I studied, did all of the reading, answered nclex questions out the wazoo and I made some stupid mistakes, but still got an A on the exam. Today after busting my butt every day, reading, answering nclex questions,reading, doing objectives, reading, working from the online and CD resources I end up with a big fat 72% on my second test. Did I mention that I did all of the reading? WHAT AM I DOING WRONG????????????
There is just too much information to grasp in a short amount of time.
If anyone has suggestions for studying SMARTER not HARDER. Please let me know. I don't know if I can put in any more hours.
Very frustrated with nursing school right now.
-DV
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Not a Virgin Anymore
I finally did it.....Yep. I gave my first injection today to a real live person. It seems so technical during the lab practice that we do. I've got a list of about 50 steps to follow during my lab check offs for injections. When you get into the real world, it doesn't really seem that difficult. You still have to take the same precautions, but I suppose it is a little more fluid when you are in the field.
This week in clinical has been pretty exciting. I am always a little nervous the night before clinical, but when I actually get in there and start working, I get so caught up in all of the things I'm doing that the nerves don't really seem to get to me. All is want is for the patients I'm working with to feel better. I'd like to think that that is a good sign that I am going into the right field. In my previous career, the only thing I thought about was about how well I could perform and how what I was doing was going to effect me. I feel really good about thinking about other people and how I can help them. I still get a little nervous about doing some procedures, but it's really a heightened sense of wanting to learn my craft well. I can see how that little bit of nervousness will go away with time and experience.
I've seen so many things that I thought would gross me out, but it really just makes me feel for the patients. I am very glad that my family and I are in pretty good health, and that we are not going through some of the things my patients are going through.
I'm still not too sure about how my clinical instructor is going to turn out, but for the most part I feel like when I'm out with the techs, cna's and rn's that I'm learning what I need to be learning.
I'm looking forward to more time in clinical. :)
-DV
This week in clinical has been pretty exciting. I am always a little nervous the night before clinical, but when I actually get in there and start working, I get so caught up in all of the things I'm doing that the nerves don't really seem to get to me. All is want is for the patients I'm working with to feel better. I'd like to think that that is a good sign that I am going into the right field. In my previous career, the only thing I thought about was about how well I could perform and how what I was doing was going to effect me. I feel really good about thinking about other people and how I can help them. I still get a little nervous about doing some procedures, but it's really a heightened sense of wanting to learn my craft well. I can see how that little bit of nervousness will go away with time and experience.
I've seen so many things that I thought would gross me out, but it really just makes me feel for the patients. I am very glad that my family and I are in pretty good health, and that we are not going through some of the things my patients are going through.
I'm still not too sure about how my clinical instructor is going to turn out, but for the most part I feel like when I'm out with the techs, cna's and rn's that I'm learning what I need to be learning.
I'm looking forward to more time in clinical. :)
-DV
Thursday, February 18, 2010
I Have a Lot to Learn
Today was a very busy day in clinical. I have to admit that it was kind of fun too. I was able to keep fairly busy which made the shift go pretty quickly. I learned a lot about trachs today. I fed a woman her breakfast this morning. Unbeknown to me, you are supposed to have a cap on the trach during feeding. The RN in charge didn't set it up like that for me. You see, we haven't covered trach. care in class yet. So I'm trying to feed this poor lady her breakfast and she's choking on half the stuff I give her. Ultimately, she doesn't eat very much anyway. When the RN did try the cap on her, she didn't want it anyway because it was difficult for her to breath. I'm sure that's part of the weening process that my patient hadn't been through anyway. Later this morning, I was able to perform some physical therapy with the PT at my side. That was pretty fun.
Before I left the unit I was given the opportunity to check glucose levels on a couple of patients. I know that if you're a diabetic, that's no big deal, but for me it was one of the highlights of my day.
Finally, just after my shift was over, my clinical instructor gave me permission to stay a while and watch a tracheostomy. It was totally cool! At the same time, it was very humbling. Every day that I learn one new thing, I learn that there are about 100 things that I know absolutely nothing about.
Even after five weeks of constant reading and studying, I feel like I'll never learn all of this. I have a VERY long way to go.
-DV
Before I left the unit I was given the opportunity to check glucose levels on a couple of patients. I know that if you're a diabetic, that's no big deal, but for me it was one of the highlights of my day.
Finally, just after my shift was over, my clinical instructor gave me permission to stay a while and watch a tracheostomy. It was totally cool! At the same time, it was very humbling. Every day that I learn one new thing, I learn that there are about 100 things that I know absolutely nothing about.
Even after five weeks of constant reading and studying, I feel like I'll never learn all of this. I have a VERY long way to go.
-DV
Monday, February 15, 2010
Keeping Ahead of the Race
As I start the fifth week of nursing school I look back at all that I've learned already. I am feeling fairly confident right now because I seem to be on top of things. It does seem though, that the potential to lose control is always right there. It's kind of like walking along the edge of a cliff. Just the slightest breeze will plunge me to my death.
To recap, I had my first exam last week and made a 90%. That's not too bad, but I wish I had done better. The questions didn't seem as difficult as the examples I had been studying from the book and the website. I could have done better, but I went back and changed answers that I had correct because I started thinking too much. Always go with your gut instinct! The questions in nursing school are quite different than in other subjects. They are mostly application questions. (If you're in nursing school, you know what I'm talking about.) The knowledge has to be there, yes, but what can you do with that knowledge. You are given a situation and you must choose the multiple choice answer that BEST answers the question. Yes there may be 4correct answers, but which one really fits the situation. There may even be more than one answer. I can assure you that this type of questioning provides for some very interesting conversations in my head.
This weekend I was able to finish a teaching project for my clinical. Yes, I am a week ahead on this. Yea for me!!!!! It helped that one of my clinicals was canceled last week for embarrassingly petty reasons. Speaking of clinicals, last week I was able to pick out a patient to start practicing on. Muahahahahhhhhhhhh!!!! So far clinical has been just okay. Mostly because of fact that there is a lack of...(how do I put this in a PC form?) leadership continuity? class management? focused direction? well, something like that. For the most part I am realizing that what I get out of clinicals (at least this semester) will be largely up to my own effort to learn from the people around me in the hospital. Time to take the bull by the horns, so to speak.
In skills lab last week we learned how to measure medications and give injections. VERY FUN! Quite frankly, I'm surprise that they don't hand out protective goggles to all of the newbies handling needles. Some of my classmates are a little scary when handling sharp objects.
Overall things are going well and the semester seems to be speeding by at an alarming rate. It'll be over before I know it.
-DV
To recap, I had my first exam last week and made a 90%. That's not too bad, but I wish I had done better. The questions didn't seem as difficult as the examples I had been studying from the book and the website. I could have done better, but I went back and changed answers that I had correct because I started thinking too much. Always go with your gut instinct! The questions in nursing school are quite different than in other subjects. They are mostly application questions. (If you're in nursing school, you know what I'm talking about.) The knowledge has to be there, yes, but what can you do with that knowledge. You are given a situation and you must choose the multiple choice answer that BEST answers the question. Yes there may be 4correct answers, but which one really fits the situation. There may even be more than one answer. I can assure you that this type of questioning provides for some very interesting conversations in my head.
This weekend I was able to finish a teaching project for my clinical. Yes, I am a week ahead on this. Yea for me!!!!! It helped that one of my clinicals was canceled last week for embarrassingly petty reasons. Speaking of clinicals, last week I was able to pick out a patient to start practicing on. Muahahahahhhhhhhhh!!!! So far clinical has been just okay. Mostly because of fact that there is a lack of...(how do I put this in a PC form?) leadership continuity? class management? focused direction? well, something like that. For the most part I am realizing that what I get out of clinicals (at least this semester) will be largely up to my own effort to learn from the people around me in the hospital. Time to take the bull by the horns, so to speak.
In skills lab last week we learned how to measure medications and give injections. VERY FUN! Quite frankly, I'm surprise that they don't hand out protective goggles to all of the newbies handling needles. Some of my classmates are a little scary when handling sharp objects.
Overall things are going well and the semester seems to be speeding by at an alarming rate. It'll be over before I know it.
-DV
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Skillz
It's looking like it's going to be a very long semester. While I've really enjoyed every day of nursing school so far, there is just so much to keep up with. At this point I've got seven (7) chapters to read. Some of these chapters make a Stephen King novel look like Dick and Jane. I've also got online modules, videos and tests to try and push through. On average I'd say I've been spending 7 hrs a day (outside of class) studying. I have to admit that I enjoy it. It is so refreshing to be doing something different in my life.
This week we've learned how to take vital signs and give a head to toe assessment. I figured all those years of going into the Dr.'s office that those nurses were just goofing around with all that stuff.
My wife has been a pretty good sport about letting me practice on her. However, she did get a little perturbed when I started fondling her breast when I was trying to listen to heart sounds. :) DISCLAIMER: Fondling is NOT proper nursing procedure! I had no idea it was that difficult to monitor blood pressure. You've got to really listen and pay attention. You can't kill somebody with an overinflated cuff can you?
My clinical calculations math is going very well. I actually get it! Yea for me and any future patients I may have. I have a clinical math test that I have to take in a couple of weeks. The requirement for passing is 90%. Hopefully I won't have any problems. Remember all those years of teachers saying that you weren't allowed to use a calculator? Well, as it turns out in real life...YOU CAN!!!!!!! I don't know what all the fuss was about. I'm pretty sure all of those no-calculator-using-fire-breathing math teachers were just out to give everyone a hard time.
I have one more day of clinicals this week and then it's off to work I go for the rest of the weekend. The good thing is that I'll be able to study most of tomorrow in my hotel room. I am also trying to get a study group together. I'm not sure how easy that's going to be, or how effective. I've never had a study group, but I think it could turn out to be a good thing if everyone is in the right mindset. After this weekend I'll have one more clinical day on campus and then it's off to my hospital orientation. Very exciting!
Time to get a move on to class. We've got three hours of video to watch this morning. I wonder if anyone would say anything if I brought popcorn.
-DV
This week we've learned how to take vital signs and give a head to toe assessment. I figured all those years of going into the Dr.'s office that those nurses were just goofing around with all that stuff.
My wife has been a pretty good sport about letting me practice on her. However, she did get a little perturbed when I started fondling her breast when I was trying to listen to heart sounds. :) DISCLAIMER: Fondling is NOT proper nursing procedure! I had no idea it was that difficult to monitor blood pressure. You've got to really listen and pay attention. You can't kill somebody with an overinflated cuff can you? My clinical calculations math is going very well. I actually get it! Yea for me and any future patients I may have. I have a clinical math test that I have to take in a couple of weeks. The requirement for passing is 90%. Hopefully I won't have any problems. Remember all those years of teachers saying that you weren't allowed to use a calculator? Well, as it turns out in real life...YOU CAN!!!!!!! I don't know what all the fuss was about. I'm pretty sure all of those no-calculator-using-fire-breathing math teachers were just out to give everyone a hard time.
I have one more day of clinicals this week and then it's off to work I go for the rest of the weekend. The good thing is that I'll be able to study most of tomorrow in my hotel room. I am also trying to get a study group together. I'm not sure how easy that's going to be, or how effective. I've never had a study group, but I think it could turn out to be a good thing if everyone is in the right mindset. After this weekend I'll have one more clinical day on campus and then it's off to my hospital orientation. Very exciting!
Time to get a move on to class. We've got three hours of video to watch this morning. I wonder if anyone would say anything if I brought popcorn.
-DV
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Coming Up for Air
I made it! One week down and 15 more to go for this semester. My first week of nursing school was filled with excitement, doubt, anxiety, wonder and just a touch of external genitalia.
I started the week going to my clinicals. Of course we're not in a real clinical setting right now, but we go to the hospitals in about 2 more weeks. Our instructors walked us through the syllabus and going through some of the things we can expect out of our experiences. Some of the major assignments were discussed as well as the grading procedures. Later in the week we had our library orientation which included signing up for all of the websites we will need to access for the semester. One of the really exciting things about my school is that there is a lot of computer based testing and online facilities that will help us learn the skills we need to learn. In addition the faculty seem to really be a dynamic group of people who are working together to assist us in becoming the best nurses we can be.
I have to admit that all of the introduction stuff can make you want to crawl up in one of those comfy looking hospital beds at the side of the room, but I think each week will prove to be more interesting and fun. We did get into a couple skill however. I can now wash my hands effectively as well as make your bed (with you in it of course), and I can give you a bed bath while remaining completely professional when I find your tattoo that says, "Easy Lovin'"
There was a lot of reading this week and there remains a lot of reading and preparation for next week, but I'm looking forward to it. I am really glad that I made a detailed schedule for myself. It not only includes my class schedule, but my work schedule, study schedule, dinner schedule and play schedule. The instructors tell us that about 30 - 35 hour of preparation out side of all of our classes should be expected. At first I thought that might be a little extreme, but after my first week I'm beginning to think that that is pretty accurate.
Time to go read some more......
-DV
I started the week going to my clinicals. Of course we're not in a real clinical setting right now, but we go to the hospitals in about 2 more weeks. Our instructors walked us through the syllabus and going through some of the things we can expect out of our experiences. Some of the major assignments were discussed as well as the grading procedures. Later in the week we had our library orientation which included signing up for all of the websites we will need to access for the semester. One of the really exciting things about my school is that there is a lot of computer based testing and online facilities that will help us learn the skills we need to learn. In addition the faculty seem to really be a dynamic group of people who are working together to assist us in becoming the best nurses we can be.
I have to admit that all of the introduction stuff can make you want to crawl up in one of those comfy looking hospital beds at the side of the room, but I think each week will prove to be more interesting and fun. We did get into a couple skill however. I can now wash my hands effectively as well as make your bed (with you in it of course), and I can give you a bed bath while remaining completely professional when I find your tattoo that says, "Easy Lovin'"
There was a lot of reading this week and there remains a lot of reading and preparation for next week, but I'm looking forward to it. I am really glad that I made a detailed schedule for myself. It not only includes my class schedule, but my work schedule, study schedule, dinner schedule and play schedule. The instructors tell us that about 30 - 35 hour of preparation out side of all of our classes should be expected. At first I thought that might be a little extreme, but after my first week I'm beginning to think that that is pretty accurate.
Time to go read some more......
-DV
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