Happy Halloween

For some reason, tonight reminds me that we have been asked if we will wear Traditional Nursing Caps during our pinning ceremony. What do you think?

Motivation and emesis

Motivation...I know my ultimate motivation (graduation) but it's so hard to stay motivated on a day-to-day basis. I don't want fear to be my motivator because then I lock up and stuff starts flying outta my head. Food is a BAD, bad motivator unless I want to weigh 1000 lbs when I'm done. I suppose I just have to remind myself how much I love the whole learning process and motivate myself.

Emesis...vomiting...throwing up...tossing your cookies...yup that's been my weekend. Gotta love your kids when they are doing this because no one else surely will. Dr. Appointment tomorrow cuz it's been since last Tuesday (5 days) for my 10 y/o *sigh*

The mid-term studies continue although I am a bit distracted. Tuesday will be here before I know it.

Good news and SNF

The good new is we heard on Tuesday the results of the Peds final. I PASSED!! *whew* The test has not been returned so I don't know my grade but it's a great sense of relief knowing I passed.

We have started our 3 weeks in a SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility), Long Term Care, whatever you prefer to call it. It rained all day and on our 1+ hour drive to/from but all is good. It's a nice home-like place and the staff is friendly. Best news is our confidence level is much better now and I think we are all ready to tackle this assignment and make the best of it. The days will be long but rewarding as we continue to strengthen our skills. Tired and more homework to do before bedtime......

Screaming kids? nope, no way, forget it ....(and a final on Tuesday)

Here I go again, ever so glad to prove myself wrong. Peds; never thought in a million years I would consider it. Even told folks, what areas interested me but mentioned, "except for Peds it's too close to home I can't handle kids in pain".

Wrong. WRONG.

I spent two days in a Pediatrics clinic. Loved it. Even the injection clinic. Yup. Go figure. The LVN's are mainly procedural in this type of clinic (think: injections, ear washes, splints, wound care, hearing tests, straight caths, urine dips, suture removal, etc.)

I liked the environment, the pace, the staff, all of it. It has proven me well to keep an open mind on exactly what I want to do in the future...

Even might consider working for the state in a very long term care facility; prison. Just a thought.

Now back to Tuesday we had our Final for Peds (what a co-winkydink) and we have yet to get the results back. Patience is a VIRTUE. Wish me luck :o)

The fun continues with a quiz this Tuesday and a mid-term next Tuesday ...all with the start of 3 weeks (3 days a week) in a SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility) that's an hour away from my home, arrival at promptly 6:30am ...did I ever tell you I am NOT a morning person *ugh*

Nurse, scalpel please

Two days in the OR ...Thought I'd walk away enamored but it didn't happen. Silently, I always thought the OR might be the place for me but I never was sure because I hadn't had the exposure.

I have always known I am people person. I always knew how much I loved my patients when I was CNA. ...but my best guess would have been the OR was for me, simple, interesting, skilled...

I was WRONG...

Nurses in the OR are boring...yup...boring...The doc's rule the roost (well they always do) but floor nurses have a take charge attitude.

For the last two days I observed the following:
1) Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy with a liver biopsy (gallbladder removal)
2) Take down colostomy (reversal of a section of the bowel being brought to the surface)
3) Thorocotomy and lobectomy (chest incision with removal of a portion of a lung)
4) Breast biopsy
5) Hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy (uterus removal with excision of an ovary and a fallopian tube).

What did I learn? Surgeons can be very nice and cool or very obnoxiously surly and rude...OR Tech's have interesting but repetitive jobs, Anesthesiologists have scary jobs and I don't think I want to be a OR nurse.

Quizzes...

RANT: Etiology, Pathophysiology, Signs/Symptoms, Medical management, Treatment, *ugh* who can keep it all straight. Pass me a hammer and then some ibuprofin.

Did someone say Foley?

Well, I knew this would come up soon in clinical. The FIRST Foley catheter. OK ya, we did it in clinical lab on the mannequins fine --but real anatomy is not perfect like dear ol' mannequin gal.

My classmate had rushed over this AM to tell me about her attempts in the L&D/OR room to insert a Foley. She went through 3 kits before she had success! All the time with an audience (the OR tech, RN, Dr. etc.) but luckily the patient was anesthetized from the waist down and fully distracted by the other activities in the room.

After hearing her hilarious, yet embarrassing story, it was now my turn. Calm environment (antipartum) with a patient not in active labor, non-english speaking, a great RN (from yesterday) and my clinical instructor. I was ready both mentally and with my supplies.

I've talked before about my test anxiety but oddly enough I do not tend to get clinical anxiety at all. It's like a big calmness just comes over me and I can think clearly. Best part was I got it on the FIRST try ..and used only one kit.

My instructor seemed pleased and I was offered to shave prep the patient also. It was a super good way to end my time in L&D and post partum. Now back to the books for some more theory.

Kudos

I got a compliment from an RN today. *smiles*

I was in post-partum today teamed with a really great nurse. I mean that because she is a natural teacher. Very encouraging, explains what she is doing and why, let's you watch and then let's you try. She's not overly critical either. I have a feeling she still remembers what's it's like to be a student. She also stressed that I should go forth and get my RN ..she said, "you are too smart and you will get bored as an LVN" ...gosh, a helping of 'pat-on-the-back' goes a long way with self-esteem. And to top it off my instructor is letting me do some proceedures without her being present, that is also a good sign. Today was good.

Nurse!! Nurse!!

or in another language ...

"In case you may be interested, Nurse in Gaeilge (Irish) is Bánaltra and in Korean it is Kyo No Won. You can add'em to your collection." --Bear

Thanks to my buddy Bear for this interesting info.