I don't know what week it is, but I just finished my second clinical this afternoon!!

My group's clinical was at Health South. We did not get to do any baths, unfortunately, because the patients are at the facility for therapy and therefore they go to therapy all morning and afternoon and then have baths during the 3-11 shift. We did get to make beds, some of which were in contact isolation rooms. It is really, really hot to make beds while wearing a gown and gloves!! I'm glad I got to experience it though so I would know what it's like.

We had a great experience there though. The staff was really nice and helpful and appreciated any help we could give them. So, all in all it was a good day!! :)

Week 4!!

I can't believe that we are halfway through week 4!! I'm glad to be through with the midterm and I am ready to start writing my paper...tomorrow. After that I'm going to start working on the next two chapters this weekend. I am going to be changing a few things about my study routines. I did OK on the midterm but not as well as I hoped. I am not thrilled about how I did but not entirely unhappy either :) I'm just used to working hard and knowing the material and then acing the test. This is different from that, as I expected it to be. I think I really overanalyzed some of the questions and some of them I should not have changed the answer on. So now I'm going to tweak my study routine a little bit and hopefully improve on the final.

Our group had lab today as well and we got to practice bed baths, making the bed with someone in it, oral hygiene and SHAVING!! I want to thank Gary and Greg for being brave enough to let us shave them. I was very scared that I was going accidentally nick Greg's face, but he talked me through it. Whew!!

"Never be afraid to do something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the titanic." - anonymous

This was posted by another friend of mine on Facebook. It exemplifies the main thing I learned during our first clinicals. Of course, I might logically understand this to be true, but I will probably still struggle with nervousness. I had a great time during clinicals and thought that it was a positive first experience. I was able to take the vital signs of the resident I was assigned to and really enjoyed hearing the stories.

I was also really excited to learn how to auscultate respiration and I was interested to hear the different abnormal breath sounds that can be heard. I have heard wheezing before because of my daughter's asthma. It was very easy to hear when she was small and her asthma was acute. Then wheezing was audible from across the room sometimes. Since she has gotten older though, the wheezing is much less noticeable. The asthma is more evident because of her skin color and energy level and sometimes an intermittent cough, plus she will feel tightness in her chest. I am saying all this to say that today when she got home from school(she rides her bike -uphill- to get here), I thought she was wheezing due to her skin color, etc.. and I was able, for the first time, to listen to her breathe through the stethoscope and hear her wheeze. I know this may not sound like such a good thing, but I can't tell you how many times I've taken her to the doctor for asthma, after medicating her, and the wheeze was gone. I have sometimes wondered if I was imagining it because I expect her to have the problem since she's had asthma for almost her whole life. And now I can check it out for myself. YAY!!

Enthusiasm:

A friend of mine just posted this on Facebook. I thought it was a good thought for tomorrow; be enthusiastic!!

Paul Harvery said:


If I could tell the people one message it would be you can do such great things with such little effort..especially if you have enthusiasm!

If you have enthusiam then get down on your knees and thank God for it. If you don't have it, get down on our knees and ask God for it.

Enthusiasm is one great idea from two Greek words "en" and "theos" translated "God within." Shouldn't you be enthusiastic if God is within you!

Week 3 - First day again...

So tomorrow is the first clinical for my group. Firsts always make me nervous. I will be fine once the firstness of it is over. I've been through many firsts in my life and I've been to lots of new places. I know it will be okay as soon as I get through the nerves. Tomorrow is going to be a great day :)

Week 2 of Nursing School

Wow!! I can't believe that we are already at the end of week 2!! It has been a busy one but I really feel that I'm learning a lot. I really love lab. It puts me in a good mood for the rest of my day. I especially liked the lab where we learn about vital signs. Mrs. Onate is extremely patient and our group is having a good time while learning. I am especially proud that I can now take Blood Pressure. It feels like such an accomplishment. I'm looking forward to the long weekend. I will probably spend most of it studying, but that in itself is a gift for me. Usually I'm working and fitting in the studying.