Practice day.

I met Miranda at school today and we practiced our check-off skills. We worked on BP. I'm still not very good, but I'm better. Every time I try it, I improve (so maybe a hundred or so more tries and I'll have it down).
We succeeded at making an occupied bed. Each of us finished in about 15 minutes (we have to be able to do it in less than 25 minutes). I feel much better after timing myself today and realizing that there is definitely one skill that I'll be able to do in the time alotted. By the time check-offs come around (September 11 & 12), I'll be able to do the others, but they will require way more practice than occupied bed making.

Had a ton of reading (and still have one chapter to go before bedtime) tonight. I also needed to review my math. I feel like we're going to have a pop quiz on our math pretty soon (maybe tomorrow). It is easy math, I'm just trying to remember if there are 15 minims in a mL or 15 mL in a minim. I don't even know what a minim is....

High school football season starts tomorrow night and our local high school drum major is one of our church teenagers, so we're off to the game tomorrow night. I may be taking a book with me to read. Too much to do, so little time.
Until tomorrow....

Baths and Bedmaking!

Today's lab went WAY better than yesterday! We did bed baths and occupied bed making. Today I made my lab partner go first, so I got to learn from her (I went first yesterday). The first round of people had a rough time, but the rest of us really did learn from them. Then we took a break and swapped. I didn't have nearly as hard a time as she did. I made my bed and passed inspection first try. Hooray!
While we were on break today, my lab group (of 10 girls) were discussing yesterday's lab class. They were all just as stressed out as I was yesterday--what a relief--I wasn't the only one. Several of them went home and cried (and most of us called our moms). I felt better that I hadn't cried yet and I thought I had a way harder time than they did. We talked about that fact that they have to be extremely strict now, so they can loosen up later and still have control and that they're trying to weed out anyone that can't handle it.
They say that the cardiovascular unit will be the unit to weed people out, and it isn't until after midterm. So, I guess we'll just wait and see.
I'm going back to school tomorrow (on my off day) to practice vital signs and bed making with Miranda (who isn't in my group, but we've become friends).
**David H. if you haven't already, buy a BP cuff and start practicing (on different people)!

Everythings going to be okay. I just took a 3-4 hour nap. I have to go to school tomorrow, but not as early as normal. I decided to let myself sleep. This emotional and mental strain is wearing me out right now. I'm sure I'll get used to it and be fine, it'll just take a little longer. One more class and we'll have made it through 2 FULL weeks (and a day)!

When I really get freaked out or tired of looking at nursing stuff, I read a little in a book I started. I've been reading The Count of Monte Cristo in my "spare time". It is Wonderful! If you haven't read it, or just saw the movie, pick it up sometime. It's a little long, but that just ensures that there is a lot of good story to tell.

Total meltdown day!

Today was absolutely draining!!
I got up at the same time this morning (but was coming from Hattiesburg) so that I could be at school at 7am. I made it about 10 minutes early, which at that time of day is fine because the traffic rush hasn't started.
Today was a scrubs day, and I thought that I had followed the guidelines pretty well. First thing when class started, the instructors really hammered us hard for not following the uniform policy. Many girls had not worn their hair up, didn't wear a watch, or had the wrong shoes (just to name a few offenses). All I had wrong was that I had on the wrong socks (ankle socks are not allowed), but they didn't make too big a deal out of socks. They also fussed pretty hard about people not having their supplies. Fortunately, I had managed to ask the right questions of one of my instructors the day before and found out that I needed to have headphones. I was one of only a few that brought them (whew!).
Today, my lab group worked on vital signs and handwashing. We watched some videos and then went to another classroom to work on our skills. I brought my blood pressure cuff that I had bought through the nursing program and began using it, but I couldn't hear anything on my lab partner. My instructor informed me that my BP cuff was too big. The manufacturer had packaged an adult large cuff (an obese cuff) in an adult regular box. No wonder it wasn't working! She told me to take it back and insist on the correct size! The instructor gave me a school cuff to use and I had to start all over on the procedure. I pumped up the cuff and before I could even turn the valve, the pressure dropped over 20mm! I asked her what I was doing wrong and she said there must be a hole in the tubing, so she took that cuff away and gave me another one. By this time, every other group has taken a couple of turns and the instructor was standing over me! How nerve-wrecking is that! I did everything WRONG!!! I even had trouble finding pulses on my lab partner! I could do all this stuff at home, but not in lab!
**Disclaimer** I know that one day I'll look back at this incident and laugh at myself for freaking over taking BP, but today--it wasn't funny!
I made it through lab, but was emotionally and mentally exhausted! I asked my instructor after class if I was missing any of the paperwork required to do clinicals and she looked it up and said I was. I really didn't anticipate that, but whatever...
As it turns out, I needed the proof that I had an MMR when I was a kid, my TB skin test was documented incorrectly and I needed to have it redone (or fight with the Jefferson County Health Dept to fix it), and she said I was overdue on my 2nd round of HBV. I was so rattled! I knew I had done everything (and done it correctly) but I had no proof. Not to mention, when I went for my 1st HBV, the Health Dept told me that I had to have my 2nd round HBV within a month of the date they listed. My instructor told me that I had to have it ON the date listed. She was freaking me out because I thought I was over due and had to have it redone. If someone took my BP at that point, it would've been through the roof!
As it turned out, I got my second round HBV (my arm is SOOOOO sore), got my first round HAV, and did decide to get my TB redone (didn't want to fight with Jeff County--Emily, some things are just worth paying for). I called Momma and she said she has my MMR certificate from when I was a kid and will get it in the mail as soon as possible. I went after school to the uniform shop and they said they've had a big problem with those BP cuffs being mis-labeled as a smaller size. They had swapped out so many that they were completely out of them, but the manufacturer was shipping some and they were to arrive tomorrow. They asked if I would come back tomorrow and assured me that they would give me the correct BP cuff.

None of these things, by themselves, were very big at all; however, together, all these things added up to a pretty rotten day. Many more days like this and I'll understand completely how people drop out. I have no intention of dropping out at all--especially over piddly stuff like this, but I do understand how people get frustrated and discouraged.
Just taking vital signs was stressful enough.......but I can do this! I'm going to do this!!! Bed baths and bed making tomorrow!

Please pray!!

Back from the weekend...

This weekend flew!! Before I knew it, it was Sunday night (and I still had lots of work to do). I decided to stay with Jenna and Mel for the next couple of days, so that my drive time will be cut by almost 40 minutes one way. Tuesday and Wednesday lab begins at 7am (and 7am comes early).
Today in class we discussed Urinary and Bowel Elimination. I'm so thankful that I worked for a GI during grad school. It makes elimination not quite so gross. I've already been desensitized to it. At a GI's office, just about everything is related to poop. We're starting to cover skills that we'll be putting to practice in clinical as nursing 1 students. For example, removing Foley catheters, catheter hygiene, etc. The theory of it doesn't bother me, but I wonder about the actual practice of it. ***This is the time for all you RN's to chime in with hints, encouragement and what you know***
The professor that I didn't care for very much was our lecturer again today. Maybe we won't have her again for a while since we've had her twice in two class periods. She didn't do as bad today as before. She still stood in front of her PowerPoint some of the time, but after she came into class this morning, I moved the lecturn (while she was out of the room) so that she had more room to pace around. SEVERAL people thanked me for that. I was not the only one that she aggrevated last week.
We got our tests back at the end of class and I made an A! I actually made a 96 because I missed two questions (that I shouldn't have missed) for dumb errors. But an A is still an A!! There are people who made below a 78 which is D and F territory, but I don't think many. The girl that didn't take her test on Friday was back today. We were all afraid that we wouldn't get our tests back because of her, but they just sent her out of the room to go take her test while we got ours back and reviewed them.
After class we had a Nursing 1 welcome party, hosted by the higher nursing classes. It was nice. Supposedly each of us "first years" has a second or third semester nursing student as a mentor. They were supposed to find us during the party, but mine didn't find me. Several of us didn't have anyone "claim" us. Oh well...
Still some folks in class that make me nuts. Some of them talk too much (I never thought I'd think that of someone else) and really have nothing to say or at least nothing intelligent to say.
I'm kind of excited about tomorrow--starting Lab. Wednesday is going to be a little uncomfortable though. We're practicing bed baths--on each other. Our lab manual instructed us to wear conservative under garments. (My modesty feels violated.) Oh well, I'd have to do it if these people were my nurse in the hospital.
I've got a lot of reading to do, so--see you later!

Lad

On a scale from 0-10...

Yesterday is such a blur.
I got to school earlier than ever (don't know how that happened), and got a parking place RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE NURSING BUILDING!!! And Murphy's law says, that's the one day that I have to go to the library (which is much closer to the bad parking places) to take my test. Oh well...I parked in front of the nursing building anyway, just for the principle of the thing.
The test was easier than I thought it would be. 48 questions, 2 math problems.... I had a question about one of the multiple choice because it was a very subjective question. It was a scenario and the question basically asked, "What is this patient thinking?" Ultimately, who knows? I thought the correct answer would've been--Ask the patient. But that wasn't an option. I chose the answer that I thought was best and moved on. Other than that, the test was pretty easy (but I had studied a lot for it too). There's a lady in my class who was in Nursing 1 last semester and is having to re-take it for some reason. She assured us that the second test would be harder than this. One person didn't show up on test day...wonder if she'll be our first to drop out?

**I have learned that although the program outcomes say that 51% will graduate, this nursing program consistently has a better graduation rate than that. The last class to graduate had 29 in it. That's 2/3 of the starting class! I also learned that they have many years (recent years) of 100% NCLEX pass rates. That was very reassuring to me!**

After the test, we had 2 hours of lecture on pain and pain management. It's amazing what all I knew that I didn't know I knew. A lot of the pain information, my mother-in-law told me sometime in the past. It all came flooding back during the lecture, so the lecture reinforced what I knew and taught me some to build on that (thanks, Nancy!).
Lab starts next week, but a few of us plan to stay after class on Monday and practice our bed-making while the labs are still pretty empty. We're afraid after we officially start lab, they will be full of people. We've had the lecture on bed-making and bath giving and the instructions that they want us to follow are in the book, so we're going to go take a stab at it. Maybe that way, when we get to lab on Tuesday, we'll be able to perfect our skills instead of trying them for the first time.

I met our church ladies in Hattiesburg last night for dinner. We were ALL able to go out. I think the birthday girl had a wonderful time!!
My sleep schedule is officially started. I was trying to fall asleep last night at 9:00. I didn't go to bed until about 11:30, but was WIDE AWAKE at 8:00 this morning. I know some of you are rolling your eyes at me because you haven't slept until 8:00 a day in your lives, but for me--a sleep-aholic--8:00 is early, especially on a Saturday when I have the chance to sleep and sleep and sleep. It's okay though. I don't mind. Dave is gone to a church meeting, so I have all morning to study and just have some quiet time.
So far, I've made the bed (yes, mom, I do know how to make the bed), played on Webkinz and written this post. Not very productive, but I don't move so quickly in the mornings!

Talk to you next week--
Lad

Time's up

I feel so much better. I was asleep before 10:00 last night and didn't get up until 9:30. I needed that sleep. Hopefully I won't have any trouble sleeping tonight and will feel equally as rested tomorrow. Several people in class are already complaining about lack of sleep. Not sure I understand where they've been spending their time. Some have kids and jobs, so that's understandable, but others are like me and have few distractions.
Tomorrow is my big test. It covers A LOT of information! I've been studying a little, but now it's time to really hit it hard.
I spent a little bit of time working on my blog today. I think it looks better now--hope you do too.
I have a super busy day tomorrow. School first thing in the morning. My test is at 8:30 and then they pick up with lecture at 9:30 (no rest for the weary). After that, I'll hang out at school studying for a while, then go to Hattiesburg. Our church Ladies' Auxiliary is going to take one of our church members to supper for her birthday. This church member has been struggling with her brother's illness for the past 6-9 months. He is 61 and has Down's Syndrome. She is his constant care-giver, but lately he's been very sick. In and out of nursing homes and ICU. We wanted to give her a little break and celebrate her birthday with her (she has no other family). Just some time to think of something other than what is going wrong in her situation right now. They could both use prayer right now. I know God answers!
Also, if you think about it, pray for me and this big test. I want to start out right and get a good grade while the information is easier. I know after this test, I'll wish for something easy.

**sigh** Back to the books!

Lad

I'm sooooo sleepy...

For the past two days, I have come in from school ready to go to bed. I haven't done it--haven't even taken a nap, but I'm so tired.
I'm not used to being up at 5:45 and out of the house by 6:30. Normally, I haven't even stirred by 6:30. I'm so spoiled to sleeping in. Gotta get used to this new schedule. Starting next week, I've got to be at school at 7am two days per week.
Got to school even earlier today and got a bad parking space again. I did find a new commuter parking lot though, so I think I'll be able to park there from now on and get a good spot. People have started settling in to their spots in the room and taking the same desks everyday. Looks like I'll be able to get my seat for the rest of the semester. **confessions of an OCD sufferer**
Class was okay today. We were learning about hygiene and rest/sleep. Hygiene included baths/bed baths and bed making. She demonstrated for us, but we won't get to actually practice these skill until next week in lab.
4th professor (of 5) today. I'm sure she's a very nice lady, but I didn't like her very much. She used PowerPoint, but stood in front of it the whole time, so our side of the room couldn't see it. When we asked her to move, she gave us a lecture on note taking skills and the fact that we don't have to write down every word she says. **rolled eyes** Frustrating. She never did understand what we were trying to tell her. It wasn't just that though, she was not as informative a teacher as the other three have been. Oh well...4 out of 5 isn't bad.
We got that pop quiz back today--I made a 100!!! Yea!! Starting out right!
We were also assigned to our lab/clinical groups and professors. I'm pleased with my group and very pleased with the professors. I got my favorite of the 5 for lab and then another good one for clinical. My clinical professor is known for being the strictest of the 5, but that's okay. I don't mind. I think that I'll definitely learn my stuff at clinical--she'll see to that! I was pleased that I didn't get today's lecture professor.
Tonight is fellowship supper at church, so I need to go finish cooking.
I have tomorrow off, but it will be filled with studying for Friday's unit test! Pray for me!

Thanks,

Lad

Day 3 News

I'm proud of myself--I did manage to get out of the house (and to school) 5 minutes earlier than yesterday. I was thrilled to get a better parking place too! Still not the best, but way better than the past two times. I got the SAME seat in class today, and the same girl sat in front of me. The routine-freak in me cheered!
Today's lecture was Infection Control--big issue everywhere (especially the NCLEX, from what they say). We had a good time in class. New professor again--and boy, did she talk fast! If I hadn't done my reading and watched the videos yesterday after class, I would have been SOOO lost.
Kinda good thing today--we had our first pop quiz. About 25 questions covering the previous 2 lectures and the reading from the night before. I'm about 95% sure I made a 100. Yea!!! The more grades we have, the better. Today's quiz was easy, but they assured us that from here on out, they'll be way more challenging.
I came home today and immediately started reading. I have one of my two chapters read, and when I get up from here, I'll finish the other. Our first unit test is Friday, so I need to study tonight as well. I have determined to be in bed by about 9:30 (and 9:30 can't get here soon enough--I'm exhausted!).
Another cool little tidbit...we're going to be starting to take BP's next week in lab, so I decided to go ahead and practice on Dave (since I have NO experience, maybe this way I won't make a total fool of myself). I followed the directions that they gave us in class (based on our check-off list) and I actually heard what I was supposed to hear! I expected to have to try several times before I heard it right, but I did it! It was awkward and holding the stethoscope and manometer and everything was a handful, but I was pleased with the success that I had! That makes me not quite so scared to try again. Dave has agreed to let me take his BP each day to practice...I just hope the next tries go as well as the first.

Lots to do...
Lad

And it's only Day 2....

I have a new respect for all you readers who have completed nursing school already. Today was only the second day of class, but I already know that this program will be harder than anything I've ever done before. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving it. It is extremely interesting! I had a different professor today and she was also really good.
Today we covered vital signs--lots of information there.

I woke up this morning at 5:45--yuck! I was out of the house by 6:30--yuck! I made it to school by 7:30 and STILL didn't get a close parking space--yuck!! However, I did get a closer space than I did Friday, so it was better. The silver lining though, I was early enough that I got the seat I wanted in the classroom. There were 6 other nursing students already in our classroom when I got there, so I wasn't the only dork who got there early to get a good seat! My goal tomorrow is to get to school about 5 minutes earlier than today. I can always read/study while I'm waiting for class to start.

I'm tired...actually, I'm flat exhausted! I came in today and laid down on the couch and slept for about 20 minutes. I needed a short nap to help me get through all the reading I had to do tonight. Lots of pages (David H.--be prepared!!), heavy books!

I'm going to bed now, since tomorrow will be 5 minutes earlier than today!
Love you all--please pray!
Lad

What a day!!!

My first day of nursing school! Wow....

I'm glad I stayed in Hattiesburg last night. I got up early this morning to get an early start. I started my day out right--with Chick-Fil-A! I got to school at 8:00 (for my 8:30 class) and drove around for 20 minutes trying to find a place to park! It was absolute chaos! It wasn't that I minded walking, I just couldn't find a place to put my car! I finally parked illegally at a restaurant across the street and down a ways from the school. I prayed that my car wouldn't get towed. I made it to class with 5 minutes to spare. The only problem was that my "lateness" made me forfeit all the good seats. I was in the next to last row from the back--bummer. I'm such a front row person. I don't think that I want to be front row right now though...maybe second row. I am determined to be earlier next time so that I can pick my seat.
Class today was on the history and philosophy of nursing, the roles of the nurse and then we talked a little bit about illness and the stages of illness. Not the most "edge-of-your-seat" information, but the professor did a very good job of presenting it. Got lots of notes. I hate to see how many pages of notes when the information gets very complex...whew!

A friend of mine told me that at least at first, my goal should be to blend in to the crowd. Not to be too quiet, but not to be the star either. I really had trouble with this because I'm a born Type-A over-achiever. But after today--my friend was right (Thanks Deborah!). I realize that I know virtually nothing about this subject matter and by watching the other students (who also have almost no knowledge of the subject matter), I know what it looks like to talk about things you know nothing about. It just makes you look dumb? stupid? pick a word...

Started my reading assignment for Monday--Vital signs. I can definitely tell why people get overwhelmed right from the start. I haven't even gotten past body temperature yet and there's already a lot to learn, e.g. when to use which temperature method.

Today we "toured" (if you count a 5 minute walk-through as a tour) a surgical and endoscopy clinic where some of us will do a clinical rotation. Nothing really special...just a surgery center. While we were there I overheard some of the girls saying that after our first unit test they would decide whether this program was for them or not. That test is this coming friday, so I guess we'll see if we have our first drop-outs. They are going to have to kick me out before I leave. I will not quit this just because it gets hard. I may cry and suffer, but I will not quit--#1 - my pride wouldn't allow it, and #2 - I've paid out too much money on uniforms and equipment to just drop out within the first couple of weeks. I pray I don't end up eating those words! :)

I'm trying to get on a new sleep schedule, so I'm off to bed now--WAY before my normal bedtime.

Thanks for reading,

Lad

Tomorrow is the big day!!!

Nursing classes start tomorrow!!!! I'm super excited!

I went for orientation yesterday and learned a whole lot about what to expect. They gave us our first reading assignment and we will begin in full swing on Friday! I was a bit concerned that Friday would be a syllabus day and more orientation, but they did as I hoped and gave us ample information on Wednesday, so that class would begin on Friday.

I had to buy books on Wednesday as well. I had to buy 5 books and 2 additional resources. One of those 2 is a Nurse's Med Deck full of drug cards, the other is an RN Notes pocket guide.

I bought the biggest book that I've ever had to buy though. It is huge!!! Not a little overwhelming!

Tonight, I'm going to Hattiesburg to stay with some of our college church members who have an apt up there. That way I won't have to drive quite so far on my first day of school. They say traffic is horrible on campus on the first day. I'm still not completely sure where to park anyway, so I guess getting there early will be in my best interest!

I've met several other girls in the class--one older than me and 2 younger than me. I hope that they'll be some who persevere and make it. I'm always very wary of studying with people who aren't committed. We'll just have to see. At least I know several people now. That does make it a little bit easier.

Pray for me! I'm really excited, but kinda scared too!

The last week!

Only 4 more days!!

I have orientation on Wednesday, and then I start Nursing classes on Friday! Hooray!! I'm really excited!
I went shopping for school supplies the other day--I love school supplies! (what a nerd...I know)
I'll get books and my scrubs and uniforms on Wednesday!

I'm very excited at the work I've gotten done around the house. I really took to heart that I needed to get rid of stuff, so I did some MAJOR "spring/summer"cleaning! I got rid of a lot of stuff. Dave and I sold some on Ebay (new experience for us) and some just got pitched! But overall, there's significantly less stuff in my house and what stuff I have is WAY better organized. I can actually walk in my sewing room and our bedroom is cleaner than it's ever been. I'm working very hard to keep everything spic and span this week. I want to go into the semester with a clear mind. I don't want to be sitting in class thinking of everything that needs to be done at my house. I feel so free in my clean house!! It's way less stressful too.

Nothing big planned this week. Gonna enjoy my last few days before school.

The best vacation relaxation!

I have had a wonderful chance to catch up on some reading while we've been here in Birmingham.
I borrowed the final book of a trilogy from my mother-in-law (thanks Nancy!) and devoured it. It was "The Brethren" by Beverly Lewis. It is the third book in the Annie's People series. I really enjoy Beverly Lewis' books--I feel like I can actually see the beautiful countryside in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. I don't agree with the Old Order Amish beliefs, but I love the simplicity of life there. We could all stand a bit more simplicity!

I picked up a new book at Lifeway today too. Organizing for life by Sandra Felton. I've been able to skim part of it, but other parts have really motivated me to go home tomorrow and work on my house. Sandra founded a group called Messies Anonymous. I'm not as bad as most of the people that she describes, but I can sure use the motivation to do better. I need to really work on organizing and simplifying right now. Going into nursing school, the last thing I need to be worried about is house cleaning. If I can scale things down, maybe I can reduce a potential stress this fall.

As I mentioned--we're going home tomorrow! I've enjoyed our vacation, but it is time to go home.
Friday, I have CPR certification. So I'm jumping right back into life...that's okay. I'm ready.

Hope to keep posting regularly. I'll try to keep you informed about my house cleaning/organizing project.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Lad