Summer

Summer vacation is over. I hate to say this but I am ready for school to start. I have been home with the kids for the whole summer and I am ready to have some time to myself!!! They start back tomorrow. I start back next Monday. All their supplies are packed in their back packs. They are going to bed early tonight so they can get up early tomorrow morning.

I hope they do well this year. I think they will. I hope me going to school doesn't affect them in a bad way. I hope I make time to sit down with them to do their homework, listen to how their days were and to just love on them. I know this semester is the "hardest" one. I hope we survive it.

I bought my books and I think I am ready to go back to school too. I feel like I just want to scream, "Bring it on!!!" Too many people have said too many negative things about how hard my second class of the semester will be.

I am a patient tech now at a great hospital. I love it. I work on Saturdays, 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. I look forward to going to work. That is a good thing.

Gotta go get the kids to bed and me too.

One Room Down, 8 More to Go

I have spent the entire day cleaning my daughter's room. It is big because it used to be the single car garage. I went through all her clothes and there were so many!! I went through all her toys. I have thrown away bags and bags of stuff. I have two bags of clothes for her friend who gets her hand-me-downs. I have about 8 bags that I am taking to a local shelter where they take children who are taken away from their parents. I moved all the furniture and vacuumed underneath. I had doubts I would actually get it finished. But I did it. It looks SO good. She is very happy with it. Now, how do I get her to keep it clean???

I better go get them out of the tub. They will be shriveled up like raisins!!!

Finally the Final

I took my final exam yesterday. There were 100 questions. I had to guess on a few of them but otherwise, I felt good about it.

After the final exam my clinical group went to eat lunch together. We had a good time. I am surely going to miss being together with them as a group. We will be put into new clinical groups each semester. It sucks because we clicked well. Not too much drama or friction, etc.

After lunch we headed back to the campus for our final evaluations with our clinical instructor. This is a long form we have to rate ourselves on 48 points. We write in examples of how we have met the criteria. The scale is "S" for satisfactory or "NI" for needs improvement and "US" for unsatisfactory. I got two "NI's" and the rest were "S's." The instructor has told us that she will never give all "S's." So, long story longer, I passed clinicals with flying colors. We gave our instructors a big basket of candy for a thanks for being such great instructors gift.

Afterwards, we all lingered in the parking lot saying our goodbyes. Then I came home and tried to go ahead and start studying for the calculations class that starts at the the end of May. I couldn't do it. I couldn't study anymore.

I logged onto my campus account and the final exam grades were posted. I made a 91. Wow, I am really proud of myself for that. I figured it all up and I ended up with an 87 overall. That is great. Yeah me!!! If I hadn't gotten so sick during this semester I could've made an A. But I am happy with my B.

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

Throughout our nursing program, each nursing class has a group project with your clinical group of eight. So, this class we had a Caring Project. This is the Dean's baby and she tells us about it and gives us all the criteria for it. Then she is the one we turn it into and she grades it. She changes it a little each semester. This time she made it all about caring for ourselves. She said that nurses are usually people who put themselves last and we need to know the importance of caring for us. I agree. But, this was hard to do. She shot down about four ideas and then we got one approved.

We are all females in our group so we did "Caring Girly Get-Togethers." These are times we have set up to last throughout the two years of school. We get together at each of our houses and have a time to just relax and pamper each other. We'll be having one each semester. The first one was fun and I look forward to doing it again.

Part of the project is to write a 7 paragraph paper. These are the points we were graded on and the grades we made:

Creativity and sustainability of act (15 points) We made 20/15
The dean wrote: "Creative and caring w/potential for excellent plan for sustainability throughout the program."

Development of a caring relationship that makes a difference (20 points) We made 20/20
Dean wrote: "Appears that most members have formed a bond & recognizes plus' already."

Teamwork (20 points) We made 18/20
Dean wrote: "Worked well together & demonstrated some insight into group process. However, did not make recommendations for preventing future communication breakdowns. Also, did not discuss the impact of not having a formal leader."

Ability to express ideas clearly (5 points) We made 5/5

Evidence of critical thinking (30 points) We made 30/30
Dean wrote: "Demonstrated critical thinking in final paragraph (summary of caring) and lessons learned."

Grammar/Spelling (5 points) We made 5/5

APA Format (5 points) We made 4/5
We did an "annotated" bibliography. She wrote APA uses "Reference" not annotated.

So our grand total for points....

We made: 97 / 100

In telling us all about the caring project the dean pointed out that the average grade is usually in the 60's. So, we were all nervous about what we would make. Wow!!!!!!!!! I am so proud of us. We hit it out of the ballpark!!!!

I will be so sorry to be broken up out of this clinical group. Each semester we are re-grouped into new clinical groups. I can't imagine I'll ever be in a better group. I wish we could stay together throughout our time in the program.

Wasting Time

I am really wasting alot of time here. Lord knows there are so many things I should be doing. I just can't seem to make myself do them. I just want to play on the computer all day. Or veg out and watch TV. I feel like I am done with this semester. But I'm not. I still have my final exam Monday. So, why am I feeling so unmotivated to do any studying???

I was home all morning this morning. I did not crack a book. I did not clean anything. I did not do anything worth while. Well, I did meet my clinical instructor and my clinical group at a good restaraunt for lunch. We had a great time. Then I went over to my in-laws to visit and pick up the kiddos. From there I took girlie to her softball practice. Then back home where I played on the computer some more. Made hot dogs and fries for supper...very nutritious.

Every time I head in here to study, I veer off to the computer and play games or read blogs. I may need to get out of the house in order to study tomorrow. This is really ridiculous.

I Hate Laundry!!!

I have been married for 12 years. I have two children, 4 and 8. I love my family but I HATE housework. Hate is not even a strong enough word for how much I dislike it. The two things I hate the most are laundry and kitchen duty. When I married my husband he was 26 and still living at home with his Mom and Dad. His Mom has always and will always do ALL household chores. So he grew up with her cooking, cleaning, laundry, EVERYTHING. So, he expects me to do all that too. And I like an idiot took on the role. Now after all these years I am so sick and tired of it that I am ready to scream. I am so resentful towards him about this.

I have tried to talk with him about it. I have asked nicely. I have screamed and acted like a total bitch about it. Nothing works. He will occasionally do laundry. His laundry. He will sometimes unload and load the dishwasher. I think I wouldn't be as resentful if he would take care of the outside of the house. But, he doesn't. He will cut the yard, when he feels like it. Then he leaves the bagged grass clippings to rot in the bags for weeks in our yard. He doesn't weed eat. He won't try to get the weeds under control. He will power wash the house when he gets to it. In the mean time we have a dirty house for months on end. I stay mad at him about all this most of the time. I don't know how to get it through his thick head that this stuff is really important to me and he needs to get it done.

If I had the money, I would hire it done. But we don't have the money. I am to the point now where I just have stopped doing alot of stuff. I do the bare minimum to get us by. I do the laundry. I cook sometimes and clean up the kitchen afterwards. I grocery shop. But I don't stay on top of it like I used to. The house right now is such a mess. This past Sunday in the car on the way home from church, I said: "Can we please take time today to get the house straightened up? I don't mean we have to spend all day cleaning. I just mean lets all spend 30 minutes to an hour cleaning up." He didn't respond. I asked: "Did you hear me?" He said "Yes." I said, "Well, don't you care how bad our house looks right now?" He agreed. But then he didn't do a damn thing towards getting it cleaned up. I cooked lunch, cleaned up after lunch, did laundry. He layed on the couch and watched TV and took a nap.

Then he wonders why in the world I am not ready to jump in bed and have hot sex with him. Duh!?!?!?!?!?!

Should I Stay or Should I Go??

Should I go to clinical this week or not? That is the question. Well, actually that was the question until I made so low on that test. Anyway, we get one absence per clinical rotation. I have not taken a day so I don't HAVE to go this Thursday. If I go, I have to be there from 7:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. If I don't go, I can study for my final exam which is Monday. Okay, so like I said, now that I know I made low on this last test I am not going to go to clinical. But, I feel guilty not going. Why is that????

The Test from Hell

The test we took today was a killer. I don't know where they were pulling those questions...they were so off the wall. After the test they take up the scantrons and then put the answers up on the big screen. I made a 72. That is the lowest I have made on a test yet. Alot of people failed it so I am happy I did pass. Two of the girls in my clinical group failed. We are all hoping they will give us some points back. Each time we take a test the whole group of instructors meet to review the test results and test questions. If the majority of the class miss a question, they will usually give us points back for it. So, hopefully I'll get some of those points back.

I keep checking, but so far the grades aren't posted.

Thank God for the ABC

The Atlanta Bread Company (ABC) is my new second home. My friend and I meet there and study for hours. The food is great and they don't mind us hanging out. I never learn as much when I am at home. There is too much to be done here...laundry, cleaning, kids, hubby, etc. At ABC I can keep refilling my drink and keep studying.

My house is an absolute mess. It is about to drive me crazy. I am trying to ignore it. I know I need to study, but my house needs my attention. Why don't the others who live here do something about it???? Why do they assume I will do it? Today I have washed and dried more laundry. I have piles and piles of clean laundry that need to be put away. I asked for help with this, but so far, haven't gotten any. AAAAAaaaaaaRRRRRRrrrrrHHHHHhhhhh!!!!!!!!!

Much Better

I am even better now. I still have some painful spots like around my feet and left shoulder as well as my hands. I don't know if I actually said that I had three doctors give me their opinion on what has been wrong with me. They all three agree that it is the coxsackie virus. It should eventually go away altogether. But it is taking it's sweet time. I do well as long as I don't overdo it. But, on Thursdays when I have clinical all day, I over do it. Then on Fridays I am in pain. So, I just try not to do too much when I don't have to. Sorry I have focused so much on this lately but it really scared the bee-jeezus out of me.

Clinical this week could not have been better. I picked my patient and we did preplan but we did not have to complete the entire Clinical Worksheet (CWS). The CWS takes about 7 hours to complete. So it was great that we didn't have to completely do them. We did have to do another form about communication. But that was a breeze.

My two classmates and I went in to preplan on Wednesday morning. We got a print out of all the patients on the floor from the unit secretary. We sat down and looked over that. We each picked a patient. Then we got a print out of the patient's Kardex, pull their paper chart and find a computer. It is sometimes hard to get on a computer in the mornings because that is when the doctors are there and they use them. We finally found one we could all three share. We fill in the CWS with all the patient information like name, age, gender, diagnosis, etc. We also write down all the drugs and the times they will be due during our shift. Once we have all the information we need we go in and meet the patient. My patient was great. She and her husband were very nice. I told her I would be back the next day to be her student nurse.

After that I went back home and looked up all the drugs. I filled all that information into the CWS. I looked up her diagnosis' so I know what is going on with her. On Thursday morning I got to the hospital at 6:45 a.m. I found my nurse and stayed with her. The first thing the nurses do is hear report from the night nurse. I sat in on that. It is very interesting to hear what they say about all the patients. After report I went in and took care of my patient. Once she was set, I stayed with my nurse for all her patients. She talked me through everything she was doing. It was such a great learning experience. I got to give two sub-Q injections, lots of PO meds and watched a PICC line be placed in my patient's arm. The PICC line placement was very interesting. It was done by an RN and she talked me through it. She is specialized and only does PICC lines all day. She's done it for three years and is great at it. We left the floor at 11:30 to go to a wound care in-service downstairs. It was interesting and informative. Then we went back to the lab at school and learned about trach care and suctioning.

Monday we have that big test so I'll be studying, studying, studying. Hopefully I will do well on that. I predict I'll make somewhere around an 86. That seems to be the norm for me. 86 to 88.

Getting Better

I am finally begining to feel better. I can type now with just a little pain in my hands. My joints still hurt in the morning and evening. I am finding that if I just take it easy and don't do much, I feel better. But, on those clinical days it is hell the next day. I am concerned about how long this is going to last. I am hoping it will be gone in a week or so.

About school...

I really fell behind during my being so sick. My awesome friend/classmate has really come through for me. She and I went to Atlanta Bread Company this morning. We were there from 8 a.m. til 11 a.m. She went over the notes from the classes I had missed. (We have test over this and plus lots more this Monday.) I now feel like I have a clue with the Fluid & Electrolytes chapter. Yeah!

The test on Monday is covering alot - Fluids & Electrolytes, Respiratory, Care of the Surgical Patient and Health finance. We predict it is going to be a hard test.

Clinicals are going good. I had a really cute older lady last week. She was very independent and coherent. I got to give my first injection!!!!! It was a sub-Q of Lovenox. I did good! My instructor was great. She went over the whole procedure with me before we went into the room. So, I have given meds by mouth (PO) and done an injection. Cool!

I am doing better on the weekly quizzes we are taking in lab. The past two I made an 80 and a 90. That is great considering I made a 60 on the very first one! They quiz us on the skill they will be teaching us in lab that day. Kinda weird to us that we get quizzed before they teach us. But they say it is to make sure we study before we come to class. This week the quiz will cover trach suctioning. We went over that this morning at ABC too. There are so many steps and so many things to know!!! Then the quiz will be ten questions.

On a personal note: my 8-year-old daughter had her first softball game last night. She did really well. She hit well and she got someone out on first. She looked so cute out there with all the other little girls. Her coach gave her the game ball and that just thrilled her. She has practice today.

That's it for now.

update

I am still wondering what is wrong with me. I still having a lot of pain in my joints. My mouth is healing thanks to the "Magic Mouthwash." Love it.

I have an appointment tomorrow with an internist. Friday I have an appointment with a rheumatologist. Maybe someone can figure out what is wrong with me. I am getting more and more scared.

I am trying to go on with things that I need to do. This afternoon my friend and I are going to preplan at the hospital. I hope we can get it all done so we don't have to go back.

I am missing class tomorrow in order to go to the doctor. The instructors just mainly read off the powerpoints. So, it can be quite boring sometimes. So, I'll be okay to miss that.

That is all for now.

Crazy Week

This has been the week from hell. I have never felt so much pain in my body. Every joint is screaming in pain. I could barely get out of bed or get myself ready,etc. It has been awful.

I went to my doctor's office where I saw a P.A. I saw her Tuesday and then again Friday. She doesn't know what is wrong with me. On Tuesday she did a CBC. Everything was normal. On Friday I explained to her that is is getting worse, not better. She doesn't know what is wrong with me. She tried to get me in to a rheumatoid doctor. No luck. Not til Monday. She ordered more blood tests. She gave me a sample of pain medication, Ultram ER and a prescription for Mobic an anti-inflammatory. I got it filled and came home.

My family is gone this weekend to a family reunion out of state. I am home alone. While I waited in Walmart for my prescription to be filled, I made sure to pick up fruit and healthy foods to have over the weekend. Got home, took meds. No improvement in pain after an hour. I took 800 mg IBU. That helps. Rested and went to bed early. Got up during the night and took another 800 mg IBU. Saturday morning I felt alot better. I only had slight stiffness, swelling and pain in my hands. The rest of me felt much better. I got alot done. Probably too much. I did laundry. I studied, we have a test Monday. I took a couple of naps during the day. I was optimistic that maybe it was finally going to go away.

When I woke up this morning (Sunday) I was sore all over again. Not as severe as it has been. But still, much worse than it was yesterday. During the night I had waken and taken IBU. I took it again this mornig. I am taking 800 mg every 6 hours. I hope I am not eating away my stomach or intestines. My hands are still worse than any other part of me. What in the world could be wrong with me??? I have looked alot online and can not find anything like what I am experiencing.

Tomorrow I have that test. I haven't studied near enough. Should I take the test or take an extraction from my final exam. That is a good question. I do not know the answer.

My family gets back home tonight. I hope my husband can take the kids to school tomorrow morning. I know I am not going to be in any shape to do it.

I am scared this is something very serious. I hope I get to see a rheumatoid doctor tomorrow. I hope he/she can tell me what is wrong with me and offer me a solution.

Strange

I woke up yesterday with extremely sore hands. It was really weird. I found tiny, red, raised bumps scattered around on my fingers, thumbs and palms. I wondered if they were some sort of bites. The pain got better after I took Aleve. But, all day my hands were sore. This morning I woke up with horribly painful hands and my tongue feels swollen and painful. The red bumps on my hands are getting bigger. Also, I have an ulcer on my gums under my front, bottom teeth. And both sides of my tongue have red, painful spots. This is freaking me out. I went to the walk-in clinic/ER. The first nurse looked at my hands and mouth. She was perplexed. Then, another nurse came in to see my "strange" bumps and tongue. A third nurse came in and ask me about them and wanted to see them. This all made me even more nervous. Finally, the doctor came in and checked me out. According to him, I have Hand Foot Mouth disease. WTH? Here is what the CDC website says about it:

What is hand, foot, and mouth disease?

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common illness of infants and children. It is characterized by fever, sores in the mouth, and a rash with blisters. HFMD begins with a mild fever, poor appetite, malaise ("feeling sick"), and frequently a sore throat. One or 2 days after the fever begins, painful sores develop in the mouth. They begin as small red spots that blister and then often become ulcers. They are usually located on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks. The skin rash develops over 1 to 2 days with flat or raised red spots, some with blisters. The rash does not itch, and it is usually located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It may also appear on the buttocks. A person with HFMD may have only the rash or the mouth ulcers.

What a pain...in the hands and mouth!!! So far I don't have anything popping up on my feet. That would have to hurt! Here's some more about it.

What causes HFMD?

Viruses from the group called enteroviruses cause HFMD. The most common cause is coxsackievirus A16; sometimes, HFMD is caused by enterovirus 71 or other enteroviruses. The enterovirus group includes polioviruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses and other enteroviruses.

My kids and hubby have gone over to my inlaws to eat. I opted to stay home. I need to study. We have a test coming up next Monday. Lord, there are about 6 different chapters on it. I do not know how they expect us to know all that in such a short amount of time!!!!

The Hospital

I had my first ever hospital clinical day today. It was great!!! They have a new program that allows two of my group to go and shadow a nursing student who is just about to graduate. I got to do that today. The guy I shadowed was terrific. I can hardly believe I will be that confident and competent in just two years. He gave me so many tips and tricks I will start using immediately. He had three patients. I just basically followed him around and he explained what he was doing. The patients were great too. No one minded me being there.

Now for the down side...you knew there'd be a down side, right? It was exhausting! We started our day at 7 a.m. By 10 I was so hungry and wiped out! I started yawning about every five minutes! My feet and legs were very tired and hurting. We only sat down one time the entire 5 hours and that was only for about 10 minutes.

Here's what I need to remember to do from now on:

1. Carry a snack. Like a granola bar and a drink.
2. Make sure I have gum and/or cough drops

That's all for now. I'm going to bed!!!

Type A

Some members of my clinical group have been accused of having type A personalities. I am among the accused. The accuser was our Dean of Nursing. I tend to take the bull by the horns on most issues. She got wind of this and now she has pigeon-holed me. But, I just took a personality test and found out I am not 100% type A. I am very happy with my results!!!!

If you're interested in taking the test, here's the website:

http://discoveryhealth.queendom.com/type_a_personality_access.html

Here are my results:

Results of Your Type A Personality Test

Personality Type
Your score = 35


What does your score mean?
You seem to be in the middle between the Type A and Type B personality. In this case, the middle ground is good. Your attitude to life is more of the "smell the roses" kind and you know how and when to relax. Nonetheless, you realize that picking up a challenge and competing a little bit for your place in the sun can add some spice to your life. The equilibrium is important, so don't let your hostile, aggressive, and competitive alter ego take over too often. Generally, you are easy to be around, and people tend to feel relaxed and comfortable in your presence. Yours is a very healthy attitude towards life.

Mama

My Mom is here. She got here Saturday night. She will leave this Thursday. She wants to be here for my school's family and friends night. She is already getting irritated. She hates how we live. We do not pick up immediately. We have a somewhat junkie backyard. The kids do not put away their toys. They just play with them everyday. When it is time to come in they drop them and come inside. She hates that. We had a storm the other day that blew our outside swing over. Hubby has not fixed it. She hates that. The kids do not go to bed early enough to suit her. She hates that. I don't have all laundry done on a daily basis. She hates that. There are weeds in our yard. She hates that. My front porch is not finished. She hates that. And so on and so on. We have agreed that she really shouldn't stay for more than three days at a time. But she wanted to be here for Easter and the school thing. So, today would have been when she went home if she had stuck with the three day rule. I can hear the irritation in her voice. She is starting to say little snide comments that she should keep to herself...I hate that!

New Floor!

About two years ago, I thought Hubby was going to tear up the old flooring in the guest bathroom and put down new flooring. So, I did my part and tore out the old baseboards. Then I waited and waited and waited for my new floor to be installed. Yesterday and today my Hubby and Father-in-Law worked in there putting in the new floor. I LOVE IT!!!!! I am so happy. I keep walking in there and dancing around on it! AND they fixed the horrible squeeking!!!

Now I just hope they will finish the job by putting in the baseboards!

NUR-104 First Test

Well, I didn't exactly nail it, but I did pass it. I made an 88, which is a "B" and I am okay with that.

We are off the rest of the week for spring break. I am so ready for a break!

Saturday Studying

Saturdays are good for alot of fun things, studying is NOT one of them. I went in to my Work Study job on campus this morning. My friend/classmate met me there and we studied the whole time...9:00 - 1:00. Then I came home and studied a couple more hours. Then I took a two hour nap...I had to let all that information sink in to my brain! Back up now and back at it. Our first test is Monday. I want to nail it!

I am so glad I have started liking coffee. I am about to go make myself a cup right now. 'Cause I need to wake up and study!!!

The test is on the nursing process (ADPIE) and medication administration. Today we/I have focused on the nursing process. Tomorrow the focus will be medication administration.

My shoulder is doing okay after that shot I got yesterday. I am trying to take it easy and not lift anything with my right hand/arm.

We are out of school this week and I am so excited about that. I sure hope I get alot done. Plus have some fun!!!

Results

Hubby went for his sleep study last night. The girl there woke him up after a couple of hours of sleep. She put a CPAP on him and he slept the rest of the night. He said it was hard to get used to the machine pushing air down his throat. The girl there also told him that before she put the CPAP on him, his Oxygen was down to 80%. Yikes! She told him he has sleep apnea. We all knew that. Now we have to wait for them to read the the test and get it back to his doctor. I am so excited that he is going to get help for this.

I went today for the results of my MRI of my right shoulder. The doc says I have a tear in my rotator cuff. Not bad enough for surgery. So, he gave me a shot in it and I start physical therapy Tuesday. I am so glad he had a diagnosis for me.

So, maybe we will get ourselves staightened out soon!!

This weekend will be a big-time study weekend. Our first test is Monday. It covers Medication Administration and The Nursing Process. Plus we will always have 5 calculation problems to solve. Wish me luck!!!

Class Representatives

It is time for us to nominate the classmates we want to be our class reps. I would really LOVE to be a class rep. I have had a few people offer to nominate me and I told them YES!!! We need to have 9 reps for our class. I wonder how many people will be nominated? You must get the person to agree to be nominated. So, you can't just nominate someone and them not know it. I hope we don't have to go to an election 'cause I will not do "campaigning." That is just not me.

Today we went to the hospital. This is our first hospital clinical assingment. We will start on the floor after our spring break. So, the first day with patients at the hospital will be March 27th. I am very excited about this. I am thinking that I would love to work as a floor nurse once I graduate. But, I may change my mind after this experience...who knows!

Have I told you lately that I LOVE my clinical group? They are awesome. We make such a great team! I dread the day when we will be split up and regrouped. That will be after this semester. So, during my grueling Maymester I'll be with a new group. Boo-Hoo.

For our Caring Project we are getting together tomorrow after lecture. We are bringing food and just hanging out. I am going to try to find some fun ice breakers for us to do. Not that we need them for ice breakers, but more so to get to know each other better.

I am still congested and coughing. I am so sick of being sick!!!!

Hubby went for his sleep study tonight. I am SO happy he finally did it. Hopefully this will lead to him getting help for his sleep apnea. Poor thing is so sleepy all the time and tired all the time too.

Nothing Specific

Tonight is the time change. I should be in bed, asleep right now 'cause it is really 2:10 a.m. here. But, I took a LONG nap this afternoon and now I am wide awake. So, here are a few things I have on my mind...

My daughter woke up with a temperature Thursday morning. She went to stay with my inlaws, her Grandparents. Then yesterday morning she was still running a fever, 102.5. I took her to the doctor. I gave him her symptoms: temp., nonproductive cough, sore throat. He tested her for Strep throat. Negative. He tested her for the Flu. Positive. aaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!!!! So, he gave her Tamiflu, Dytan (cough syrup), and Amoxicillin. My daughter is 8 and she has always been a trooper about being sick. It is very rare that illness gets her down. The flu is no exception. She has been laying around alot. But, she hasn't been whiney or crying. My awesome inlaws met me at the doctors office, in the rain, to pick up the kids so I could run on to lecture.

I was 30 minutes late, but there was still an hour left of class. I hated to walk in late. I have never been late to one of my nursing lectures. We have a few girls who are ALWAYS late. We talk bad about them. So, I had to walk the "walk of shame" to my seat. I was met with questions from my friends who sit on either side of me. I just said: "M's got the flu." That was enough said.

The topic for Wednesday's and Friday's lectures was Medication Administration. It was a whopper of a chapter, 100 pages. I still haven't actually finished reading it. I did outline it up to where I read. My outline is 23 pages! I am not good with condensing it down. But outlining helps me learn the information. Also, I can print it out and carry it around to read when I get the chance.

Okay, so after class, I called my Mother-In-Law. She tells me M is doing okay and that my 4-year-old son, B, has a fever and is feeling really bad. Aaaaarrrrrggggghhhhh!!!!!

From class I had to go get an MRI on my right shoulder. I will try to blog about that experience later.

I went to pick the children up from Grandma's and M was still asleep. I hung out until 5 p.m. and decided I'd better wake her up and go. We got home and B started getting worse. My husband was still working and didn't know when he would be getting home. B's temp was 100.9 and M's was 101.4. So, I gave them both IBU. About 30 minutes after that, B threw up. It really scares him when he throws up. He cries and cries about it. I took his temp and it was then 102.5. Yikes!!!! He threw up some more. I called to find out if the drop-in center we had gone to with M was open. Yes, they would be open until 8 p.m., by that time it was around 7:00. I ran into the living room and told M to go get dressed, we were taking B to the doctor. I grabbed a trash can and a towel before we ran out the door. When we parked in the parking lot of the clinic, B threw up...alot. M was so good with him. She held the bucket for him and then wiped his mouth with the towel. She didn't gross out at all. (Could this be another nurse in the making???) So, we got him in and the same doctor came in to see us that had seen M earlier. He was really good with the children and with me. He tested B for flu...negative. He said he knows that he has it, it is just too soon for it to show up on the test. So, he writes B the exact same regimen of drugs. We go home and settle in for the night. Hubby finally got home around 9:00.

So, both children have the flu. Wow, would it be horrible for me to go check into a luxury hotel for the weekend and let someone else deal with this??? I'm just kidding, I wouldn't dare want to leave these babies when they don't feel good. So, today, Saturday, has been pretty good. The meds seem to really be doing a good job. M has been up and dancing around today, wanting to go outside and play. I wouldn't let them and tried to keep playing, running, etc. down to a minimum for fear she would get a fever again. B has had a low fever all day but has felt okay. He did sleep for a long time this afternoon. When he woke up he was way overdue for Tylenol so his fever was up and his head hurt. But, once he took that it got better. They have both been great about taking their meds with very little complaining. I tasted that Tamiflu and good googly moogly it is horrible. I mix it with a little Sunny D (low sugar) so they can stand it.

My hubby has been sick all day. He won't admit he has the flu. He says he thinks it is just a sinus problem. Hello!?!?! He's been in bed all day, fever, sore throat, coughing, aching. Can you say: F-L-U??? I predict he will have to go to the doctor by Monday and he will miss work this week. I gave him IBU, Alkaseltzer (sp?) cold medicine and he is snoring up a storm in there now. I asked him to sleep upstairs in the guest room so I won't have to be right by him and catch what he has...THE FLU!!!

Today has been alot of waiting on them and passing meds. I did manage to get almost caught up on laundry. I also read over the outline my instructor provided for this week's lecture. We will be working on The Nursing Process. It is kind of tricky, but very interesting.

A First

Today was our first clinical/lab day for Nursing 104. We were on campus all day doing various skills. Each skill area lasted about an hour. There were a couple of our instructors per station/skill. We did IMs, SubQ injections on a dummy. We learned about primary IV and secondary IVs. Eye drops, ear drops and nose sprays. Then the last station we did was our PPD or intradermal injection. We were so nervous! But, just like most things, it was the fear of the unknnown. The fear was WAY worse than actually getting the injection. My friend and I did each others injections. I injected her first while the instructor watched and gave me pointers. I did it right!!!! Whew!! Then it was my turn to be the patient. It didn't even hurt! My friend did a great job and so did I. We were both so relieved.

So, my first injection went really really well. Yeah!

1 Down, 8 To Go

Wow, I have finished my first Nursing Course. I passed with an 87. I am sooooo happy about that. So I have eight more courses to take before I graduate. We had orientation today for our next class. Then I'll take another one during Maymester.

The orientation was interesting. I love our faculty. They really do try to make boring things exciting or funny. Today one of the younger instructors came be-bopping into the lecture hall after the orientation had started. She had on skin tight red scrubs. She was smacking gum. Had lots of makeup and jewelry on and her cell phone keep going off. She was demonstrating all the things we should not do. It was funny. There were a few others dressed funny too. Then there was the funny power point they showed with pictures of boar hogs on it. All this to entertain us and make us laugh. I greatly appreciate all their efforts.

We are off school Monday and Tuesday. So I technically have four days off, right? Or do I??? We have almost 100 pages to read by Wednesday. We have our first quiz in lab on Thursday. This is something they have just started this semester. Before this, they had a practicum. I have heard lots of horror stories about that. The class shows up in the lab, they have stations set up for performing skills. You don't know which skill you will be asked to do. If you screw up, you get one more chance to do that skill over plus another random skill. If you still fail, you fail the entire course. Now what they are doing is we will have a quiz at the begining of each lab. The grades will be averaged together. We need to get 71 in order to pass. I think that is alot more fair. I say that now, before I have taken one of the quizzes. I wonder if I'll be saying that after Thursday????

There are fewer students now. Some of them didn't make it through the last course. It is sad. But, hopefully they will take it again in the fall and make it through. We started out with about 150 students in the class. Now we are down to about 120. However, we have about 10 students who are new to us. They are the ones that failed the course last semester and are now joining us to take it again. One of these students has been added to my clinical group. That is going to be strange for us and her. We all get along so well together and help each other out all the time. Hopefully she will blend in with us.

Waiting

Our final exam was this morning. I think I did good on it. But now we wait for the grades to be posted. Our instructor told us they will post them by tomorrow. I am hoping they post them tonight. So, I keep going to the site, logging in and checking for the grade.

Serious Emotions

That is what was felt last week. I just wanted to remember this.

The nursing students who are a semester ahead of us, meet in the same lecture hall, just before our class. Well, last week was their 3rd test. When I got there, I could tell something wasn't right. There were people in little huddles, people leaning against the walls, crying. There was a big crowd still inside the room encircling the instructors. I looked around and saw a little huddled group I knew. There were two from the upper class and two from my class talking. I joined them. I asked what was going on with everybody. The girls from the upper class told me about the test and that alot of them had failed. To some students it meant that they would be failing the class and therefore having to repeat that class next semester and therefore not graduating when they are supposed to. They were devastated. It was so sad. I felt so bad for them. I was also thinking what if that happens to me, to one of my new friends in the program? The air was so thick.

I know nursing programs have to be hard. Otherwise we'd end up killing patients. But it is such a roller coaster of emotions. I hope I make it through without failing a class. I would hate to be left behind by my class. I feel like I belong with them and them with me. Some of us already feel like we are an extended family to each other. I realize some of my classmates will fail the course we are in right now. I just wonder how many will fail and who will fail??? I don't want any of them to be left behind. But that is the nature of the beast/program. Friday we start our next class, Nursing 104. It will be sad to see the empty seats. Hopefully there won't be too many that are gone.

I can't believe I am already at the end of my first Nursing class. Our final exam is tomorrow. I think I'll do fine on it. We had three tests, I made: 84, 86, 96. Yea! It truly has paid off to only focus on this and not try to get a real job. I miss the money though.

Each of our nursing clinical classes will be 7 weeks. Those weeks have flown by! The first course has clinical at the long term care facility. I was really dreading that. But it turned out to be a wonderful experience.

The rest of our rotations will be at hospitals. I go to one that is about 15 minutes from my house for the next class. It is a Med-Surg class. I'm scared, but I know I can do it. There is a "Caring Project" we have to do. Each clinical group of eight students will work together to complete this project. We have to do something that is caring to ourselves. We can not spend any money. It must not be tangible, but be sustainable throughout our two years in the program. Any suggestions??? I am compiling our ideas. Once we get our idea approved by the Dean we can start working on it.

I got my Communication paper back yesterday. I made an 87. I am not thrilled with that grade. Whoever graded my paper gave me zeros on a couple of the points. The rest I did great. We don't know who graded them and they don't know who's paper they are grading. It is such a mystery! Good grief.

Our next class starts this Friday! No rest for the weary!

I suppose I will get back to studying now.

Nursing 102

Wow, it has been a really, really long time since I posted here. I will have to go back and reread it.

I am officially in Nursing School!!!!

I am taking Nursing 102. During this course they unleash us on the old folks at the nursing home. I am very fortunate to have gotten into a really great clinical group. There are eight of us, all female. We get along great and help each other out alot. I feel like I am doing what I am supposed to be doing with my life. That is a good feeling.

So far we have taken three tests. I made 84, 84 and 96. I am very happy about that. Next up is our final exam and then the next class starts. Each class is 7 weeks.

I am excited about getting to go to the hospital soon.

There is so much more I would like to post, but I am exhausted and need to get some sleep.