Clinical #2- Think before you enter! :)

Well, the second clinical is behind me! I always get nervous about the clinicals until I'm actually there. As soon as I get involved with helping the patients and the nursing staff the nervousness melts away. I was pleased that Raquel and I were able to shadow the on duty RN and see medication administered to the patients. I felt that was one of the most exciting things I saw that day. Our CNA was very competent and helpful. We had several contact isolation patients which was good for me to be exposed to. I realize when a patient is on any type of isolation you really need to plan what you need to do and be very efficient before you even enter the room. It was a good experience!
I've read a few blogs and it seems everyone is nervous about their studying habits. I have to say I'm in the same boat also. When I begin to read it becomes a little overwhelming because the chapters are soooo long. But it isn't until I take the chapter quiz that I begin to understand what the book wants us to understand and what is emphasized as important. So, I'm getting off the computer to finish reading! LOL

Week #5

This week flew by but was pretty stressful. The midterm was harder than I expected. I feel like I need to put in a few more study hours every week. Looking forward to my second clinical this comming week. I hope it will go as well as the first one did. I can't wait to find out which culture my group gets in class tomorrow. The assignment sounds like it will be alot of fun! See you guys tomorrow! :)

Clinical 1- WMO

I was very nervous about my first clinical. It was such a rushed morning and I wasn't used to driving in the dark so early. But by the time I got to WMO and met my patient all of my nerves went away. The minute I went into his room he was just chatting away about his childhood and then went on to show me all of the degrees he has earned. He has continued his education through 2007. I was impressed! I think it's wonderful to keep your mind sharp like that. When it came time for us to leave he was stalling reading his poetry and I think he was upset to see us go. It made me a little sad. I think I'm going to have a problem getting very attached to my patients and when something goes wrong I know I"ll have a hard time dealing with it. At least now I shouldn't be quite as nervous for clinical #2!

Learning New Stuff!!

So, this week has been pretty awesome so far...I'm learning how to check a radial pulse, listen to heart sounds and check blood pressure. But I still need a lot more practice..any volunteer's?? :-) haha Oh! I'm also so thrilled that I passed my math quiz! I can't believe it- i used to be terrible in math but the older I get the more it "clicks" for me. God is definatley the one helping me through this and I'm so grateful! :)