Almost to clinicals

The semester is starting to wind down. I have a few more clinical check offs left - including foley catheter this Thursday (any volunteers :-)). I will be registering for next semester tonight at midnight. There are only 7 spots on the clinical day I want, so I need to get it as soon as I can. I'm technically a senior, so I get to register first. I'm trying to get a Saturday clinical to save on the babysitting - but it does put a kink into me trying to pick up an extra job on the weekends at the hospital.

I found out this past week that I had earned a "big deal" scholarship. It is really answer to prayer as we continue to be jobless. Hopefully that will work its way out soon.

I had a dream a few nights ago and this was the just of it. Life is like a book. We can write our own chapters or trust in God, who already knows the end of the story, to write the chapters. Good concept, but hard to apply. Its amazing what can come out in your dreams!

Where would you like that?

Today was my "check off" for medicine administration. It included intramuscular/subq shots, IV push, IV bolus and oral meds. We had to pick, out of a hat, our one that would be tested. I "lucked up" on IV bolus. It isn't necessarily hard, it just has the most steps. I'm proud to say I efficiently gave my fake patient 2 ml of demerol in a very safe and professional manner. Nobody died! I love getting these check offs done; however I'm sure in real life it will be like doing it new all over again.

I have two more tests next Thursday - but I'm on the downhill of the semester. Exams will be December 11th and then I will be off until January. Then clinicals start. I hope to be working on Saturdays for my clinicals - it sure will help with babysitting. I heard yesterday that the preceptor for the clinical I want is incredible. That really made me happy!

Was that you God?

I had clinical orientation today. I'm so excited to be finally starting my rotations at the hospital (in January). Today we learned the basics, signed all our lives away to our hospitals and talked about what is expected of us. One interesting issue that was taken care of was the election of committee members and class president. We were told what each position requirement was and then told we could begin nominating. There were 50 of us students and about 10 faculty members in the auditorium. I turned to my nursing buddy and asked if she wanted me to nominate her for anything. After hearing her interests, she asked me if I wanted to be nominated. I replied, "absolutely not - I'm good." As the nominations began, I heard my name called out from the row in front of me for president of the class. My two friends sitting nearby shot me a glare - knowing that I didn't want to be nominated. But, I honestly felt God urging me to leave my name in and just see what happened. After the nominations were completed, we were asked if anyone wanted to withdraw their name. My mind wanted to say - "yeh, me - take my name out of that," but my heart said, "be still." Then we were told that the five class president nominees would have to give a 1 minute speech - what?!?!? Okay, where is this leading. I was the lucky one to have to speak at the front of the auditorium first. "Hi, I'm SSSSS and I am a non-traditional student. I have a degree in journalism from XXXX. I have been married for 14 years and I have three boys. I have gone into nursing because I feel like it is a calling by God. I just hope I can be an extension of his ministry. Thanks." One of my classmates yelled out, "Hallelujah." The others that followed gave reasons for voting for them. All but one were traditional college students, so they talked about being president of their sorority or organization. After hearing the other speak, I looked at my nursing buddy and said, "do you think it is bad to not vote for myself - I thought the girl talking about organizing the 250 girls through rush sounded organized. I think I'll vote for her." Then the vote took place. The results were given about 45 minutes later. Once again, I almost said, "please withdraw my name," but I kept quiet. As the winners were announced, I was surprised to hear my name. So here I am, class president - where are you leading me God?

Just a stick and a burn....

Things are moving along at a really swift pace at school. In the last three weeks we have learned all the specifics of taking vitals (temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respirations), how to give subcutaneous and intramuscular shots, and how to do an IV push or bolus. We have these fake little sponge things that can be strapped on to a person to practice shots. Our lab group is made up of four ladies. Two of us are the "non-traditional" a little older type. We affectionately named our sponge, Ms. SpongeBob Squareform. The young whipper-snappers in our group look at us like, "those poor women, they have already lived the best part of their life." They have know idea how great thirty something is!

I had two tests yesterday. One in health assessment. Who knew an assessment was so - um scientific. Identifying abnormal data, clustering, taking inferences, throwing out, validation - and on and on. I made a 94 on that test. So good start there.

The second test was in my skills class. We are required to take a medication calulations test. Like the physician orders 250 mg of such and such drug. The drug is available in 60 g/10 ml. How many ml do you give per dose? We have to make a 100 on the test. We are given three chances to make a 100 - after that we are forced to withdraw. I felt pretty confident about my knowledge, but I have terrible test anxiety. I took the test, pushed the submit button on the computer and it came up that I had missed one. My heart sank. It seems only a few of the 27 even made a 100. I stayed after class to find out what I missed, so I could work on it for next week's retake. The one I missed, I had entered .5 ml instead of 5 ml. The professor said, "did you turn in your scratch paper?" (We figured it out on scratch paper, then had to enter the answer into the computer). She pulled my scratch paper and low and behold - I had the right answer on the scratch sheet - and bless her heart, she gave me credit. She said, "you have someone looking out for you." I told her, "you have absolutely no idea!"

B+L+E+S+S+E+D

I just found out I was awarded the Lettie Pate Whithead Foundation Scholarship! This scholarship will cover all tuition for Fall semester and have some left over for books. It will also cover the majority of my tuition for Spring semester (I take more hours Spring than Fall). What a true blessing!

Just more proof that when I let go of the reins, God can truly have control!

The countdown is on...

I can't believe it, but I am a week and a half from finishing my first semester of nursing school. It really has been wonderful! Time consuming? You-betcha! But so worth it!

Monday, I will have my last pharmacology test, Wednesday will be a theory presentation, and the following Monday will be my pharmacology final. So far, so good. I seem to have As in both classes.

I just registered for next semester. I'll be taking Health Assessment and Skills I - so finally, I will learn something nurse-like. And if I don't go any further than next semester, I can always check my family's BP for the rest of their lives :-). I also have to take a library research class because I needed one more institutional elective credit, so library research it is. Actually I tried to find the easiest, less time consuming class available - and this was the consensus. Hopefully, it won't end up being the opposite!

I've been blessed to have a very supportive friend that is in class with me - that helps a lot! Also, my family has been wonderful (immediate and extended).

So, I'll check back in about a week, with the latest info. Also, I am supposed to find out in the next two weeks about any scholarship I may have gotten (wouldn't that be nice!)

Not a computer science major :-(

I had my first pharmacology test this morning. We were to do it online at home because of scheduling conflicts at the school. But - this weekend my internet provider was having difficulties. It kept kicking me off. The people at the tech center said, you might want to find somewhere else to take the test. UGH!!! Thank goodness for my aunt and uncle. I picked up the babysitter for the kids and then headed over to my uncle's house to use his internet. At least I did well on the test - made a 92. My first official grade of nursing school. I was just looking to pass!

First week of nursing school

I've just now had the opportunity to update about my first week of school. Lots of information! It is crazy how much they try to jam into these short 8 week summer semesters! I am loving it though. The reading is a lot, but all so interesting. I told my husband that I hope I keep up the enthusiasm. I felt this way the whole time I was taking Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology. Maybe I have truly found my interest - I really can't read enough!

They have changed up our curriculum plan a bit, but I still won't have clinicals until January. I'm ready for it! Lots of reading and prep to do first though. Next semester will be Nursing Skills I and Health Assessment. These classes will prepare us for the basics of nursing - so that we can put them into action for spring.

I'll try to post more later - but I have a lot of reading to do. When I come across something interesting (interesting to you and not just to me (hopefully!)), I'll post it.

Oh... one funny is that whenever it is time for a bathroom break, my pharmacology professor says, "I think it is time for a bio break."

The countdown is on...CVAs and Lymes Disease

First of all, it is only 5 more days before I start nursing school. The geek that I am - I have already read 2 chapters each of my pharmacology and professional concepts books. I have also read Making A Difference from cover to cover. The book sites different stories from a nurse's perspective. I've really enjoyed the read and especially loved all the references to God and His control in the stories. It is my desire that my patients know who I look to for the answers.

My grandmother had a CVA last week. They call them cerebrovascular accidents- it's a stroke. Why do they call it an accident? The word "accident" seems so understated in this instance. It has been difficult to know that she is struggling to become the person she once was. I guess that is bad wording - she is (and always will be) the same person - just maybe in a different shell. She is such a strong person. I'm sure she will lick this and have us all back to behaving before too long! She always has been such a leader in our family.

My oldest got bit by a tick during our vacation last week. In the fashion that we are all accustomed to - he got something weird from it. My oldest is always getting into the weirdest predicaments. (he was bitten by a squirrel a few years ago, if that tells you anything!). After a quick spreading rash, we took him to the local children's hospital where they say they believe it is early lymes disease. I'm glad I knew enough to take him in - but Lymes disease? How crazy! They say we have caught it early enough that he should have no chronic problems from it. He has a recheck with the doctor tomorrow after a few days on an antibiotic and cream. On a positive note - when the doctor found out I am a nursing student - she shared all kinds of information about the etiology of the disease. It was kind of her.

I hope to have some interesting information news by next week. I still never received the packet of info. from the school - I guess they will share it in class (saving those postage cents)! I register Friday of this week for summer and fall (yikes - two semesters of tuition is due) - here we go!

Books, Books, Books

I just got my books needed for summer semester. I'll be taking Pharmacology and Professional Concepts of Nursing. Wow! Looking at the books - I should be really smart by July 29! (and a little bugeyed from all the reading).

I've applied for several scholarships (which I am waiting to hear back from). I found one today though that the Georgia American Legion. They are offering to those that are descendants of veterans that served during wartime. I've sent them an email asking for details. Any little bit helps!

On another note, I was talking to a friend in my neighborhood that is a nurse. She said she is able to set her schedule working nights - because there are so many openings. She went in two nights ago for a fill in shift - if you get called in when you aren't on the schedule they pay you time and a half, plus $8 and hour. Sounds nice!

Answer to Prayer

I now have a babysitter for the Fall and Spring semesters! She is a great young adult that has a love for children. She is always working in some capacity at our church in childcare, whether in the nursery or at the weekday preschool. She has agreed to take care of my youngest on the 1 day a week Fall schedule and 2 day a week Spring semester. She will even be his preschool teacher at the church!

I feel blessed to have been able to get her and happy that he will have a consistent schedule with someone he really likes!

On another note, no work on our packet of information - but I am now cleared to register on June 6. Classes begin June 9. I will be taking Professional Concepts and Pharmacology.

I hear Pharmacology is a ton of memorization (the drugs purpose, restrictions, interactions, etc.). I know I'm geeky, but I've already emailed the professor for the name of the book, so I can read ahead. Any little bit helps :-)

Reflective day

Do you ever have a day that starts out where you are so excited about what lies ahead, but then when you think about the details you feel like you are drowning? If not, just shake your head and smile as if to make me feel better :-)

That is how today started. God is certainly moving in our family's life and it is amazing; however it is also overwhelming, scary and inconceivable!

I guess my main concern right now is childcare. I've never been one to leave my children with anyone. I always turned my nose up at those that so easily dropped their kids off to continue their lives. Once you have kids - you're not supposed to have a life - right? At least not until they get older! But, here I am trying to follow what I think is God's will and do something that is good for the family - but will it be hard on them?

My other concern is how I will manage to keep working (which I have to do) and go to school. I guess as my mother says, "I will cross that bridge when I come to it."

I think I just need to suck it up, hang on with clenched white knuckles and enjoy the ride that will be my life for the next two years of school.

Hopefully I will be able to post something about our packet of information soon - I am (with baited breath) patiently waiting to see what lies ahead!

Acceptance Letter

After a year of waiting, taking pre-reqs and doing an awful lot of praying the letter came...

The Admissions Committee for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at the University of (blah blah) has completed the first screening of applicants for 2008. Congratulations! You have been accepted as a member of the class admitted for 2008.

It was several years ago that I tossed around the idea of going to nursing school, but with three kids it seemed unlikely. Then, often as God does, He put that desire in my heart that was strong enough to sign up for those initial pre-reqs. I've mostly done well in school - but that was as a single, carefree, nothing much to do person... now I have a husband of 14 years, 3 kids and a dog (did I mention the dog before? she is as much trouble as the three kids combined).

So the journey begins. I don't know how interesting this blog will be - if it bombs, I'll just stop posting. I just thought it would be really cool to document my experiences through school. I'm looking forward to sharing clinical experiences especially (although I know about HIPAA and how I will have to alter the names to protect the innocent :-) )

Now that I have signed my letter of intent, the next step is the package. That's where I will find out how soon I have to get that TB test, Hepatitis B shot and BLS training.

My kids are excited to see mommy in school. The oldest (10) said now we won't have to go to the doctor - mommy will take care of us - which as you all know is the furtherest thing from the truth. My middle (7) said - yeh, but now she can punish us with needles!

Should be exciting!