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!