I'm actually doing this!

The week goes by so fast that I can't believe it is time to update here.  After my post last week, we learned in lab about naso-pharyngeal suctioning.  On Thursday night the Student Nurse Association hosted an Open House at our lab so we could bring our families to the lab so they could see the Sim people we work on.  Aubre and Dale accompanied me to this and got a little peek at what I get to do.

On Friday we started on medications (we had med lectures recently and learned how to look up meds in the drug guide and obtain all the info that a nurse would need to know).  So Friday our lab was on dispensing meds.  My lab group did trans-dermal, ears/eyes/nose and we did PEG tube.  This week we'll do oral meds and go over calculations.

So clinical this week was very enjoyable (but very tiring).  My feet are just getting wet but I hope I can keep up the pace and not fall behind.

Monday, my patient was being sent for an echo-cardiogram and a vascular study just after I arrived on the unit.  I was able to accompany my patient to these procedures.  The tech doing the echo let me 'sit and watch' (out of the way); but the tech who did the other procedure was very open in letting me stay right there and watch and the tech took the time to describe what he was seeing and how it related to the patient.  

Tuesday, my patient was being sent to the OR just after I arrived in the unit. Since this wasn't a 'planned' procedure I was not permitted to accompany this patient.  I will get a day later in the semester to observe in the OR.  Since my patient was not there for a bit, I lent a hand where needed.  I was able to observe a bladder scan and a straight cath.  This is something I will actually  learn later in the semester.  

I am glad that our clinical assignments are in a real working hospital (or similar location) and for the most part we have nurses who work with us and help us to learn.

Trying to keep it short and simple, hopefully hitting on the highlights from the week.

WOW! I Can Do This!

Trying to remember where I left off from last week.  Oh, we had our first exam in NUR 142 and I got an A!  I was so happy to see that!  We are required mandatory lab hours where we work on the skills we've been taught so that we are proficient in doing them when working with REAL people!  So Saturday morning I spent a couple hours in the lab working on vitals and wound care. This is the 'old' Sim Man who we practiced our vitals on.  We had to detect his pulse, (radial, apical and pedal - in other words, wrist, heart and foot); blood pressure and respiratory rate.  He is not as 'advanced' as the newer Sim Man and I'll get a photo of him one of these days.  

So, Monday arrived and it was my first time pulling these hours.  Up just after 5am to be at the Y by 6am, workout, work by 8am and then the hospital for clinical at 2:30pm until 9:30 pm.  It was a LONG day and full of lots of information (all orientation things).  The next day we were getting our own patient (we were told before that we would 'share' a patient starting out, but our instructor does not believe in that.  So with a little apprehension we were 'on our own' the next night.  I was excited to finally be working with a real person and couldn't wait until it was time (yes, I was a little nervous too).

You all know all those HIPAA laws (those forms you sign when you go to the doctors), well because of that I can only share 'vague' information with you.  I received my patients information to review when we came on the floor.  After looking through my patients info our instructor asks us about our patient (making sure we actually read through their info).  My patient was mentally challenged.  My patient was on contact precautions (meaning I had to wear a gown and gloves whenever in the room).  

For those who have known me forever know that I had a sister who was mentally retarded (MR) as is now 'appropriate'.  Susan was my older sister.  She fell in early 2002 and was admitted to a the hospital.  She contracted a bacterial infection which eventually caused her death on March 14, 2002.  I was raised knowing that some people are different but they are all 'people'.  

I believe that God had his hand in this as it was the perfect patient for me!  I had no qualms about having this patient and had an amazing first night.  I was able to do vitals; had the opportunity to empty a colostomy; do perineal care; view pressure sores and change bedding!  I had an amazing first night!!!

In lab, doing these things on a simulated person just doesn't prepare you completely for the real thing.  Not knowing how I would honestly feel when I had to address these items, I was a little concerned, BUT, when the time came, I didn't think twice about it!  I did it and I would go back and do it again!  

I really do enjoy what I am learning!!!

Exciting Things Happening

Wow, since last week so much has happened (thus the multiple updates last week).  Will try to keep it to one post a week to not bore you with the little things that excite me.  So much though to tell you.

Our Community Group

Monday we went to a local senior center where we were we met with, interviewed and played games with various seniors there.  We toured the facility and found that there were so many options for the visitors to do.  They have different activities each day of the week along with a fitness center and gym that is available each day.  We met an older gentleman who suffers from Parkinson but thanks to a procedure where electrodes were placed in his head his symptoms are much more manageable.  We assessed those we interview for an risks of falling at their home.  Some of us played Wii Bowling with the bowling king there (no lie he gets 300's most games he plays!).  It was a lot of fun and an enjoyable morning.  Our time there ended when one of our group sang for those in attendance.  (unfortunately my video will not load)

Afterwards we went back to campus to present our Community Project.  We did very well and received 18/20 points on our presentation.

Today we were back in the lab for more hands on!  Next week I'll be in the hospital setting so this week we went over everything we'd learned so far.  I received my interim evaluation where I was told I was going a good job, demonstrating the skills I've learned and my ability to communicate with my patient what it is that I am doing to them.  

Things we worked on this week were assessing, cleaning and dressing pressure sores and various wounds (those open that needed packing and those not just needing new dressing).  We went over surgical asepsis, sterile vs clean technique, application of heat and cold and drains.  

This is one of the many 'Sim' Persons in our lab.  We had to access the really cool SimMan at one point today as he was having trouble breathing (lips turning blue), coughing and gasping.  We were able to assist him with re-positioning his bed, putting 3L of O2 (oxygen) on him (via nasal cannula).  We got his pulse ox (which was down to 89 at first), his blood pressure, pulse rate, respirations and apical pulse.   After we stabilized him we asked the instructor about our 'person'.  I asked if he could have a seizure which he promptly started having.  It's amazing the technology we have in this lab!  Next week there is an Open House in the Nursing Lab and I hope that I can bring my family in to see these amazing people that I get to work on.

Next week I should be updating after my first two days at the hospital!  I am excited and nervous at the same time.

Confusion!!!

So after looking through more information from my school site, it looks like I'll be going to the hospital for my first rotation, then I'll be going to the rehab and nursing facility I thought I was going to first.  Boy is it confusing.  Granted I've another week of regular lab time (on the Sim Dummies) before heading out to the 'real world'.  I was hoping to get some practice time in tomorrow at our lab.  In addition to the many hours of class, lecture, lab and clinical we are required independent lab and computer hours.  I've not been able to get there for extra lab time and was hoping to get an hour or so in tomorrow.  We have a storm heading this way so lab has already been closed for tomorrow.  So I'll have to stay later on Monday and Tuesday next week to get some time knocked off. 

Got a B!!!!

Well I took my first exam for Nursing 141 today.  I was a bit nervous since I've heard over and over that if you are used to getting A's in your courses to 'get over it' since they are not easily obtained in the clinical portion of the nursing program.  I am very happy to say I got a B on my exam.  We will have  a review on Tuesday to go over what we got wrong so we will know the correct things to do in various situations. 

Now to kick in the studying for next weeks exam for Nursing 142, and watched the two lectures from this week and prepare for tomorrows seminar (and the list doesn't end).  

Oh, I got my first clinical assignment.  I'll be at a nursing and rehabilitation center in the Pike Creek area.  Not sure exactly what I'll be doing but I know that starting February 18th, I'll go to work for five to six hours, then travel to this facility and do clinicals from 2:30 pm until 9:15 or 10:15 pm (then travel home and do it all again the next day), lol.  Looking forward to this hands on though.

I'll be back to update you all next week on what new things I've learned.

No photos today, sorry.  Boy has life been crazy.  Lots of family things going on to add to the stress of my first real exam this coming Thursday.  Would appreciate any prayers you can spare for this (the exam and the crazy stuff going on).

I spent most of this past weekend studying for this coming exam.  

Since I am in the 'afternoon/night' clinical rotation, I do not go to school every day.  Lectures are done in a tech room with full recording (so it's just like you are there).  So I spent hours watching those videos which we then put into use this week in lab (hands on)!

Spent the past week learning about hygiene (bed baths), how to keep your patient warm and protecting their privacy while bathing them while they are confined to a bed.  For those patients that may need oxygen, we went over oxygen therapy and when to use a nasal cannula vs a mask.  We worked on urinary and bowel incontinence along with ostomies, when these will need to be drained and when they'll actually need to be replaced and how to do that.  We went over the various ways of specimen collection.  We discussed enteral (feeding) tubes.  I actually had a student who needed to be tube fed when I worked at the small Christian school years ago.  I wasn't the 'school nurse' but that was one of the many hats I wore and helped me to decide to go into this profession.  We also did blood glucose testing (that too I had some practice with as one of our teachers and a student were diabetic) today.  With all this 'stuff' coming out of the body we went over intake and output (liquid going in vs the amount coming out).

We went to a Community Forum on Monday. We heard from AIDS Delaware, St. Francis Home Health Care and the Red Cross.  We are putting together the finishing touches on our community project from the past two weeks and will be presenting that to our class on Monday.

I'm certain there is lots more but I try and update this when I get home when it's still fresh in my mind.

Thank you for following along and hope it will get more interesting for you soon.