It's Official!!!! I Passed My First Semester!!!

This was a difficult week. All semester as we had exams they were always one week apart making it a little easier to concentrate on what material we were being tested on. I had planned to spend all weekend studying, BUT, Sunday was the Broad Street Run (this is held the first Sunday in May each year). For those not familiar with this, it's the largest 10-miler in the US. People come from EVERY state (and other countries) to run this race. It's a fast race since it is virtually flat (with a gradual down hill slope most of the way). This would be my fifth Broad Street Run, but the first I would be running without properly training. School has taking a bite out of my time to train for running, so I was not sure at all how I would do, but I was determined to give it a shot. Aubre and I left home just after 5:30 Sunday am to head to Philly.  

We joined 40,000 (yes, 40-thousand) other runners and most of them had on red socks in support of Boston. A notice had gone after the Boston Marathon to wear red socks for the Broad Street to show your support for Boston. It was a task finding those red socks, but I did and joined the ranks of red socks all around us. In addition to the red socks, we had stickers we wore over our hearts that read "From Philly to Boston with Love".

It was a difficult race since I was not prepared but I did finish my fifth Broad Street Run and am proud to say it was NOT my slowest time!!!

So back to the real reason for my blog. . . So after getting home from our race (and two hours sitting in traffic to get home), I finally started back in on my studying. Came home from work on Monday and started right back in. Tuesday, I had taken the day off so I could study for several hours before I had to go to school to take my exam. The stress, the anxiety, it was awful. There were times I thought I was having a heart attack (panic attack most likely). I then repeated this same process Wednesday and today, Thursday for the last exam of the semester.

So as disappointed as I was on Tuesday to get a C for the semester in my one course, today I was elated to get that same C.  I was so very afraid that I just wouldn't make it.  I'd heard many of times that 60% of the students fail this exam. If I scored really poorly, it was possible that I would not be able to go on. No matter all the other things I learned and did well on, bottom line is the exams.    

I never in my life thought I would be pleased to get a C, but I've been told again and again that "C's get degrees" and I'm beginning to realize that.

So as this semester officially ends, I am now a 'second semester' nursing student. Classes start up the end of August with clinical starting the very next week. So excited to be moving on to mother-baby nursing (in addition to more 'med-surg'). I can't wait to learn some more. 

I plan on taking the summer to 'relax' a little and to read up on what I learned this semester to keep my brain working. I will try and do some updates throughout the summer if there is anything special to report. Oh wait, there will be!!!  I am going to Boston the end of July to walk the 3-Day for the Cure there (in addition to the Philly 3-Day in October). I am looking forward to meeting some other amazing 'Pink Family' people!!!

Thank you for following along on this journey. I hope to continue this throughout the remaining semesters.

  

Last Week of Clinical of First Semester

I didn't get a chance to update after clinical since we had a group project to do and then completely immersed myself into studying for my final two exams!

This was supposed to be our last week at the nursing home but due to an outbreak of a virus we were unable to go there. We did get to return to the hospital for our final two clinical days (I loved doing our clinical in the hospital so that was a bonus). It was nice to get to see (and have dinner) with the other half of our evening clinical group.

Monday night I was assigned to a patient who was blind and hard of hearing. My patient was not doing well at home where their spouse was no longer able to take care of them. I was able to use the therapeutic touch and speaking to communicate with my patient. As long as I was able to let my patient know when I was there, my gently touching their arm, and speaking very closely letting my patient know exactly what I was going to do.

When I arrived Tuesday, my patient had a visit from their spouse who has able to give me some ideas of what food I might be able to entice my patient to eat. Finding out that someone likes pudding or ice cream was an added bonus. My patient did not eat well the first night so I was really happy that they did eat for me that second night.  

A few of the things I was able to do this week at clinical were dealing with my patient and their Foley catheter; recording I&O's (intake and output) to make sure my patient is staying hydrated; providing music (via the tv) for my patient to have something to calm them during their stay.  For the most part I had no issues with my patient but occasionally my patient was agitated.  Just before leaving for the evening my patient pulled out their IV so I was able to observe when the IV team came down to replace it.  

I was sad when we had to leave the hospital since I truly enjoyed each thing I was able to do there. I look forward to heading back in the fall but in different areas of the hospital.

After finishing up the clinical part of the semester we had a group project we had to finish and present to the other first semester nursing students. Our subject was Healthcare Acquired Infections. Our group wasn't the best at 'working together' but when all was said and done we got our project done! Here is our clinical group! These are the people I have spent the last four months with.

I finished up this week with major studying. Up next the final two exams of the semester!