the long haul

I did my first 12 hour shift on Wednesday. Wow, I was really tired by the time it was over, especially because I spent the night at Laxmi's and slept so lightly. But it was good- my first patient was receiving blood. That was a good experience for me. But my preceptor had a drug seeker... she yelled and swore and had the whole place in an uproar for a while. Finally, she agreed to be discharged. I thought we might get to pull the secret 'yellow card' out, but no.

Today I was going to work 7-3 but my preceptors weren't there and I didn't want to work with Sandy because she looks mean and grumpy. No thanks, it's hard enough being new without someone totally annoyed with you on top of everything.

During my half hour break, I went outside. It was 88 degrees, but I would never have known what it was like outside from the unit as there are no windows. I sat out in the 'garden' area and read. That was nice but over top soon. I felt like I wanted to sleep, but I was afraid a nap would make me sleepier than before.

My preceptor, J, is nice. One good thing is that the preceptors volunteered for this, so they aren't annoyed with having a student.

here we go again

My first day on the floor at the observation unit went pretty smoothly. In fact, my preceptor and I didn't even get a patient for the first four hours. We showed me around a little, we chit-chatted, checked email, etc. Not thrilling exactly but I guess I could be complaining about working my ass off on the first day instead.

I have two preceptors and they both seem very nice. For the most part, we worked out my schedule and it's ok I guess. Some Saturdays afterall, but not all of them. I think working 40 hours is going to take quite a bit of getting used to though. And by the time I'm used to it, I'll be done!

So both of my patients today were thyroidectomies. I learned the ins and outs of admitting, documenting, and assessing for this unit. I think I will enjoy it.

a few weeks gone by

Well a few weeks have passed and I'm happy to report that my Med-surg professor bumped my C+ up to a B-. I love her even more.

I've started my externship, or at least completed one week of orientation. The coordinators are very nice and my preceptor also seemed nice. I start actually working the floor Monday morning, so until then there isn't too much to say. Except that when I had to poke my own finger to demonstrate that I knew how to use the glucometers, I whined like a baby. That hurts! It left a bruise on my finger for 2 days!

The best news is that my unit, the Observation Unit, doesn't operate on weekends, holidays, or overnight. I'm basically on the best unit one could be on, as far as schedules go. I will write about the unit on Monday.

ends and beginnings

My level 3 year is finally finished. I didn't do as well on my finals as I'd hoped. Especially in Med-surg where I only got an 80, and needed a good A on the test for a B in the class. It looks like now it may be a C+. I got A-s in both clinicals though and I was happy with that.

At least it's all over with. Now I can turn my mind to the nursing externship, and all of the nervousness that goes along with that. Today is my last day at my old job. From now on when I say work, I will mean nursing work.

criminal activities

Monday I went to work happily looking forward to my 11 days off afterward. However, it was not to be, because it was discovered that one of my co-workers, a full-timer, has been helping her self to a few residents' vicodin, and leaving a clear trail for the nurses to follow. Needless to say, she was fired the next day and the nurses were left kissing everyone else's ass, including mine. So ok, I volunteered to work today and tomorrow for them, but I'm not terribly happy about it. I will be making call-in pay though, so I guess I will have to let that comfort me. Plus the good-esteem of future work references.

Tuesday we all had breakfast together, with our instructor at this cute little diner near the hospital. It wasn't too bad. She is a total crab during clinical but ok outside of it. Plus, she gave me my grade: An A-, and 'good job' comment to boot. Didn't see that coming! So I was feeling a little friendlier towards her as well.

So this weekend is study-for-finals marathon weekend. I can't wait to get this semester over with!

classes with the kiddies

My last psych clinical was a joke. I literally surfed the web for Nepali websites. I also read a bit about Borderline Personality Disorder, if that counts as 'work'. And I finished my last assignment for the clinical.

Wednesday my friend and I were sitting in Med-surg, rolling our eyes over the gaggle of girls in the front row squealing and giggling over a picture of something pornographic on someone's cell phone. I don't get it... don't they have cable? Haven't they seen naked people before?

Tomorrow morning is my only ATI test for the semester, in psych. These are computerized multiple choice tests that are supposed to measure our level of skill in different areas. Really, they measure how well the school of nursing is teaching us. Oh, and we have to pay almost $50 per test.

the end is in sight

Yesterday was my last day on the floor in my med-surg clinical. My instructor was even crabbier than usual but luckily not to me. How could she have been? I did nothing all day! Patient #1 was NPO and patient #2 went out to X-ray. Boring, very boring. I spent most of the day wandering around, reading my Nepali book when my instructor wasn't around, pestering the floor nurses with questions, or visiting the medical library to check my email.

Yesterday I forgot about meeting with my psych group. I feel terrible!!! We are doing a presentation on some sort of treatment for depression using magnets. I just forgot about them. I did write it down... just didn't remember to look at my planner. Brilliant, isn't it?