So I said I would be blogging every week during the first semester. Ummmm yeah, that didn't happen!!!!! I can not stress how busy these last 11 weeks have been with Jr. 1Nursing, I myself had no idea. So I will try to recap the past 11 weeks in a nutshell for you. There have been some hilarious moments and then some not so hilarious moments. I have had some amazing clinicals group friends who I feel, I have spent more time with, than my own family. Each of us on our own journey, learning more about ourselves than we imagined we ever would.
So the first week of Nursing School was a breeze other than the 29 assignments that were due. Yes, you read that correctly, 29. I think because this is an all online program the instructors feel the need to bombard us with useless paperwork :) Most of it is really helpful when it comes to testing weeks, so I really can't complain.
Second week is where it starting getting pretty interesting. This is the week we started taking patients with our PCT's and Nurses and really learned the ART OF NURSING......and if any of my Clinical Buddies are reading, you will definitely hound me about that one......LOL. But its true, this is when and where we learned our nursing skills to be able to take patients on our own earlier this past semester. First week we took our own patients, passed our own meds, and charted on our patients was quite intimidating. But it was the weeks earlier with our nurses that we learned what we needed to know to become competent in what we know.
So the weeks have gone by, tests, quizzes, and projects all due in conjuntion with 4 classes during a 13 week period. I know, crazy right! Well it is!!!!!! Most days in the beginning 4 weeks, I seriously did not know whether I was coming or going. Not to mention that I had to be up at 4 am in the morning to be at Clinicals. So I have had very little sleep the past 11 weeks. It is getting better though, I think I am getting more than 4 hours a night now......LOL! That is an improvement, for sure. Oh, did I mention I still am working 2 nights at the hospital, 12 hour shifts. There goes 24 more hours of sleep I could be getting....LOL Therefore there is not much time for much anything than school. Any free time has been dedicated to my sweet, supportive family. Not much friend time, needless to say!
So all skills I have had to perform to pass clinicals i.e. foley catheter, ng tube, and sterile dressing were all performed and passed with flying colors. I also had to perform a full head to toe assessment on my Clinical Partner Kara, first time I did not pass. Second time PASSED!!!!! Then we had to do another one for our exit for Clinicals and guess what I PASSED first time.....and my Clinical Instructor gave me such a positive remark, saying I had improved on my skills and my stage fright. For those of you who really know me well, know I do not do well at all in a teaching situation where I have to get up in front of people. So this in itself was a HUGE improvement. I have grown tremendously in the past 11 weeks thats for sure.
What's left.....well 2 more weeks and 3 more tests! A LOT more stress I guess, but as long as I have God as my partner anything is possible :)
My patient experiences have been amazing. I have had some funny patients, some grumpy patients, and some patients that just needed someone to listen to them. Each in their own way have taught me something about myself. My grumpy patient taught me that sometimes a person may look grumpy on the outside, but deep down they may just need a tender, loving touch and a quiet moment to talk to someone who will listen. My patient that just needed an ear to listen, well, WOW is all I can say! What a story this patient had. When your patient reaches up and says "Hey, can you just sit here with me a while longer" it touches your spirit. It makes you realize that not everyone has family, friends or a support system to come and be with them while they are sick. I may be the only person they have to support them.
Many times it can be a very sad situation, but more times it is so rewarding and heart felt. Nursing is one of those AMAZING fields that you must love to enjoy your daily duties. Do I love cleaning up poop and vomit! HECK NO......but because I love the journey I am on and the love of people, I don't even think about it. And yes, I know many of you think I am completely crazy, but its so true.
No matter what, God put a dream in my heart and I'm so stinkin' excited about the rest of the journey. I am 100% completely in LOVE with every aspect Nursing School has thrown my way so far. It is teaching me more patience, more love and causing me to reach out and find who I really am within myself. I can not wait til God reveals to me where he has a place for me to specialize. I know exactly where he doesn't want me.....LOL
In his time he will reveal it to me!
Until next time....keep me and my family in your prayers as we finish out this amazing journey :)
