Sunday, January 24, 2010

Week 2 - Thank you Martin Luther King Jr.

I would like to thank Martin Luther King Jr. for both the great strides he helped to make in our country and for allowing me to have Monday off. :) Yep, no clinical day this week due to MLK.

Had two tests this week and somehow I made a 91 on both of them. I'm not complaining just thought it was odd that I made the same grade on both. The first was A&P II and we had to label the parts of the eye, ear, and brain. The second test was in Health Assessment Theory. I was pretty nervous about this one as I didn't know what to expect but it wasn't as bad as I had thought. It was all scenerios and there were always two "right" answers, given the situation we had to choose the BEST answer. It was strange not having a black and white answer but I am sure I will get used to it.

On the medical front, my lab work came back and it was all normal. SO THANKFUL!

Scrapbooked all weekend working on projects for TSR. I didn't get any homework done but now that my DT deadlines are met for the month I can catch up this week.

Planning to work on taxes this coming weekend.....just thinking about it gives me a headache.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Week 1 - Heavy


So far so good.
We are working on Vital Signs.
I bought a new bp cuff and matching stethoscope
in the closest color to turquoise I could find of course.
We went over infection control and endured a long and painful hospital orientation. This may quite possibly be one of the longest weeks ever. Most days I left the house before the sun had risen and rushed home to get the kids off the bus at 3:30. I have about 15 chapters to read this week and it's ummmmm Saturday....so I better get crackin'.

Thursday was my first oncologist appoint here in AR. I always seem to feel depressed at these appointments. Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful for my status and that I now longer have cancer. But you can't help but feel guilty when you go into a waiting room with people who are extremely ill and here you are HEALED. I always leave with the "why me" feelings. Why did HE choose to HEAL me and not them. Similar to survivors guilt I guess.

This week has felt HEAVY both physically and emotionally.
looking forward
Shawnna

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Orientation



Today was orientation for the nursing program.
I thought it might be fun to chronicle my experience through out this process so batten down the hatches cause I am going to share the GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY.

Orientation was much better than expected. I was prepared for the horror that I had heard of and seeing as though I have been pursuing this degree for several years I have had ample time to accumulate plenty of horror stories. I figured the nursing faculty would be detached and hard core. While they were definitely HARD CORE, they were also friendly and personable.

I took four pages of notes and that doesn't include the folder with the mountain of hand outs they gave us. Lots of information. Lots of things to buy. Classes start on Monday and I am feeling a little stressed about the money.
The required books are alone are $665.75 BEFORE TAX which doesn't include the additional "preferred material". ~OUCH~ Let's not forget tuition, scrubs, medical kit, background check, malpractice insurance, blood pressure cuff, etc..... the list goes on and on. I feel as if we are hemorrhaging money.