Looking Ahead

Grades posted today for our final exam. And I'm THRILLED that I scored a 94%. Huge relief! Even though I'm disappointed that I didn't get an A in the class, I am still quite happy with my B. Part of the challenge is learning to take nursing school tests that are written to help get us ready for the licensure exam. So hopefully I'm growing/progressing in this area and will do better next semester.  Although next semester does come with its own challenges. I'm going to have to dig MUCH, much deeper next semester to come out with good grades for both Nursing II (med-surg) and Pharmacology.

This next semester I will take two classes totaling 10 credit hours. Nursing II (112/med-Surg) now includes two clinical days and our care plans will be much more in-depth and comprehensive for our patients. We'll also be evaluating our goals/interventions/client's responses as part of our care-planning. I'll also be taking Pharmacology, which is a tough course in its own rite. I have decided to take it online, saving time/gas since I won't have to travel to campus (25 minutes). Plus I've done really well with online courses in the past. Our nursing program offers it both in classroom and online. At this point, it seems like the majority opted for the online version. The nice back-up is that Pharmacology will be offered again in the summer (in case we don't do as well as we'd like).

We have not received our clinical assignments yet. I think program administrators may be waiting to see who passed Nursing I  (108) before posting the schedule...as they may have to reshuffle some clinical groups. Once they post the groups, we'll know WHERE we'll be working (which site, which unit) and WHO will be in our clinical group (9-10 students per group). Will be nice to get to know another group of my classmates, but it would be nice to have at least one person that I know fairly well (like from other classes).

Next semester I really want to do better in taking advantage of PVCC's fitness center. Unfortunately, last semester I got sick during 2nd or 3rd week of the semester and it greatly disrupted the good start I had started --plus then we started doing care plans around week 5. And unfortunately, when care plans started having weekly due-dates, I lost a lot of that time that I thought I'd have. ugh. And b/c I've not be training adequately, it would be quite miserable to start back running at this time of year (outdoors in the freezing cold). I really need to get my act together! I also need to do better at mass cooking and getting soup and stuff put in the freezer for future meals. I should do a LOT of cooking during my semester break and work hard to get my freezer filled up! 

Dating, getting together with friends, going to weekly Bible study---these have all been challenging, but I'm going to keep pressing on. If I don't get out of the house and hang with friends, how am I ever going to live a balanced life rich in relationships? Let alone meet someone with mutual attraction, date and hopefully get married? I'm not getting any younger or any more charming...and I'll be 38 by the time I graduate. Too bad marriages aren't being "arranged" anymore! That would make it so much more simple!  I could focus on school while my family or church family is trying to find someone to agree to marry me. I like that idea.

While I think dating someone seriously while in school would have huge challenges (priorities, distractions, emotional energy),  I think it could also be very good. It would require things to go slow, to be intentional, the best outcome is that it would get me out of my independent, self-sufficient mode and thinking about someone else for a change! But too much thinking about the other person could be a huge disaster academically...and if the relationship did not work out...sigh, that would be double depressing.  So I just have to keep trusting the Lord with this. To keep praying for His will to be done in the midst of this chapter of my life which from the outside probably reads "she's just to busy for a relationship"...which is TOTALLY WRONG. We'll never NOT be busy. This is just a different type of busy. My only consolation is that plenty of people meet and date while in school. Oh goodness...how did I get off on this topic? Stopping now.

Well, not much more to add. Just feeling good that the semester is over and that I have a five weeks to relax  and have a little extra time on my hands to do some fun stuff. If you know me...call/email me and we can go do something!

Semester Two: Finished!

Survived my final. Think I did pretty well. Grades not expected to post until next week. Not sure if that's the exam grade or the final grade...the rumor was a little lacking in specifics. : |Glad to be done.

Headed out now to help with my niece's birthday slumber party tonight (15 or so eleven & twelve year olds???) and then will stay over to help my sister move into her new apartment.

So glad that I can relax now for a few weeks. Will work 3 days a week but that's nothin' compared to schoolwork hanging over my head!  Now what? Not to worry...there's plenty on my list to do. Some fun stuff..some not so fun...but just not school!

Cheers.

Semester Two: Almost Gone

Semester Two ends this coming Friday with the taking/passing of my final exam. Almost there. Almost. The Thanksgiving holidays definitely gave me a taste of winter break, so much so that I really did not want to come back for my tests and final exam, mostly b/c it's been SO hard to get re-motivated for the final two weeks. And it showed. I was very disappointed with my Test 3 results. I probably could have spent more time studying, but mainly I over-thought things and changed answers. If I had left them alone, I would've done much better! My score could improve if they end up throwing out a question or two that I got wrong. I can only hope.

Friday evening (after we took Test 3 that morning) we returned to campus for collaborative testing to help us get ready for our final exam next week. It was there that we saw preliminary results for Test 3 (and got to review all our tests). So I won't know Test 3 official results for a couple days I suspect. But now, there is no conceivable way for me to get an A in this course. I'm sooo bummed. But reality is...what's done is done.  Can't go back and change things...can only move forward (having learned a lesson---maybe?) Now it's time to focus on the final exam!

I think I've counted that I have about 28-35 hours this week that I can study for my exam on Friday. I work all day Monday and Tuesday (my seasonal job) and that really only permits about 3-4 hours of study those nights. I'm just hoping I can get/stay motivated to systematically work through the study schedule that I've worked out. I've basically divided up all the content onto different days, based on whether I think I'll need a little or a lot of time to review it.  Today I review/read again chapter on Fluid, Electrolytes and Acid-Base imbalances... I know I'll be needing to spend time all week on this, so I figured I'd start early and then take flash cards to work this week to use during my breaks and to review before bed. And now that I've taken this little break, it's time for me to get back to the books.

I really doubt that I'll be posting anything new this week...so all my faithful readers (all three of you) can enjoy the break.

Cheers.

Aging Populations | Something to Watch

For my Fundamental class, on our section on caring for the aging adult, we were required to watch a video produced by PBS titled "Living Old". http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/livingold/view/.  It's 60 minutes long. I totally recommend it. It's not an easy watch by any means. Definitely sobering and thought-provoking. Statistics say that by 2030 (20 years away), over 20% of our population will be over 65 years of age.  I think this PBS special definitely discusses some of the relevant issues surrounding this topic. It's NOT a nursing video...it was written for the general public, but there are healthcare providers, family members and members of this aging population that were interviewed.

I'm 36 years old. My parents are in their early to mid 70's... I certainly have wondered/thought about what the next 10-15-20-25 years will look like. What is it going to look like for my parents as they age and their bodies become less efficient and less robust. My parents became vegans over 10 years ago and they certainly believe this is going to help them stay strong, healthy and help prevent chronic disease or cancers from stealing their years.  Thank God, they are strong and healthy now (they brag they are not on any prescription medications), but that doesn't protect them from the unexpected (car accident, serious fall/fractured hip, back injury...) which could potentially impact their ability to manage their ADL's (activities of daily living) and remain independent. They certainly expect they will remain independent a long time. I just pray that is the case...

Interesting statement was made in this PBS program, the gist was that if you have three or more daughters and/or daughters-in-law ---chances are that you may be able to avoid going to live in a nursing home. My parents did well to have four girls. I've always said that having children seems like a pretty good retirement plan. ;-)   At this rate, I'm WAY behind...but not much I can do about it in my single state. I suppose someone better mention to my four nieces and nephews that they may be called upon to care for their elderly parents AND their elderly aunts. I'm sure they'll be excited to hear this--seeing as none of them are in highschool yet.

Well, I really just wanted to post the link to this PBS/Frontline special.  Nothing much else to post...I'm just busy studying right now for my final two tests which I have at the end of this week. Next week I'll be studying for my final exam which is next week...nearing the finish line! woot!

ABG Interpretation

This week we've been reading about Acid-Base and Arterial Blood Gases.

I just wanted to share two sites that I located that have been helpful.

For ABG interpreting practice: http://www.vectors.cx/med/apps/abg.cgi. With each set of ABG values, it will let you know if you are wrong, right or mixed in your answer...and then provide basis for answer. Seems to have UNLIMITED ABG values to analyze.

For general overview of ABG's and interpreting, here is a PDF packet: http://orlandohealth.com/pdf%20folder/Inter%20of%20Arterial%20Blood%20Gas.pdf.  This looks like it might have been a continuing ed type of thing a number of years ago...but helpful nonetheless.

There are LOTS of other sites out there, but these I've used and have found helpful.

Second Fundamentals Test Coming Up!

Friday we have our second fundamentals lecture/theory exam. I have not yet started studying for it.

Thankfully, I did manage to complete my lab skills readings quiz for Thursday and my lecture readings for Friday (for after the test) this past weekend and completed the General Assessment write up today...all that remains is to watch a bunch of skills videos (for skills lab), write one care plan and finish up my Nurse-Client Interaction assignment. The NCI proved very challenging last week as my patient was on isolation precautions. So no paper was allowed to go in/out of the room. So I had have to depend largely on my brain to recall the 5 minute conversation and then to evaluate the conversation and non-verbals for therapeutic and non-therapeutic conversation. And I was very busy with my patient, so it was tough to find time to recall/write down the conversation. I understand we'll get to do this again next semester and then again in our psych clinical during our 2nd year.

Not yet overwhelmed or nervous about this test...but I REALLY want to do better than last time (88). I would LOVE to get an A in this class. And the tests are where that happens. We have a quiz average that is included, but I do not see how I will score lower than 95 average on that...but really hoping for a 100 (once they drop quizzes). I anticipate I'll try to study some hours tomorrow and Wed/Thursday evenings.

I'm going camping this Friday/Saturday to celebrate the 2nd test being over and hopefully relax a bit. I'm only going to spend one night (could go for two) b/c I need to get basic life stuff done, plus probably some studying too. We've got our next lab skills test a week from Thursday...on meds administration (oral, topical, injection, IV etc...) so I do need to plan for that!  Sadly, we won't actually get to do med administration until next semester.

Oh, already have idea of next semester's schedule:  Two classes:  Nursing Fundamentals 2 and Pharmacology.  Monday morning is our Fundamentals Lecture, Tuesday morning is Pharmacology lecture, Wednesday and Fridays are our clinical days with clinical prep on Tuesday afternoon/evening. So it looks like my weekends will be eaten up with lecture prep! ACK! I will have option to take Pharmacology either in classroom or online format. I'm leaning towards the online format...simply to cut out time it takes to travel to school and sit through lecture. I really wish they could tell us if performance/grades were higher in one version than the other. sigh.

Tomorrow afternoon I am interviewing for seasonal employment at the distribution center for a local electronic retailer. They need folks from end of November through the holidays. I'd need to have reduced hours for the first couple weeks after Thanksgiving b/c of school exams, but can work plenty of hours after that through Christmas. I really don't want to work EVERY DAY during the holidays, as I am looking forward to a break. Maybe I'll just rest in January if I'm not needed to work. But the money will be nice supplement to my bank account and being able to not stress over gift-giving this year. I also probably need to figure out if I plan to go to Ohio for Christmas. But that largely depends on what my other sisters plan to do and usually they don't make plans early. New Years is when we do the full family thing (all sisters, parents, nieces/nephews)...so it's a matter of figuring out where I'll be for C'mas Day.

I probably should post an update of my expenses here soon. I keep forgetting...plus not a lot of time. We'll it's time for me to head for bed...another full day tomorrow of school assignments/studying, job interview and getting ready for clinical on Wed.

Room to Improve

Our first test grades were posted today. If I calculate right, I missed 6 questions...so I got a B (88). I had hoped for better, but I knew there were some that I likely got wrong.  I wish there had been more questions so that each question wasn't worth so much. That fact I didn't earn an A doesn't have me shook up. Live and learn, what's done is done. Fact is that I'm not sure if I could have studied any harder or any better and improved my results any. I DO think that if I'd had 15-20 more minutes to take it, that I would have been able to review my exam and fix dumb errors (from rushing). We only had one hour for 50 questions. I am curious to find out which questions I missed (and if these were ones the majority missed as well) and am ready to learn from my mistakes. Unfortunately, it's very possible that I made stupid errors that I will later kick myself on. But hey, like I said before, while I could get preoccupied, anxious about my grade, I really just want to learn. And sometimes we can learn best from our mistakes. Tests are all about finding out what we know/don't know (and whether we can follow instructions and understand the questions). I still have 3 more tests/exams for this class. The hard part of getting B first time around is that you have less of a cushion--in case a future test is worse. But I'm not going there...just gonna focus on the present and making my reading/studying time count.

No time to sit around though. We have our next theory test at the end of October and we've got five units worth of material to cover in 3.5 weeks. Giddy-up! Obviously, my current study methods/efforts for my weekly readings will be tweaked a bit. Not sure exactly how until I see my exam and what my trouble spots were.

An interesting side note...while I've always been the curious one with accidents, natural disasters etc... I'm finding now that I'm in nursing school, I have a new way to think about these things. A man from my church was BADLY injured in an accident---life threatening injuries. His arm was partially amputated several days after the accident because of infection that set in to open wounds. And there's still more infection and they are going to have to go in and do more surgery to try to clean out the rest of arm (debridement of the dead skin/tissue remaining) otherwise they might have to amputate more.  So now as a student nurse this has me thinking on a whole new level. Nursing Dx's, Interventions, etc... it's overwhelming to contemplate. The medical field has come a LONG way since Florence Nightingale and Doc Baker on Little House on the Prairie (one of my favorite TV shows as kid). In those days, this man would have died-from loss of blood, brain swelling/bleeding, lack of oxygen, infection, failing kidneys. He's still not out of the woods yet--they are likely working hard to prevent systemic infection. The great news is that it appears his pain response is still intact and he is able to respond to commands. It will be a LONG recovery road for him. Have mercy, Lord.

Update: Rumor has it there was only one A (or only one grade in the 90s--not sure??) for our first test. One of my friends in the program who I spent a fair amount of time with/talking to got that A...and the other woman we hang out with...also got a solid B too. So I am pleased that the three of us did really well--am grateful to have connected with other smart women!  So while I would've loved to have gotten an A...I'm still very happy with my B, as rumor is that many did not pass it. :(

First Fundamentals Test

It's been a crazy week and it was a huge relief to be handed our exam and told "you've got one hour". There were certainly some questions on the test to make me think. A handful of questions that I was left picking between two possible answers...making the best guess and hoping I was right.

Yesterday I camped out in the library after my lab skills class (4ish) until library closed at 9:30. I had spent so much time focused on Fluids/Electrolytes this past week (and getting all the other reading and assignments done) that yesterday afternoon was my first thorough review of all the previous chapters and lab skills theory content. But when I got in to my notes and objectives to review, it was like "hey, I know this stuff!"  Which is a pretty good feeling. So for those 5 hours I went over every Study Guide's objectives and did the NCLEX questions at the end of each chapter...then reviewed lab skills readings/notes. I spent a little time on Fluids/Electrolytes before leaving the library, and knew I needed to spend some more time on it when I got home. But leaving the library and walking through the parking lot at 9:30 at night, my optimism grew and the stress just rolled away. It was such a wonderful feeling...confidence mixed with relief. 

I had the same feeling after taking the test this morning. Confidence and relief. Confidence that I did alright and while I know there are some possible wrong answers and I may not score an A... I felt like I did well. I studied hard and feel like I have a good grasp of the material. It's not all about the grade--there is something to be said for learning from mistakes!  Sure there's a scholarship on the line for me...and always the risk of not passing the class (and being dropped from the program), but I don't feel that's an issue right now...so the stress is gone (for now). There were certainly folks who were even more stressed after taking the test. Reality is that I can't do anything about it, what's done is done and I will have to wait like everyone else for the results next week. And it is possible that they may end up dropping a question or two--if they find majority missed it and it was poorly written question...

So things will calm down (only a tiny bit) for a week or so...before lab skills test. But now that we've experienced a lab skills test and now a lecture test...the mystery is gone and that takes some of the stress off. 

The big challenge for me, I think, is MAINTAINING the knowledge about Fluid and Electrolytes and connected chemical processes. We'll be tested on it again at the end of semester for the final comprehensive exam...and then again throughout the rest of my nursing school career. So I need a strategy for reviewing it and letting it sink further and further into my brain for long-term retention. It's like I need to be tested on it EVERY WEEK to keep me on my toes.

This is also challenging my brain about the A&P I learned over a year ago. How easily we forget...BUT how easily it comes back with a little effort. :D

Well, off to enjoy my weekend.