Nearing the End of Fall Semester...

Whew. I have many thoughts racing through my head - a common side effect of nursing school I suppose - I will attempt to record some during the break - once I've sorted and reflected a bit.

But for now this is what I want to remember.

Today I watched one of my classmates (and very close friend) TRIUMPH - truly pure joy.

I've written about the grading scale in a previous post - bottom line is that 78% is the minimum for passing. Not a big issue; but the difficulty is compounded when you add the chronic stress, family life, etc. Don't misunderstand me - I think that RNs have to be able to perform well academically - especially when it comes to life and death issues. The problem I see is that certain classes become "weeders" when they are not necessary. I don't know about everyone else, but as a patient, I prefer a caregiver who knows how and when to hold my hand, brush my hair out of my face, to listen to me and to empathize - rather than one who can define Heritage Consistency or read an instructor's mind when taking an exam by choosing the BEST answer when all four provided answer choices are arguably correct.

My friend has been going to school for five years - taking a class at a time and re-taking a few important ones in the process. I have watched her show her dedication and true grit over and over regardless of the challenges she faced. In the nursing program you can fail and repeat ONE class and then it's over - no exceptions. Dip slightly below 78% and you may find yourself researching other career options. I'm not saying everyone can or should be a nurse - but when you know someone who SHOULD it is hard to consider that it may be over for them; especially because of a theory class that has very little practical application in our future careers as caring professionals. I don't think you can teach compassion or empathy - and when you possess these qualities that should be nurtured. So today I celebrate that one of the "good ones" gets to continue - I celebrate answered prayers and will leave you with this...

Spartacus (that's a story for another time!) - today you showed us what you are made of and I am so very proud of you - 96% indeed.

Other career option

If this whole nursing thing doesn't work out I will be raring and ready to go as a flight attendant. For some reason Nursing textbooks weigh approximately 33 pounds each - add a few together 'cause each instructor can't settle on just one text - and you quickly find yourself with aching shoulders and sooner (many of my classmates) or later (me) reach the conclusion that you must buy one of these: Wheelies. I fought if for as long as I could - would rather use my "cool, hip, I'm not just a Volvo-wagon-driving middle-aged mom" bag. I've become the student I used to snigger at...

On the upside, every so often I feel like I'm rushing through the airport to catch a flight to Europe -swoon - then I snap to and realize I'm frantically trying to get to class on time - oh, well at least the daydream is worth it while it lasts!

Just another Frantic Friday

47 year old male with a stable past medical history wakes up in the early morning hours moaning; he states that his arm hurts, and the following conversation takes place:

RN student: "Hurts how - like you were sleeping on it?"

Husband: "Yeah", moaning louder and much more forcefully, while at the same time saying, "I don't feel so well"

RN student, jumping up and running to his side of the bed, while grabbing the phone: "Which arm!?"

Husband, still moaning, and now taking very unusual breaths, not saying much...

RN student to 911 operator: "I need an ambulance..." while checking Husband's pulse and attempting to get him to answer my questions while doing the Sternal Rub.

Fast forward a few minutes, sirens wailing and getting closer, Husband is now standing in the doorway as RN student frantically searches for aspirin in the bathroom cabinet:

"Call back and cancel - I'm fine."

RN student, with lots of adrenalin: "GET BACK IN BED and chew this aspirin - RIGHT NOW!"

This little exercise in acute care and how to respond happened Friday @ 0545 - by 0615 Husband was wrapped up nice and cozy in the back of said ambulance and on his way to the hospital - by 0640 both kids were dressed and in the car on their way to stay with relatives who would take them to daycare @ 0830 (thanks, Joo-Loo and Bob!) then I was quickly (but carefully ;) off to the hospital.

Labs and stress test were negative - so we were sent home around 1630; diagnosis most likely anxiety (lots of changes at work this week in addition to our already hectic lives) - although Husband states that in his opinion the diagnosis Munchausen by Proxy is more accurate.

I missed two classes while at the hospital, but perhaps I can get some points for observing health care in the acute setting! (and I'm now sleeping with the phone on MY side of the bed).

Since when is 17 hours of class worth 10 credits?

Welcome to Nursing School, my friends - 17 hours of class time, plus the visits to clinics, older adult exercise classes, etc. - 10 measly credits. And nothing says humiliation quite as fast as not being able to keep up with the seniors in aerobics :)

Oh, and the grading scale? Another slice of heaven - 77% is a failing grade.

A = 96-100

A- = 93-95

B+ = 91-92

B = 88-90

B- = 86-87

C+ = 84-85

C = 80-83

C- = 78-79 ( and that's the bottom if you want to stay in the program!)

I was relieved to have 87% average at midterm in Pharmacology - then I realized that I'm barely clinging to a B- (deflation of the elation: immediate).

So the A average I worked hard to obtain PRIOR to starting this semester, probably not too likely to remain. Oh well, C- = RN (our new mantra).

See one, do one, teach one...

I have my lab tonight - from 5-10 p.m. This is where we practice our skills and have check-outs (tested by our clinical instructors) prior to being turned loose on the public. Tonight I will be doing a Foley catheter - not too stressed - I figure there's basically only one way to get it in! Errr, well, one way to PROPERLY get it in.

My clinical rotation begins in a few weeks - older adult, extended care facility at the Ann Arbor VA - I think they figure if these patients survived the armed forces they will most likely survive newbie students invading their space(s).

Welcome...

Greetings and Salutations!

I've decided to write down things that happen along the journey to becoming an RN...

along with being a 43 year-old wife, mother of 2 (daughter aged 5 1/2 and son almost 4) and perpetually random and disorganized - it's a wild ride!

Thanks for joining!