I make a difference
I am so happy with life right now.
The stretch of non-stop exams has stopped momentarily and for the rest of the semster they are more spread out. I got the rest of my grades–adding on to the others
Math/Med Quiz 100%
Professional Nursing Exam 98% <–HUGE EXAM (20 chapters) AND I ONLY GOT ONE WRONG!!
And my one 85% in Health Assessment, which is still an okay grade, might actually get bumped up to 90% because one of the questions they might end up accepting two answers!!
I just feel so amazing that I’m actually in nursing school finally after so long getting to do what I’ve been wanting to do and I’m doing well! I also have made friends in school and have a good relationship with my instructors.
Clinical has been going well too. We finally had our own patient that we were responsible for the other day. We had partners for the day, but I was happy with that. The girl I was partnered up with I get along with very well and she and I have similar bubbly personalities, so we go well together too from a patient’s perspective. We did vitals, cardio, respiratory, and abdomen assessment, made sure he had all his meals, measured intake and output, helped him clean his dentures, gave any messages to the nurse, and just kept him company and talked with him. We also got to see a PICC line put in which was a great opportunity and really interesting. It was an amazing day and we had a great rapport with the patient and I left there feeling like I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THIS IS WHY I’M HERE THIS WHY I’M DOING WHAT I’M DOING! Ah I just feel so good! And I’m sure there will be bad exams, bad grades, bad days where the patient and I don’t get along, but right now I’m just basking in the love I have for this profession and my life right now. Once my boyfriend graduates from college and moves back home I might just explode from happiness 
AND I have a long weekend this weekend. And I plan on spending it doing work lmao, but in a good way! I’m a very organized person…a bit OCD for sure… and I’ve basically been behind since Day 1 because of all the assignments that were expected to be done for the first day of classes. I have been getting closer and closer every week, but this weekend I will officially catch up in all my reading, my leisure reading (I read 1 chapter a day of a pleasure book to keep me sane), my Italian studying (keeping up with my language skills–takes only 5-15 minutes a day), and my tv shows. I also want to get back on my regular running schedule since I’d like to lose 8 pounds by Thanksgiving–I’ve lost some already I’m almost positive, but I have no idea how much since we don’t have a scale in my house–oh well. And once I get caught up I’ll have more time for blogging! *happy dance*
Off to read about Fluids + Electrolytes–I heard that’s a hard section, so wish me luck–any tips?!
Enjoy your weekends everyone! Let me know how your school is going!
~love always~
Jen
October 11th, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Glad to see you’re enjoying school so much Jen!
Top 5 Nursing Student Tips on Fluids & Lytes:
1) HypErtonic fluids ENTER the vessels. HypOtonic fluids go OUT of vessels.
2) Magnesium and calcium both sedate you. So if you have hypercalcemia or hypermagnesemia, look for signs and symptoms that signal sedation (diminished deep tendon reflexes, etc.).
3) Memorize potassium lab values! Too much or too little can mess you up! And understand the relationship between insulin and potassium.
4) “Fluid volume excess” and “fluid volume deficit” are two nursing diagnoses you will see very very often.
5) As much as you can, understand osmotic pressure, oncotic pressure and hydrostatic pressure. There’s no easy way but it’s really important to know the pathophysiology behind the fluids you’re giving.
I HIGHLY recommend Hurst Review’s breakdown of fluids and lytes (when you’re reviewing for NCLEX) – it is soooooo helpful!
Come find me when you start studying acid-base balance. I learned an awesome method for interpreting ABG values!
Nurse Teeny
October 12th, 2009 at 9:53 AM
Those tips are awesome Nurse Teeny! Thank you! That is exactly what I needed! Will definitely let you know when I start acid-base balance. I can use all the tips!
Thanks again!