Jennifer Vitti

Haha that’s what my clinical instructor said to me today during clinical when I went up to her (after I had been up to her 3x prior) and said “Sorry, I feel stupid I can’t figure out how to hook up my patient’s oxygen to the portable oxygen tank so we can walk around”. And she responded that I’m supposed to feel stupid and it’s okay. I’m new and that’s what she’s there for Haha I love my clinical instructor–she makes me feel better about everything and is an amazing instructor!! I’ve learned so much from her!

Anyway things are good! Clinical has been going very smoothly… every clinical I get more and more nervous actually because I’m waiting for the day that I get a patient who hates me or  a day where everything goes wrong or I really screw up…because sooner or later it’s going to happen. Not every patient is going to be as perfect as my last couple have been. However, I am glad that so far it has not been too difficult. I hung an IV bag today in clinical which was my new skill for the day (and apparently hooking up oxygen as well hehe). The skills that we’re doing now in clinical are: vital signs, monitoring I & O, ADLs, hygienic care, and a handful of assessments (right now we can do cardio, respiratory, abdomen, skin, eyes, ears, nose, and throat…next week we’ll add on peripheral vascular). In 2-3 weeks we’re going to start doing med passes! That’s the big one. It’ll really help out the nurses on the floor and it will keep us very busy too.

My Health Assessment quiz grade did get bumped up to a 90% YAY so now I have all A’s on tests/assignments and overall. Which makes me very happy of course.

I passed my sterile technique proficiency test! And I had a quiz on Tuesday, which I’m still waiting for the grade…I think I did alright.

Next week I have Exam 2 for Professional Nursing (which includes A LOT of info even though it’s only been 2.5 weeks since the last exam) and a Process Recording paper due for Clinical. Then can I just tell you it’s crunch time again. The following week (11/1-11/7) I have my 2nd Math Assessment (which I have to pass with a 90 or above in order to move on in the course and to be able to pass meds–although you can retake it if need be), my Oral Med Proficiency Test, and my 2nd Health Assessment quiz. The week after that (11/8-11/14) I have my 2nd Clinical Pharmacology exam, Lab Quiz 3, Oral Med Testing, Full H + PE paper, and a Functional Health Assessment paper.  Then Injection Proficiency testing and Exam 3 for Professional Nursing the week after (11/15-11/21). Finally followed by a Thanksgiving break before it’s crunch time again before finals.

I have learned so much so far and it’s moving so fast. I can’t believe that in 15 months I will be taking the NCLEX-RN exam. Crazzzyyyyy. Then straight on to my MSN + PNP (despite what a lot of people are advising I really want to go straight through, full time, get it done and do what I want to do. I love bedside nursing so far, but my heart is in pediatric primary care (at least from what I can tell right now–I obviously don’t have too much experience). A lot of the students are saying they’re taking a break in between the BSN and the MSN and working as an RN, so that they’ll get experience and be more respected and I should do the same, but I disagree–at least in my situation. A lot of the people don’t want to go into primary care, so then yes I would say maybe taking time off and working as an RN would be good (if you can find a job of course–MA is not so nice to new grads right now) but primary care is kinda a different ball game and the direct-entry program definitely prepares you…I’ve seen it. So right now that is still my plan! I just want my classmates to support me in my plans too. Just because they’re different than theirs doesn’t make them wrong. So here’s to Jennifer Vitti MSN Class of 2012! not 2013, 2014, etc.

Back to homework… always homework, but it’s worth it

~love always~

Jen

p.s. what is up with MA or New England and the lady bug infestation?! Craziness