Jennifer Vitti

Special thanks to Nurse Teeny for choosing me as the winner of her most recent Give-Away Contest! I won a pair of Timberland nursing shoes from their PRO Renovas line. I can’t wait to try them out! I’ll be sure to write a review and let everyone know how they are! Thanks again Nurse Teeny!!

I’m heading into my second week of second semester tomorrow. Tomorrow I have Acute Care and I have my Psych Clinical orientation (we do have an orientation at Regis for this clinical). Last week I was at my new clinical site for Acute Care both Thursday and Friday. We didn’t treat any patients though because we had a lot to go over as far as learning how to document on the computers and what was expected of us. I really like my new clinical site, instructor, and fellow clinical group members. And I know you’re all anxiously awaiting to find out what type of floor I am on this semester for Acute Care. Drum roll….. it’s a hematology/oncology/medsurg/urology floor. So kind of similar to my last site, but not at the same time. There is definitely A LOT more expected of us this time around. Which is good and terrifying of course haha. I need to expand my skills and be challenged and take on more responsibility, but oh how good I felt to be pretty confident in the skills I learned last semester by the end of my last day of clinical. But this IS nursing school. I’ll get over it

Time to go finish my reading for class tomorrow!!

~love always~

Jen

Yesterday I started back to school! I am only taking two classes this semester (Acute Care and Psych), but I am in clinical THREE DAYS a week. I start with Acute Care clinical tomorrow and Friday…no orientation no nothing YIKES! I’m nervous as usual, but also really excited (haha as usual). I know what facility I am in, but I actually don’t even know what type of floor, so tomorrow will be a surprise! I assume it will be some sort of med/surg floor obviously, but for example last semester I was on a med/surg floor that was more specific to a mix of respiratory issues and gynecologic surgeries! So even though it might be a ” general med/surg floor” it still might mean there are certain patients that are placed there first! I’ll be sure to let you all know later what my floor ends up being!

Both my classes were a little boring yesterday–first day back is always a slow start. But I have no doubt that things will pick up VERY quickly especially with us starting clinical immediately. And of course I went to pencil in my quizzes, exams, and papers, and sure enough they come up pretty quickly. I have no doubt that next week will be very busy like I had never left.

Monday I’ve volunteered to help out with Accepted Students Day for individuals who were accepted into the class starting this fall (this won’t be everyone accepted since my school has rolling admissions, but it will be some–and it also will include people who may not choose to go here). I have already had more than one prospective student find me through allnurses.com and ask my opinion on the school since I’m pretty honest about my school, but I also don’t only bash it like many (you’ll find this at any school). Some of my friends are volunteering too, so hopefully we’ll have a good time and meet some people who will be following in our footsteps

In non-nursing news… it was snowing yesterday (yay MA in January) but just like flurrying all day. Unfortunately this made the roads A MESS. I drive this little Honda Civic, which I LOVE, but unfortunately it sucks in the snow. I consider myself a pretty good driver (never gotten a ticket, never gotten in an accident…knock on wood!). Anyway I live in a town that is mostly back roads. I’m driving home from school and I come up on this little hill that has a stop sign at the bottom because it leads into an intersection. I have to stop and cross this intersection to continue to my house. So as I’m going up the other side I prepare myself because I travel this hill frequently and I know that it’s pretty steep and I know how my car handles in the slush/snow. I get to the top and I start to head down it and I’m talking to myself “Okay, you’re fine. You’re going only a few miles/hour. You’re just going to tap on the brakes and gradually push it down so you don’t skid”.

So I do all this and I’m heading down the hill and… my car is not stopping. The brakes were fine, but it was just too much of a mess and too much of a hill. There was legit nothing I could do! And I was quickly coming toward the intersection, which was busy at this time of day, so I couldn’t just go through it. So I decided to veer off toward the stop sign. I knew it would do damage to my car if I hit it, but I figured it would be minimal since I was going slow enough and it was still better than going through the intersection. Lucky me I missed the stop sign and got stopped by a snow bank! Of course now I’m completely stuck. I put my emergency blinkers on and I get out the shovel I have in the back of my car and I start digging myself out. I was worried that someone was going to come down the hill and do the same thing that I did, but then they WOULD hit me. Lucky me again…someone (who I actually happened to know from highschool–haha kinda embarrasing) comes by with a truck and a chain and says “Can I pull you out?” Obviously I graciously said yes and thanked him a million times and he pulled me out and I got home safe and sound. I immediately started bawling when I walked through the door haha. AND there was ZERO damage to my car. Amazing.

My friends and family said I did everything I could and I made the right judgment calls, but I hate that I thought I was taking all the necessary precautions and if I did do everything right there was still NOTHING I could do about it. This then reminded me of nursing and is obviously something I’m going to have to deal with. Sometimes you can do all that you can…make all the right judgment calls…and still something bad might happen to your patient or the patient might even die. This is called life. And I apparently am still learning to deal with it.

~love always~

Jen

Happy New Year Everyone!!

I’m one of those people that is really good at starting things when it’s the beginning of something (you’ll always find I start new habits on a Sunday, the 1st of the month, or even better the 1st of the year!!). So far I have started a new regimen of exercising (yay me!), cleaning my house (I’m very domestic and can’t wait til I have my own house to clean and organize–haha I know I’m weird), and have gotten a head start on my homework and planning for next semester. And let me tell you it feels great! I love the new year.

Classes start in 10 days!! (January 19th) I can’t even believe it. It is one of those feelings where I feel like I have been out for a while, but at the same time I feel like I just left. I’m anxious and dreading going back. I love nursing and I don’t mind school much either (I know some people love nursing, but hate school), so I’m excited to go back and learn new things and get new experiences (THREE DAYS OF CLINICAL NEXT SEMESTER!!), but the thought of all the reading, case studies, and exam stress wants me to stay snug in my house and never leave haha. That’s another part of my New Year resolution though–TIME MANAGEMENT! And working on not being so stressed. I would also like to try to schedule in a little “fun time” every now and again. I don’t think I did enough of that first semester and it really got to me by the end. I don’t know how many of these resolutions will stick throughout the year, but at least I have good intentions.

Ahead for next semster: Acute Care and Psych. For the first week of Acute Care we’ve already been assigned readings on Intro to Med/Surg, Acute Care Health Care, Inflammation/Infection, and Oncology. Here we go!

~love always~

Jen

My first semester of nursing school ended yesterday. Wow! I received all my grades today (unofficially) and looks like I’ll be getting all A’s for my first semester! I’m really proud of myself This semester has been crazy. I cried for sure. It was really hard at times. I never wanted to give up, but there were times when I definitely got burnt out. I made a lot of friends this semester (clinical ladies-I love ya!) who I could never have gotten through without. Who better to understand what you’re going through than other people in your class?! So glad they were there for me. And my boyfriend!! Who was soooo patient when I would cry or snap because I was frustrated or overwhelmed. He’s the best!

This semester just solidified that I am fulfilling my dream and this is where I want to be. This is what I’m supposed to be doing!! I’m so thankful for the break to be able to regroup, reorganize, and recharge, but I also can’t wait to continue on my journey. Next semester is Acute Care (aka Med/Surg–I will probably use those interchangeably) and Psych. Should be interesting… Then the summer is Peds and maternity. That’s what I’m really waiting for because that’s what I’m pretty sure I want to do. I’ve heard next semester is HARD. I’m both nervous and fired up at the same time haha. It will be an adventure for sure…can’t wait to share it with you.

Expect some posts throughout my month off about some more reflections of this past semester (maybe my favorite patient, some clinical/lab experiences, more about classes, etc). Then when next semester starts (mid January!!) *hopefully* I’ll be able to post more regularly. One of my New Year’s resolutions (I always have a few!) will definitely be to manage my time better for school. Sometimes I think that’s really half the battle!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!

~love always~

Jen

December 22nd I take my last final of my first semester of nursing school! My final schedule is as follows: Health Assessment Practical Wednesday December 16th from 3:00-4:00 PM, Professional Nursing Cumulative Final Thursday December 17th from 2:00-4:00 PM, Clinical Pharmacology Exam #4 Monday December 21st from 5:30-6:30 PM, and Health Assessment Cumulative Final Tuesday December 22nd from 10:00-11:30ish AM.

Before this I also had lots of papers and exams that professors were trying to squeeze in last minute. I have been very neglectful of my blog–SORRY! I hope to do better next semester. It was the whole being behind in my reading from Day 1 that threw me off big time. Not next semester though! I’m all over it! We have been told that we will be assigned “homework” (most likely reading) for over winter break. I plan to be very organized about it and be prepared.

I had my last clinical Thursday. It was bitter sweet. I am glad to have a break from getting up at 5:00 AM and having the stress of it off during finals, but wow what a great group I had. My clinical instructor and my clinical girls were AMAZING. I don’t know if I would’ve survived first semester without them. I don’t think any other clinical group in my program had the same type of closeness that we had as a whole. I hope we’re all together next semester (it’s probably unlikely unfortunately, but some of us will probably be together since clinical sites are somewhat based on living locaiton).

I have to return to studying. I just wanted to update everyone. Expect a good thoughtful post either on the 22nd or 23rd about my reflections on this past semester.

Wishing everyone luck in their finals!!!

~love always~

Jen

School is still going well. I passed my injections test, so hopefully next week I will be able to give one in clinical! Everything seems to be going well I’m just tired of the non-stop work! Ugh! Monday I have a clinical paper due and a pharmacology test, and wednesday I have a health assessment paper due and a health assessment quiz! Then the next 2.5 weeks after that are finals!! (we’re still in classes for part of it, but some classes are giving us finals during class time). So I’m just busy busy as usual.

My boyfriend came home last week (he’s home for 2 weeks–he’s a year younger than me so he’s still in college) so I have been enjoying his company a lot. I love having him home. We’ve been dating for almost 5 years now, but for almost all of it we were both away at different colleges, so needless to say we’re excited for him to be done with school in August, so we can finally have a non-long distance relationship

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thanks for supporting me in my nursing school journey so far! I’m definitely really thankful for my friends, family, and boyfriend this year…I could never have done it without them!

Now let’s eat!

I love Thanksgiving dinner…heading home around 1:00 to be with my parents, both my siblings who are home for college, my grandparents, and one of my uncles. Should be a good time

I love the holidays (I’m already listening to Christmas music–laugh all you want I LOVE it), so definitely expect some good holiday cheer from me!

~love always~

Jen

Really quick post just because I haven’t updated in a while. Unfortunately I can’t stay long…it’s basically crunch time until Christmas…gah! I got an A on my Fluids & Electrolytes test just wanted to let you know since I had been talking about that before. School has been very very busy and pretty stressful just because the workload is piling up. I’m still learning a lot and still doing well (knock on wood) though. I don’t remember if I mentioned that I can officially pass meds now!! I passed the proficiency test and the math test so that’s a big deal. Half of our group will get to pass them at clinical on Thursday and the other half the following week. I’m excited to do it! Then next week is injections proficiency! Another biggie.

Nursing school is starting to affect my sleep. I was warned but ugh. I’m usually pretty good and still get 6-7 hours, but I am hitting those rough nights (like last night) where I’m only get 3-4 hours. I usually still function fairly well for a day or so, but not much longer than that. Luckily I can go to bed somewhat early tonight and sleep in a little tomorrow

Anyway so sorry for the lack of updates although I know you guys know how it is

~love always~

Jen

p.s. My schedule is up for next semester:

Mon/Tues 10:30-12:30 Acute Care Nursing

Tues 2:15-4:45 Psych/Mental Health Nursing

Then Pscyh Clinical Wednesday (most likely 7:00-2:30)

and Acute Care Clinical Thurs/Fri (most likely 7:00-1:30)

That was the schedule I wanted so I’m happy Now just waiting for clinical placements, which probably won’t be for a few more weeks–boo!

Have you guys ever had a nurse that doesn’t like you? I had one of those recently and it was for a stupid reason–just cuz I couldn’t pass meds yet, so she didn’t feel like I was helpful to her (sorry I talked with your patient, did almost a complete head to toe assessment, did all the patient’s ADLs and hygienic care, monitored the I&Os, and took the patient’s vital signs–you’re right I wasn’t any help at all). It’s REALLY bothering me and I can’t seem to get it out of my head and I wanted some advice/comfort from my fellow/past nursing students. I realize the nurse could have been having a bad day, I was probably in her way sometimes, and yes passing meds would take a load off her shoulders, but seriously, and this is gonna sound silly and I’m kinda joking, kinda not…but EVERYONE LOVES ME. I’m cute, I’m upbeat, and I smile when people talk to me. People constantly say that I make them smile just because of how I present myself–including past nurses I’ve worked with since school started. So it is really bothering me that this nurse found me to be a pest apparently. I tried to stay out of her way since it was clear from moment 1 that she didn’t want a student “Hi I’m Jen I’ll be with the Patient in Room XXX.” “Can you pass meds yet?” “No…sorry not for a few more weeks.” “Ha well I guess you’re going to be no help to me”. I think it’s also bothering me that I’m so bothered by it because it obviously isn’t my fault I can’t pass meds yet–so I’m in this vicious circle and I think I just really need to talk to someone who understands or has been in that situation (and yes I realize I should suck it up not everyone is always gonna love me =p haha).

*sigh* not to mention that I’m probably be overly sensitive because I’m tired too. I had a huge Professional Nursing exam yesterday (on nutrition, urinary and fecal elimination, FLUIDS  + ELECTROLYTES, pain, medications, and diagnostic testing), which I think went well and I will let you guys know when I receive my grade. Also big shout out and thanks to Nurse Teeny (check out her blog in the blogs I love to read section on the left hand column of my page) for giving me some good tips for Fluids & Electrolytes. I can’t tell you how many times I told myself “HypERtonic fluids Enter the vessels and hypOtonic fluids go Out of the vessels” Thank you Nurse Teeny!!!

Yay for a weekend (even if it is filled with more studying/homework…Clinical paper due Sunday, math/med exam on Monday, Oral Med Proficiency testing on Tuesday, and Health Assessment Quiz on Wednesday…WOO)

~love always~

Jen

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

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