Beds and Baths!

I really enjoyed the rehab experience at TMH, although it was much slower paced than I had anticipated. I guess this is because the patients are there to get therapy and rest so there wasn't too much going on besides routine checks and baths. I did get to help with two bed baths and I'm thankful to have had the experience. It's much different moving a real person who is older and frailer than our classmates we practiced on! We also had two contact isolation rooms so we were able to cover up with gowns and gloves. We had lots of bed making practice as well and I must remember to always lower the bed after! Always. Overall, I learned a lot at this clinical and feel way more comfortable now working with real patients. Can't wait for next Friday, especially because our group has a late shift! Yay for sleeping in:-)

Midterm done already?!

Every time I mentioned that I had a midterm this past week, people were so confused that it was already that time, but then I explained the whole 8 week schedule...At first I wasn't even sure if I would like the 8 week thing, but I do so far! It's nice only having this one class for now and then switching in just another 4 weeks. Hard to believe it's coming so fast, but I can't wait to see what's in store! The midterm went well and I'm happy that all that studying and reading paid off...I definitely want to stay on top of it more though so I won't be as stressed for the final. Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. See you in the morning!

Week 3 Reflections

      This past week has only confirmed my thoughts on pursuing a nursing career. I really enjoyed lab this week and I feel like our lab group is getting a lot closer. It's nice to know that everyone is on the same page and that we can all share in feeling nervous about clinicals, but so excited at the same time. 

      I was definitely feeling jittery when I woke up at 5 am on Friday, probably a combination of the time of day and anxiety about what I was going to do. I'll admit I was slightly nervous to take the blood pressure of an older lady because I did not want to do it so slowly as to take away feeling in her arm or too fast that I couldn't get an accurate reading. However, neither of these fears actually came true. I was happy to find out  a little later in the day that when the actual nurse took my patient's blood pressure with the automatic cuff that the results matched mine exactly! I am really thankful that my patient was easy to talk to and I enjoyed listening to all of her stories. During our clinical I kept thinking how I wouldn't want to do anything else (career wise) than providing care for people through nursing. I think having the clinical experience so early in our program is a huge blessing as well. It gives us a chance to practice everything we are learning on a real level. It is also great encouragement when I don't feel like studying for the midterm! I know in order to get to my destination I must study and learn all that I can. I will try to remember this when I get stressed and feel overwhelmed...

      I love knowing that everything I learn I will be able to use. I love wearing my scrubs and I love getting to brighten someone's day. I'm not sure which area of nursing I will end up in, but there is definitely something special about caring for those who don't have much longer to live and knowing that you have this opportunity to spend that time with them.

Two Weeks Closer

I really can't believe two weeks have already passed since we started! So far I am loving everything that we are learning. It is so practical, which makes it really easy to see how I will use it in the future (aka in our first clinical). Last Thursday was a really long day since I had lab and assessment immediately following, however I did enjoy practicing BP and playing nurse in lab. It is all feeling so real now. I will remember to bring my jacket next week to lab because I got really cold and my fingernails were turning purple, making it difficult for my partner to get an accurate assessment! I am appreciating this long weekend, since I know there will not be many more in the future. I am thankful that we are easing into everything, but I am trying not to get behind in reading!