Thursday, May 14, 2009

One semester down, 3 more to go

So I did it! I made it through my first semester of Nursing school. I can now officially take vital signs, give injections, make beds (with people in them :) ), give enemas, check blood sugar, do a full health assessment (basically a full physical), feed people, do wound care/packing, put in an NG tube, move people with a gait belt or hoyer lift, do sterile gloving, put on ostomy bags, and give oral medication. Obviously I still need a lot more practice, but I am getting there. Now I have a lovely 2 week break before I start up again for summer. Whew! No rest for the weary! I've really enjoyed Nursing school so far though. It's interesting to me, that at first I thought this was what nursing school is all about, learning the skills. But since I've been in school, the focus has been more on realizing the whole of what nursing is which includes communicating, educating and caring with compassion. It's been really cool, and I've really enjoyed what I've been learning so far. Before I had always just wanted to get through to become a nurse practitioner, now I've realized that nursing really is a cool career. So who knows, I will still probably go on, but I am enjoying this for now.

Look at me in action. I am teaching the class how to perform an abdominal exam


Here is my lovely group, P4. And yes, that is a testicle model that Christy is holding up in front. For our first Health Assessment we had to teach the class we got the lovely topic of Breast/Abdomen/Testicular. Haha. Luckily I got to teach the Abdomen portion

Sunday, March 8, 2009

We're Alive!

So I think it's about time I posted again! It's only been 5 months right? Well life's been busy, so that's my excuse, but we ARE alive! And we are living life well. I started Nursing school the end of January and that has been taking over my life. No time for anything else! My typical schedule is 8-4 at school M-F and then come home and spend the rest of the night trying to catch up on all the homework that is due the next day. It's a busy schedule but I'm liking it a lot. I'm actually starting to feel like I know stuff even though it's only been two months! I was watching House the other day (one of our favorite shows) and when one of the guys started crashing and the Dr's were throwing out all these medical terms from what was happening I was like Hey! I know what that means! I know what they're checking for! Haha I was excited :) Anyways, but this week is Spring Break, and a much needed spring break at that! I'm so excited I get to think of something else besides school and relax from the stresses of it! We are going camping this week with friends and we are very excited :)
Randy is doing well as well. Since I had to cut my hours back at work (from 30 to 10) he's been picking up the slack and working full time while he takes online classes. He's also been very supportive and helpful when I need to practice my "nursing skills" on him. I love him so much! He is the best husband I could have ever asked for!
Well I will try to be better about posting, sorry no pictures for now. Like I said we've been boring, but I will try to post some later. My husband is building some beautiful columns in our house that I will need to show off soon. Until then! :)