A little less hand holding?!?!

That’s right. A little less hand holding.
This was a great last couple of weeks for clinicals.
Last week, I had an adorable client who reminded me of my great-grandmother. I really start to feel like a full-fledged nurse for the first time because I got to advocate for my patient. I set up consults to [...]

Guess Who’s Back? Back Again…

Hey! Basically, we’re getting down to the wire and my attention has been thrown full throttle into projects, papers, and tests.
The last test, I didn’t do so hot on…meaning more throttling at full force.
Also, clinicals is wiping me out. Now that the specialties are over, we are doing full patient care and charting for 8 [...]

Week 2 of Oncology

I had a patient that had everything but the kitchen sink wrong. From various psychological and psychosocial issues to an extremely advanced form of cancer to an advanced stage of an autoimmune disorder…I saw it all.
It was interesting to see the social stigma when it came to the autoimmune disorder. Some people refused to [...]

Simulation Lab

Well, today I’m at clinical in the simulation lab at school. I have to be honest, the Sim. Lab frightens me to know end.
Why? At the end of last semester, we had a simulation lab without ever being told what one was or what to expect. We actually didnt even know we were going to [...]

PACU.

It’s official. I am in love with the PACU. Post anesthesia care unit, that is.
Basically, this unit a is fast paced, on your toes, better know your P’s and Q’s kind of place. That’s where I went today with two other classmates. It was amazing.
Here’s how it works. There are 12 beds open. Today, they [...]

Typical Week

I got asked what a typical week for a nursing student is. A couple of my friends and I both have to work- which we try to squeeze in on the weekends.
Being in second semester, I have class Mondays and Tuesdays and clinicals on Wednesdays and Thursdays. So here it is.
Monday: Attend class from 9-1 [...]

No sweat? Sure!

My teacher walks into the patient’s room to this sight:
S.R on one side, myself on the other, L.O in the front…and our amputeed patient with one leg sprawled sitting on the floor with his shorts around his knee yelling “awww now. shoulda helped me!!”
Let me back up to the beginning.
S.R and I were sharing [...]

Break is Over

So, Spring Break is long over and I’m back from my hiatus. I know you’re totally excited. Last night I went and saw the new Fast and the Furious movie with Ishaq and 2 of my brothers-in-law at 10:30pm. It wasn’t bad- as far as those kinds of movies go at least. The day before, [...]

Nasty-Icky-Clinical Smells

Need some ways to avoid those nasty-icky-clinical skills?
Here are some tips and tricks passed down from my CRNA-friend-in-training on how to avoid gagging in the field of nursing!!
1. Vicks under the nose is a classic.
2. Put Vicks on the outside of a face mask and then layer with another face mask.
3. Haven’t got any Vicks? [...]

Clinicals

Everything you need for a day in clinicals:
BP cuff, stethoscope, binder, nursing diagnosis book, paperwork that needs to be filled out for assessment, calculator, pen, pencil, highlighter, lotion, wallet, bag, notepad, phone, and PDA if you’ve got one (i use my ipod touch).
Addendum: Vicks Vapor Rub is a need. I just bought some at [...]