Ugh. . .

Well, I worked yesterday. I was pretty much the same old story. They really tried to space out our admissions, but they all came within about 30-45 minutes of each other. And the complaints kept coming about ER being overfilled. Well, we had one case of getting a bed assignment at 0900 and not getting the patient until 1400. There could've been an emergency come through that we didn't know about, but with house screaming for beds, it got really frustrating that we weren't getting the patients that had been assigned early in the morning. We actually managed to hold our admissions on our floor to five for the day shift, with only three discharges. Really, not a bad day, but my brain was so tired when I left that it wasn't even funny.

My boss asked me if I could pick up any extra shifts between now and next Thursday because one of the unit secretaries is out for a family emergency. I told her I could work from 7-1 today. When I got to work today, I was not on the schedule, so I went to the staffing office. Since they had all the unit secretaries they needed, they told me to go home. So, I was happy to do that. I got a phone call about 11:30 saying they needed me to come in today. I told them that I really needed to study because this was my only day to do that and I'm behind as it is. Oh well, school is my priority and I have picked up extra shifts for them a lot in the past two weeks. I can't be worried about their inability to be organized!

So, here I am taking a study break, frantically trying to get myself caught up so that I can pull a "B" in my theory course this semester. I will work Saturday and Sunday and then start my last full week of my third semester of nursing school!! Hope everyone has a great weekend!! cj

Good week

Well, I'm officially done with my paper. I just have to turn it in. I'd like to turn in tomorrow, but I have to work, so it won't get turned in until Friday. But at least it is finished!!

It was a good clinical week. I enjoyed being at the Children's Clinic. It was a different experience. They see a lot of kids, both sick and healthy. It can be a challenge to get vital signs on a squirmy 6 month old who is sick!!

Emotionally, it was a tough week for our class. I got a call early Monday morning from a classmate saying her mother was having emergency surgery. She needed a few phone numbers, and I gave them to her. It turned out that her mother's gallbladder was bad and she had gone into septic shock. She was in an area hospital ICU. I found out late last night that she passed away. Life is so short. You never know what is going to happen. It really just makes you cherish the moments that you have. I can't even begin to imagine how she is coping (other than denial) to get through the next week and a half. Hug those you love a little bit tighter tonight.

Mom and Dad, I love you. Thank you for being there for me through everything ~ especially the last few years. I wish I could give you a big hug right now!

I hope everyone has a good rest of the week. I work tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday. I'll study Friday to try to get caught up!! I'm almost done!! I'm just ready to be done. cj

One of those days

I had lecture today and made it through okay. I'm very tired because of the amount of time I've spent at work lately. I'm so glad that I get to go to the clinic this week. It saved me a trip down to Children's today after class and a bunch of paperwork. I'm making great progress on my paper. If I had to estimate how much is done, I'd say about 3/4. I don't have much else of interest to say right now. Have a good week, cj

Things change fast

Right after I posted this afternoon, I was doing some things around the house and my phone rang. I seriously contemplated answering since I knew it was work. But I did. They called to see if I could come in to work on postpartum from 3-7. I got callback pay and a bonus, so I really couldn't turn it down. Plus, they offered me callback pay for tomorrow and I only have to work from 7-3. I know I really need to get ahead on school, but I really need to get some bills paid off. This is really the best way. And honestly, right now, the only way. Unless anyone wants to donate to my cause! :)

I really have to get a paper done for school, so I need to get going on that. I'll work til 3 tomorrow and hopefully finish it tomorrow or Monday at the latest. Hope everyone is still having a good weekend!! cj

A Saturday off, and. . .

no exam to study for!! I worked Thursday and Friday with Friday being VERY hectic. I was able to rest this morning and got some things done for school so far today. I have to get some things done around the house. The schedule has been posted for the next six weeks starting the 29th. After classes end, I plan on working 4 to 5 days a week. We really need one more unit secretary, but until then, I'll be able to pick up as many shifts as I want. It makes my summer a little less stressful. Not much else is going on right now. I need to get on top of my reading for the final. We only have a lecture day and a half left until the final. So, the more reading I can accomplish now, the better. Hope everyone has a delightful weekend. I'll touch base soon, cj

Lots of meds, little baby

Today was an exhausting day for me. I woke up with a migraine and really didn't want to go to clinicals, but even more than that, I didn't want to have to do a make-up day AFTER the theory final. So, I toughed my way through my shower. I knew if I could just make it to the carpool, I would be set. After all, if you go somewhere with a carpool, you can't leave early or get out of not doing your work. I took my meds on the way to Children's and hoped that by the time we got there I'd be some better. However, it didn't quite turn out that way. So, I sat down and gathered some information and waited for report. I was really just hoping that my head would stop hurting before I had to start giving meds. It didn't, and I felt really out of it while I was trying to get everything together with my instructor. I'm sure she thought there was something incredibly wrong with me, but I just kept reassuring her that as soon as my head stopped hurting I would be okay. Sure enough, around 0930, I was myself again! We were pretty much in this room all day because my patient had meds scheduled at 0800, 0900, 1000, 1100, and 1200. We were able to cluster them, but even still, I don't think I was out of the room for more than 30 minutes and I know I didn't use the bathroom until after lunch!! It was insane! Tomorrow will be a better day. We don't have a 1200 med, so we will be able to do meds at 0830 and 1030 and get them all done! I'm exhausted, got all my paperwork finally finished. I really don't know how some of these pedi nurses do it. The really have my respect! Good night, cj

p.s. Daddy, thanks for your sweet comment! I really needed that this afternoon! You're the bestest! :)

Another test down.

So I've completed my 3rd test of my 3rd semester. If we're counting semesters by tests, then I only have 5 tests left until I graduate. I actually did alright on this exam considering the amount of time I've worked. I got a good, solid B, which puts me in a good position for the final. I should be able to get that B I've been screaming about all semester. It will be nice to see that, along with my A for clinicals. This week I really have to focus on getting my paper done for this half of my clinical rotation. It's a comparison between a healthy child and a sick child. I actually have quite a bit of it done already (it was cut and paste), now I have to fill in the blanks with what the kids actually do. Then I get to write another short paper comparing what I've just described. It's kinda redundant, but it's what is required, so I guess it's what I'll do! It's due on the 27th, but I plan to have it done by this weekend. I don't need to have anything hanging over my head, plus I want to know what my grade is going to be for sure!! (I'm rather anal retentive like that in case you haven't noticed!:))

So, I'm off to Children's again this week. I have a pretty sick kiddo. I'm afraid I've gotten myself into something more than pneumonia!! As I was going through all the meds (and there are a lot of them), this kid most likely has a congenital heart problem and some other stuff going on. I'll dig into the history more tomorrow. I just needed basic information to get my stuff done tonight. I'm sure my instructor and I will be busy giving the meds all morning.

I know I haven't posted a lot about my experience at Children's, but I feel like each case is so unique, it's hard to post about them and not violate HIPPA. Rest assured that I'm learning a lot and staying very busy. I'll try to compile a list of skills I've learned since I've been down there to post at the end of the semester. That way you know I've really been going to school!!

I hope everyone has a great week. I'm looking forward to it because it's my second to last week having to wake up super early and make the long commute. Speaking of that, it's almost bed time and I need my beauty rest!! I'll chat more later! cj

Missed my 8 month countdown

I worked yesterday and really meant to post, because yesterday was my 8 month mark until graduation. I know that you probably watch the countdown timer, too, but I like to remind myself how close I really am. I have three full weeks of class left of this semester and then my theory final. I still have an exam Monday and have studied pretty hard for it.

Yesterday was a nightmare at work. I was supposed to work as unit secretary, but when I got to work, I was down for a 1:1. When I got to the room, I had nearly lost my mind by 0800. The guy was loud and mean and kept trying to hit me. By the end of the shift he had managed to pull out his suprapubic catheter while another sitter was in the room. I was never so ready to get off of work as I was yesterday.

I've spent most of today reviewing questions in preparation for tomorrow and catching up on laundry. I'll try to post after my exam and I get home from Children's to let you know how it went. Hope you have had a good weekend. More later, cj

Small Changes

You may notice that there are slowly things appearing on my website. Please feel free to click on them, or use the Google search bar (it will get you anywhere on the net). I am trying to make a little extra money, so any extra clicks you make will help me out. Of course, don't feel obligated.

Nursing school is still craziness. I have my third exam in theory on Monday and I really have to do well on it. I really need to pull a B in theory this semester. It will make a big difference in my GPA and my confidence going into 4th semester. I've managed to get through most of the material today. I just need to go back over ABG's and CHF tomorrow. I work on Saturday and then will spend Sunday doing review questions. I can't believe this semester is almost over. When I look back at what all I've learned and seen, it is really amazing. Being at Children's in Dallas really is an honor. We get the opportunity to see some very unique disease processes, along with the way it has affected the children and families.

So, Grey's tonight was interesting. It was neat to clips from all the seasons. Hopefully next week will be a new episode. I laughed a lot and cried a little, but overall it was a good study break.

I hope you all have a great weekend. It's supposed to rain tomorrow and then be cold on Saturday. I'll touch base again soon, cj

Only 4 weeks to go

Well, I'm down to four weeks left of this semester. I only have 4 more Mondays (with the 4th Monday, May 7th, being the theory final). So I have 8 clinical days left. I can do this. I'm so tired, but I know that I can do this.

I worked another 36 hours this weekend. I worked as unit secretary all weekend. I'm enjoying the change and the experience I'm getting with the charts.

I have my 3rd exam of the semester on Monday, so I will only work on Saturday. I have to study my butt off the rest of this week. I have been working so much I haven't had time to get much studying done. We've finished postpartum and will have some info on congestive heart failure and arterial gases on this test. Those are the only two subjects we have this semester that are adult med-surg related. I'm actually looking forward to having the time at home to study. It means I'll be sitting on my couch, not working.

I've got another busy week ahead of me, but like I've kinda already said, the light is getting brighter. We started talking about pinning today. We take our composite pictures next week. Just got lots going on. Hope everyone has a great week, cj

Schedule still crazy.

I know that I've been really lax lately in posting, but my schedule has really kept me hopping. I survived clinicals this week. It was a challenging week, but that is what helps us learn, right? I think I've just about decided that peds isn't for me. I love working with the kids and all, but the ones I've been working with are so chronically ill it is just so hard to see them so sick. Then you still have to deal with the families. I think that is harder than anything sometimes. I'm so emotional as it is, I don't think I could bring that home every night. The more I think about it, the more I think I'll work in adult critical care or cardiac nursing.


So much has happened, I don't really know what all to tell you about. I guess we'll just suffice it to say that I'm busy and school and work keep me that way. I hope the rest of you are surviving school and life. I have a month left of my third semester. So, I'll probably continue to have scattered posts until this summer. Have a great weekend.

No Time

I know I've been a bad blogger lately, but I've been really busy. I worked Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and then had school yesterday and clinicals today. I don't have time to update, so suffice it to say that I'm still tired, but all is well. I'll try to update you tomorrow, since I don't have to worry about paperwork after clinicals. More later, cj