They're BBAACCKK!!!!

So THIS is what I've been waiting for all summer long. Last season disappointed me, but I'm willing to give this season a chance. I just can't seem to part with my Grey's!! I'm actually typing this as I watch (during commercials, of course). So far, so good. I think the interns as residents could prove to be interesting. In fact, it already is.

I have to devote my full attention to my friends. I'll post more later, cjb


Later: I think this season is going to be great. Tonight's episode was awesome. Some VERY interesting things happened tonight. My mind is just racing with them. . . . Can't wait until next week. Maybe this will be what gets me through nursing school! Goodness knows I need something. Thank goodness I can focus on George, Izzy, Meredith, Christina, and Alex instead of myself for an hour a week! :) Tomorrow it's back to reality. Have school work to do, but tonight, it was all Grey's! Good night, cjb

So much to do

I'm almost finished with my intense first month of school. I have my group presentation tomorrow and that is the last BIG thing I have to do for one of my classes. September is almost over and I'm still alive. I know I've been down in the dumps lately, thank you for all your kind words. This is my place to come and vent. It's my sanity right now. I can let out my feelings and you can read or not. This is MY place. I can say what I want, when I want and how I want. It's the beauty of having my own blog. I'm hanging in there. I'm tired, and that's the biggest problem. I'm off to get a good night's rest because I have a presentation tomorrow and then I work all weekend. Have a good one, cjb

Still no word

I appreciate all your kind words. I'm still in a lull over this exam. I still don't know my exact grade on my exam, but I know it's not pretty. I was really glad that I went to the clinic to work last night. It helps me to give back when I'm feeling down and out. I came home and just wanted to crash out, so I did. Then I got up early and went to clinicals. Clinicals went a little better this week. I'm feeling more confident as a nurse ~ still not 100%, but getting better. I'm going to sign off here, but know that things are starting to look up, cjb :)

I think I need to find something else to do

If things don't start looking up soon, I'm going to have to choose another career path for my life. Maybe I'll be a chef ~ wait I don't even cook for myself (and if any of you even vaguely remember any of my cooking stories, I don't think that's a feasible option). Ummm, maybe I'll be a beautician ~ highly unlikely seeing as how I hardly even dry my hair before flying out the door in the mornings. Maybe I'll just be a bum. Anyone want to hire me? I'm real cheap and don't require much.

I'll quite whining now. I'm just really upset by all of this. I obviously didn't do well on my exam. I'm not sure how not well I did until they post grades, but I didn't do well. I have to go work the clinic tonight. I'll post more later. cjb

At this point . . .

studying is overrated. It's almost 7 pm on Sunday night and if I don't know it by now, I'm probably not going to know it. I spent most of Thursday and Friday reading and reviewing. Then yesterday and today at work, I was able to lots of sample NCLEX questions. I've found that's the most effective way for me to study for my exams. I also go through the stuff in my books, but doing lots of questions is best for me. We'll see how it works for me. I'm going to get a good night's sleep and then eat a good breakfast in the morning. I'll let you know how it turns out! Until then, cjb

I so need to be studying . . .

So I have my first MAJOR exam of the semester on Monday. I've been studying all day and am about beat. I started with chest tubes and chest trauma. And am now onto liver, biliary tract, and pancreas problems. I still have acute hematologic problems and oncology to cover. Plus, I have to work Saturday and part of Sunday. I HAVE to finish liver . . .I'm almost done, finishing up with cholelithiasis and cholecystitis. YIKES!! Such crazy words, I know. . . Oh well, I'm off to finish reading about the gallbladder (BTW, that's what those big words on the previous line mean, in case you were wondering!!) I hope you are having a better night than me! cjb

Still countin' down. . .

Has anyone else noticed my timer getting smaller? I sure have and I cherish every day that has passed. For me it's another project, clinical day or lecture day that I don't have to go to again. I'm not saying I'm not going to continue my education, but it sure will be nice to be finished with school for awhile.

When I finish next week, I will have accomplished a major milestone of the semester. The first module of transition is complete and due tomorrow (yes, I already have it all turned in). Monday is my first theory test of the semester and Thursday is our group project for the semester. Why they saw the need to throw this all in one week, I don't know. They say it's to teach us better time management, I say it's to see if we'll break under stress.

I figured out the other day that I really only have to make it through the end of October before my load really starts to lighten. Then by the middle of November, I'm done with everything except theory. I'll have a month of class for only one day a week. I guess the stress I'm going through right now is worth it. I know it will be when I walk across the stage on December 14th!! Thanks for listening to me gripe all the time. I'm off to start studying for my theory exam. Hopefully I'll be able to come back and tell you that I've passed with a decent grade, cjb

Real quick

I just want to say, you never know who you are going to run into. Today at work, I was minding my own business, filing labs and EKGs when I heard my name. I looked over and recognized a vaguely familiar face, but it took a minute to place it. The female was standing in a patient room, so I was even more thrown off. She said, "Crystal, it's me, Jennifer!" I was astonished. I met Jennifer back in August of 1995 when we both started our freshman year at LCU. We quickly became good friends through LOA and many other similar activities. The years have taken us our separate ways and we lost touch. I ask that all of you keep her fiance in your thoughts and prayers. I can't go into details, but I can say that much. It was so good to see Jennifer. In my time of distress with school, an old friend was a breath of fresh air!

Off to bed for me, more later, cjb

This just in. . .

So, after much agonizing and craziness and having to take this stupid exam THREE times, this is all we get on WebCT. I don't get my grade, I don't get what I passed with, I don't even get an exclamation point. I get the simple statement I posted above. Doesn't that just give you the warm fuzzies? Well, at least I can give meds next week and continue on with my life as a 4th semester student nurse. Just thought I'd share, cjb

THREE MONTHS AND COUNTING!!!!

Ok, so I reached a major milestone today. It's officially three months until I graduate. That's only 90 days, folks. I know I've been doing a lot of whining and complaining and I'm sure there's lots more to come because after all, this is MY blog and you don't have to read it if you don't like it. I'm frustrated and this is my venting place. The place where I have set up to journal my memories or whatever about what has gone on.

I actually got a really good nights sleep last night. I was so tired that I crashed out before 8:00 pm and didn't wake up until 6:00 this morning. Of course I went back to sleep until about 8, but it felt so good to be able to do that. I have a ton of stuff to do today, but I feel like I can do it. Plus my job allows me to get some minor projects done there. That helps out A LOT!!

One more thing before I go accomplish all my goals for the day. I need to wish my wonderful father a very happy birthday. They are busy packing up and getting ready to move, so I know he won't get to enjoy his day. But both of my parents have been such a rock for me through all of this that I couldn't imagine trying to do this without them (even though they don't live in the same state, and won't be moving back to TX). I wish them all the best in their new endeavors. I love you, Daddy. Happy birthday!! (p.s. I love you, too, Mom and happy unbirthday!)

Until I have more to say, I'll go accomplish a thousand goals while I have the energy, cjb

Some better?

Well, I survived today. I took my 3rd pharmacology test. It was stupid that I even had to take it. It was open book so after I answered my questions, I double checked all my answers before I went on to the next question. My mood today is better than it has been though. I don't know why, other than maybe I got some sleep. I've been working on tons of school work today. And just overall sitting on the couch. I'm going to get back to my assignments, so I don't have to do any major work next week other than study for my exam. cjb

So frustrated . . .

I haven't had the best week. I extremely tired and it seems like every professor wants to try our patience. Mondays are going to be very frustrating. We break out into discussion groups and talk about a case study specific to a disease process. Our group split into two smaller groups so the room was a little bit chatty. That was distracting to me. Maybe those will get a little bit better as the semester goes on. Then we had to take a quiz after class and then head to the hospital to pick up our patient information for the week. It took forever because we had to reset our computer passwords in order to get into the computer charts. I was so worn out when I got home, I didn't even have the motivation to want to do paperwork. So, we headed to the hospital early in order to get any additional information we needed, plus we wanted to know who our nurses for the day were.

I could continue venting about clinicals and the rest of school, but there's really no point. You can't do anything about it. And it only makes me more upset.

I have to take my pharmacology test again tomorrow. I'm frustrated about.

John and Marispan, thanks for your comments re: NCLEX. Marispan, I would love if you email me those files. Check my profile for my email!

I know there was something else I wanted to say, but I really can't remember what it was. I'll post it later if I remember. Thanks for listening to me vent. cjb

This is ridiculous. . .

I failed my pharmacology test again. . . I don't know what I got, but I have to take it again. This time, though we get to use ANY resources we want to use. I guess they want us to pass. Why don't they do something differently then? I'm insanely upset all of this. I'm talking to a good friend as I type this and we just don't understand how to get through this. Oh well, I'll stop venting and start studying. More later, cjb

Lookie, lookie

Ok, here's a long overdue picture of my Build-A-Bear, Boogie. If you remember back to July 25th, I had my name officially changed. I just haven't taken the time to take pictures or upload them. Sorry for lagging so much. Her shoes are so cute. I really couldn't capture them on camera very good. They light up when they hit the ground. I love it. I forgot to take one with her "birth certificate". I guess that one will have to be taken at a later date.








I got a surprise in mail yesterday. I am participating in a Secret Pals for Nurses put on by POPT. I was kind of surprised when I had a package from a state I didn't recognize because honestly I had forgotten about the whole thing. I actually opened the package partially in the apartment office to figure out who it was from. It had a ton of cool stuff in it. I am a happy camper. :) Somehow, my secret pal knows that Sharpies are my weakness. I can hardly walk by the Sharpie aisle without buying them. I managed to not buy any this school year, and I got 16 from my secret pal! What a pay off!! I got some really cute sticky notes and a package with some cutise paper clips, little stickies and big stickies. Overall, it was an awesome package.


The next thing on my mind, is whether or not I should take an NCLEX review course after I graduate and before I take the NCLEX. For all you out there that have been through nursing school and have done it either way, let me know what you think. Also, if you are getting ready to graduate, what are your plans. Part of me just really wants to take the NCLEX as fast as I can so that I don't have to worry about it, but I think the soonest dates available will be in early January. That will still leave about 2-3 weeks for me to study. I could opt for an online course. I just don't know how to go about this. I'd love some feedback!

Oh, I got to see my brother and his new girlfriend, Jenni, yesterday! We met at Cracker Barrell in Denton for lunch. We were only able to visit for about an hour and a half, but considering I haven't been able to see my brother since Christmas, I'll take what I can get! He recently moved back to OKC so I hope to be seeing more of him, especially once school is finished!

I have to get back to my school work! I'll touch base later in the weekend, cjb

I hate pharmacology

So I took the 2nd of 3 chances for this new pharmacology test. I know I did better this time, but I don't think I got a 90%. This new test really isn't fun. We are now required to pass the math test and the pharmacology test before we can pass meds in clinicals. We are supposed to start passing meds next week. Unless they make some major changes in policy at the faculty meeting today, we won't be passing meds next week.

Now, don't get me wrong. I don't have a problem with them trying new things out on out us to see if they will work, but I do have a problem if they place restrictions on us based on brand new policies.

Hopefully we'll find out later today or early tomorrow about the outcome. I'll keep you updated. Until then, I have a ton of stuff to do today, so I'd better get on it, cjb

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Now playing: The Fray - How to Save a Life
via FoxyTunes

So Cool

This is the coolest toy. I should be studying my drugs, but I'm playing with WinAmp and FoxyTunes. I've been wanting to sign my blogs with my music, but I haven't imported any and haven't taken the time to get my cd's because of school. Well, I finally did because I didn't want the TV on and such. This just happens to be one of my favorite songs. I'm glad it's what I was listening to when I was typing! I know this is geeky, but I had to share. Back to the drug cards! cjb

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Now playing: James Blunt - You're Beautiful
via FoxyTunes

School Update

So I have one more day in this week before I have officially completed TWO weeks of school. It doesn't quite seem possible, but it is. Yesterday was spent orienting to the hospital of the week (well, it's actually the hospital of the semester, but, hospital of the week sounded better!) I feel like I've done nothing but orient to hospitals recently (wait, maybe that's because that's all I have done!) Then, today, we basically hit the floor running. We only had to take one patient and were responsible for total patient care with the exception of meds (though we had to know our meds. Next week will be a different story. We will start with two patients and depending on our day, and if we pass the pharm test, we will give meds one day and still be responsible for total patient care. We will only have to turn in our concept maps, but are really encouraged to start thinking and acting like nurses. I need to go over my meds for tomorrow. I HAVE to pass this test. It's not an option! I hope all my fellow SN cyber friends are hanging in there! Sending positive we will make it through this semester vibes to all of you!! cjb

Just peachy

So, yeah, I've been working a lot, and yeah, I have a TON of school work to do, but I actually feel like I may have a decent handle on this thing called my last semester of nursing school. Now, tomorrow I may tell you something totally different, but at least today that's my story.

I was able to get quite a bit of school work done despite all of the work I did this weekend. I still have quite a bit of studying to do for my retake of my pharmacology test, but I'm starting to get somewhat of a better handle on it. I have my cards all highlighted and I carry them EVERYWHERE I go.

So that's the scoop in my little part of this big world. I start clinicals tomorrow with orientation at the hospital. At least we don't have to be there until 10:15 and I have a carpool mate. That will make the semester a little bit more bearable. I must get myself ready for tomorrow, so I'm going to sign off for now, cjb