I thought that this time I would give you a little update on some of the things I've done in the nursing program so far. I know that you have probably heard most of this before but school has literally left me with only one thing to talk about. School. It's a little sad really. But what is one to do about it? I ask you.
I have:
Completed five of the required courses (Pathophysiology, Pharmacology I, Fundamentals,Medical Surgical Nursing, and OB).
Given numerous oral medications.
Given two subcutaneous shots to test for TB.
Administered several inter muscular shots.
Injected one of my nursing student pals with normal saline as a practice (oh if only it could have been the instructor that I got to jab with a needle)
Been injected with saline by the same nursing student pal that I injected (fair play and all that, you know).
Had two virtual strangers practice giving me a bed bath (self consciousness was left at the door that day).
Practiced bed baths on one of the aforesaid virtual strangers.
Written 11 care plans.
Worked with a dummy that actually makes noises like talking, moaning, and vomit sounds and as a result had a severe case of the giggles for at least 10 minutes.
Performed a complete, and I do mean complete, skin inspection on an octogenarian.
Discontinued four IV lines (three on real people).
Stuck my gloved and lubricated fingers inside a cervix box (literally a box with a rubber simulated cervix and rubber simulated fetal head) to estimate dilation and effacement. That was a really fun day for the one guy in our group, to be sure.
Been trapped in a supply closet with one other student as our instructor grilled us on catheters until we were both so unnerved that the procedure was bound to fail before it even started.
Performed two catheterizations, one on a dummy and one on a real person.
Quit and restarted the program an estimated 4.5 thousand times.
Worked with a dummy that has a detachable penis.
Managed to not cry in front of an instructor. I won't give the ones that would love that the satisfaction.
Listened to an old lady tell me the same stories about her time as a nurse again and again over the course of a few hours.
Seen multiple nurses roll their eyes in disgust when they realize that they will be saddled with a student nurse all day (that's a great way to start a clinical).
Been welcomed, encouraged, taught, and thanked by nearly as many nurses that understand the plight of the student.
Helped take care of one very sweet man to later hear that he had died the next day.
Managed to communicate with one patient who spoke very little English and got by with my sadly limited Spanish. "Si! Bueno!"
Tried desperately to coax a 16 year old quadriplegic to eat so they wouldn't have to start him on tube feedings. Looked into that same kids eyes and knew that he had was giving up. Knew that I'd probably do the same but wanted so badly to for him not to. The only thing that saved me that day was the instructor (the best one I've had yet) he was brilliant and just let me step back a moment and not let it overwhelm me.
Given a bed bath to a dying woman. I can't possibly describe the rattling, wheezing, scratching breaths that she was taking but it's a sound I will never forget. If it weren't for Dawn (one of my nursing student buddies) I'm not sure I would have made it through. We talked to her though we were unsure if she could really hear us. We described the weather and tried to be cheerful and soothing. By the end her breathing was noticeably improved and she was more responsive. Nothing spectacular or life saving but it made an impression on me none the less.
Odds fish I've rambled on far longer then I meant to! Lud, but if that doesn't make you stop reading my blogs I'm demmed If I know what will.(In case you can't tell I've been reading the Scarlet Pimpernel books lately and they've gone right to me brain
