twelve weeks at a time

How can it be almost Christmas!!

2010-11-29T19:43:00.000-08:00

Well, I just can't beleive how much time has flown by these last few months! I've been working on my own now since August and I really enjoy my job. I love the unit, and especially the crew I work with. They are supportive, funny, hard working, and have your back in a pinch. I am still learning and that's probably why I love it so much, you're always learning and every shift is a new adventure! It's hard to put my experieances down on paper because there has been so many and I don't even know where I would begin.

Most of my patients are in our unit for uncontrolled diabetes, congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, pneumonia, sepsis, strokes, uncontrolled hypertension, obesity, cancer, car accidents, respiratory failure of all kinds, ect...ect..

While not at work I've been really loving not being in school! I love being with the kids, spending time with friends, and working on all the home projects that I never I time for in school..
Looking forward to decorating for Christmas, and I've thinking about rearranging the living room. Till next time!

A quick update

2010-08-04T18:44:00.000-07:00

I haven't really been blogging for a while, mainly I just haven't been at a computer as often as I used to be, but also I've really busy going through residency at the hospital. I started my job in the ICU and so far I still love it! Now that my residency is over I'll mostly be working 3 12hour shifts so we'll have more time together as a family and more time for other things. I was lucky enough to get a daytime position and am thrilled about it.
I'm still very much a baby in the ICU world but I'm really looking forward to the education I will be getting while working. I completed my ACLS certificate and will be doing some more trauma education this fall. ...That's all for now!

I'm an official RN!!!

2010-04-29T17:10:00.000-07:00

I still can't believe it!!! I was so scare to look at my results on line this morning, but after lots of prayer I mustered up the courage to look. There it was in small unassuming letters, but there none the less: pass. That's all! No bells or whisles, but still the most beautiful thing I had ever seen! All I can say is God is good! I'm still a little in shock and it's hard to believe that the stress and nightmares of nursing school are behind me.
The good news is I already have a job that I'll start in May. It's a level two neuro, med-surg ICU unit. I can't believe I'm really going to be an ICU nurse! This has been a dream of mine for a while and it seems way too good to be true right now. Anyways, this nursing school chapter is over and a new one begins... I can't wait!

Nclex countdown

2010-04-11T19:52:00.000-07:00

So the nclex is in two weeks and one day, and I'm starting to feel a little more positive about things. Probably a big part of tht is just not being sick anymore. You know when you're not feeling well it's easier to feel overwhelmed and down in the dumps. So anyways, still doing about 8-10 hours a day of studying, 100-200 questions and lots of content review. That's it for now. I promised my son a chance at the computer. Goodnight!

NCLEX stress!

2010-04-02T09:41:00.000-07:00

I feel like the impending date of April 27th will never be here. I know I shouln't be rushing things and I'm glad I picked that date but it's like the waiting and stress is worse than the actual test. That, and I guess it was stress that brought on a case of very painful shingles. So, I've got incredible nerve pain running from my C7 all the down to my forearm. I can barely lift my arm because it's so weak. But, I am choosing to ignore this and will just keep plugging along. The more I study the more Irealize how much I don't know and this makes me more and more nervous. So far, I'm about halfway through saunders, I'm on my third exam cram test and I plan to order NCSBN review for the last three weeks before the test.
That's about it for now, I wish I was writing about my garden, or fun things that I've been doing but it's been pretty much a non stop study session for a while now....

Settling in

2010-03-26T16:21:00.001-07:00

So now that school is over I'm just getting into the routine of studying at home for several hours a day. My plan is to do at least 100 questions a day with rational and so far I've been able to keep up. We also have been doing study groups once or twice a week and that helps to break things up a bit. I'm using several resources such as saunders, kaplan strategies, lippincott, nclex3500. exam cram and nclex for dummies. I'm really trying to be systematic about it all but I can already tell that by April 27th I'm going to be so burned out! At least several of us will all go up together the night before and will share a hotel room to alleviate stress about traffic, also to commiserate about the test afterwards. I can tell these next four weeks will drag on and on. Hopefully I can stay motivated and will be rewarded with a PASS on the website.

Graduation today!!

2010-03-13T12:55:00.000-08:00

Today is the pinning and it's hard to believe this day has actually come. I remember when I started and I knew that march 2010 would be the time, and now it's actually here! I have a formal job offer from the unit that I precepted in and I'm so grateful and excited, but still hesitant to celebrate until the nclex has been passed. I still don't know my date yet, I'm not expecting to get my att yet, probably in about 10 days or so. Until then, I'll still be a bundle of nerves. I just want to see the RN after my name on the DOH website.aahhh!

One thing left

2010-03-03T11:50:00.000-08:00

Well. preceptorship is done and I had a great time. I am however, enjoying having some down time though. My last paper was turned in yesterday and I have one more group presentation due on the 9th then I'm officially done with nursing school! I still can't believe it really. So much is going on right now and these next couple weeks are going to be busy. Tomorrow my daughter starts ballet, I work this weekend then Monday some classmates and I are going to Seattle to take a practice nclex exam that Kaplan provides, sort of like a predicter test. Then next week is my cousins wedding and my pinning. I still have to find a dress, I'm not a dress sort of gal, but I'll make an effort just this once. Starting next week some classmates and I will be meeting for study sessions once a week until the big day.The school still has to send the transcripts out to the department oh health, who will then let Pearsonview know that we're able to sit for boards. Pearsonview will send us an authorization to test, and then we can call and schedule it. So, until then I'll keep studying!

My time is coming to an end

2010-02-12T08:58:00.000-08:00

I have two more weeks in the ICU and then I'm done with my clinical hours. Everybody thinks I'm crazy that I'll be sad to go but as much work as it has been these last two months, I've learned so much and I've fallen in love with this unit. I had an "interview" with the dept manager and unit coordinator yesterday and it went very well, but they were up front about the fact they didn't have any current openings right now. The nurses union is still in labor disputes with the hospital and the contract is not finalized yet. So, hiring has been frozen for now. If anything might open it may not be until April or May so we'll see. Most likely I'll take NCLEX sometime in April. As soon as I get my authorization to test, I'll make an appointment. She did say, I have a good chance since I precepted there and I currently work in the hospital but that doesn't mean a position will open up. So, until then I'm going to try to relax, put everything in God's hands and just focus on studying for the NCLEX.

Loving ICU so far!

2010-01-21T12:34:00.000-08:00

I can't even say how much fun I am having in ICU. I love the complexities of all the care provided to the patients, I love learning all the meds that you never see on the med surg floors. I love seeing patients who practically come back from death to life, and it's also a priviledge to be there for there final moments. There is so much to learn but I feel I would really do well there. My preceptor has been really complementary about my confidence and assessment skills. I just HOPE that the Lord will grant me a chance to get a job in a unit such as this. I plan to apply to this unit as well as CCU and the ICU step down unit. Until then, I'm enjoying my time and taking advantage of this experiance.

ICU so far

2010-01-12T09:19:00.000-08:00

Well, I have what seems like a bit of a mess on my hands here. All last week I was attempting to get a hold of my preceptor. Everyday I called and even on the days that she was scheduled she wasn't there. I was beginning to wonder if she even actually worked there. So Saturday I went to the unit to get her schedule for this week and I was explaning my situation to another nurse. She was very kind to tell me to come in anyways and she could be with me. So I did, it turned out to be a good day, but pretty slow. I did get to go to a code blue, I got to watch assessments on a head truama case and fed a gal with severe etoh withrawl and dementia her breakfast with her pills mixed in, all while she was talking about her kitty and had her eyes rolled back in her head. You had to constatly wake her up and remind her to chew. Sad thing was she wasn't on any narcotics and her ativan was mostly worn off. I think she just has damaged her brain that exensively. My nurse was very, very nice, but I still felt a little let down that it wasn't as fast paced as I like. I like being busy, all the time. I'd rather have too much to do than not enough. Maybe I am more of an adrenalin junkie than I thought I was. I guess I have three months to find out. Meanwhile I really hope my real preceptor will call be because I'm showing up on Wednesday no matter what!

Last hurdle before preceptorship

2010-01-05T17:03:00.000-08:00

Today I took my very last dosage calculation test. I was a ball of nerves, chest pain, GI upset and all that goes with that much anxiety. But, God was looking out for me and I was able to focus and I got a 100%. Yea!!!! We also took our ATI nclex predicter test. 180 questions in three hours. I was pleased with the results, I got an 76%, the average score was 72% ans it predicted I have a 96% of passing NCLEX on the first try. Now, I don't know if I completely trust this, but I walked away happy. Now is the real time to dig in and do the studying for the most important test of my life. AAAHH!

A new start

2010-01-03T15:26:00.000-08:00

Well, I had a really nice break from school and thoroughly enjoyed the holidays. But, all good things come to an end and this week will start a new quarter and a new beginning of firsts. I found out I was placed in the ICU for my preceptorship and I am SOOO excited! Excited and nervous at the same time. Here are some things that I'm currently nervous about; will I pass the dosage calculation test? Will I do well in the ICU and not look completely stupid? Will I be able to study enough to pass the nclex on the first try? Will I find a job as a new resident?
Many things are up in the air, all I know is that I will take things one day at a time, and I will learn so much in these next few months. I have been waiting for this preceptorship for two years and it is finally here!

Fifth quarter finally over

2009-12-16T14:19:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's over!! I've never been so happy! The final wasn't too bad, got a 90% and ended up with an a- out of the class. The final was worth 2/3 of the testing points so the pressure was tremendous. It could determine whether you would repeat the quarter or not. Just horrible. Now onto bigger better things like cleaning the house and finally getting the tree. Then onto preceptorship second week of January. Yea!!!

Almost Done

2009-12-10T16:49:00.000-08:00

Today was the last quiz in theory. Fortunately I did well but the real test will be the comprehensive final next Tuesday. This quarter has really been so so so bad! The constant stress has been building and building and I'm practically ready to blow! Right now I need 57 out of 80 points on the final to pass this class. I think this is doable but part of the points will be from a take home essay portion. Two pages on stem cell research. Are you kidding? Really? I have no idea how tough she's going to grade them but the thought of having to retake this class because she didn't like my paper is too much to think about. This entire program has been progressively been getting harder and it just can't get any worse!
Well hopefully by next week this will all be a distant memory!

clinicals are finally over!!!

2009-12-02T16:21:00.000-08:00

I can't believe today was the last day ever I'll have to do clinicals! We turned in our badges and keys today and we now have three weeks until school is out for the quarter. And while I'm happy that this part it over, I won't breath my last sigh of relief until the very last test is passed and I know I've satisfactorily passed this quarter.
Have you started Christmas decorating yet? I don't know if I'm quite ready, I may wait another week before I get the tree. I really want to be able to relax and enjoy the process and it's hard to do with tests looming over you still. Oh, well I know it will get done eventually.
Nothing much elso to say exept, I've got to get back to studying:(

Mental health

2009-11-21T21:18:00.000-08:00

Well it turns out that mental health is a lot of fun. We have an awesome instructor who is very easy going and the facility is really nice. I'm at the VA and I've gotten to go to PTSD support groups, dual diagnosis groups for people struggling with both a mental disorder and drug /alcohol problem, schitzophrenic cognitive therapy,all kinds of neat things. We are allowed to sit in on all interdisciplinary meetings and it's great to see the admit to discharge process from the beginning to the end. The only difference between the VA and other mental facilties is that people choose to come here, they are not being committed by someone else. The biggest theme that I see in just about everyone there is depression, not to surprising really. It has been nice also that what we are learning in theory correlates with what we are seeing in clinicals. That doesn't happen very often!
I'm also so thankful that we get an extra week off this next week for playing catch up and studying, I did well on the last test and hopefully can do well this next one. Then my stress level will be so much better.

Heading back to the VA

2009-11-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

I'm starting mental health tomorrow. I really don't have a feeling one way or the other about it. Right now my focus is on my theory class and all other school events just take me away from my studying. I know it will be interesting, and I'm sure I'll learn alot, it's just that I'm so stressed and can't wait till this quarter is over.

Cruising along

2009-11-06T15:55:00.000-08:00

First of all, I have to apologize for all the recent misspellings on this blog, I've gone back and noticed quite a few! My only defense is I am usually in a hurry and rarely proofread what I post. This week is going a lot smoother than earlier in the quarter. I'm done with long term care and have had some extra time to devote to theory. This was really needed, because I was starting to crack under the pressure! The timing has also worked out because next week Chris has half days in school almost all week and they have veterans day off. That would be really hard to schedule babysitting if I was busy in clinicals all week. Work is still going well, and I enjoy it just as much as when I first started.My nurses are so supportive and are really pulling for me to get a recidency when I graduate. As soon as I get some batteries back in the camera, I'll post our Halloween pictures. The kids had fun and got way too much candy! I've been finding wrappers everywhere! Till next time, take care!

Fealling a little better

2009-10-28T16:31:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a long week. My weeks are Thursday through Thursday hense, my week is almost over!I've somewhat calmed down about my grades and with a lot of prayer, I know that things will work out in the end. I think sometimes I work so hard, and spin my wheels and forget to give it over to God and let him take the burden. This week we finished up our long term care rotation and I have one more assignment to complete for that. Mostly it was a boring rotation but full of lots of busy paper work and not a lot of hands on care. I love the hands on stuff, so this wasn't as fun. I guess I'll never be a nurse manager! Now I have two weeks off of clinical before we start mental health rotation. I'm so exited to actually get two extra days next week to study! Tomorrow's the end of life test and I'm busy getting our class presentaion together for that, so it's another full night, but tomorrow after class I'm actually going to relax and watch a dvd I ordered. The Proposal, can't wait!

Feeling like I'm drowning in the work

2009-10-23T11:29:00.001-07:00

I may say this every quarter, but this seems like my hardest quarter yet. I have not done well on any of the tests and I can't figure out why. I've never had the thought in my mind that I might not pass a class but I am having those thoughts now. I hoping by the grace of God that I can make it through the next 8 weeks. Her tests are quizzes that are worth 15 points every week. The problem is there are usually 13 questions covering well over 100 pages of reading, and she makes them up. They are not out of a test bank and figuring what she 's looking for has turned out to be difficult. If you miss three, you've pretty much failed the test and the average needs to be a 79% Doesn't seem that bad but with such high stakes questions the stakes are high. I've never had a class like this. I'm just praying, praying , praying and working so hard I don't know what else to do. The constant stress level in starting to get to me and I don't stress out easily.

Few, first test down seven more to go

2009-10-09T17:10:00.000-07:00

All in all this was a good week and I'm SOOO glad it's Friday! Our first test was on Thursday and I did okay, not as well as I'd like. I felt like I knew everything and had studied well but some of the questions were worded really strange and of course there are always a few trick questions, fortunately I got those right. As long as I keep above a 79% average for testing, I'll pass the class. Usually I can maintain a 90% average and then count on other projects and activities to pull up the grade to an A so I hope I can do that again this quarter.
I've got work tomorrow and I always look forward to that, it what keeps me going when I get bogged down with school stress, I look around and tell myself, one day I will just have go to work and come home and that's it. I am blessed to work with wonderful and generous nurses who enjoy having me around and don't mind all questions!
This week we were given the opportunity to fill out the sheet that tells school where we what to go for our preceptorship placement. Part of me wants to stay where I'm comfortable, such as a CCU environment. I truly don't want Med/Surg but, I know that I would learn a lot and would be pushed out of my comfort zone. The instructor also mentioned that I should go to a place where I could gain knowledge for NCLEX. She has a point, an area too specialized might not help me when it comes to the test, and that of course is the whole idea. If I don't pass, nothing else matters! So, I've got some thinking to do, until next time have a great weekend!

Starting mental health and long term care

2009-10-01T18:36:00.000-07:00

This week was full of some definite highs and lows! The first day back was great, seeing everyone and catching up with how their summer was nice. Then tuesday was our dosage calculation test and clinical orientation. Unfortunately, I missed one extra problem on the calculation test and had one more try to take it which I did today. Fortunately things went well and I got 100% but that was way too close for comfort. If I got less than a 90% I would have to miss clinicals for this quarter and I would not be completing the program with my group, just three months later. While this wouldn't be the end of the world, it would have been devistating to me.
This quarter we will be at the local VA hospital to complete our LTC and mental health units. I sat in line for 4 hours the other day to get my security pass and my fingerprinting done. Now I kind of know how someone feels being booked for jail! Anyways, I've got tons of studying to do and a test on thursday so I better get started, till next time!

Just a late night post

2009-09-04T22:48:00.000-07:00

Well we survived the first week of school! I am glad things went relatively smoothly and they both seem to like their classes and their teachers. I'm still working on Christophers room and the wood laminate flooring is halfway done. At 40.00 a box and about 600sqr feet to do, this is turning out to be a pricy venture but it'll be beautiful and will make for a lovely bedroom (that carpet was absolutely hideous!) It was the last room with wall to wall carpeting and with kids and pets it's so much easier to clean with hardwoods!
I also installed beadboard trim on the bottom third of the wall and now that needs to be painted. I'll be so glad to finish, it seems like every summer all I do is paint, paint, paint!
I've also officially registered to my fall classes which start on the 28th so thats all set in place, now I just need to start studying for my dosage calculation test on the second day of class. I'm ready for it though. It's exiting knowing that this will be the year I will graduate and take the NCLEX. I'm nervous but so exited to finally become an RN.
Well off to bed, I've got a 5 am wake up call.:)

Back from the Ocean

2009-08-26T13:47:00.001-07:00

We had so much fun on our trip and I was sure to take lots of pictures as the memories will have to carry me through the winter. I don't know who had more fun, Charlie our dog or the kids! Our days were filled with sandle castles, kite flying and race car racing! The first night we walked around the harbor and bought some clams and prawns straight off the boat, talk about fresh!

Doesn't he seem well fed? I'm sure the fishermen love having him hanging around their boats, just like a dog begging from the dinner table!

Christopher and Dad had a great time with their cars and Charlie loved chasing them down the beach, boy they go fast. He was tired that night! Now back to real life of back to school shopping and finishing up projects before school starts( I'm laying wood laminate flooring upstairs in Chris's room).

Pics from July

2009-08-11T16:51:00.000-07:00

My my, where did the summer go? I already miss July.This picture was taken at Wapato park not long ago. Christopher is fascinated at all the millions of little tadpoles in the lake, there were swarms of them!

The backyard is always it's prettiest in July, now things are starting to dry up and lots of the flowers are past there prime. Oh well, that's why I take pictures!

I have now idea why I can't turn around this picture of Charlie, sometimes I really hate blogger. I would say adding pictures is definitely not user friendly when it comes to blogger. That's all for now!

My dirty little secret

2009-08-04T22:25:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's true. I, a future nurse, don't really love needles. In fact the thought of drawing someones blood does cause some anxiety. But, I put on my big girl panties and do it when it's needed. Sometimes I have success, sometimes I don't.
Here's my other secret, I 'm prone to have vasovagal responses when I have a bit too much anxiety in relation to needles. This basically means I faint. In fact, I fainted in the middle of the PACU a couple weeks ago. Ah, yes, creating new memories wherever I go. I had attempted to draw on this guy, and he was being really patient about it, but it had taken several attempts.
I started to feel a little woozy and before I knew it I was hearing my name being called with fuzzy faces all around me. It took a while to figure out what had happened but when I did, my first thought was DAMN! Why? Why did this happen, so so lame!
I know that I will get over this and the more practice I get the less the anxiety will come. In fact just yesterday, I worked in the same unit and everything went well, aside from forgetting to get the cotton ball out ahead of time, so what, a few drops of blood on the chair. Next time I'll remember and hopefully my hands won't shake as much.
Until next time, Becky

Nothing new

2009-07-26T21:40:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since posting! I guess I've been on facebook more often this month. Work continues to go well but it has made the summer fly by! The kids have had two different vacation bible schools, and are doing swimming lessons for two weeks and I'm still doing my online class. Hubby got a new job that he really likes so far and some of our projects are underway at the house. Right now we're staining my daughters room and it's going to be the prettiest floor in the house! Now of course I'll want to refinish the whole front room. The never ending projects of an old house! Do you ever just wish that when summer came you could just pack up and go to the beach and stay there for three months with not a care in the world.? I do, all the time.

Busy week

2009-07-02T12:26:00.000-07:00

Seems like there's a lot to do this week. I came back from California and had a really good time. Unfortunately my dog had ran away while I was gone so that created som extra stress. Fortunately a couple days later he came back on his own and I was so thankful! He really is my little buddy and I missed him terribly.

The entire family has been sick this week with hubby getting the worst of it, he normally lucks out but not this time. I worked a couple of partial overnighters this week and it's been good to catch up on extra hours.

Callie's birthday is today so I've got a party to plan and lots of details to take care of.

Hopefully next week we'll be back in our normal groove, I'm afraid our home improvement projects will take a backseat to the weekend festivities. Oh well. Here's some picks from my trip!

Getting started

2009-06-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Well summer quarter has officially begun. Yesterday I was shouting at the computer because the online program "Blackboard" has changed to "Angel". So far I hate it! I can't find how to email, I can't find how to look up your grade, discussion board look es totally different and would not let me do a posting. UUUGG. I know I'll be ahead of the curve when it comes to fall and all the other nursing students are having to figure it out but so far it's a big pain.
I went to the bank today to put in hubby's check and all the Wells Fargo computers are down. What's up with that? They better not charge me overdraft fees, if I couldn't put in the check when I planned. What a pain!
In other news, I'm so exited to leave for California on Thursday! This week I'm taking care of last minute errands and any school assignments that might be due so I don't have to worry about it over the weekend.

Pics from the garden

2009-06-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd post some pictures of the garden. Thank goodness I invested in some perennials years ago so that I can reap the benefit of not having to replant for the past couple years. I've been so busy with school that many of my pots that I would have already planted with annuals , I haven't done yet but hope to soon. Till next time!

Yea!!!! Done with fourth quarter!

2009-06-10T20:44:00.000-07:00

It's finally over and I'm so relieved. It went by quickly but was a lot of work. Grades have been posted and I manged A's in all classes. whew! I hope to just work on the house as much as possible this summer. We have so many projects! Yesterday I started by ripping out my daughters carpet. Tomorrow I'll have the joy of scraping the glued on carpet pad off the floor before we can put in a new one.
Then it's onto siding the garage, painting the trim on the back side of the house. I was at Lowes yesterday I was pricing up vinyl flooring for the kitchen and the one I liked was beautiful, looked just like real ceramic tile and was 14.00a square foot~! For a 10 by 11 kitchen it would have cost way over a thousand dollars for VINYL FLOORING?? Geez, might as well put in hard wood for that price. I think I'll keep looking.

Still counting down

2009-05-25T20:40:00.000-07:00

School's still going okay, slowly crossing things off my list of things yet to do. I'm still kind of dragging around but I have managed to keep up with my workouts (nothing special, just a jog/walk of 3-5miles three times a week), work is still great and I always look forward to that, just wish I could fit in more hours for a bigger paycheck but if I work too much then drop in grades in school then that would'nt be worth it. I also signed up for a on line speech class this summer that I'm really not looking forward to, but I know I won't have time next year and I have to have it done before graduation. Anyways, I'm just kind of BLAH and tired from lack of sleep, so please forgive my very boring posts. Three more weeks, three more weeks!

Three more weeks

2009-05-20T14:09:00.000-07:00

I am getting so burned out and having a hard time studying. I've got three more tests, three more careplans, one lab simulation, one group presentation, and four more articles to turn in and then I'm DONE for the quarter. I just need to stay on target and get my head out of the clouds!
Still love my job, and feel lucky to be there.
I'm also relly trying to keep up with the working out thing. I want to go for a one hour walk/jog three times a week and so I'm back on the wagon after having a bad run of sickness and pretty bad weather outside. Darn this Washington weather, it's middle May and I could count on one hand the sunny days we've had so far. Cannot wait for our California vacation this summer!

Work

2009-05-09T22:49:00.000-07:00

Started my new job today. I really like it so far. Everybody's nice and it's low key enough to not be overwhelming, but fast paced enough to keep me busy and not bored. Today I got to insert my first male foley (by myself with no nurse in the room:))D'cd two IV's. Of course lots of vitals and blood sugar checks. Dang those patients that have poor peripheral circulation, had to poke one guy three times! The nurse taught me that I should use the IV arm for those because the force of the fluid is moving things along better. I'll remember that! Learned how to get the food trays from the robot that brings them up and all those little details,and oh yea set up the wireless ECG monitor by myself. Yea Me! Anyways, I'm so tired, was up at five for work and now at 2300 still studying my ventricular dysrhythmias, heart blocks, MI, chest pain, angina, pacemaker and CAD disease stuff for big test on monday. Wish me luck!

Finally starting work!

2009-05-05T17:30:00.000-07:00

I talked to my new nurse manager yesterday and I 'm going over on Friday right after clinicals to start my orientation on the floor. Then I'll be working every saturday 0600-1400. So more for the one day that I get to sleep in. Oh well, It will be nice to get some kind of a paycheck. I really hope I get to do some fun stuff along with the normal CNA type duties like vitals and transporting and of course help to the bathroom.
I'll try to talk the nurses into letting me do lab draws and IV's as much as possible.

All kinds of craziness

2009-05-02T12:27:00.000-07:00

So much going on right now! I had a day in the ER yesterday and loved it. I had always thrown around the idea of ending up there but now I'm really confused. I love the chance to practice skills like foleys, IV's, blood draws, 12 lead EKG's and so on. Up on the floor, a lot of that is already done so you don't have as many chances to get good at those. I'm thinking of asking for ER for my preceptorship to get a good couple months in, then hopefully having my residency in a CCU or PACU area. I'm lucky that I will be starting my new job soon in the CVshort stay and will hopefully have an edge on getting into a good residency.
I've pushed back the goal of doing OR for now. I think it would be in my best interest to advance my skills in a critical care area, then I can always transition later into OR. I hear it's a lot harder going from OR to floor nursing as none of the skills are the same.
This week my research paper rough draft is due, my third theory test is on tuesday and I'm planning to try to get onto the official schedual at work then of coarse picking my patient and care plan on thursday and friday clinical.
Kids have been sick:( Daughter is getting better, but poor son has been throwing up since midnight. I hope he gets better soon, I feel so bad for him. (Early 6am run to the store for gatorade and pedialyte). Okay, back to studying!

Wow, I've been busy

2009-04-18T12:43:00.000-07:00

Every day has been something, either at at the hospital completing all day orientations or I'm at school all day or I'm at the other hospital doing clinicals. But, the orientations will eventually be completed and I'll just work once or twice a week. I was incredibly lucky the other day. I was supposed to spend the day with I.V therapy, but they called my instructor and said they couldn't take a student that day. So, my instructor wasn't sure what to do with me so she asked the O.R if they could have a student that day! I was in heaven, I got to see a total knee replacement, and a total hip replacement. Soo, cool. I know I want to be in there after graduation and I can't wait.
Lots of studying and laundry to catch up on this weekend, have a good one!

Fighting this stupid cold!

2009-04-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am sick of being sick. This cold has gone aroung the entire family several times now and I thought I had missed it this time around but I wasn't so lucky:( So anyways, here's what's been going on:

1)The Hospital gave me the official offer for the job and I've completed the background check paperwork, turned in my status approval paperwork to school, did my drug test and now am waiting for it all to come together. My biggest obsticle seems to be trying to fit in the mandatory all day orientations which just so happen fall on EVERY single test day I have at school! My teacher is willing to rearrange one test day for me but that's about it. I can't start work til they're done so it may take longer than I would like until I can actually begin.

2) The tiling is completely done in the bathroom, yea! It took a lot of spring break to finish it but with some help from hubby we got it done and should be grouting soon. I'll definitely post pictures.

3) Classes so far are okay, my theory class has a lot of complicated assignments but I'll figure them out as we go along. In fact since I didn't have clinical this first week I've been able o get most of my Unit reading done so I feel a little ahead.

4) My favorite cat Salina has been missing now for I think 7 days. I hate to say it but several days may have passed before I realized because we have other cates and because we've been super busy. I've been looking at the shelter websites but no luck.

That's all for now!

First Day Back

2009-03-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

Today I'm beginning spring quarter, last year at this time I began nursing school and I can't believe I'm half way through! I'm always happy to begin a new quarter, with each one bringing me closer and closer to graduation. This quarter we are beginning advanced med surg so I'm a little intimidated but with lots of hard work hopefully I'll be fine.
Our class is having other lpn students join us this time around so our original group will be somewhat separated as there are several therory courses and eight different clinical groups. Fortunately I do have some of my good friends in my clinical groups and hopefully we will all keep in touch by doing group study sessions. Okay, I've got an orientation to get to, have a good day!

Got it!

2009-03-21T19:27:00.000-07:00

Well I got the job, I can't believe it! I know it will be difficult to juggle everything but I know it will help reinforce what I'm learning in class. In other news. my sister has had some scary syncopal episodes yesterday with bradycardia down to 23bpm. She is stable now and being watched in the very same cardiac unit I was just hired in. very strange. Please send out a prayer for her that we find out what the problem was. Well, I'm gonna head back to the hospital and be with her. I'll update soon.

Spring Break

2009-03-17T19:33:00.000-07:00

Yea !! I'm officially on spring break now and loving every minute of it. I had my final test on monday and I'm still waiting for the results to be posted. I'm pretty sure I did fairly well and I believe I might evan end up with an A in this class.
Today I started tiling the bathtub surround with my pretty subway tiles, Mom helped me a ton and now that we have one wall done I should be fine on my own tomorow. I can't wait till this bathrom is done! We did get the pedestal sink installed and it's so beautiful. When the whole thing is done I'll definitely post some pictures.
So remember when I was worrried about the job situation? Believe it or not I got an invitation to go interview for a nurse tech position at the local cardiac outpatient wing. It's brand new and has suites nicer than most people's houses. Each room has a private shower with fancy ceramic tile, and a large plasma TV on the wall in front of the bed. This place has new computors on every room and then there is a computor on the wall in the hallway about every six feet or so.
I hope this job works out, we'll see. I won't have tons of free time to work this quarter but I wanted to have something lined up and ready for the summertime.

Get to it!!!

2009-03-10T09:39:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but if I have lots of time to do something I will take forever, slowly getting around to it. Of course, If I have a deadline, I'm right on it. I think I work better under pressure. I've got just one test left and all week to study for it and I just can't seem to focus!
I guess my mind is just pre-occupied about things. Things are financially kind of rough right now and I wish I could just speed up graduation and get out there working!
I was talking to a recruiter from the nearby hospital and he was saying how there aren't as many nurse tech positions available as their used to be. He was also saying that hospitals down in Portland are having hiring freezes right now. Really scary for new grads. Alot of nurses that used to work on call are working full time because of spouses loosing their jobs, and people are putting off their retirement. This makes it hard for new grads to find good positions. I am hoping and praying that things work out and I guess it doesn't help anything to sit and worry about it.

Done with pediatrics!

2009-03-06T08:35:00.000-08:00

Last night was my last night with the kiddo's and I'm so relieved. It's just not my cup of tea and I knew it going in. What sucks the most is that we aren't allowed to give meds of any kind. I'm not evan allowed to spike a bag. I am really looking forward to adult med surg again. So, here we are with two weeks left of the quarter and I've got my last care plan that's due sunday night, then I am DONE with clinicals! We each got to pick one week that we could skip and I chose the very last week so, all I'll have to do will be to study for my very last test. Sweet!
In other news, we finally got our scedules for next quarter and I'm so glad I got the placement I'd asked for. I'm going to a different hospital this time so, I'll have a chance to get comfortable there. It's close to home and I may end up working there so I wanted to check it out. I also got the hybrid on-line theory class so that means one less day at school. Yea! Okay, I'm off to class!

My Expose

2009-02-28T14:26:00.000-08:00

This is my "office", a little corner I have carved out for myself to do my studies. It is an absolute PIT! I know it's bad and during the quarter I do little to improve the situation. The only good thing about it is that it prevents school stuff from flowing all over the house and getting in the way. So, every three months I give it an overhall and throw out paperwork no longer needed and get rid of the dust bunnies. As you can see, I have a little friend who visits often and is usually in the way. Oh, well. She's a sweety.

First night on Peds

2009-02-27T09:14:00.000-08:00

So last night was pretty good, I had heard stories about how rude some of the nurses are and how they completely ignor the students, but fortunately I didn't see that. I picked a difficult patient but I knew I would learn a lot more with this one and I did. I won't go into detailes but there was a G-J tube , a trach, decub ulcers, contractures and mental retardation so there were a lot of things that I got to observe that I hadn't had on adult med surg.
And, it's funny but I ran into a couple other nurses that I already know so that was cool!

I've got some major studying to do this weekend for a test on moday and I NEED to make up points that I lost on the last test. Then one more week of Peds, then I'll be done with clinical for the quarter yea!

A few more weeks

2009-02-20T20:52:00.000-08:00

So here it is friday night and instead of reading my homework and studying I'm brousing the internet reading my favorite nursing blogs. I swear, sometimes I can be such a procrastinator! But, it's been a long hard week and I feel like my brain needs a break, either that or it's slow burn out as we get closer to the end of the quarter. I've got two more theory tests, two pharm tests, a pediatric lab and simulation and three more conceptsmaps to do for the rest of the quarter.
I've been doing a lot of thinking about where I want to end up when I'm done with school and I'm stil leaning towards OR but I'm not totally sure. I hope to have a chance to do my preceptorship there but I have no control over that. The powers that be have that decision, not me. They base it on gpa and on an essay you turn in.
Anyways, I really should be focusing on my immediate school work and not on the future so much! Last night I had a couple more chances to hang some IV bags and set the pumps. I'm slowly getting more and more comfortable with this and I wish I could be doing it every day.
This next week starts pediatrics and I'll be working in a large pediatric hospital for clinical. I hope it goes well, I really have no intention of working with kids at all but the exposure will be interesting, we'll see.

Way too much!

2009-02-10T18:19:00.000-08:00

Ive got so much going on this week!
1) Sons birthday parties to throw, one for friends and one for family.
2) Care plans to finish up for labor and delivery
3) Peer reviews to turn in for our research paper, are you kidding me? I can barely right my own let a alone give people critique on theirs!
4) Test number three on childbirth, pediatric GI problems
5) Pharmacology quiz
Oh, yea, home baked goodies for kids valentines parties.

I also signed up today to be on the SNO commitee. (Student nurses organization) I will be their mentee coordinator, helping new first quarter students get acclimated and set up with mentors from 2nd quarter students.
I know this seems like a lot but it will look good on the resume and will hopefully open some doors. I'd like to get a job as a nurse tech in the next couple months and their is a job fair coming soon where all the hospitals tell you about the positions they've got and try to recruit you. I'm looking forward to that!

Quick update on labor and delivery

2009-02-06T08:56:00.000-08:00

Last night was my one and only night I had to experiance a day in labor and delivery. It was really great in some ways and a little boring in other ways. I know I only got one veiw of it, but some of the time it was fast pased and exciting but the rest of the time was a lot of waiting around. One nurse would have one laboring mother, so if the mother was progressing slowly then really, your just monitoring her contractions and fetal heart rate on the monitor in the nurses station. I think I prefer something a little more fast paced. If I'm going to be working 12 hour shifts. I want to be busy and have the time fly by.
Ok, so my first experiance was right after we got there, their was a C section going on and a friend and I had to decide who got to go in because they would only let one. She ended up letting me go after much debate about, you go, no you go, no it's okay you go. Any way, I got in and although they had taken the baby out already, I got to watch them sew up the uterus and the perineal lining which was still sitting on top of her stomach. Very neat! Placenta looked great, and she only lost about 600 ml of blood. Baby was beautiful, 5 pds or so and so precious. I watched another student there on her preceptorship give the vitamin K shot and put antibiotic eye ointment. They did the apgar on the baby, 8/9 , very healthy. It was a great exprience.
The next birth I saw, the gal was getting her epidural, the anesthesiologist let me watch up close, wow that is a big needle, and she was starting to say she felt a lot of pressure almost like she had to push. Well, she had just been checked and was only 4cm. He layed her back down and hadn't evan had a chance to push the drug in yet, when all of a sudden there was head appearing and the baby was coming out. Of course nothing was set up yet, so the nurse called everyone in and they worked as a cohesive unit to get the room set up in about 3 min. The nurses were amazing. Doc ran in and got there just in time. All was good, baby was healthy and beautiful and it was an amazing thing to watch.

Maternal child unit

2009-02-02T18:54:00.000-08:00

We are finally into the maternal child section and so far I am having a great time. Our first test was today and I'm fairly certain I got an A so that's good. We had a lab yesterday and today that let us get a chance to perform a newborn assessment and a post pardom assessment. I checked breasts, fundal tone, lochia, episiotomy site and every thing else. Our care plans will be alittle different than we are used to since we can't pick our patient a day ahead of time. We are supposed to make a very generic care plan for a normal birth and recovery and then change the care plan as needed when we get the actual patient picked out. My first day will be on thursday, so cross your fingers for a full moon and lots of births to observe!

My first blood draw

2009-01-26T16:56:00.000-08:00

First, I promised to show pictures of our new canine friend Charlie. Isn't he cute? We've been having a great time with him and he is blending into the family quite nicely. So far Salina and Stripey are the only ones who will sit in the same room as him and not freak out, the other ones (cat's) just hiss and run. The're coming around though, it's only been a couple weeks.

Soo, in lab today we started I.V's on the arm manaquins filled with blood and performed venipucture for a blood withdrawl. You know, the ones with the different topped tubes that go to the lab. So, far this has definitely been my funnest(sp?) lab. Then we got a chance to each draw blood on our own lab partner. We used the butterfly needle and attached syringe, then transfered the blood to the tube using a blunt needle. Lots of fun!

In lecture I an knee deep in OB care with only two weeks to go over all pregnacy normals and abnormals, taking care of the laboring mother, and knowing all tests that are ordered to check on the health of the fetus. I am up to my eyeballs in reading and I feel like I could be on this subject for two months and still not have it all down. Please Lord let me do well on this next test..

Back to Reality

2009-01-05T16:49:00.000-08:00

We all went back to school today and I have to say, it's good to get back into the swing of things. The kids had lots of fun playing in the snow, sleeping in and just generally goofing off. I've got a very busy and somewhat complex schedule this quarter with some very early mornings and some late nights at the hospital. Tonight I've got last minute studying for dosage calculation test tomorow and some I.V. therapy reading.

Our other news......... is, we're getting a dog! We are sooo exited. I'm picking him up at the pound tomorow. His neutering was today so hopefully he'll rest tomorow and we'll pick him up after school. He is a silky terrior mix, very cute, about 10 pounds or so with lots of energy. Hopefully he'll be a great walking partner for me. I'll post pictures soon!

AAAHHHH a break!

2008-12-18T10:54:00.000-08:00

Oops! I didn't mean to let this much time pass between posting. I finally got my transcripts posted for this quarter, two A- and an A! Now I'm just kicking back, reconnecting with the family and catching up on loads of laundry. I would post a picture of my Christmas tree but my camara is out of batteries. I've tried the rechargables but they work for about a day and then they give out.
We had my daughters Christmas program on tuesday night and it was wonderful, so cute. The kindergardners were angels with cute little halo's. I was afraid she might get too figety(sp?) on the stage but instead she kept yawning and rubbing her eyes, but, she made it through and and all was good!
We've had some snow days yesterday and today, although I think the school was only two hours late today, we didn't end up going because my husband took my car to work assuming she didn't have any school. Oh, well the kids are having a great time playing outside and hanging out with all the neihborhood kids.
Okay, I promise next time I post I'll include some pictures! Take care.

Final on Monday!

2008-12-03T19:44:00.000-08:00

It's been way too long since I've posted! We had a great thanksgiving, we went to Mom and Dad's house. I made the potatoes and stuffing and I also brought a cheesecake( way too sinfully delicious!). These last three weeks have been a lot of studying but I also got a bit of a thanksgiving break so I did have some down time. This week is one more day at the hospital, one more careplan to turn in, and a heavy duty weekend for last minute studying.

I just can't wait for Christmas break! I get practically four weeks off, yea!!! I plan to clean the house, especially scrub the kitchen floor, catch up on laundry, vacuum all the lamp shades, and of course get the Christmas tree and have fun decorating it. Hopefully the kids and I will lots of fun baking Christmas cookies and just hanging out, I really miss that.

Wish me luck on this test, I am very close to an A- in this class and I don't want a B!

More of the same

2008-11-08T15:10:00.000-08:00

It's been a couple weeks and the reason I haven't posted is that my routine seems to be incredibly boring and overwhelming at the same time. Those of you having gone through this understand. Lecture, lab, clinical, tests, papers due, careplans, research and on and on. When one thing is over another one begins, round and round like a ferris wheel that's going too fast for you to jump off or take a break. Hence the title of this blog, I'm taking things one week at a time.

Some new experiences in clinical this week were seeing a large wound packed and dressed, watching a IV nurse finally get a good vein after numorous tries, and taking care of someone with a NG tube, oxygen and a picc line that they were using to give TPN. I always walk away from the day with new experiences, but also little mistakes that I make that stick with me and I hope teach me to be a more careful nurse. The gravity of how important it is to do this job well sinks in and stays with me more and more every week.

I did my second concept map this week and I have to be greatful that it only took 12 hours, not 18 like last week. I know they will become easier with time with more practice. It's the indicision that gets me, should I use impaires physical mobility or activity intolerance? Are my interventions realistic? Are my priorities correct in my diagnosis boxes? It's all a little overwhelming but with Gods grace I will get through it. Take care

Five weeks left!

2008-10-26T11:39:00.000-07:00

I can't believe we're heading into the last week of October already! These last couple weeks have flown by. When I'm in school, time always seems to go soo fast. I've been busy doing the usual, reading. studying, lab, clinical,rinse and repeat. Tomorow is my second big theory test on Inflammation, Immune responce, Surgical asepsis, Acute care nursing, Perioperative nursing, Anesthesia, Pain management, Wound healing, Fluid and Electrolyte imbalances, Acid/Base imbalances and Urinary/Renal impairment.

I've been studying so much I'm feeling a little burned out, but I always feel so much better after the test is over. This week is our first week that we go to the hospital, pick our patient, gohone and write up our care plan and go back the next day and take care of that patient. I'm exited and nervous; not so much about the patient care but managing my way around the other nurses, cna's and generally not having a comfort factor which this facility yet. I'm on a med/surg floor that see's a little bit of everything, so I know I'll learn a lot!

That's about it, back to studying, take care!

Fun with nasogastric tubes!

2008-10-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

Don't you love great spider webs covered in the early morning dew? I do, and I had to snap a couple shots. We've got LOTS of spiders around here because I'm such a plant lover, and there's plenty of little buggies for food!

On the school front, I had my first out of four theory tests and was pleased to get a 90%. Yea! One down, three to go. Then I had a test in lab on medication administration, that went well, I'm pretty sure I got a 100%. A lot of it was common sense. Then in lab we got to learn how to insert nasogastric tubes! I was hoping we could practice in each other, but no, once again I will have to practice on a real patient. Last week was enemas, and actually I was greatful for the dummies for that procedure!

I had my day at the nursing home, which infact, to me is boring. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy visiting with them and I really do feel very comfortable with the geriatric population; it's just that I like to feel needed, and this nursing home is so overrun with all kinds of staff, numerous students from all kinds of schools (med assistants, lpn students, other nursing students) and I swear that this place has a 1;3 ration of patients verses help.

When I worked as a patient care assistant in the assisted living, I felt like I was really contributing, but hear, we are expected to do a complete head to toe assessment on our one client, but in all honesty, that can be done within about twenty minutes. The cna's don't need any help, I ask but, oh well.

We'll be going to the medical surgical unit in to weeks and hopefully I'll have my hands full. I always work better under pressure!

Next time I'm in lab I'll TRY to remember to take some fun pictures. I brought my camera last time, but I completely forgot. Until next time, have a great weekend!

Very Full Week!

2008-10-03T18:28:00.000-07:00

This week went by like lightning! I'm beginning to get into a workable routine and don't feel as overwhelmed as last week. We had our normal scedual this week and not all the crazy orientations that were thrown at us like last week.

I miss having the time to read some of my favorite blogs but if there's a will , there's a way! I thought I'd share some fun moments I've had recently. I got to visit the restricted, behind the scenes areas for surgery at out large local hospital. They walked us through where wer'e supposed to go for report, to change into surgery scrubs and scrub in. In a few weeks I'll have a chance to spend a day there and hopefully be in on several surgerys.

Today was fun also, it was our first chance to play with needles! We learned all about the different types of injections and got to practice on fake skin, bummer, I was hoping to practice on a real person. That will have to be at the hospital on a patient. Shh! Don't tell them I'm new! haha Have a great weekend!

So much reading!

2008-09-24T15:45:00.000-07:00

I feel like I barely have time to use the bathroom! Tons on labs, orientations, and reading. Hundreds of pages to sift through and learn. Concept mapping has begun and I'm kind of getting the hang of it and I've already had two tests and it's just the first week. AAGG!!!

Butterflies in the stomach!

2008-09-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

Well school starts monday and I'm exited and nervous all at the same time. I know I'll feel better once things get into a routine. My calender is already full for October and I'm a little nervous about juggling home, kids, husband and studies all at the same time. I know thing will eventually work out but last quarter the house seemed to suffer, especially the laundry.

For the first time in his life Hubby will have to take the kids to school once a week. I worry a little about that. The morning is perfectly timed out right now down to the minute and I hope he can keep up.

Here's the morning: 6:30- shower, get completely dressed, makeup, shoes, hair done. 6:45- start water on stove for oatmeal, make lunches and snacks for kids, put in backpacks. 6:50- double check that homework sheets are signed for both kids and that all binders, workbooks are in the backpacks. 7:00- Get son dressed, Don't forget oatmeal on stove! get daughter dressed. Depending on the day she may wear different uniforms (mon-pants, they have gym, wed-chapel day, must wear dress) Serve up breakfast no later than 7:10. Both kids take a while to fully wake up so I try to leave them plenty of time to eat. 7:30- brush teeth, brush hair, wash face, find and put on shoes. Must walk out the door by 7:40! Drive them to seperate schools and then head to class\work. This schedual probably seems pretty familiar to most moms, I just hope he can handle it. I'm sure he will, I'm probably worrying for nothing.

Above I've pulled out some of my favorite backyard pictures, summer will now be officially over so these memories will have to last!

Everything going wrong, ugg!

2008-09-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

Today I've been trying to leave comments on other blogs and blogger is refusing to accept my password! Then, my computer went offline, why? I have no idea, it has a mind of its own sometimes.

Then, I had an idea for a post and was starting to take some pictures when my camera informed me that my memory card was fill.UUUGGGG!!!! I'm kind of new to all this technology and I figured if I was down loading my pictures onto the computer than it wouldn't stay on my memory card, what do I know! Ok ok, enough of my ranting.

I thought I would show you all a picture of the little dresser I refurbished to go in the bathroom when its finished. We have a pedistal sink now as opposed to a vanity so we desperately needed some storage. I found this at one of my favorite antique malls for 28.00. It was ugly brown with some plain wood knobs. Some paint, some distressing, and some new glass knobs from Look In The Attic.com and I really like how it turned out! Have a great day!

My favorite room

2008-09-16T09:49:00.000-07:00

Today the creative ladies over at kariandkijsa.blogspot.com are having a Show Me Your Favorite Spot party, so I'm joining in! I have a lot of favorite areas in my house but because it's a small house and you have to walk through the living room to get anywhere else, I've put a lot of thought into the decor.

The entertainment center we've had since the 90's. It used to be kind of an oak color and I gave it a shabby chic makeover. My husband would like a big flat screen there but I've been able to hold him off for a little longer.

The bench along the wall I made from three wicker cubes found at BigLots. I built a base for them, added some bun feet to the bottom and sewed a cushion for the top. It now holds the kids dvd's and wii game controllers.Because the room is narrow and we needed extra seating, this worked out perfectly, a couch would have taken up too much room.

The end table next to the couch is an old trunk I've had forever and I had a peice of glass cut to fit the top so we have a nice smooth surface for the lamp, candle or bowl of cereal:)

I guess you could say my style is coastal cottage with a touch of glam(I love all chandeliers!)

My favorite item in here is the pictureof my Mom and me when I was a baby, isn't she beautiful?Well enough about me, go over and check out their site. Plenty of beautiful pictures for inspiration. Have a great day!

A day at the fair

2008-09-14T10:03:00.000-07:00

Tis the time of year to participate in the annual Fall fair. We purposely missed it last year because it can be rather expensive and it tends to be about the same about every year. Crowds, expensive food and even more expensive rides. By the time your done walking miles in the hot sun, you're physically and finacially worn out. But, the kids are now old enough to know that it's fair time and heaven forbid everybody in their class goes and not them, so off we went. Besides, when all is said and done, seeing them really enjoy a ride is priceless. We saw all the farm animals of course, they drove race cars(wow their good drivers!)and they went on various different rides. They had a blast, with not to much complaining!

At the end of the day we were hot, sunburned and exhausted, but hey, it's only once a year!

My latest project

2008-09-13T09:21:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share my lastest craft project. I needed a cork board to use for the kids memorizations that come home weekly. Last year I was always behind helping with Bible verses because I'd have to search through binders and bookbags to keep track of the sheets of paper with all that info on it. This year I vow to stay on top of that by keeping it all on a cork board on the fridge. But, not any cork board would do, oh no, not in my kitchen. It had to be pretty and cost less then 5.00! Impossible you say? Well I first stopped at Goodwill for the corkboard. They always have them there for a dollar or so and I found one with a natural wood frame just the right size for the fridge. Next, a stop at Michaels for some picture frame molding, two peices for 1.29 each and I was on my way. I attached the molding to the frame with some craft glue and outside we went for a coat of antique white spray paint. A little black ribbon, some magnets on the back and VOILE! a perfect board for the fridge! What do you think?

Is it fall at your house?

2008-09-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

I've finally got into the swing of things and put out my fall decorations. Do you like my door hanging? I found it at goodwill , it was white and dirty but thanks to some black spray paint it's now perfect! I filled it up with all kinds of fall goodies. Is it just me or do other people like those little birds that you find at the craft stores? I love them and decorate with them for most seasons. At Christmas I buy the white ones and sprinkle them with silver glitter and hang them on the tree. See the one on the mantle? The colors on the feathers are perfect for fall.

For other news, I'm returning to school soon and have been practicing my math for our first test. It's the second day of class and a 100% is required so it's a BIG deal. I included a picture of last quarters clinical group, what a great bunch of gals. We had a lot of fun. Well, off to take care of laundry duty,WAA!

Back to school

2008-09-11T08:56:00.000-07:00

Well it's been about a week now since the kids have been back and we are definitely back into our early morning routine. I'm so proud of dd and ds for getting up without any fighting and especially for doing homework without complaints.

I don't start school again until the 22nd so I'm so grateful to be able to take the kids to school and pick them up. Once classes start much of that responcibility will lie on my mom. I love asking them about their day and giving them a big hug. It's also a nice time to ask questions of teachers and catch up with other moms. Oh well, I'm very fortunate to have mom helping out, I could not get through nursing school without her!

Here are a few classroom pics!

Is it August already?

2008-08-25T14:36:00.000-07:00

Where has the time gone? Can I ask you a favor? If you have stopped by would you leave me a quick comment? I'm new to this blogging thing and haven't quite figured out how to get this blog to a wider audience, I love meeting new people and would be honored to hear from you!

So, exept for the fact that I'm in nursing school, you don't know a lot about me so here goes:

1. I LOVE decorating, shabby chic, french country, vintage, cottage, coastal, I love it all.

2. I love my cats and really enjoy having them around (pictures in a future post).

3. My dream is to someday have my own shop selling goodies, evan if it's only in an antique mall.

4.I love my kids to death but I struggle with parenting every day, am I punishing enough? Too much? I don't know but it's the hardest job in the world and I second guess myself all the time.

Above are some pictures from this month so you know what I've been up to!

Can you believe it's july?

2008-07-23T09:38:00.000-07:00

I can't believe the summer is flying by so quickly! I feel really lucky to be able to spend the summer home with the kids. All I have as far as school is a online sociology class and it's not taking too much time. I soo meant to be spending more time on my dosage calculations and I've been soo lazy! I really need to get on top of that, fall quarter will be here before I know it. I always go into summer with all these intentions to get tons of projects done and we never accomplish it all. Living in an old house, there are always things to do, siding on the garage that needs fixing, the kitchen ceiling needs updated lighting and new drywall, the bathrooom remodal is coming along but still lots to do. Oh well, I thought you might like to see some pictures from my Santa Barbara trip in june. I had a great time and plan to take the kids next time so we can stay longer.

One week left!

2008-06-01T18:20:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that I've got only one week left of class and it will officially be summer vacation! I've got a test on monday, the last of my write ups due for clinical, and one lab day left. Wer'e all going out to Chevy's for mexican on our last lab day together, then we get to learn about all kinds of specimen collection.

On the home front, progress is being made in the back yard. Did I tell you my husband installed a pond on memeorial day weekend? Well, it's not done yet, the rocks need to be permanently placed and then I can put in the plants. My favorite part! This weekend his project is wiring the backyard for electricity. Since we have two fountains and the pond we were in real need for some outlets.

Do you see a cute little creature sitting at the edge of the fountain? That's one of our ohh soo adorible kittens born this spring. I think they make a wonderful addition to the garden, what do you think?

Mommy, I feel like I have to throw up

2008-05-21T14:46:00.000-07:00

How almost a week has gone by and I haven't posted anything new! Today was our clinicals at the assisted living center. Unfortunately, my daughter wakes up and tells me that she has to throw up. I'm thinking to myself, wait, no, I HAVE to be at clinical today. Wer'e getting towards the end of the quarter and I can't make up any time missed. So, I worked it out with my mom to take the kids, instead of taking them to school. What would I do without my mother? So, poor thing threw up in a bag on the way to and from my mom's house.

Changing topics, have you ever completely ignored someone on purpose just to be rude? Yoday I had to get a hold of my clients chart to find out her medications. So I go into the office, ask for the chart, and one of the nurses standing there begrudgingly gave me the chart. Well there was another gal in there, who had'nt really aknowlegded that I had walked in, okay , that's not a big deal, but when I was done and was handing it back, I put it on the counter, she still was'nt looking up, and I said" thanks, I appreciate it"and she completely ignored me. We were the only ones in the quiet office area. Not evan a "uh,ha" ,nothing. It's not like it upset me, but it did make be stop and remind myself that not everyone is as friendly as I am and some times comman curtesy mabey isn't so comman.

A beautiful sunday

2008-05-18T20:17:00.000-07:00

Today was soo beautiful, not too hot and not too cold, probably around 75degrees. I started out by finishing my two annotations that are due tomorrow. I can't express how much I hate that kind of stuff, I'd rather go to the dentist than write papers. Unfortunately I will be having a library science class all through nursing school, in fact they want us to have a paper in the end that we can submit for publishing. Me? You want me to publish a paper? Right! Anyways, the area where I have my computer is at the top of the stairs on the second floor. Well in the summer time the upstairs gets really hot so any computer work needs to be done early in the day or later at night or you'll be sweating buckets. Fortunately, my brother in law is hooking me up with a lap top (he puts together computers, a real techy), so soon I will be able to blog from my back patio, Yea! Tomorrow in lecture we will begin learning all about concept mapping, some nursing schools do care plans, we do concept mapping. Should be fun!

jumping through hoops

2008-05-16T16:22:00.000-07:00

So here we are with three more weeks to go left for first quarter. I can't believe that it's flown by so quickly! Today we went to two clinicals, the first one being a day are where we observed children in different developmental stages, the second on was a pediatric eduaction group project done at a middle school. Now that I'm home I need to do write-up for them, can you tell how exited about that I am? Yea, right! Oh well, these are the obligatory first quarter activities that every nursing student goes through. At least today is beautiful with a temperature of 75 degrees,aaaahhh, have to love it.