It was a long week but I am very happy that it is over already.
On Tuesday I was suppose to be on Tele but they weren't very busy so my teacher put me in ICU. I was very happy when she did because I got two really good patients. The first was one day post-op bowel resection surgery. He has a fistula (basically a tunnel) connected between his bladder and his colon. Well to understand it better; the urinary system is sterile and the bowel is not. Infection was running crazy in his body. He had surgery to repair it and came out with a 20cm incision. He was a pretty sick guy. The other patient had his breathing tube taken out the day before and they were trying to ween him off a BI pap (what people wear with sleep apnea). Well his system was not ready to be extubated and he was having a hard time breathing all morning. By afternoon he was exhausted so they reintubated him. Both of these men were extremely nice and these men are the reason I want to be a nurse - to help people like them that appreciate it!
Wednesday brought a little rest but it still felt like I was running around. I did end up having a coffee date with a really nice guy that I met at work. I don't know where that will go but we have a lunch date tomorrow.
Thursday I had to drive up to Flagstaff for Lab. We are required to do a skills lab every month to make sure we are up to date and we know what we are doing. I stayed at an hotel overnight and went to class because my teacher was going over the previous test. It amazing how the nursing girls are so manipulative because they wanted to argue every single question with the teacher. One of the girls was even shopping for shoes on her laptop the entire class. I wonder how these girls are going to be nurses. It scares me and I hope they will never be my nurse.
Tomorrow brings rest and much needed relaxation. I can not wait for the semester to be over with!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Its March ALREADY!
Last week was so busy I barely had time to think let alone time for posting. I had clinical in Cottonwood on Tuesday, Psych Clinical in Tucson on Wednesday, went to Flagstaff Thursday night to start cleaning the apartment, Test Friday morning and I handed in my keys to the apartment.
Leaving my apartment was a little bitter sweet. I will regret not being able to completely independent but its time to move on; saving all that money is just a bonus. The semester is wrapping up quick, spring break is less than 2 weeks away and then only 3 weeks till finals. Wow where did my life go this semester? I feel like there is not enough time in the day.
Spring break brings a much needed rest and relaxation but it also brings my Dad's surgery. I don't think he realizes how much of an impact it will have on him. He will not be able to lift his shoes let alone do anything in his garage. He felt like it was necessary to sell his airplane that he has been working on for years. What he also doesn't realize is that I am going to be his nurse not his daughter and he is going to listen to me. I know what he needs but I have a feeling he is not going to be a very good patient.
Work was interesting yesterday. For the most part it was slow but there was some exciting things going on. A bunch of cops brought a woman in that was under arrest for violating a restraining order. She claimed shortness of breath so they had no choice. We gave some oxygen and sent her off to jail. We had a young ASU student come in. She said she couldn't remember anything that happened the night before and she thinks she was drugged and then raped. So that brought more cops in. About 3pm a family walked in with there 2 year old boy and basically screamed to help them. The kid was running in the street and was hit by a car and face planted. They parents didn't call 911, they just brought him to us. The scary thing was that the boy had life threatening injuries and should have gone to a level 1 trauma unit. An ambulance was there to get another patient for transport to a behavioral health (psych) unit so they ended up taking the little boy. The good thing was the cops came again! After some flirting, I got up enough nerve to ask one of them out. I am kind of proud of myself and now we are going on date! :-D Just another day in the ER.
Well I am Prescott as I write this watching TV with my brother. I think he enjoys me here. I dread clinical on Tuesdays. To put it gently it is because my instructor is not always nice. No Psych this week and I only have to go up and back from Flagstaff on Thursday for Lab. Short week and I can't wait to get back out to the pool!!
Leaving my apartment was a little bitter sweet. I will regret not being able to completely independent but its time to move on; saving all that money is just a bonus. The semester is wrapping up quick, spring break is less than 2 weeks away and then only 3 weeks till finals. Wow where did my life go this semester? I feel like there is not enough time in the day.
Spring break brings a much needed rest and relaxation but it also brings my Dad's surgery. I don't think he realizes how much of an impact it will have on him. He will not be able to lift his shoes let alone do anything in his garage. He felt like it was necessary to sell his airplane that he has been working on for years. What he also doesn't realize is that I am going to be his nurse not his daughter and he is going to listen to me. I know what he needs but I have a feeling he is not going to be a very good patient.
Work was interesting yesterday. For the most part it was slow but there was some exciting things going on. A bunch of cops brought a woman in that was under arrest for violating a restraining order. She claimed shortness of breath so they had no choice. We gave some oxygen and sent her off to jail. We had a young ASU student come in. She said she couldn't remember anything that happened the night before and she thinks she was drugged and then raped. So that brought more cops in. About 3pm a family walked in with there 2 year old boy and basically screamed to help them. The kid was running in the street and was hit by a car and face planted. They parents didn't call 911, they just brought him to us. The scary thing was that the boy had life threatening injuries and should have gone to a level 1 trauma unit. An ambulance was there to get another patient for transport to a behavioral health (psych) unit so they ended up taking the little boy. The good thing was the cops came again! After some flirting, I got up enough nerve to ask one of them out. I am kind of proud of myself and now we are going on date! :-D Just another day in the ER.
Well I am Prescott as I write this watching TV with my brother. I think he enjoys me here. I dread clinical on Tuesdays. To put it gently it is because my instructor is not always nice. No Psych this week and I only have to go up and back from Flagstaff on Thursday for Lab. Short week and I can't wait to get back out to the pool!!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Work
I worked a full shift yesterday with no problems although the patients were somewhat problematic. I walked in with almost a full board of patients which means they were very busy last night.
They had 4 (yes four) psych patients waiting for beds in a psych unit in random places throughout Phoenix. That is a lot and usually it takes about 24-48 to get them a bed. Those patients hang out with us till then; it can be fun. One of the patients woke up about 8am and decided he didn't want to be there anymore and started walking around. We have to keep him there because he was petitioned by the court to stay. Well the firefighters dropping off a different patient decided they wanted a fight and they helped get the guy back in the room. The patient got very mad and started hitting the firefighters. One of the firefighters put him in a head lock and waited till he passed out. We restrained him with four point (arms and legs) leather restraints and he slept the rest of the day.
About halfway through the day a guy checked in with a rash all over his body. His face and torso were completely covered and he stated that it started only 2 days ago. Well my doc wanted to talk to a dermatologist to consult. You know how hard it is to find a dermatologist on a Sunday afternoon? Practically impossible but I was able to eventually get one on the phone from Sun City. The doc said it was most likely an infectious disease of some sort so we sent him off to Phoenix. I hope it wasn't airborne. . . . :-/
About 5pm we always get a rush. Sometimes it feels like they carpool. Well yesterday they did. An entire family of Mexicans checked in. All five of them complained off a cough. I was a little pissed because they are wasting our time. Well the good thing was that our doctor refused to see them because it wasn't a medical emergency (we call that MSOing them, medical screen out). Its crazy how much illegal aliens get away with. That's all I'm going to say about that, otherwise I can go on and on about it.
The day wrapped up early (I love it when the night guy comes in early) and overall I love the ER because it is always interesting.
They had 4 (yes four) psych patients waiting for beds in a psych unit in random places throughout Phoenix. That is a lot and usually it takes about 24-48 to get them a bed. Those patients hang out with us till then; it can be fun. One of the patients woke up about 8am and decided he didn't want to be there anymore and started walking around. We have to keep him there because he was petitioned by the court to stay. Well the firefighters dropping off a different patient decided they wanted a fight and they helped get the guy back in the room. The patient got very mad and started hitting the firefighters. One of the firefighters put him in a head lock and waited till he passed out. We restrained him with four point (arms and legs) leather restraints and he slept the rest of the day.
About halfway through the day a guy checked in with a rash all over his body. His face and torso were completely covered and he stated that it started only 2 days ago. Well my doc wanted to talk to a dermatologist to consult. You know how hard it is to find a dermatologist on a Sunday afternoon? Practically impossible but I was able to eventually get one on the phone from Sun City. The doc said it was most likely an infectious disease of some sort so we sent him off to Phoenix. I hope it wasn't airborne. . . . :-/
About 5pm we always get a rush. Sometimes it feels like they carpool. Well yesterday they did. An entire family of Mexicans checked in. All five of them complained off a cough. I was a little pissed because they are wasting our time. Well the good thing was that our doctor refused to see them because it wasn't a medical emergency (we call that MSOing them, medical screen out). Its crazy how much illegal aliens get away with. That's all I'm going to say about that, otherwise I can go on and on about it.
The day wrapped up early (I love it when the night guy comes in early) and overall I love the ER because it is always interesting.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Nothing New.
I haven't posted because nothing has been going on lately. I went shopping with my mom the other day and got some stuff for my bedroom. I painted last night and it is starting to look pretty good. I don't feel like I am sleeping in a little girls room. I need some curtains, maybe some pillows and I would like to hang some stuff on the wall. Its almost done.
Yesterday consisted of a very relaxing day sun bathing. I finally have some color and not as pale. I think I would still give people a run for their money for the whitest legs contest on the ship though(if we were going).
My mom, dad and I got up early this morning and went to the rummage sale downtown. The biggest find was cheap pool books but the rest was junk. We then headed over to the swap meet and there was no one there. I thought since it is such a beautiful day today more people would be there but no. We didn't buy much and didn't stay long. My dad and I watched Charmed for the rest of the afternoon and I have to say I am very relaxed! Now if I can get through this week - I'm good!
Yesterday consisted of a very relaxing day sun bathing. I finally have some color and not as pale. I think I would still give people a run for their money for the whitest legs contest on the ship though(if we were going).
My mom, dad and I got up early this morning and went to the rummage sale downtown. The biggest find was cheap pool books but the rest was junk. We then headed over to the swap meet and there was no one there. I thought since it is such a beautiful day today more people would be there but no. We didn't buy much and didn't stay long. My dad and I watched Charmed for the rest of the afternoon and I have to say I am very relaxed! Now if I can get through this week - I'm good!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Psych Clinical
Today was the first day back to a somewhat normal routine. My mom and I got up before dawn to head down (or up however you look at it) to Tucson. My ears started to hurt when there was an altitude change but they went away after a couple minutes. We got there a little late but my teacher is awesome and understood.
We listened to report about the different patients and then went to morning group. Morning group is just basically outlining the day and setting goals for the day. One girl stood out to me. She was on suicide watch (one on one care) and seemed really out of it. After the group was over, I sat down next to her and I tried to talk with her. I think she enjoyed my presence, wasn't very chatting but I knew she was looking for a connection. The day went on and my teacher had me do a presentation (for extra credit) in front of all the patients. I talked about anxiety, about the anxiety that I have, and that you can live with it. The patients were very interested in what I had to say and they thought they connected with me more because I was willing to share my own difficulties. My girl (who is only a year older than me) then saw me later and waved. I was happy to see that she was happy to see me because she has been very depressed. She then invited me to play cards and we colored too. Later, when I read in her chart, she is a single mother of 3 kids with 3 different fathers. She has been having auditory hallucinations since she was 13 years old and have been in and out of hospitals since that age. She was just released from prison for smuggling illegal aliens. She also has been have substance abuse issues. We were then hanging out in the pharmacological group when they called a Dr. Armstrong to the street. Well my teacher went running and moments later 5 men came by carrying a patient to the seclusion room. We were lately told that paging Dr Armstrong is code for code blue. The patient escaped and made it to the street. They restrained him and that was the last of it. They handled everything very well and quick. I guess that is what they are suppose to do. Good thing they are well trained. We talked about everything on post conference and in a lot of ways I am so tired of talking about my feelings.
I am finally feeling like I am getting this psych thing. I made a connection with a patient. Even though all I did with her was play games and colored, I feel like I helped her find some joy in the day.
We listened to report about the different patients and then went to morning group. Morning group is just basically outlining the day and setting goals for the day. One girl stood out to me. She was on suicide watch (one on one care) and seemed really out of it. After the group was over, I sat down next to her and I tried to talk with her. I think she enjoyed my presence, wasn't very chatting but I knew she was looking for a connection. The day went on and my teacher had me do a presentation (for extra credit) in front of all the patients. I talked about anxiety, about the anxiety that I have, and that you can live with it. The patients were very interested in what I had to say and they thought they connected with me more because I was willing to share my own difficulties. My girl (who is only a year older than me) then saw me later and waved. I was happy to see that she was happy to see me because she has been very depressed. She then invited me to play cards and we colored too. Later, when I read in her chart, she is a single mother of 3 kids with 3 different fathers. She has been having auditory hallucinations since she was 13 years old and have been in and out of hospitals since that age. She was just released from prison for smuggling illegal aliens. She also has been have substance abuse issues. We were then hanging out in the pharmacological group when they called a Dr. Armstrong to the street. Well my teacher went running and moments later 5 men came by carrying a patient to the seclusion room. We were lately told that paging Dr Armstrong is code for code blue. The patient escaped and made it to the street. They restrained him and that was the last of it. They handled everything very well and quick. I guess that is what they are suppose to do. Good thing they are well trained. We talked about everything on post conference and in a lot of ways I am so tired of talking about my feelings.
There was another patient there that I found somewhat disturbing. There was this guy that is in the psych hospital the last time that I was there and was still there weeks later. I found out today that he is ordered by the court to stay there and is there for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to combat in the Iraq war. He is of Arabic decent and his family lives over there. When his family found out he joined the marines front line combat they disowned him. They claimed that he killed his own family. In his chart he stated that he did watch people die and felt like he betrayed his family. I feel so bad for this guy and yet I am disgusted by him. He has a vulgar inappropriate behavior. He makes sexual comments to every girl and is just very angry. I don't know what to think about him.
I am finally feeling like I am getting this psych thing. I made a connection with a patient. Even though all I did with her was play games and colored, I feel like I helped her find some joy in the day.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Starting to feel normal.
I actually slept extremely well last night for the first time in a couple weeks although weird dreams still interrupt my sleep. I am also feeling better. I am not laying down today and just working on the endless homework and a couple things around the house. I am ready for a nap but I am trying really hard to stay awake since my mom and I are going to Tucson tomorrow morning for my clinical. (I still feel bad about making her drive down). If the extreme tiredness would go away I think I would feel great!
Homework wise I am very far ahead. I have completed my psychosocial paper, 12 step meetings paper, movie paper, another (and last) patho paper, and several discussions. I have also started to study for the test next Friday but I still feel like I am missing something. The anxiety is always there that I am forgetting something but there really isn't much I can do other than keep ahead on the homework.
Not much else going on. I am excited however for something really stupid. My dad said he wants to watch my show Charmed from the beginning (I just bought the DVDs or rather he bought them for me with my money). Maybe I can get him into it but something tells me he might not like it. Oh well.
Homework wise I am very far ahead. I have completed my psychosocial paper, 12 step meetings paper, movie paper, another (and last) patho paper, and several discussions. I have also started to study for the test next Friday but I still feel like I am missing something. The anxiety is always there that I am forgetting something but there really isn't much I can do other than keep ahead on the homework.
Not much else going on. I am excited however for something really stupid. My dad said he wants to watch my show Charmed from the beginning (I just bought the DVDs or rather he bought them for me with my money). Maybe I can get him into it but something tells me he might not like it. Oh well.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Stupidity.
People that are in nursing school are surprisingly stupid. We all have an online class that is worth one credit, it is an eight week course, and very easy. We only have to do one group project in the eight weeks and comment on everyone elses. One group actually had the last project due so we are just getting started. The teacher the entire time to everyone else is saying do not get together in person, this needs to be all online so that she can track our work. Our project consists of choosing a nurses station that needs improvement, draw it out, comment on what works and what doesn't, and draw the new and improved nurses station. Its not hard I even drew out the first drawing of the nurses station, scanned it into the computer and posted it. This girl decided that it wasn't good enough and we should look at more than one nurses station and get together to talk about. The teacher then posts that she does not want us meeting and everything should stay online. This girl is actually making me very mad. She is only creating more work for the rest of us. What makes my drawing not good enough? Just do what they teacher asks and we will get full credit - its not hard!
People are just stupid in nursing school. Most of these girls are extremely book smart but they have no common sense. I think about if they will make good nurses and I say no. A lot of them I cant even see working in the medical setting because they get grossed out still from the sight of an old man's penis. And to think it is our third semester. . .
People are just stupid in nursing school. Most of these girls are extremely book smart but they have no common sense. I think about if they will make good nurses and I say no. A lot of them I cant even see working in the medical setting because they get grossed out still from the sight of an old man's penis. And to think it is our third semester. . .
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