5 Away

Week 5 is over, and it was fun! We finally got to work with real patients. I am assigned to the 2 South wing of the hospital. Lots of stuff going on, lots of patients, and lots of activity. I ran into several people I know there; Dr. Hickerson, Ann (a nurse from Albany), Dr. Sherman, Dr. Gamelin, and Dr. Nelson.

It's an exciting place to work, and different from CCU in Albany. I have a lot of time to make up my mind about what kind of nursing I eventually want to do, but I still am fond of CCU, so we'll see. This coming week, we're studying medication administration, but I don't know if we'll actually DO it or not.

I'll let you know after next week. Half-way there (to the end of the first term, I mean).

later

Start of Clinicals

Just a quick note . . . starting clinical rotations tomorrow, so I thought I'd show you what "NurseGuy" looks like.


and another view . . .

Wonderful Week 4

We actually got to go to the hospital this week. I guess we're getting to be less dangerous than the first week!

I started my clinical orientation at Good Samaritan Regional with 8 fellow (well, 1 fellow and 7 female) students. Our clinical instructor is Suzanne, and she's great. We discussed the policies and procedures, went over some housekeeping type stuff, and took a tour.

I completed my final checkoff on sterile gloving technique, and took the abbreviation quiz. I am so glad that I worked as a Unit Secretary for the past 9 months. One of the items we needed to translate was not covered in the class, and I remembered it from an actual Physician's Order sheet, and got it right!

I ran into a few people that I know around town, one being my wife's surgeon. He's a great guy, a personal friend as well, and plays bass guitar like a pro! Learning this week was a lot of fun, and it's getting more interesting. Got to get ready for the head to toe assessment coming up in week 10, so gotta run for now.

The Third Week is the Charm

After three weeks of Nursing 101, and Pharmacology, I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of things. It's not the nursing or pharmacology stuff that's the most difficult, but as I mentioned last week, it's organizing all of the tasks, lecture notes, and making sure I've done the right assignments, and on time.

This week we had MediTech training in Lebanon. I've been using MediTech for about 9 months now, so nothing new there. I continue to be so thankful for the job that I had at Albany General Hospital in the Critical Care Unit as a Unit Aide/Unit Secretary. It was a 9-month education that really prepared me for school.

I really do miss the nursing staff, and all of my friends in RT, Lab, and the Doctors, etc. I stopped in early this past week to visit a patient who has been in CCU since June, and wonder and praise, they have been moved to Med/Surg, which means they're getting closer to discharge!

We learned how to don sterile gloves this week, everything you wanted to know about PEDS in one day (oh boy!), and musculoskeletal/neuro exams. Lots to know and do, but it's all very interesting and exciting.

Testing is going well, and I am satisfied with my grades thus far. Just got to keep up the good work!

Next week we start orientation at our hospitals for clinicals, so that will be really exciting. I get to wear WHITE PANTS and WHITE SHOES. (I'm gonna look like Pat Boone, or something. Maybe I'll post a photo for you all to laugh about.

later . . .

2 Weeks Down

Assessments, critical thinking, FSBS, therapeutic effects, case histories, etc. etc. Week 2 went really quickly, lots of reading, lectures, skills practice, clinical practice, and so on.

Four tests in one week! Keeping me on my toes. I think we're all starting to settle in to the routine a little bit. Lots of things to juggle, and keep track of, along with the obvious things like reading, studying, and applying our knowledge and skills.

Bought a new (old) truck for myself to get back and forth to school with. A 1985 NISSAN pickup truck, with about 159,000 miles. It runs good, and looks a little rough, but it's just what I need to get me there and back again, and so Jane can have her car back.

Thanks to everyone who is still praying for me and my family, and to those of you who are providing physical and actual comfort and care as well. We could not do this without our support network of friends and family. May God bless each of you abundantly!

Jane received great news about her monthly blood tests, and from a visit with her oncologist. Read about that in her blog here. And read more next week about nursing school . . .