Marathon continues....

Whew. Two exams in two days have just been completed. 


Now I get to work on my nursing care plan that is due on Friday, to be presented complete with Power Point slides. I don't mind one bit. Yes, its extra work, but I've truly hit the jackpot with the best clinical instructor ever.


Last Thursday was our med-surg buddy shift, which meant I didn't really get to do anything except watch and learn how the unit works. By the end of the shift, my instructor told me I'd have not one, but two patients on Friday, and pass meds to both of them.  That's about 25 different medications between the two patient!  And she makes sure we know not only the medications' key info, but also details like mechanism of action (i.e. this one blocks cellular calcium channels which raises the voltage for an action potential to trigger...)  I did it.  I knew them, and now after being verbally grilled on them, I'll remember them forever.


At post-conference on Friday, after I'd managed to look after both patients and get my documentation done (no small feat!), we were talking.  I told the group that honestly, if you'd told me a week ago I'd be looking after two patients, solo, on the med surg floor today, I'd have looked at you like you have two heads.  But I did it, it went well, and my confidence and organization levels are growing exponentially.  Its incredible.  Busy, but incredible nonetheless.


And you know what, my mind is starting to change about the importance of working on a med-surg floor as a first job.  I can now really see the value of doing such nursing at the beginning, as you truly do learn so much about so many conditions.  What a valuable learning experience.  And with my long-term goal of being a Nurse Practitioner, I just might consider that type of nursing initially, even if its just for six months or a year.  I really do want to specialize in the NICU or LD or even Emerg, but I think I'd have such a strong foundation if I did med-surg first.  I think I'll still consolidate in one of the high-acuity areas (probably NICU), but won't be devastated if I don't get in there as a nurse right away.  I think I'd be a better NP if I worked med-surg for awhile.


Anyhow, time will tell.  Its just interesting to see how my thoughts and priorities are changing as we go through nursing school.  I went in thinking LD all the way, but now its truly one of several options.  And I love having options!!!  Lol! 


I just love nursing so much, I want to do a bit of everything!!!


Back to reality, back to face my care plan now.


And here's a cartoon that brought a smile to my face, from my beloved allnurses.com website:





Here's the link to the entire cartoon series on allnurses.com:
http://allnurses.com/about-nurse-nursing

Almost Nurses Week

I'm jumping ahead by a couple days -- Nurses week kicks off next week.  However, the article below, from the Peterborough Examiner, caught my eye this morning as I was catching up on news.

Another successful career changer to nursing is profiled -- from a successful career as a law clerk to nursing.  Now she's a nurse practitioner, and clinical director of a clinic that has an incredible mandate and focus.

Way to go!!!  Hopefully I'll have those initials (NP) after my name too, one day...

Here's the link to the full story:  http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2013/05/03/nurses-in-spotlight-next-week-for-nurses-week

Here's an excerpt from the article:

"Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith and trust that you’ll end up in the right place.

Cathryn Roka was 35 and making a fantastic living as a Bay St. law clerk. She liked what she did for a living and she was good at it.

But then she got sick. A virus attacking her liver had her in and out of hospitals for the better part of a year. As she watched and worked with the caregivers who got her helped her back to health, she had a revelation.

“I thought, wow, this is nice. Helping people instead of suing people,” Roka said.

So Roka leaped.

She took a leave of absence from work. She went back to school to pursue a career in health care.
Her family thought she was crazy, she said. It didn’t help that she didn’t know herself where she would end up.

Roka spent a few years working in public health before she decided to take another leap, heading back to school one more time to attend Queen’s University for nursing.

She’s landed in the right place. At 49, Roka has found her calling, working as a Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) nurse practitioner.

It’s a career that blends her desire to care for and advocate for people.

“Everyone should be entitled to health care,” Roka said.

That means health care when you need it, she said, be it today, tomorrow or even right now. And Roka wants it delivered without judgment. She’s also a tireless advocate for more nurse practitioner led-clinics, and wants to see more of them in the province. "

.....to continue reading click on the link above...

Happy early Nurses Week!!!

Timmy Global Health

For the Canadians reading my blog, "Timmy" does not refer to our national "cultural" icon and beloved coffee shops...only Canadians will get that reference!  LOL!

Yesterday evening I took a study break for a few minutes.  I plunked myself down in front of the TV, thinking I'd have a few minutes of mindless entertainment to give my tired old brain a break.  After channel surfing a bit, I came across an award-type show listing nominees...it caught my interest, so I paused.

It turns out it was the American Giving Awards (I'd never heard of that before, but what a great concept and idea!!!).  The nominees were just being listed for the health-care/wellness category when I arrived on that channel.  All the nominees were very inspirational, to say the least, but the one I found myself rooting for was the Timmy Global Health Foundation.  And guess what, they won that category!!!

I admit I didn't stick around watching the acceptance speeches or even really try to find out what that win means for that organization.  My study break was over and I went back to my books and computer.  But, I did look up Timmy Global Health Foundation, and research their work.  Wow.

When I read about an organization like that, it simply re-inforces my passion and desire to be a medical professional.  I dream of one day volunteering on medical missions, such as the ones run by the Timmy Foundation.  I know I have so much to give and share with the world in my career, and that aspect was something that was severely lacking in my first career.

I cannot wait to be finished school and have my medical paperwork in hand, that will allow me to make these brief, yet life-changing, volunteer medical trips.  Life-changing for everyone involved -- all the people I'll have the priviledge of helping, and me.

Check them out! What great work they do.  I plan to remember them when I finally get my RN registration papers and am qualified to be part of a medical team, and most definitely when I have my NP papers safely in hand.  I have so much to give back and share with others.

http://www.timmyglobalhealth.org/