Showing posts with label gratitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gratitude. Show all posts
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Thoughts on career change
To those of you who are wanting to change careers, to willingly choose to leave an established career for something new, I can honestly say I know exactly where you're coming from. I had a great career going -- job stability, great pay, awesome benefits, pension that is probably among the best in Canada, fully paid vacation time. It really was the 'golden handcuffs' that kept me there longer than it should have.
Some/most of my extended family thought I was nuts for even thinking of leaving such a job. But yeah, "soul sucking" is the perfect expression for a job where you show up day after day, only the money, and eventual pension. Many colleagues were equally unhappy, and repeatedly told me to "just think of it as pensionable time". knew I had sooo much to give and was wasting my real potential in this established career. I wanted more out of a career than just looking at it as 'pensionable time'. I wanted to be doing something useful, where I could contribute something of value -- something valuable to others and of value to myself.
And yes, I totally appreciate that I had the privilege of being able to even think of switching careers. I fully recognize that many people would maybe love to change what they're doing, but have financial obligations that don't allow them to. In making the decision, I had the support of a loving spouse who has a good job, and typically, we mostly lived off one income and saved our money, which ultimately helped me leave the workforce for a few years. It was not a 'spur of the moment' decision. Far from it.
Honestly, making that decision to leave my job was THE hardest one of my life. Transition sucks -- it is a time that brought out all my insecurities and fears. But knowing I was going into nursing made it a bit easier...knowing that there are jobs and that I would be working. I just had to trust that it would all work out -- I was going to work hard and give it my all.
Once the decision was (finally!) made, there was no turning back. I was lucky enough to have a leave of absence from my work for 8 months. I was able to do my first year of nursing school, and my employed held my job. If for some reason, after one year, I thought it was the wrong decision, I had the option of going back.
When I did go back for a few months after first year of nursing school, that was when the decision to leave became crystal clear. After 8 months away, I was back at my desk for a few months to make some extra money before finally leaving. However, in that first week back, I looked at my work week, and realized that I was still going to be attending the SAME meetings, the same issues were being discussed, with seeming little or no progress. It was like a time warp had happened, where I had had all there interesting experiences in nursing school, and now was suddenly back to the work environment, and it was like I hadn't even been away. I had a feeling of relief the last day I walked of my first career, knowing it was really, truly over. That was the moment when I finally felt some relief about making the decision -- it was DONE -- and I could focus on moving forward.
Fast forward a few years -- I graduated magna cum laude, won an award for the student in my graduating class who, "consistently demonstrated exemplary professional deportment, consistent grades and superior clinical performance throughout the four years of the nursing program", passed the NCLEX and am now in the middle of orientation of my dream job -- in a busy emergency room, 10 minutes from my house. And I should add, I'm back to having a full pension and benefits!
Financially, I'll never re-coup what I lost in earnings over those four year of school. I make less now that I did before, but I do have those benefits health/pension benefits again. I'm working 12 hour days and days, nights, weekends...but I can honestly say, I now look forward to going to work. When I leave the hospital, I have a sense of satisfaction that I was able to do something good for people. Patients won't remember me or my name, and I don't care about that -- but I do know that some will remember that nice, red-headed nurse who helped them.
I have a feeling of inner peace when it comes to my work. I am proud to tell people who ask, that I'm a trauma nurse. I feel fortunate to be able to have skills that can help people when they're feeling at their most vulnerable. This is a career where the opportunities are endless -- research, teaching, mentoring, changing specialties, taking more courses, becoming a NP, clinic nursing. There is a niche for everyone in nursing, and one never feels stuck in one area.
Yes, I'm still a new nurse -- not yet frustrated and cynical and tired, like many I see. Yes, there are many frustrations in nursing, as elsewhere. I'm not wearing rose-coloured glasses and only seeing the positive. I'm well aware of negative aspects too -- of having too heavy a patient load, demanding/rude patients and families, feeling overwhelmed at times with work to be done, staffing issues, etc. However, in every shift, there are so many positive examples of patient interaction, that I'm able to focus more on that, instead of the negative. And my career path was so different than the vast majority of my colleagues -- I truly wanted to be here, and in some ways, sacrificed a lot to get here.
And I am so grateful to be here. I honestly love my job/career now. It was an incredibly hard decision, but overall, definitely worth it. That's my story.
Cheers,
Kate
Friday, July 24, 2015
When it rains, it pours
This week, it is raining good stuff.
NCLEX: passed
RN goal: achieved
Job offer: accepted
Happy, happy dance!!!!
NCLEX: passed
RN goal: achieved
Job offer: accepted
Happy, happy dance!!!!
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Rocked the HESI today!!!
I did the HESI, part one, back in November, 2014. I did OK, better than average, but not the 900+ score to be aiming for. The test gave me an outstanding study package based specifically on my results. In theory, it was going to be great to review all that and then take the test, part two, and improve.
Well, somehow, the second test sprang up on me, and it was today. I managed to review a few of the great gems of knowledge that I needed improvement on, yesterday. I spent most of last week, since Tuesday when the last class presentation happened, just feeling layer upon layer of stress evaporate and leave my system. It was a very strange few days, coupled with spring allergies/cold hitting me. I was definitely in a strange mental fog for the better part of last week. Post nursing school stress disorder??? Lol. Let`s hope not!
Today, I slunk into the exam, with all my great plans of studying gone. I was just hoping to not do worse on today's exam, than on the previous one.
I came out of there with a 914 and a new sense of confidence!!! Woot!!! Woot!!!
I am so happy and relieved. I guess I did learn something more in the past half year. Whew!
My first application package from my provincial college of nurses arrived, I'm mailing it back tomorrow, and then I wait for the official invitation to write the NCLEX. I'd love to get it done sooner rather than later, but want to feel (reasonably) confident that I'll be successful on the first try. Here in Canada, we only get three chances to pass, unlike in the USA, where I understand they get unlimited attempts. Three strikes and you`re out. That would be a disaster.
To end on a positive note -- all is well in HESI land, and I expect full time studying for the NCLEX to start tomorrow!
Cheers,
Kate
Well, somehow, the second test sprang up on me, and it was today. I managed to review a few of the great gems of knowledge that I needed improvement on, yesterday. I spent most of last week, since Tuesday when the last class presentation happened, just feeling layer upon layer of stress evaporate and leave my system. It was a very strange few days, coupled with spring allergies/cold hitting me. I was definitely in a strange mental fog for the better part of last week. Post nursing school stress disorder??? Lol. Let`s hope not!
Today, I slunk into the exam, with all my great plans of studying gone. I was just hoping to not do worse on today's exam, than on the previous one.
I came out of there with a 914 and a new sense of confidence!!! Woot!!! Woot!!!
I am so happy and relieved. I guess I did learn something more in the past half year. Whew!
My first application package from my provincial college of nurses arrived, I'm mailing it back tomorrow, and then I wait for the official invitation to write the NCLEX. I'd love to get it done sooner rather than later, but want to feel (reasonably) confident that I'll be successful on the first try. Here in Canada, we only get three chances to pass, unlike in the USA, where I understand they get unlimited attempts. Three strikes and you`re out. That would be a disaster.
To end on a positive note -- all is well in HESI land, and I expect full time studying for the NCLEX to start tomorrow!
Cheers,
Kate
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Nursing School is DONE
It really, truly is finished. Today we gave our last presentations that summed up our nursing school journey and beyond. It was a nice way to end the program.
I am still a bit incredulous that it is finished. Back in another transition phase. Transition that I always find so unsettling.
The College of Nurses for my province has sent me a package that I need to complete so that I can write my licensing exam. I have filled out my temporary licence application form. I have a job lined up for as soon as I get my temporary licence, in primary care. I'll be working part-time at the clinic for the summer, and then switch to full-time in the fall, when the children go back to school.
In the summer, I'd also like to get to know the people in a couple clinics very close to my home, and try to get casual positions there, a couple nights per week, or on weekends. Variety is the spice of my working life.
In the fall, I'll head back to school, to get my post-RN certification as a trauma nurse. Hopefully, a year from now, I'll be working in a clinic part-time and at a local hospital ER part-time. That would be simply awesome.
In the meantime, I need to start studying for my NCLEX, so that I pass is on my first try.
We also have an awesome trip to Europe booked for May, so that is something I'm very, very much looking forward to for next month.
Life is so great. I am so incredibly grateful for the many blessings I've been lucky to receive in my life. Even though this is a transition phase, it is great.
I'm a nurse!!!!! I did it!!!!!
I am still a bit incredulous that it is finished. Back in another transition phase. Transition that I always find so unsettling.
The College of Nurses for my province has sent me a package that I need to complete so that I can write my licensing exam. I have filled out my temporary licence application form. I have a job lined up for as soon as I get my temporary licence, in primary care. I'll be working part-time at the clinic for the summer, and then switch to full-time in the fall, when the children go back to school.
In the summer, I'd also like to get to know the people in a couple clinics very close to my home, and try to get casual positions there, a couple nights per week, or on weekends. Variety is the spice of my working life.
In the fall, I'll head back to school, to get my post-RN certification as a trauma nurse. Hopefully, a year from now, I'll be working in a clinic part-time and at a local hospital ER part-time. That would be simply awesome.
In the meantime, I need to start studying for my NCLEX, so that I pass is on my first try.
We also have an awesome trip to Europe booked for May, so that is something I'm very, very much looking forward to for next month.
Life is so great. I am so incredibly grateful for the many blessings I've been lucky to receive in my life. Even though this is a transition phase, it is great.
I'm a nurse!!!!! I did it!!!!!
Thursday, February 19, 2015
My Last Nursing School Exam is DONE
Really, truly, I have no more exams in nursing school. 4 years of nursing exams are o-v-e-r. I cannot quite believe that, yet, but I will in very short order. That's won't be a problem to accept.
I am going in for my work shift later today. We have less than 8 weeks left in the program, and all that remains now to do are two papers (one short, one longer -- outlines for both are done) and my remaining clinical shifts.
I am simply loving primary care nursing. It is something that didn't even cross my mind, when dreaming about being a nurse and planning the career change. I was going to be a Labour & Delivery nurse, to the exclusion of all else. Now here I am, a primary care/family practice nurse-to-be...and absolutely loving it. I will still get my peri-natal certification, as I still want to learn to be a LD RN, but it will somehow have to work in conjunction with primary care/family practice nursing. I truly believe I am exactly where I am supposed to be right now. And that is a great feeling.
I am so grateful to be where we are in the program. The end is so close, we can all almost believe it. It was bittersweet being together as a class one last time today. We had the exam in the same room that our first-ever class was in. It felt like the experience had come full circle. It is bittersweet, because it is the end of a phase, an era, but also very, very exciting because we are all very much looking forward to breaking out of the school/student routine, and start actually working as nurses.
Exciting times!!!
Kate
I am going in for my work shift later today. We have less than 8 weeks left in the program, and all that remains now to do are two papers (one short, one longer -- outlines for both are done) and my remaining clinical shifts.
I am simply loving primary care nursing. It is something that didn't even cross my mind, when dreaming about being a nurse and planning the career change. I was going to be a Labour & Delivery nurse, to the exclusion of all else. Now here I am, a primary care/family practice nurse-to-be...and absolutely loving it. I will still get my peri-natal certification, as I still want to learn to be a LD RN, but it will somehow have to work in conjunction with primary care/family practice nursing. I truly believe I am exactly where I am supposed to be right now. And that is a great feeling.
I am so grateful to be where we are in the program. The end is so close, we can all almost believe it. It was bittersweet being together as a class one last time today. We had the exam in the same room that our first-ever class was in. It felt like the experience had come full circle. It is bittersweet, because it is the end of a phase, an era, but also very, very exciting because we are all very much looking forward to breaking out of the school/student routine, and start actually working as nurses.
Exciting times!!!
Kate
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Today My Patient Told Me...
...that she was so grateful for the care I am giving her, that I'm a tender and compassionate nurse, and that I should go tell my Mother that I am such an angel-nurse and that she (my Mom) should do something special for me for being so kind! She said she prays for all the nurses caring for her, because that is all she is able to do these days. That, and say "thank you" to us.
She was an elderly patient, very frail, and very, very ill. She had an upper GI bleed, and I saw what melena looks like. It had just been something I'd learned and read about before. Now I saw copious volumes of melena in her bed, several times. It was horrific -- I will never forget what melena looks like. Luckily, she had no pain. She was transferred to a unit that a step up from our med-surg floor, and below ICU.
What a sweet little old lady. May she be blessed as she continues her journey.
Yes, I am so grateful to have made the career switch and do meaningful-to-me work.
:-)
She was an elderly patient, very frail, and very, very ill. She had an upper GI bleed, and I saw what melena looks like. It had just been something I'd learned and read about before. Now I saw copious volumes of melena in her bed, several times. It was horrific -- I will never forget what melena looks like. Luckily, she had no pain. She was transferred to a unit that a step up from our med-surg floor, and below ICU.
What a sweet little old lady. May she be blessed as she continues her journey.
Yes, I am so grateful to have made the career switch and do meaningful-to-me work.
:-)
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Light at the End of the Tunnel
Yes, even though I am losing all hope in spring ever arriving this year, I can see then end of third year nursing school. We have just over a week left to go. That is truly surreal.
I was recently talking with my mom, and she way saying how she couldn't believe how quickly this program is flying by (and she thought I was off my rocker leaving my first career). I chose to do the regular 4 year BScN program (as opposed to the accelerated program) for several reasons, mostly because doing the extended program allowed me to be mostly part-time for the first two years. At the time I started, my youngest was in half-day kindergarten, so it allowed me to spend precious time with her, and to volunteer in the kids' school. That was a gift to me (and them!) beyond measure -- something that I'm so grateful to have been able to do, and something that I can never go back to as time only goes forward.
So what I started this adventure, I was faced with four solid years until I graduated. The days have been full, there have certainly been stressful times and other times when I had to study and couldn't join my family/friends on certain activities, but its not forever. And honestly, even though some days and weeks are very long, in hindsight, it has flown by.
We just have 25 full weeks of classes/shifts left, and then they'll send us out into the real world, to be real nurses! (gulp!!!). I think I've mentioned this before (if I haven't written it, I've certainly thought of writing it down - lol), is how easily I could have STILL found myself sitting in my office, dreaming about going to nursing to school.
Time really does go by quickly. Something that may seem eternal and daunting initially, can easily go by faster than people realize. I am so incredibly grateful that I was able to gather up my courage and make that career change, even if went against the grain and seemed illogical at my current stage in life and career. I would be devastated if I were to look back now and realize, "If only I'd started nursing school when I wanted to, I'd be almost done by now."
But instead, here I really am, just 7 school/shift days short of finishing third year. I've just landed a dream contract with a leading national nurses association, where I'll have the opportunity to beautifully bring my first career and my future career together in a way I didn't envisage possible earlier, and basically, truly living the life of my dreams.
Take steps towards meeting some of your dreams and passions. It is so worth the effort and the initial doubt (and terror!) I can attest that I'm closer than I've ever been before to living the most authentic life and being most my true self, than I've ever been before.
I've never been more content and at peace with myself and my life.
That is a gift beyond measure, and something that I'm most grateful for.
I was recently talking with my mom, and she way saying how she couldn't believe how quickly this program is flying by (and she thought I was off my rocker leaving my first career). I chose to do the regular 4 year BScN program (as opposed to the accelerated program) for several reasons, mostly because doing the extended program allowed me to be mostly part-time for the first two years. At the time I started, my youngest was in half-day kindergarten, so it allowed me to spend precious time with her, and to volunteer in the kids' school. That was a gift to me (and them!) beyond measure -- something that I'm so grateful to have been able to do, and something that I can never go back to as time only goes forward.
So what I started this adventure, I was faced with four solid years until I graduated. The days have been full, there have certainly been stressful times and other times when I had to study and couldn't join my family/friends on certain activities, but its not forever. And honestly, even though some days and weeks are very long, in hindsight, it has flown by.
We just have 25 full weeks of classes/shifts left, and then they'll send us out into the real world, to be real nurses! (gulp!!!). I think I've mentioned this before (if I haven't written it, I've certainly thought of writing it down - lol), is how easily I could have STILL found myself sitting in my office, dreaming about going to nursing to school.
Time really does go by quickly. Something that may seem eternal and daunting initially, can easily go by faster than people realize. I am so incredibly grateful that I was able to gather up my courage and make that career change, even if went against the grain and seemed illogical at my current stage in life and career. I would be devastated if I were to look back now and realize, "If only I'd started nursing school when I wanted to, I'd be almost done by now."
But instead, here I really am, just 7 school/shift days short of finishing third year. I've just landed a dream contract with a leading national nurses association, where I'll have the opportunity to beautifully bring my first career and my future career together in a way I didn't envisage possible earlier, and basically, truly living the life of my dreams.
Take steps towards meeting some of your dreams and passions. It is so worth the effort and the initial doubt (and terror!) I can attest that I'm closer than I've ever been before to living the most authentic life and being most my true self, than I've ever been before.
I've never been more content and at peace with myself and my life.
That is a gift beyond measure, and something that I'm most grateful for.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Medsurg Can Be Exciting
I'm just home now for a short while, after my first medsurg shift. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, except that it would be busy for me. I guess I was expecting busy but doing more or less routine things.
It wasn't quite that way. For the most part, yes, but I'm currently coming down from an adrenaline rush -- I'm realizing I'm perhaps more of an adrenaline junkie than I realized.
I met all kinds of patients today, some very nice, some not so much. The nice ones were truly lovely.
Then there was my patient who I went to take a set of vitals on, who congestion was audible when you entered the room and was breathing quickly, using the accessory muscles/retractions and the tracheal tug that I'd read about in textbooks (it's really something to see in real life -- I didn't realize it would look quite that dramatic!). I couldn't get his O2 sats - I tried and tried, then got a different machine and tried again on his toes, and finally got a reading -- 68% and his legs were cool and mottling.
I got help quickly. They were still working on him when I finally left the hospital tonight, but he seemed to be breathing a bit easier.
I was breathing a bit easier too.
I did something good and useful in my work today. What an awesome feeling.
I can see how one would learn so much working on a medsurg floor. But I also love the idea of specializing where you're working on a 1:1 ratio and being an expert in your particular field.
So many options, so many choices. Again, what an awesome feeling.
I'm loving this!!!
It wasn't quite that way. For the most part, yes, but I'm currently coming down from an adrenaline rush -- I'm realizing I'm perhaps more of an adrenaline junkie than I realized.
I met all kinds of patients today, some very nice, some not so much. The nice ones were truly lovely.
Then there was my patient who I went to take a set of vitals on, who congestion was audible when you entered the room and was breathing quickly, using the accessory muscles/retractions and the tracheal tug that I'd read about in textbooks (it's really something to see in real life -- I didn't realize it would look quite that dramatic!). I couldn't get his O2 sats - I tried and tried, then got a different machine and tried again on his toes, and finally got a reading -- 68% and his legs were cool and mottling.
I got help quickly. They were still working on him when I finally left the hospital tonight, but he seemed to be breathing a bit easier.
I was breathing a bit easier too.
I did something good and useful in my work today. What an awesome feeling.
I can see how one would learn so much working on a medsurg floor. But I also love the idea of specializing where you're working on a 1:1 ratio and being an expert in your particular field.
So many options, so many choices. Again, what an awesome feeling.
I'm loving this!!!
Saturday, November 2, 2013
L&D Clinical Rotation Starts Today!!!!!!!!!
Today will be my first shift in Labour & Delivery. At the same hospital where I gave birth to all my children, and the same hospital where I let nursing students examine me as part of their post-partum assessment skills.
Its the same hospital where I told the clinical instructor, that I so wished I could switch careers and go to nursing school. She didn't hesitate when encouraging me to do so. And here I am, today, at that very same nursing school, being the nursing student, and not the new mom.
I have so long dreamed of being a nurse, and for the past decade or so, its specifically been a L&D nurse I've dreamed of being.
Today, it feels like its come full-circle, and I get to start my training as a L&D nurse. Pediatrics still has an extremely strong grasp on me, and I know I need to work in that specialization, but I know I'll also love L&D with my whole heart too.
I'll need to find a way to combine the two areas. I'll work on that later.
Today, I'm going to Labour & Delivery, and I'm not having contractions!!! ;-)
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be living this dream.
Kate
Its the same hospital where I told the clinical instructor, that I so wished I could switch careers and go to nursing school. She didn't hesitate when encouraging me to do so. And here I am, today, at that very same nursing school, being the nursing student, and not the new mom.
I have so long dreamed of being a nurse, and for the past decade or so, its specifically been a L&D nurse I've dreamed of being.
Today, it feels like its come full-circle, and I get to start my training as a L&D nurse. Pediatrics still has an extremely strong grasp on me, and I know I need to work in that specialization, but I know I'll also love L&D with my whole heart too.
I'll need to find a way to combine the two areas. I'll work on that later.
Today, I'm going to Labour & Delivery, and I'm not having contractions!!! ;-)
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be living this dream.
Kate
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Last Pediatrics Shift Today
It was the best of times....yes, it truly was the best of times, these past two months. Especially over this past weekend. I had a day shift for both weekend days. I had the same two patients. They bonded with me and I could see an improvement in each of them.
One patient was at the end of his antibiotic treatment, and was a lot of fun today. Yesterday, he was more distant and not really wanting to interact much with me. Today, I pulled out my flashlight to get a better look at his IV site, (because he wasn't too keen to show it to me, and I didn't like the look of the colour, and didn't know if it was just a shadow or something more ominous), and that made all the difference in the world. The flashlight had to examine each of his fingers, individually, and then his toes. We had to count, to make sure he had all his fingers and toes, and we even checked to make sure he had his bellybutton. My goodness, I love working in pediatrics sooooo much. The kids are truly so much fun to be around and to work with.
Even the sicker teenagers who are in pain, and their families present at their bedsides -- I just find a way to connect with them all. Its such a heartfelt, sincere joy to be able to do so. If any 'veteran' nurses are reading this, they may well be rolling their eyes. But, I'm coming from a first career in the government that was definitely NOT based on human interaction and compassion -- being able to connect with people in this way, in the context of my work, truly means the world to me.
My other patient today was a little baby, whom I got some genuine smiles from today. I got to sit in a rocking chair, give her her bottle, and softly sing to her. My clinical instructor kept mentioning, yesterday and today, how much she seemed to like me and be so comfortable with me and not fussing too much. It felt incredible. I did something genuinely useful today (-- a feeling that I never had in my first career!)
A few years ago, I'd sit in my government office and watch a certain commercial on TV, from an American pharmaceutical company (I was in communications, so I always had a TV in my office). It showed a male nurse giving an injection to a what looked like a pediatric cancer patient, and he sang a song with her as he gave her the injection, to distract her from the pain. I would sit there in my office, with tears welling up in my eyes, as I so much wanted to be a nurse and to be in a position to do rewarding work like that. Yes, I'm a realist, I know every day is not like that and that every shift will bring difficulties, challenges, stresses, and yes, even joys. Well today -- I was that nurse in the commercial. I practically had tears welling up in my eyes, to know that I'd had the courage to leave something financially secure yet that gave me zero career satisfaction and that didn't use a fraction of my personal talents that I have to offer, and go to nursing school.
Today totally validated any and every insecurity and worry that I had about my mid-life career transition. It was scary as hell, yes. But so incredibly rewarding in the long run.
I love pediatrics, and was none too pleased when I had to turn in my badge today, at the end of my shift. Next week, I start my maternity rotation. I am very much looking forward to that too, yes, but I simply cannot wait until I can get back into my beloved children's hospital and continue my pediatrics specialization.
Life. Is. Great.
One patient was at the end of his antibiotic treatment, and was a lot of fun today. Yesterday, he was more distant and not really wanting to interact much with me. Today, I pulled out my flashlight to get a better look at his IV site, (because he wasn't too keen to show it to me, and I didn't like the look of the colour, and didn't know if it was just a shadow or something more ominous), and that made all the difference in the world. The flashlight had to examine each of his fingers, individually, and then his toes. We had to count, to make sure he had all his fingers and toes, and we even checked to make sure he had his bellybutton. My goodness, I love working in pediatrics sooooo much. The kids are truly so much fun to be around and to work with.
Even the sicker teenagers who are in pain, and their families present at their bedsides -- I just find a way to connect with them all. Its such a heartfelt, sincere joy to be able to do so. If any 'veteran' nurses are reading this, they may well be rolling their eyes. But, I'm coming from a first career in the government that was definitely NOT based on human interaction and compassion -- being able to connect with people in this way, in the context of my work, truly means the world to me.
My other patient today was a little baby, whom I got some genuine smiles from today. I got to sit in a rocking chair, give her her bottle, and softly sing to her. My clinical instructor kept mentioning, yesterday and today, how much she seemed to like me and be so comfortable with me and not fussing too much. It felt incredible. I did something genuinely useful today (-- a feeling that I never had in my first career!)
A few years ago, I'd sit in my government office and watch a certain commercial on TV, from an American pharmaceutical company (I was in communications, so I always had a TV in my office). It showed a male nurse giving an injection to a what looked like a pediatric cancer patient, and he sang a song with her as he gave her the injection, to distract her from the pain. I would sit there in my office, with tears welling up in my eyes, as I so much wanted to be a nurse and to be in a position to do rewarding work like that. Yes, I'm a realist, I know every day is not like that and that every shift will bring difficulties, challenges, stresses, and yes, even joys. Well today -- I was that nurse in the commercial. I practically had tears welling up in my eyes, to know that I'd had the courage to leave something financially secure yet that gave me zero career satisfaction and that didn't use a fraction of my personal talents that I have to offer, and go to nursing school.
Today totally validated any and every insecurity and worry that I had about my mid-life career transition. It was scary as hell, yes. But so incredibly rewarding in the long run.
I love pediatrics, and was none too pleased when I had to turn in my badge today, at the end of my shift. Next week, I start my maternity rotation. I am very much looking forward to that too, yes, but I simply cannot wait until I can get back into my beloved children's hospital and continue my pediatrics specialization.
Life. Is. Great.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
5 more pediatric shifts
A well-deserved break is almost upon us, and it is desperately needed. I'd mentioned before how much I had been dreading third year of nursing school, and now I'm in the thick of things. I must admit, however, that all in all, its not quite as difficult as I'd anticipated (it never usually is!)
It is so busy -- there is always something to hand in, to prepare for or to be tested on. That part is relentless, and we have to be vigilant and help each other remember all the details. But it's certainly doable. And the amount I've learned is staggering -- particularly during the clinical shifts.
Here in Canada we have our Thanksgiving weekend in October, so that is the reason for the little break ahead of us. And combined with that long weekend, we also have two days of no classes. So its just clinical shifts for the next week. Oh, plus a ton of studying for the final pediatrics exam that is looming on the horizon...
I am so looking forward to having a bit of downtime to have time to play with my kids, enjoy cooking meals (instead of just getting them ready asap!) and hopefully getting outside a bit too into nature. The fall colours are hitting their prime, and the weather forecast is simply beautiful for the coming long weekend. We've gotta get out there and enjoy the moment. Winter is just around the corner...
My pediatric care plan is finished -- that is due this afternoon. I will re-read it and tweak it a bit more this morning, and go for a run. I have three shifts in the next four days, so running is helping keep my sanity. When you find something that works, use it! :-)
I want to write more about the clinical rotations, but that will have to wait until next time. They've been such interesting experiences, and my patients at the children's hospital have ranged from 21 days to 17 years, from failure-to-thrive to a skull fracture. There's never a dull moment. Sometimes I wonder how I'll ever learn everything I need to in the next 18 months -- there's just so much to learn. But that will all come over time, I am certain.
I honestly don't want this clinical rotation to end -- I don't want to leave pediatrics -- I've found my nursing niche.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!! I am so blessed in so many ways, and so very grateful for everything.
Future-nurse Kate
It is so busy -- there is always something to hand in, to prepare for or to be tested on. That part is relentless, and we have to be vigilant and help each other remember all the details. But it's certainly doable. And the amount I've learned is staggering -- particularly during the clinical shifts.
Here in Canada we have our Thanksgiving weekend in October, so that is the reason for the little break ahead of us. And combined with that long weekend, we also have two days of no classes. So its just clinical shifts for the next week. Oh, plus a ton of studying for the final pediatrics exam that is looming on the horizon...
I am so looking forward to having a bit of downtime to have time to play with my kids, enjoy cooking meals (instead of just getting them ready asap!) and hopefully getting outside a bit too into nature. The fall colours are hitting their prime, and the weather forecast is simply beautiful for the coming long weekend. We've gotta get out there and enjoy the moment. Winter is just around the corner...
My pediatric care plan is finished -- that is due this afternoon. I will re-read it and tweak it a bit more this morning, and go for a run. I have three shifts in the next four days, so running is helping keep my sanity. When you find something that works, use it! :-)
I want to write more about the clinical rotations, but that will have to wait until next time. They've been such interesting experiences, and my patients at the children's hospital have ranged from 21 days to 17 years, from failure-to-thrive to a skull fracture. There's never a dull moment. Sometimes I wonder how I'll ever learn everything I need to in the next 18 months -- there's just so much to learn. But that will all come over time, I am certain.
I honestly don't want this clinical rotation to end -- I don't want to leave pediatrics -- I've found my nursing niche.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!! I am so blessed in so many ways, and so very grateful for everything.
Future-nurse Kate
Sunday, September 22, 2013
A new day, a new perspective
Sometimes just a day or two can make a world of difference, in one's outlook.
I had my first 'real' peds shift yesterday -- 'real' in the sense that I was actually assigned a patient to care for, not just a buddy shift like my first one, where I just shadowed a nurse.
I had the cutest, sweetest 4 month old baby to care for. He cooed and gurgled and smiled at me...and it seemed that his cooing was the loudest when I was trying to ascultate his chest. What a sweetie.
I even got to accompany a nurse and patient to the diagnostic imaging centre, where I watched a technician do an ultrasound of the head, through the fontanels. She asked if I was a nursing student, and then proceeded to explain all the brain anatomy that we were seeing, as she did the scan. We watched arteries pulsating, and she made the machine show arterial and venous flow. It was surreal. My textbook learning from anatomy/physiology classes came to life, in front of my eyes.
And even though I'm still fighting off this nasty head cold, I made myself exercise. I love to run, but was not motivated lately, for being so busy and feeling so crappy. So I told myself on Friday, after writing my blog post, that I was going to at least go for a walk, if not a run. Off I went, and I actually did a short, easy run of just a few km.
Yesterday was busy, with school work in the morning, my daughter's birthday party at noon and then an evening shift 3-11 pm...so there was no time to exercise.
But today I just finished another short run, and yes, I feel good.
Off to do some house-related stuff, and then get ready for today's evening shift.
I should also add, at one point during last night's shift, as I was ascultating the baby's chest and doing vitals, and he's full-out happily cooing and smiling and interacting with me, I thought to myself, this is my future work environment. No, it won't always be that pleasant and wonderful, but at times, it definitely will be...and that is something I would NEVER have had in my first career.
It felt so great. I felt so thoroughly happy and content. And that alone, made me realize that all the angst and worries about leaving my first career were for naught. This was definitely the right decision and the right change. There are sacrifices in the short term while I go to nursing school, but the long term benefits far outweigh any and all sacrifices.
Now I just need to remind myself of that the next time I'm feeling almost overwhelmed, which may be as soon as tomorrow... Lol!
Kate
I had my first 'real' peds shift yesterday -- 'real' in the sense that I was actually assigned a patient to care for, not just a buddy shift like my first one, where I just shadowed a nurse.
I had the cutest, sweetest 4 month old baby to care for. He cooed and gurgled and smiled at me...and it seemed that his cooing was the loudest when I was trying to ascultate his chest. What a sweetie.
I even got to accompany a nurse and patient to the diagnostic imaging centre, where I watched a technician do an ultrasound of the head, through the fontanels. She asked if I was a nursing student, and then proceeded to explain all the brain anatomy that we were seeing, as she did the scan. We watched arteries pulsating, and she made the machine show arterial and venous flow. It was surreal. My textbook learning from anatomy/physiology classes came to life, in front of my eyes.
And even though I'm still fighting off this nasty head cold, I made myself exercise. I love to run, but was not motivated lately, for being so busy and feeling so crappy. So I told myself on Friday, after writing my blog post, that I was going to at least go for a walk, if not a run. Off I went, and I actually did a short, easy run of just a few km.
Yesterday was busy, with school work in the morning, my daughter's birthday party at noon and then an evening shift 3-11 pm...so there was no time to exercise.
But today I just finished another short run, and yes, I feel good.
Off to do some house-related stuff, and then get ready for today's evening shift.
I should also add, at one point during last night's shift, as I was ascultating the baby's chest and doing vitals, and he's full-out happily cooing and smiling and interacting with me, I thought to myself, this is my future work environment. No, it won't always be that pleasant and wonderful, but at times, it definitely will be...and that is something I would NEVER have had in my first career.
It felt so great. I felt so thoroughly happy and content. And that alone, made me realize that all the angst and worries about leaving my first career were for naught. This was definitely the right decision and the right change. There are sacrifices in the short term while I go to nursing school, but the long term benefits far outweigh any and all sacrifices.
Now I just need to remind myself of that the next time I'm feeling almost overwhelmed, which may be as soon as tomorrow... Lol!
Kate
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Less than a month of summer left
School re-starts in less than a month from now. That hardly seems possible. I have my fall schedule printed off and ready to go. Its a busy, full schedule. Very busy. Very full. Paediatrics and L&D rotations and classes and labs await.
The problem is, I can hardly fathom actually living that schedule right now. Right now, we're still in the middle of summer bliss -- no commitments, no real schedule, no morning rush, no lunches -- a whole bunch of nothing. The kids and I are still doing tons of stuff; this has been one of the busiest summers we've ever had, in terms of doing fun and interesting things. But the difference is that we're doing things on our schedule and on our terms. If one child sleeps in one morning, that's OK, we'll just start our activity a bit later. That's what I mean about having a 'schedule free' summer.
It's truly bliss. This summer and last summer, I am enjoying my kids like never before. Before I started nursing school, summers we're just another marathon we had to somehow get through, and they basically had to be planned by late March, when the day camps filled up. I now look back at those frenzied, stressed and over-tired days, and wonder how we did it all.
Add to that, my going to a job every day that involved me putting in time, rather than enjoying it and looking forward to a fulfilling day, and it just made the entire situation even less pleasant.
I want to stress that when I did work, I put in my best effort and did good work. I was not a slacker, and on the surface, nobody would have had any idea how miserable I truly was at that job. But from my perspective, it was simply a question of putting in the time, and getting through another day. One more day closer to eventual retirement, several decades from now. That was my perspective, and it was neither healthy nor living the life I wanted to live.
I really don't know how we did it, without the entire family unit falling apart. It was having a detrimental effect on the kids -- they were showing signs of fatigue and stress. My oldest was at the school's before-and-after school daycare, and was there from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm -- 10 hour days.
I'm not saying that such a lifestyle is not possible. I am fully aware that this is the reality for many, many families, and they don't have the option to leave it.
What makes me shake my head in wonder, is the fear of change that kept me back for so many years, and how it negatively affected the entire family. We had been talking about this career change for over a decade, planned for it, saved money for it -- basically had all the parameters in place, except one.
That one was me actually having the guts to make the change. Change is scary. High job security is a strong force.
Now, having made the change, I cannot understand why it took me so long to make the change. How I wish I'd done it so much sooner. Yet, I am so grateful that I did make the change. It would have been soooo easy to still be sitting in my office with the window, waiting to finish yet another work day...
Yes, I am so grateful to be where I am right now in my life -- even if it took longer to get here than I think it should have. At least I'm here now.
The problem is, I can hardly fathom actually living that schedule right now. Right now, we're still in the middle of summer bliss -- no commitments, no real schedule, no morning rush, no lunches -- a whole bunch of nothing. The kids and I are still doing tons of stuff; this has been one of the busiest summers we've ever had, in terms of doing fun and interesting things. But the difference is that we're doing things on our schedule and on our terms. If one child sleeps in one morning, that's OK, we'll just start our activity a bit later. That's what I mean about having a 'schedule free' summer.
It's truly bliss. This summer and last summer, I am enjoying my kids like never before. Before I started nursing school, summers we're just another marathon we had to somehow get through, and they basically had to be planned by late March, when the day camps filled up. I now look back at those frenzied, stressed and over-tired days, and wonder how we did it all.
Add to that, my going to a job every day that involved me putting in time, rather than enjoying it and looking forward to a fulfilling day, and it just made the entire situation even less pleasant.
I want to stress that when I did work, I put in my best effort and did good work. I was not a slacker, and on the surface, nobody would have had any idea how miserable I truly was at that job. But from my perspective, it was simply a question of putting in the time, and getting through another day. One more day closer to eventual retirement, several decades from now. That was my perspective, and it was neither healthy nor living the life I wanted to live.
I really don't know how we did it, without the entire family unit falling apart. It was having a detrimental effect on the kids -- they were showing signs of fatigue and stress. My oldest was at the school's before-and-after school daycare, and was there from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm -- 10 hour days.
I'm not saying that such a lifestyle is not possible. I am fully aware that this is the reality for many, many families, and they don't have the option to leave it.
What makes me shake my head in wonder, is the fear of change that kept me back for so many years, and how it negatively affected the entire family. We had been talking about this career change for over a decade, planned for it, saved money for it -- basically had all the parameters in place, except one.
That one was me actually having the guts to make the change. Change is scary. High job security is a strong force.
Now, having made the change, I cannot understand why it took me so long to make the change. How I wish I'd done it so much sooner. Yet, I am so grateful that I did make the change. It would have been soooo easy to still be sitting in my office with the window, waiting to finish yet another work day...
Yes, I am so grateful to be where I am right now in my life -- even if it took longer to get here than I think it should have. At least I'm here now.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
One more day until summer vacation
For my kids that is! So that means there is one more day of MY summer vacation, before the kids are home until September.
I had meant to get so much done during this time they were still in school and I was not. I truly did. It was all there in my mind's eye -- the clutter-free main floor and bedrooms, the sorted clothes that various kids had outgrown, the painting/decorating projects all done, the basement cleared to enough of a state where I could think about having some contractors go down there to give us ideas on how best to finish it, the super-level of fitness I'd have achieved by now. S.I.G.H......
Sadly, most of that remains in my mind's eye.
OK, so I did get some painting and decorating projects done. Two bathrooms and the family room, to be precise. I did run more -- even did up to 10 km one day -- new record for me!!! The de-clutter projects...well....that's an ongoing battle in our house. The laundry room and kitchen did get majorly de-cluttered, but they're slowly creeping back to their cluttered state, with different clutter! I somehow always forget that when I do get a room in order, entropy kicks in, and it goes back to its 'natural' state. Why fight the laws of physics??? ;-)
So I guess it hasn't been a total loss and waste of time, but it's still not where I thought it would be. But that's probably just reality.
What did happen, though, is that I recovered from the huge work load that last semester was, between being a full-time student, starting clinical rotations, being a mom, wife and community volunteer. The volunteering was the one thing that almost broke the proverbial camel's back last term, and is the one thing that will be eliminated in the coming four terms of nursing school. I loved being a Guider with Girl Guides of Canada, but I have to be realistic about the work load for the remainder of nursing school. I can only do so much. There's many other responsibilities that trump volunteering, as much as I enjoy giving my time. And I'm not 20 anymore!!!
I'm rested, and actually ready to start the next semester, but alas, have to wait until September.
Today I plan to run, and finish the teacher's gifts. How the last day of school takes me by surprise every. single. year. is completely beyond me. I start thinking about what to get the various teachers in early June, come up with great ideas with the kids, and then suddenly, tomorrow is the last day of school and I've got nothing. Aaacckkk. I'm definitely not a mom who will be posting her home-made wonder creations on Pinterest...(as cool as I think that would be to do!)
And I have to mention, just because it is so important to me, how incredibly grateful I am to have a second summer to be at home with my children. There's one more summer after this one that I won't be working...'cause after 4th year's done, its back to work for this lady.
Just this morning, I was thinking of what life would be like had I not been able to start this career-change, and was still working FT -- all the day camps that I'd have to have organized by now, the before/after camp care I'd be paying for, the stressed mornings of getting everyone ready to leave the house early and dragging kids to places they really didn't want to be at. I realize this is a reality for many, and I've lived it myself. And that is what makes me so grateful, knowing that I have the opportunity to be home in the summer, and just BE.
Here's to another "Hands Free Mama" summer. www.handsfreemama.com
Have a wonderful day,
Kate
I had meant to get so much done during this time they were still in school and I was not. I truly did. It was all there in my mind's eye -- the clutter-free main floor and bedrooms, the sorted clothes that various kids had outgrown, the painting/decorating projects all done, the basement cleared to enough of a state where I could think about having some contractors go down there to give us ideas on how best to finish it, the super-level of fitness I'd have achieved by now. S.I.G.H......
Sadly, most of that remains in my mind's eye.
OK, so I did get some painting and decorating projects done. Two bathrooms and the family room, to be precise. I did run more -- even did up to 10 km one day -- new record for me!!! The de-clutter projects...well....that's an ongoing battle in our house. The laundry room and kitchen did get majorly de-cluttered, but they're slowly creeping back to their cluttered state, with different clutter! I somehow always forget that when I do get a room in order, entropy kicks in, and it goes back to its 'natural' state. Why fight the laws of physics??? ;-)
So I guess it hasn't been a total loss and waste of time, but it's still not where I thought it would be. But that's probably just reality.
What did happen, though, is that I recovered from the huge work load that last semester was, between being a full-time student, starting clinical rotations, being a mom, wife and community volunteer. The volunteering was the one thing that almost broke the proverbial camel's back last term, and is the one thing that will be eliminated in the coming four terms of nursing school. I loved being a Guider with Girl Guides of Canada, but I have to be realistic about the work load for the remainder of nursing school. I can only do so much. There's many other responsibilities that trump volunteering, as much as I enjoy giving my time. And I'm not 20 anymore!!!
I'm rested, and actually ready to start the next semester, but alas, have to wait until September.
Today I plan to run, and finish the teacher's gifts. How the last day of school takes me by surprise every. single. year. is completely beyond me. I start thinking about what to get the various teachers in early June, come up with great ideas with the kids, and then suddenly, tomorrow is the last day of school and I've got nothing. Aaacckkk. I'm definitely not a mom who will be posting her home-made wonder creations on Pinterest...(as cool as I think that would be to do!)
And I have to mention, just because it is so important to me, how incredibly grateful I am to have a second summer to be at home with my children. There's one more summer after this one that I won't be working...'cause after 4th year's done, its back to work for this lady.
Just this morning, I was thinking of what life would be like had I not been able to start this career-change, and was still working FT -- all the day camps that I'd have to have organized by now, the before/after camp care I'd be paying for, the stressed mornings of getting everyone ready to leave the house early and dragging kids to places they really didn't want to be at. I realize this is a reality for many, and I've lived it myself. And that is what makes me so grateful, knowing that I have the opportunity to be home in the summer, and just BE.
Here's to another "Hands Free Mama" summer. www.handsfreemama.com
Have a wonderful day,
Kate
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Freedom is a (GREAT) Feeling!
Well, its done! I'm officially "half" a nurse. Every class, every clinical shift, every care plan from here on it, will be on the latter half towards the finish line. It's as if these past two years have been 'climbing' to the peak, and the next two years, will be sliding down to the finish line.
It feels great to be half-way done.
I truly cannot believe how quickly these two years have flown by. And what's a bit scary to think about too, is how quickly two years would have also flown by had I still been thinking and agonizing over my decision to quit my job in my first career, and start nursing school. I could so easily have found myself still sitting in my chair, in my little office, wishing I had the nerve to start nursing school and dreaming about being a nurse.
Well, guess what? I did it - I made the decision and haven't looked back. One of the best decisions of my life, and without a doubt, THE most difficult.
Now to relax a bit, start to tackle my huge list of projects around the home that need to be done by September, get myself back into shape and catch up on having some fun times without school hanging over my head.
Today, I am an 'rn'...not an RN, but an 'rn' (lower case). This time last year, when I finished first year, my son declared that I was a "lower case r", this year I've earned the "lower case n". Next year I'll be working on getting a capital R...
Future Nurse Kate
"rn"
It feels great to be half-way done.
I truly cannot believe how quickly these two years have flown by. And what's a bit scary to think about too, is how quickly two years would have also flown by had I still been thinking and agonizing over my decision to quit my job in my first career, and start nursing school. I could so easily have found myself still sitting in my chair, in my little office, wishing I had the nerve to start nursing school and dreaming about being a nurse.
Well, guess what? I did it - I made the decision and haven't looked back. One of the best decisions of my life, and without a doubt, THE most difficult.
Now to relax a bit, start to tackle my huge list of projects around the home that need to be done by September, get myself back into shape and catch up on having some fun times without school hanging over my head.
Today, I am an 'rn'...not an RN, but an 'rn' (lower case). This time last year, when I finished first year, my son declared that I was a "lower case r", this year I've earned the "lower case n". Next year I'll be working on getting a capital R...
Future Nurse Kate
"rn"
Monday, January 28, 2013
Inspired Words for Today
Even though I am loving being in nursing school and thoroughly enjoying all the gifts and experiences that making this career-shift have brought me, I seem to struggle with getting through January. This same phenomenon happened last year, too.
I don't know if it is the post-Christmas build-up let-down (if that makes any sense!) or simply the dark, freezing days. It has been one of those weeks that happen in Canada -- where the temperatures plunge so cold, that it is truly impossible for average people like me to enjoy the outdoors.
It is a week of being too cold to take the family skiing (like we do weekly), tobogganing, the snow is too crumbly to build anything with it, the kids are kept indoors every school recess because of the frostbite they'd get in a couple minutes. I dread the thought of even having to go outside, as I know my nose and lungs will feel frozen in seconds. Maybe this is the so-called "cabin fever" phenomenon, where people have simply been cooped up inside for too long...
Before anyone reads too much into this complaint, I must say this is not a clinical issue -- I just find it a wee bit harder to motivate myself to keep as active, energetic and eating well as I do the rest of the year. It is frustrating to me to not have my usual energy and motivation levels, even if these moments are relatively brief.
However, the extreme deep-freeze of last week is over, and the days are getting noticeably less dark. This is all good! Apparently I don't do well in extremely cold, dark climates. Give me palm trees and a beach any day....
All of that intro to say, that when I am feeling in a bit of a rut, I turn to several blogs I've discovered, and read the archived posts. One of my favourite inspirational blogs is called "Smile With Your Heart", written by a Canadian nurse and fitness/adventure lover, Jenn Thiel. (http://smilewithyourheart.com)
Today, as I was just wrapping up my "fun" computer time, before I turn it to school-related work, I read the following sentences.
"Combine your passions. Create your dream life. Who’s stopping you? If anyone, it’s only yourself. Toss that little voice out the window and keep on keepin’ on. Keep doing what you love. You’ll discover that it really is so much more possible than you thought." (http://smilewithyourheart.com/2011/08/17/day-38-have-a-balanced-day/)
Those are the words I'm taking to heart today. I'm off now to go for a run, as I contemplate with gratitude all the possibilities, people, opportunities, experiences and gifts I've been given in my life, and open my heart, mind and soul with further gratitude to any and all future amazing experiences.
I don't know if it is the post-Christmas build-up let-down (if that makes any sense!) or simply the dark, freezing days. It has been one of those weeks that happen in Canada -- where the temperatures plunge so cold, that it is truly impossible for average people like me to enjoy the outdoors.
It is a week of being too cold to take the family skiing (like we do weekly), tobogganing, the snow is too crumbly to build anything with it, the kids are kept indoors every school recess because of the frostbite they'd get in a couple minutes. I dread the thought of even having to go outside, as I know my nose and lungs will feel frozen in seconds. Maybe this is the so-called "cabin fever" phenomenon, where people have simply been cooped up inside for too long...
Before anyone reads too much into this complaint, I must say this is not a clinical issue -- I just find it a wee bit harder to motivate myself to keep as active, energetic and eating well as I do the rest of the year. It is frustrating to me to not have my usual energy and motivation levels, even if these moments are relatively brief.
However, the extreme deep-freeze of last week is over, and the days are getting noticeably less dark. This is all good! Apparently I don't do well in extremely cold, dark climates. Give me palm trees and a beach any day....
All of that intro to say, that when I am feeling in a bit of a rut, I turn to several blogs I've discovered, and read the archived posts. One of my favourite inspirational blogs is called "Smile With Your Heart", written by a Canadian nurse and fitness/adventure lover, Jenn Thiel. (http://smilewithyourheart.com)
Today, as I was just wrapping up my "fun" computer time, before I turn it to school-related work, I read the following sentences.
"Combine your passions. Create your dream life. Who’s stopping you? If anyone, it’s only yourself. Toss that little voice out the window and keep on keepin’ on. Keep doing what you love. You’ll discover that it really is so much more possible than you thought." (http://smilewithyourheart.com/2011/08/17/day-38-have-a-balanced-day/)
Those are the words I'm taking to heart today. I'm off now to go for a run, as I contemplate with gratitude all the possibilities, people, opportunities, experiences and gifts I've been given in my life, and open my heart, mind and soul with further gratitude to any and all future amazing experiences.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Busy days!
I knew this term would be much busier than previous terms, but I hadn't realized just how much busier it would be. Busy, but very interesting!
It is a different kind of busy compared to the first three terms. For those terms, it was busy as in so much time was spent staring at textbooks, memorizing minute details of physiology, anatomy and microbiology.
This term seems to be more of a 'general concepts' type of approach to learning. There still will be details to memorize for exams -- we'll never get fully away from that! - but the lectures deal with an increased emphasis on the bigger picture.
In our last 'Intro to Nursing Science' class, for example, we discussed the Canadian health care system, as it relates to government funding, policy, division of resources, priorities of funding and federal vs. provincial government roles in funding and managing the system. I think it is very important to know how the system works, where we as nurses fit into that system, and where we can and should have some influence to better it.
For myself, I've spent enough years working in the government arena, that I seem to be quite 'allergic' to anything remotely political in nature. I think I'll be quite happy simply being a 'worker bee' in the health care system, and leave the policy change meetings and process to others...but then again, having such a deep knowledge and significant experience in how the machinery of government system works, who knows where I'll end up.... For the time being, maternal health/L&D, paeds, ICU or Emerg are my priorities, and NOT sitting in government meetings!!! Been there, done that.
Getting back to the busy current school term, the clinical placements all require some type of follow-up documentation piece to be written, which I didn't realize before starting them, would be part of the process. And we are not even talking about 'care plans' yet, as we haven't started our long-term care rotation...I am certain those will be added to the mix soon enough! Lots of writing to do -- good thing I love writing (even if its not creative writing we're doing at school -- its still writing!)
Today I will be continuing my Public Health placement by starting my school nurse rotation. I will have the priviledge of being part of a kindergarten class for a few weeks, and doing 'well child' health assessments. I've very excited to be going to today's placement. I love being with little kids, and did a lot of volunteering in my youngest child's kindergarten class last year -- I have a good idea of what we're getting into today! It will be busy!!! I also have to finish up my public information/outreach placement with the blood pressure clinic in a local shopping mall in the coming days.
Busy few days ahead! I'm so lovin' this experience!!!
Have I mentioned lately how grateful and totally contented I am, to be in nursing school and undertaking a career change??? It's probably been a week or two since I last mentioned that.
If anyone is even remotely dreaming of making a career change, and you have a good idea of where you'd want to change it to, all I can say is 'go for it'. Making that decision to change career was, I think, the hardest decision of my life. But once it was made, and I was on the new path, it was like a weight lifted from my whole body, and even though there have been stressful times and exam periods, overall, it has truly been amazing. I'm so much happier, content, my outlook is brighter, I'm having more fun with my family...I simply feel like I'm truly living my life now, and not just getting through each day.
It is an amazing feeling to be doing something you truly love.
Try it for yourself, and find out exactly what I mean.
It is a different kind of busy compared to the first three terms. For those terms, it was busy as in so much time was spent staring at textbooks, memorizing minute details of physiology, anatomy and microbiology.
This term seems to be more of a 'general concepts' type of approach to learning. There still will be details to memorize for exams -- we'll never get fully away from that! - but the lectures deal with an increased emphasis on the bigger picture.
In our last 'Intro to Nursing Science' class, for example, we discussed the Canadian health care system, as it relates to government funding, policy, division of resources, priorities of funding and federal vs. provincial government roles in funding and managing the system. I think it is very important to know how the system works, where we as nurses fit into that system, and where we can and should have some influence to better it.
For myself, I've spent enough years working in the government arena, that I seem to be quite 'allergic' to anything remotely political in nature. I think I'll be quite happy simply being a 'worker bee' in the health care system, and leave the policy change meetings and process to others...but then again, having such a deep knowledge and significant experience in how the machinery of government system works, who knows where I'll end up.... For the time being, maternal health/L&D, paeds, ICU or Emerg are my priorities, and NOT sitting in government meetings!!! Been there, done that.
Getting back to the busy current school term, the clinical placements all require some type of follow-up documentation piece to be written, which I didn't realize before starting them, would be part of the process. And we are not even talking about 'care plans' yet, as we haven't started our long-term care rotation...I am certain those will be added to the mix soon enough! Lots of writing to do -- good thing I love writing (even if its not creative writing we're doing at school -- its still writing!)
Today I will be continuing my Public Health placement by starting my school nurse rotation. I will have the priviledge of being part of a kindergarten class for a few weeks, and doing 'well child' health assessments. I've very excited to be going to today's placement. I love being with little kids, and did a lot of volunteering in my youngest child's kindergarten class last year -- I have a good idea of what we're getting into today! It will be busy!!! I also have to finish up my public information/outreach placement with the blood pressure clinic in a local shopping mall in the coming days.
Busy few days ahead! I'm so lovin' this experience!!!
Have I mentioned lately how grateful and totally contented I am, to be in nursing school and undertaking a career change??? It's probably been a week or two since I last mentioned that.
If anyone is even remotely dreaming of making a career change, and you have a good idea of where you'd want to change it to, all I can say is 'go for it'. Making that decision to change career was, I think, the hardest decision of my life. But once it was made, and I was on the new path, it was like a weight lifted from my whole body, and even though there have been stressful times and exam periods, overall, it has truly been amazing. I'm so much happier, content, my outlook is brighter, I'm having more fun with my family...I simply feel like I'm truly living my life now, and not just getting through each day.
It is an amazing feeling to be doing something you truly love.
Try it for yourself, and find out exactly what I mean.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
4th semester started today
I had six hours of classes today, with a one hour break in between. Whew! That is a lot, especially after a good three weeks off for the Christmas vacation! The old brain is tired tonight.
But I just wanted to take a minute and write down my thoughts. I am so overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude that I am really in nursing school. The profs I met today are all intelligent, dynamic and interesting people. I love them already and cannot wait to learn all that they can teach me.
My first clinical experience will take place Friday. My first lab will be on Thursday to prep me for that first clinical shift.
Clinical pharmacology starts tomorrow, which looks to be an incredibly interesting course too.
I just have to sit back for the rest of the evening and simply take it all in. I still find it a bit hard at times to truly believe that I actually made that change from my first career -- despite all that I had invested in getting to the place I was, in that career. It was truly a lot to give up. But now, it feels like a gift to have had the courage to give it all up, and embark on this amazing nursing adventure.
Gratitude. Peace. Joy. Happiness. That about describes me. :-)
I'll never tell anyone what to do, but I can say that if you have a dream, even a really old dream, buried very deep within you...if you get a chance to follow it, grab that chance. And if you don't have a chance presented to you on a silver platter, like I was lucky enough (just needed the courage to say OK, I'm going for it!), then try to find a way to make that chance reality.
Following and fulfilling your dreams is an incredible feeling. Being truly happy, content and at peace with your core self in simply the best feeling e-v-e-r. It takes work, it takes courage, it takes a leap of faith...but it is so worth it in the end.
I guess this is what it means, when people talk about living an "authentic life".
I am so grateful to be exactly where I am with my life -- including past experiences and opportunities, and current ones.
Namaste.
Future Nurse Kate
But I just wanted to take a minute and write down my thoughts. I am so overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude that I am really in nursing school. The profs I met today are all intelligent, dynamic and interesting people. I love them already and cannot wait to learn all that they can teach me.
My first clinical experience will take place Friday. My first lab will be on Thursday to prep me for that first clinical shift.
Clinical pharmacology starts tomorrow, which looks to be an incredibly interesting course too.
I just have to sit back for the rest of the evening and simply take it all in. I still find it a bit hard at times to truly believe that I actually made that change from my first career -- despite all that I had invested in getting to the place I was, in that career. It was truly a lot to give up. But now, it feels like a gift to have had the courage to give it all up, and embark on this amazing nursing adventure.
Gratitude. Peace. Joy. Happiness. That about describes me. :-)
I'll never tell anyone what to do, but I can say that if you have a dream, even a really old dream, buried very deep within you...if you get a chance to follow it, grab that chance. And if you don't have a chance presented to you on a silver platter, like I was lucky enough (just needed the courage to say OK, I'm going for it!), then try to find a way to make that chance reality.
Following and fulfilling your dreams is an incredible feeling. Being truly happy, content and at peace with your core self in simply the best feeling e-v-e-r. It takes work, it takes courage, it takes a leap of faith...but it is so worth it in the end.
I guess this is what it means, when people talk about living an "authentic life".
I am so grateful to be exactly where I am with my life -- including past experiences and opportunities, and current ones.
Namaste.
Future Nurse Kate
Friday, November 30, 2012
Lab Exam today, part 2
Whew. It is over. It went well. It went exactly as I expected, in terms of calming down inside as soon as I started and focused on what needed to be done.
In my previous communications career, we would refer to a post-event analysis or evaluation of how it went, a "post-mortem". In my current career, that somehow doesn't seem quite appropriate, especially considering nobody actually died....
Of course, of the four assessments we had to prepare, I drew the paper that said I had to do musculoskeletal/neuro exam...which was the one I least wanted to do. Murphy's Law, I guess. Luckily, it was the one I'd prepared for the most, as it was my weakest one, so I guess it all went well, in the end.
And now I'm in that post-exam happy place, where I breathe a big sigh of relief, of gratitude that it's over, that I prepared the way I did in order to feel good about how I did, and most of all, gratitude that I'm in nursing school (mentally insert Kate's happy dance here!!! LOL!)
I'm so happy that's over. But I really learned so much in the preparation for this exam. You need a cardiovascular, respiratory, GI or musculoskeletal/neurological assessment done, you come to me. You'll get a thorough one!
And, yes, I remembered my 'critical elements' - hand washing and ensuring patient privacy - omitting those would have guaranteed an exam failure, no matter how perfectly you did everything else. So all is truly well.
Just three more classes and three more exams to do, and second year is half way finished. Next term the real fun starts -- practicing our new skills on real people!
Now to prepare and pack for a weekend of winter camping....brrrrrr...
In my previous communications career, we would refer to a post-event analysis or evaluation of how it went, a "post-mortem". In my current career, that somehow doesn't seem quite appropriate, especially considering nobody actually died....
Of course, of the four assessments we had to prepare, I drew the paper that said I had to do musculoskeletal/neuro exam...which was the one I least wanted to do. Murphy's Law, I guess. Luckily, it was the one I'd prepared for the most, as it was my weakest one, so I guess it all went well, in the end.
And now I'm in that post-exam happy place, where I breathe a big sigh of relief, of gratitude that it's over, that I prepared the way I did in order to feel good about how I did, and most of all, gratitude that I'm in nursing school (mentally insert Kate's happy dance here!!! LOL!)
I'm so happy that's over. But I really learned so much in the preparation for this exam. You need a cardiovascular, respiratory, GI or musculoskeletal/neurological assessment done, you come to me. You'll get a thorough one!
And, yes, I remembered my 'critical elements' - hand washing and ensuring patient privacy - omitting those would have guaranteed an exam failure, no matter how perfectly you did everything else. So all is truly well.
Just three more classes and three more exams to do, and second year is half way finished. Next term the real fun starts -- practicing our new skills on real people!
Now to prepare and pack for a weekend of winter camping....brrrrrr...
Lab Exam today
I am a jumble of nerves, as I wait for the lab exam waiting for me later today.
Logically, there is no real need for these nerves to be jangling...I am prepared, I've done several run-throughs of the various body system assessments we need to prepare, I know what I'm doing. And I can talk about it-- yes indeed, I can talk. Never had a problem in that department!
But, it's just like so many other times when I'm waiting for something - an interview, a piano competition (back in the day!), giving a presentation at work, an exam - the waiting is always the hardest part. Mentally, I'm counting down the hours and minutes until it's time to perform.
"Perform" is actually a great word to describe today's exam. Once it starts, I switch from jangled nerve mode, into performance mode. The adrenalin kick in just enough to give me a energetic edge, and once I start talking, all is well. The nerves subside and I focus on what I'm actually doing. That's the phase I love to be in, when I'm "on". That's a great feeling, as I actually do really enjoy public speaking and presenting. (It's just the build up to doing it, that I could do without!)
Another aspect I realized, that really works for me, when giving presentations or verbal lab exams, is not to over-prepare. There is a fine line between being confident in knowing the outline of what you're going to say, and actually memorizing too much.
In my experience, I truly need to know the outline - the topics I wish to present, and a few key points to absolutely mention. These are the 'hooks' on which I base my presentation. However, if I try to memorize sentences or phrases, I find that way too stressful, in the off chance I don't remember it exactly the way I wrote it. So I don't do that! It's much easier to just talk about the topic, to ad lib, than to try to memorize everything.
At times like today, I almost wish I could just have been content sitting at my desk job, with no exam stress in my system. But as soon as the exam is over, I'm back to rejoicing that I have this incredible opportunity to create this new career in the medical field. This is where I belong, without the shadow of any doubt. Career-wise, this is truly where I'm meant to be.
Off I go, to run through the intro once more...and then find something constructive to occupy my time with, until it's time to go to lab....wish me luck! I'll be so happy when this is over!
Logically, there is no real need for these nerves to be jangling...I am prepared, I've done several run-throughs of the various body system assessments we need to prepare, I know what I'm doing. And I can talk about it-- yes indeed, I can talk. Never had a problem in that department!
But, it's just like so many other times when I'm waiting for something - an interview, a piano competition (back in the day!), giving a presentation at work, an exam - the waiting is always the hardest part. Mentally, I'm counting down the hours and minutes until it's time to perform.
"Perform" is actually a great word to describe today's exam. Once it starts, I switch from jangled nerve mode, into performance mode. The adrenalin kick in just enough to give me a energetic edge, and once I start talking, all is well. The nerves subside and I focus on what I'm actually doing. That's the phase I love to be in, when I'm "on". That's a great feeling, as I actually do really enjoy public speaking and presenting. (It's just the build up to doing it, that I could do without!)
Another aspect I realized, that really works for me, when giving presentations or verbal lab exams, is not to over-prepare. There is a fine line between being confident in knowing the outline of what you're going to say, and actually memorizing too much.
In my experience, I truly need to know the outline - the topics I wish to present, and a few key points to absolutely mention. These are the 'hooks' on which I base my presentation. However, if I try to memorize sentences or phrases, I find that way too stressful, in the off chance I don't remember it exactly the way I wrote it. So I don't do that! It's much easier to just talk about the topic, to ad lib, than to try to memorize everything.
At times like today, I almost wish I could just have been content sitting at my desk job, with no exam stress in my system. But as soon as the exam is over, I'm back to rejoicing that I have this incredible opportunity to create this new career in the medical field. This is where I belong, without the shadow of any doubt. Career-wise, this is truly where I'm meant to be.
Off I go, to run through the intro once more...and then find something constructive to occupy my time with, until it's time to go to lab....wish me luck! I'll be so happy when this is over!
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