One important thing I have learned since starting nursing school is that you can't do it on your own. You can try and some do, but many are not successful. What do I mean by doing it on your own? Not using your resources! And what are your resources? All the instructors within your program, study groups, exam blueprints, your fellow classmates, other nursing students in your program, supplemental materials. They're all important!
Recently, I was having a little trouble with a certain subject...electrolytes! The instructor who went over electrolytes was all over the place in lecture. Nothing was sinking in! Reading helped a bit, but not to the point I needed. So I asked my clinical instructor to go over it with our clinical group. We all had this AHA! moment when he began explaining things. Especially when he started relating it to patient care.
This is just one simple example of using resources. Don't rely on just your notes and textbooks. If you need help, ask for it. Go to the other resources. Your report card will thank you!
Friday, September 27, 2013
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Just an update...
I do actually plan to blog. Like a real blog post. Not an excuse post. A real post. Soon. After I plow through some of this work. Holy poo, there is a ton of it.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Practice, Practice, Practice
"Practice makes perfect." I have always hated that saying. Mainly because I can be kind of lazy. BUT in the world of nursing and nursing school, you have to practice.
My 1st semester of nursing school was last semester, Spring 2013. In that semester, I learned how to place urinary catheters, administer medications via injection, give oxygen, how to do aspectic technique, and place a nasogastric tube. That's a lot of stuff. And then my first semester was over and I had a lovely, loooooooooong summer break. WHICH MEANS not a lot of practice going on!
Well, I am back in school for my second semester. And this past week and last week, we have been reviewing and practicing. I am beyond grateful for the review. It helped reinforce everything I learned last semester. It all came flooding back to me. But I can't help but think what if it didn't? This is where practice comes in. So practice your skills, read up on the procedure, and keep it fresh in your head!
My 1st semester of nursing school was last semester, Spring 2013. In that semester, I learned how to place urinary catheters, administer medications via injection, give oxygen, how to do aspectic technique, and place a nasogastric tube. That's a lot of stuff. And then my first semester was over and I had a lovely, loooooooooong summer break. WHICH MEANS not a lot of practice going on!
Well, I am back in school for my second semester. And this past week and last week, we have been reviewing and practicing. I am beyond grateful for the review. It helped reinforce everything I learned last semester. It all came flooding back to me. But I can't help but think what if it didn't? This is where practice comes in. So practice your skills, read up on the procedure, and keep it fresh in your head!
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Personal Struggles in Nursing School
In nursing school, we explore a variety of content. And there will be times where a nursing student will relate to it - on some level. I have seen students in my classes get emotional about certain topics, I have seen topics affect my friends, and this past week, the content affected me. The important thing about all of this is how you will use it once you become a nurse.
I am currently in my med-surg class. Right now, our topic is on OB. OB is definitely an interesting topic. And I didn't feel any effect from it the first day when we were discussing a typical, textbook birth. The following day, we went over augmentation and interventions in the labor process as well as cesarean section. And that is where I had a moment
You see, I have 2 kids. My son was born eight years ago. I went into labor and when I arrived at the hospital, I was dilated to a 4. However, the admitting people put me into an observation room until a birthing suite was ready. There were other women in there - one with her 3 kids. They were running around and my focus was thrown out the window. The pain got intense and I asked for an epidural. The problem with epidurals is that they can slow labor down and that happened to me. And from there out, my labor was augmented and I had multiple interventions. I feel those interventions helped lead to a c-section.
With my daughter, I had hoped to have a VBAC ( vaginal birth after cesarean). My OB/GYN was 100% on board with this. But for a multitude of reasons, I ended up having to have a repeat section. Yes, at the end of the day, I had 2 beautiful, healthy babies. But my plans for my births were not what I imagined and it makes me sad. Labor and delivery isn't just about healthy babies, it also about moms and their feelings.
So what am I going to take away from this? Should I ever become an L&D nurse, I know that I will advocate for my patients and their birth plans. I know that I will be able to be empathetic to a mother that cannot have her baby vaginally. I know that I will be able to a better nurse to my patients.
I am currently in my med-surg class. Right now, our topic is on OB. OB is definitely an interesting topic. And I didn't feel any effect from it the first day when we were discussing a typical, textbook birth. The following day, we went over augmentation and interventions in the labor process as well as cesarean section. And that is where I had a moment
You see, I have 2 kids. My son was born eight years ago. I went into labor and when I arrived at the hospital, I was dilated to a 4. However, the admitting people put me into an observation room until a birthing suite was ready. There were other women in there - one with her 3 kids. They were running around and my focus was thrown out the window. The pain got intense and I asked for an epidural. The problem with epidurals is that they can slow labor down and that happened to me. And from there out, my labor was augmented and I had multiple interventions. I feel those interventions helped lead to a c-section.
With my daughter, I had hoped to have a VBAC ( vaginal birth after cesarean). My OB/GYN was 100% on board with this. But for a multitude of reasons, I ended up having to have a repeat section. Yes, at the end of the day, I had 2 beautiful, healthy babies. But my plans for my births were not what I imagined and it makes me sad. Labor and delivery isn't just about healthy babies, it also about moms and their feelings.
So what am I going to take away from this? Should I ever become an L&D nurse, I know that I will advocate for my patients and their birth plans. I know that I will be able to be empathetic to a mother that cannot have her baby vaginally. I know that I will be able to a better nurse to my patients.
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