The Top Ten Things I Learned Second Semester of Nursing School

It's been awhile. I was reminded by a dear friend that I've not updated lately and looking at my calendar, I see why I haven't.

So, here we go with the Top Ten Things I Learned Second Semester of Nursing School....
 Number 10. Don't worry about not having a life in nursing school, none of us do. Sounds profound, but it's just the nature of the beast. If you are a very social person who parties, goes shopping, attends church, has outings with your family, goes to your child's school functions....I'm talking to you. You can kiss all of that goodbye in second semester. Nursing school is kind of like boiling a toad. You don't just throw him into the boiling water, do you? No, you put him in the pot with cold water and in increments, turn up the heat. The poor toad adjusts to the temperature each time until finally he's boiled to death. That's what happens in nursing school. They give you those first introductory classes, like Intro to Nursing, Pharm I, Medical Terminology, etc, just to get your feet wet, so to speak. You develop partial confidence, thinking, "Yeah, I think I can do this, " just to bait and switch you second semester with Intro to Med-Surg, OB, Pharm II, and Mental Health. It's totally different second semester. Go in with your eyes WIDE OPEN.
Number 9. Organization is the key. Yeah, I know. I've read it on other blogs before and just sort of blew it off. But, take heed. You are going to get hit with careplans, quizzes, virtual clinic assignments, papers, clinical dates (which you CANNOT MISS EVER). If you have problems managing your time, or saying no to other activities that require your attention, figure it out  NOW. They don't care what your problem is, you have to have that assignment in; you have to make that clinical; and you have to be prepared for that test.  And they are not being hard on you just to be mean, they are preparing you for the nursing field. The hospital is not going to care what's going on in your personal life, you have to show up. They will simply fire you and hire someone else.
Number 8. Never be unprepared for any class or clinical. I know it sound the same as
number 9, but what I refer to is the preparation. Prior to any class, you are going to have tons of outlines/powerpoints/assignments to download and print. You best have a good if not GREAT printer, at least a case of paper, and extra cartridges at all times. You also have to have it in a note book. Get one for each class. The bigger, the better. It will come in handy at finals when you are responsible the CUMULATIVE material. Your time is better spent NOT looking for all the outlines like I did. Get all this together the night BEFORE CLASS. You will thank me for this advice. It lowers your blood pressure on test/quiz day and you walk in ready to do battle, not be frustrated because you couldn't get it together.
Number 7: Be ready for clinicals: uniforms wrinkle-free and clean. Shoes should be the comfortable. Don't skimp out on this. Your feet will pay for it. Stethoscope handy and on your person at all times. Don't ever set it down. Someone will walk off with it. A pocket notebook is nice to write notes. And a non-leaking pen, black ink. I ruined a pair of scrubs by not noticing my pen was leaking. ALWAYS have your drug book handy. You will be passing meds most likely. I got stupid and handed mine to a classmate who forgot hers. Dumb, dumb, dumb. She did not hand it back in a timely fashion and it was my turn to pass 20 meds. Needless to say, I had points taken off for not looking up all my meds and being prepared. Don't be me. Don't loan it out.
Number 6. Buy all the scantrons you need for each test and quiz and then buy 10 more. Your classmates have a tendency to NOT be as prepared as you are, and on test/quiz day, they are in a  . Be their hero...give them a scantron. One day, I guarantee, you will need one, and they will remember.
Number 5. Do not let the ineptness of an instructor prevent you from learning. I have said it over and over again: there are teachers galore on the internet who will bestow their knowledge for free. If your teacher doesn't make sense, teach yourself. This semester, I was forced to rewrite a certain instructors powerpoints because she didn't layout the material in a manner that was conducive to my learning style. My learning style is not her problem. It's mine. The biggest take away I ever got was doing a search for powerpoints from other instructors teaching the same material. Here's the big secret: book publishers supply teachers with the powerpoints taken directly from the book. The teacher can add or subtract what she/he thinks is necessary. So, while your instructor may not explain something in depth that you are struggling with, another instructor whose powerpoints online may. Get your google on and search!
Number 4. You gotta sleep sometime. Try your best to keep the same schedule or your body will rebel, and embarrass the heck out of you. Case in point: I had a bad habit of staying up until 1 AM, even on nights  when I was going to clinicals at 6:15 AM. So not a good plan. My eyes got very tired, and I developed a weird eye strain condition. Every time I would squint, tears poured down my face. This was very embarrassing during a sterile procedure when I was gloved and gowned and could not even see for the tears. It was my body telling me: "You can't abuse me." And I got the message.
Number 3. Thou SHALT NOT hack off thy clinical instructor. This is where you have to leave the ego at the door. She/he can make you, or make you wish you had never been born. Don't embarrass, don't gossip about, and don't make her annoyed. Yes, I am asking you to dance. You have to go along to get along on this one.  After you finish clinicals, you are going to need a decent job reference. They would be more willing to give it if you have a good working relationship. There are going to be bosses, charge nurses, hospital administrators that you can't stand and are going to have to be working with side by side. Consider this practice.
Number 2. Make your family/friends/significant other understand what this journey means to you. I had to sit my family down and explain that I had to study X amount of time for X amount of material. Dishes, laundry, general cleaning, can all be done on weekends. Remember: there's always paper plates, cups, spoons, etc. You have to work hard with kids to get them to see that Mommy isn't going to be doing this bit forever. And when you get time off, enjoy them. I am so lucky because my 8 year old is my greatest advocate. I've heard him say to his dad, "No, Mommy can't go to the movies...she has a 2 tests this week. Didn't you read her calendar?" Too cute. :)
Number 1. Be there for each other. Our class went from 60 to now 31. By the time we graduate, it's going down further. Help each other. Send your notes, offer to show someone a skill that you have mastered. It's going to reap benefits because one day, you both will be in the work place. And who better to have there than a comrade in arms? Someone who went through the war with you....because that's pretty close to how it feels. Help them cross the finish line with you.

Adventures in Nursing School

I know, I know, you think I don't love you, but I do.....just been busy trying to pass stuff, get through clinicals, ect. To say it's been crazy has been putting it mildly. My first week of school we were required to do two days of skills to be checked off on. I made it through the foley cath check off just fine. The trach care and suctioning...not so much. I ended up redoing that one. I also missed one on my med calculation test that we had to do for Pharmacology, so I repeated that one, too. But it's all good. That stress is over. Last Friday, I completed my IV check off skills, and that was successful. We had to do 5 skills: initiate the IV, insert a bolus medication, add a piggy back IV,  convert it to a saline lock, and then...discontinue the IV. All within 30 minutes. It wouldn't have been so bad, but they always teach you the old fashioned way to do it, manually getting a drip rate. That wasn't near as much fun, but I got through it. Check out my make shift IV pole! Hey, you have to use what you have or what you can get to learn on. It's really a pole to put in your yard and hang flowers or a birdfeeder on. That's what I told Hunnybunny we could use it for, anyway, after I purchased it from Hobby Lobby. And maybe you can see the "fake arm" I made. I got tired of waiting to use the manikins at school as there are so many of us, and not as many of them. So, I took a candle, width of my wrist; some modeling clay-rolling it out super thin to make the veins to lie on top of it. And then I put some spongy paper-like material on top for the "skin" Can you see the "veins" under the "skin"? Well, it worked for me so I guess that's all that counts. At least it smelled good from the candle.
As far as the other classes go, I'm doing fine. Intro to Med-Surg may kill me, but I'm still there. It's a 6 hour class and a 12-hour clinical. The clinical is going .....okay. Definitely need to bare in mind that you have to be more flexible than you ever thought you would be. I managed to get points taken off the first day! I had this patient with 20 meds to give and completely blew it. Not to mention that our instructor takes off points for diary-type nursing notes that we had to write. I know she wants us to be clear and concise, and I guarantee you, I will be by the time our last clinical is over.
What I've noticed most is that I don't have the "what if I don't make it" attitude that I had last semester. Don't misunderstand, I work HARD! I feel like I have to study twice as much as my under 25-year-old classmates. But I guess I've gotten to the point where I know I'm trying my best, and that's all anyone can ask. Even of myself.

Finally have a minute or two to update you....

I survived my first semester of nursing school. While that may seem trite, I think about those students with much younger brains who didn't make it to second semester. And I'm sad for them.  One of my group didn't make it and when she told me she was dropping, I felt like someone died. I wasn't that far behind them as my pharmacology didn't come up as I planned. I made it by .5 for the C. C's are different in nursing school. Mine start at 83 and go to 78. Anything below that range is a D. My other classes I did fine: How to be a nurse 101- B; and Intro to Nursing- A. Toward the last of it, I was getting ready for the head-to-toe assessment, going through clinicals, and getting ready for finals.
I learned a lot during clinicals. Clinicals are great because you have someone to hold your hand just starting out. I was able to connect to most patients, but was even asked to leave another patient's room. Apparently, she thought I talked too much. I remember asking her one question....oh, well. I took it kind of hard at first, but then realized she was in a lot of pain. Many people came and went in her room. She may not have been able to discern that it wasn't me talking. Anyway, lesson learned. Comatose patient: Don't ask anything. Just wait until they are up and oriented. Other than that one experience, it was really good. I was able to give one patient a bath and she had all the good humor that I hope to have approaching  her age. Another patient was  staring death down, and she had this great attitude. Again, I hope I'm like that.  

Other things I learned included what type of learner I am. Apparently, I'm a visual/active learner. Having tried the auditory route, and massive note taking route, I think I'm better going through the chapters myself, and creating my own visual cues. I studied with several classmates, and shared my notes with them. I got the reputation of being really smart, even though none of that was true. I can make these fantastic notes which apparently helped others make A's but for myself, it just didn't happen. Reeks, doesn't it? A re-evaluation of my study methods are definitely in order.

Another thing I have come up against is feeling responsible for helping others study. I know, I know, how crazy is that, right Even the night before finals, I had someone wanting to study with me. She had not studied as she should (neither had I) and was expecting a miracle. The miracle never came, even until 2:00 AM when I had to shut my eyes for a little while. I got up at 5  AM to go over the stuff I didn't have time to go over while she was there. I passed by the skin of my teeth, .5. That's a little too close. If I had failed that course, I would've had to repeat it next semester. I've got to find the balance of being willing to help when I can, but not feeling it's my responsibility to make sure they pass. It is, however, my job to make sure I pass. Any study methods you can pass along would be great! I have a month before the roller coaster starts up again, and with four classes, 12 hour clinicals, I need to figure this out.....SOON!

So....my last post was a little tense....

so, I apologize. And I deleted it.  Stress was getting to me. Still is. A friend told me that she benefited the most from putting lots of time into notes. And I have to admit, she's right. Only I can dig through that text and totally understand what notes I've written. So, if I sounded judgmental, I think I was just feeling unappreciated by those I had shared notes with. They don't want to pitch in, it's really about them.
I had another test today and patiently waiting for her to post the grades.I'm feeling pretty good about it.

Next week, I have vital signs check off and injection check off...both on the same day! As far as being nervous, sure, I'm nervous, but not terrified. I probably should be. But I'm trying not to psych myself out.

I have been really enjoying most of my classes, especially Pharmacology. The teacher is passionate about teaching us the right way, and I appreciate her for that.

We received our new schedule for next semester. Here it is as follows:


Mental Health
Health Deviations
Peds
Pharm II

We hit the ground running with 12-hour clinicals. Thankfully, I got the new Timberland Pros. Aren't they positively "Ooogle-ly"?? But so far, they are very comfortable. I've been breaking them in every chance I get. Clinicals for this semester start very soon, and I'll be getting my assignment for them Monday. Sounds crazy, but this semester has really flown by.

First week of testing in nursing school

 Yes, it's been a fun-filled week in nursing school. I had the privilege of taking three exams back to back in one week. That's right, Friends and neighbors, my brain got a workout.   Fifty or so hand-written pages of notes from my "how to be a nurse" class.  After studying close to 72 hours total for it, all I got for my trouble was a 76. While that would be passing in regular classes, the range for a C is 78- 83 in nursing school. I missed passing it by one question. We covered: asepsis, infection control, nutrition, range of motion, order for putting on and taking off, personal protection equipment, glucometer skills, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and how it applies to nursing...I think that was it. It was pretty intense. My teacher told me I did better than alot of people on this test, but there was no comfort in her words.
Pharmacology was much better, I got a B.  And the online Intro to Nursing class I got an A.
I think I realized my problem regarding my studying. I spent all my time dissecting the textbooks and comparing them to the outlines.  Basically, I couldn't see the forest for the trees and made it much more complicated than it needed to be. Not playing on my strengths hurt me, too. My thing is visual learning. I've been trying to rewrite notes,  and use auditory learning with an Echo Smartpen. What did help me were sites like Study Blue, Quizlet, and Flashcard Exchange.  I can make my own study guides and the sites will quiz me on the definitions or theories.

       I saw this on a t-shirt that I want to get. It pretty much summed up my week. Day of the exams, I had gone to bed at midnight and got up at 3:30 AM to study until 6:30 AM. I left early and sat in the parking lot to study. Nobody had on any makeup and nobody cared, either, including me.
        I get to do it all again in 2 1/2 weeks......YEA!  But at least I know now how to approach it.

And for those of you wondering, yes, the bag with the wheels
is working pretty well. I went with the Samsonite because the company is as old as me.....lol! Anyway, it holds about 7 books, nursing that is, 6 or 7 composition books, and two nookbooks, plus all my extra pockets of stuff. Thanks for asking! I would get another one!


  

The more you learn, the more you realize how much more you have to learn

And I've never felt this was true as much as this week! My first day was this past Wednesday,  August 17th, and no, I didn't sleep at all! I kept having that dream of being late so, I checked my clock on the half hour.

We made our way in, 60 of us in this particular class; all ages, shapes, colors, nationalities were accepted.  I had gathered all the paperwork we had to present for admission for months, terrified I had forgotten something important. All three semesters met in an auditorium and we were welcomed by our upper classmen.
Our main speaker was very enthusiastic and it was the first time I had seen her smile since my journey began. It was great knowing that others had sat where I was sitting and were about to graduate.

First, we began to go over syllabi, exam dates, and how to use the online resources. Then we started talking about clinical dates, uniforms, back up plans for transportation, etc.

Monday was the LONGEST DAY EVER! I was there from 8 am until 4pm. My brain hurt when I got home, and then the headache started. I was very glad to have the following Tuesday off as it's a future clinical day. Wednesday was almost just as long...just til 2:00. Thursday is lab/lecture, so its an abbreviated pharmacology day, 8:00 til 10:00. I was off today, but spent most of it working on my required online class.

Sticker shock!

  

No, these aren't all my books, but pretty close. Fact is, I'm still buying them. Wow, they told me I'd have to sell a kidney to pay for school, but I don't guess I fully believed them. So far, I am up to $206. That amount was six books I found on Amazon. I still have $500 more to come up with in books and supplies. I hope the subsequent semesters aren't this expensive.

    Thankfully, I had the foresight to get my laptop when I started prerequisites, and even got one of these: 


It's been pretty handy on this traveling thing I've done this year. And it looks like it will spare my back.

That butterfly feeling

"When you find your path, you must not be afraid. You need to have sufficient courage to make mistakes. Disappointment, defeat, and despair are the tools God uses to show us the way."

Paulo Coelho

Every time I start thinking about what this August is going to hold, I get physically sick on my stomach. Seriously. Like I did when I was pregnant with all three boys. I'm trying to figure out if this is normal or not. In my heart of hearts, I think I believe it is normal, but it's really freaking me out.

In a former life, I was an on-air personality at a well-respected, top 40 radio station. When I first started, I was really nervous, but eventually I got to the place that I could be talking to you in my studio, ask you to "hold that thought" , and go into my spiel. When the weather, or commercial was over, I could pick up exactly where I left off. My oldest brother was in the control room when I did this once, and he was amazed. My question is: is it like that in nursing school where you can get over the butterflies and do what you need to do without being scared to death?
Have any of you nursing students felt that way? And when did it get easier?

Happiness is Getting Your First Nursing Book!

I'll admit it....I'm a planner. I hate last minute ANYTHING. Am I a control freak? No, I'm thinking I'm not. Most control freaks like to control EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY. I am way too flawed for that. But, being that everything hinges on Pharmacology in nursing school, I felt the need to investigate the HOW. How do you "study" ahead for a course you haven't had yet and will determine whether or not you have the moxie to see it through the end? Here's what I've discovered, anyway, on how to study for Pharm:
1. Learn starting from category of drugs. (Seems logical)
a. side effects
b. toxicity
c. action
d. contra
e. endings names of drugs

2. Mnemonics is a good way to study, too. I found a cool site to start with: Medical Mnemonics.

3. I have found that doing a simple search on Google can be a great asset. Apparently, real teachers don't care who they teach as long as someone out there learns. You can find Power Points for lectures on any subject under the sun. And teachers love to have students learn at home, so do some research. If you want to dig into Pharmacology, this teacher, Jerry Carley, RN, MSN, MA, CNE, has this great nursing info site, including pharm. Click on his name and check it out. He's brilliant!

4. Allnurses.com is a great tool to find tips on how to study pharm, vent or just about anything else nurse related.

5. Networking. Don't underestimate the power of networking. I have found that most people have knowledge and experience that they are willing to share if you just ask. This past semester, I became friends with the most wonderful lady who just happened to be an LPN. (She had to take A & P again because of a technicality) And she was a wealth of information and mostly, inspiration. She made me believe I had a shot at being a nurse. I will forever be grateful to her. We studied our hearts out for that demanding class. A study partner is going to be your ACE in the hole.

Orientation of Sorts

I was ill prepared for the "orientation" segment of my nursing journey. Since I was an alternate, I had missed the first round of orientation. There were only 4 of us at this meeting. The administrator passed out the material, and we began to go over over everything. 
  I knew the shot record requirement was going to be a problem. In Florida, there is no centralized office of immunizations, and mine were done in the docs office over 40 years ago. It doesn't help the the doctor is dead as well.  So, I went to the health clinic and had them draw MMR titers. Also got the Hep B that was recommended. My arm had a huge knot from that shot.  Cool. Got that done.
Getting there early afforded me the "privilege" of going first to get my classes. I will be in class on Mondays from 8:00-4:30PM, with  the "How to be a nurse", essentially. (Lecture and lab are back to back). Tuesday is a clinical day which starts at 1:30 through 7:30. (Hey, I was an alternate: beggars can't be choosers.)  Wednesday is Pharmacy I , and the second lecture for the "How to be a nurse". Thursday is the Pharm lab. And Fridays...I collapse;)  Not really, but initially, I probably will.