Howdy!  Has it really been this long since my last blog?  Wow, how time flies!  After careful consideration, I switched jobs recently.  The "dream" job that I had turned into a bit of a nightmare.  The facility I worked at was beautiful and the residents whom I cared for were wonderful and will be missed, but I started to dread going into work.  I worked with some really awesome people and the families that I engaged with were great.  I just started to feel "rushed" with my med pass and felt like I couldn't spend any "quality nursing time" with the residents.  Although I bonded with quite a few residents, my heart just wasn't in it and I felt like my license that I worked sooooo hard to get was on the line at times and no one cared.  So, after discussing my options with my husband, I was interviewed and hired at a new health and rehabilitation center.  I work on the skilled nursing unit on the night shift from 10pm to 6am Monday through Friday.  So no more back-to-back 16 hours shifts!  No more having to search for a babysitter at the last minute because I was put on the schedule without notice, AND no more missing lunch breaks or pee breaks because there just wasn't time.  Now I work with another awesome nurse who has been very nurturing and a great role model along with two terrific CNAs.  My kids are happy, my hubby is happy, and as we adjust to a new routine, I'm happy. 

I had a few "licensed practical nurse" interviews last week.  All of them went really well (or so I felt they did!) but none of them gave me the feeling that one did.  From the moment I walked through the doors in this facility, I felt like I was in my home-away-from-home.  The receptionist was friendly and helpful and acted as if we knew each other.  Then the interviewer entered the lobby with a bright and warm smile.  After a few minutes with her, I felt "home".  I immediately wanted to tell her that I would take the position but I thought I'd better not seem too desperate!  Then she gave my a tour of the facility and then introduced me to the lady who is to become my mentor.  WOW, talk about a momma hen, and I mean that with pure affection! Her wit, professionalism, intelligence and beauty struck me like I was hitting a pot of gold!  Now the residents, what can I say about them?  I met a few during my tour and again, WOW, I felt home!  Now this can all change, I realize this, but it is so hard to imagine.  This morning I accepted this position and I have an appointment with the HR department to fill out my paperwork.  I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that they don't tell me, "opps we thought we hired someone else!" when I arrive!  That would be horrible!  For now, I am doing the happy dance with my fingers crossed and a HUGE smile across my face!!!! 

 

I'm so thrilled to say that I am now a licensed practical nurse!  I completed the NCLEX examination last week and passed it!  I don't have a job lined up yet.....still trying to get used to the fact that I passed and now can venture out into the world of nursing!  Good luck to you all! 

Yes, this mom needs a break from mommyhood.  I really don't know how stay-at-home moms do it!  I've been so busy with taking my children to school, meetings at the school, cleaning house, doing laundry, helping with homework that I need a break!  With one in school, it was a breeze, but with two?  Wow!!!!!  Don't get me wrong, I have a nice break while they are at school, but seriously, it's been a month since I graduated and I just finally applied for my licensure from the Board of Nursing today.  Perhaps when my kids graduation from high school I will then be able to take the NCLEX!  Thank goodness all the hugs, kisses, and smiles make it all worth it!!!!!! 

Yesterday my darling son began kindergarten and he loved it.  He cried when I arrived to pick him up.  For some odd reason, riding the bus home seemed like the logical way for him to get home versus going home with his mom in the car.  Mind you, we live 3 minutes away from his school.  He now must be watched carefully because he has that certain look of determination to board the bus before I pick him up.  Ahhh, the joys of parenthood.

I am so proud to say that on Friday, July 20th at 4pm I became a practical nurse!  I've been celebrating with family and friends so once the party is over, I will begin the application process for a job.  Then once I get my paperwork from school I will apply to take the boards. The last couple of weeks have been stressful so now I can relax for a bit.  I hope you all are doing well.  For incoming nursing students, note to the wise, take time for yourself and take several breaks between studying.  Quiz yourself often and refer to a NCLEX study guide for understanding the rationale behind some questions/answers.  Believe me, this was my weakness as there was two correct answers but one that was better .  It never made sense until I looked up the reason behind the correct answer.  I'm still confused on a few I'll admit.  Oh well.  Well, time to go as my party continues.  Have a fun and safe week!

This titles refers to a attractive and sweet elderly resident in the nursing home that I'm assigned to. She says this statement over and over at least a hundred times in a day if not more.  She drives most of the other residents nuts.  Being the naive nursing student, I thought I could re-direct her by getting her to talk with me.  She responded for a few seconds and then I became her momma.  I checked her oxygen tank to make sure it was filled.  The started a cycle after this with, "momma my head hurts" for a while and then, "momma my wheel hurts".  When I questioned this she pointed to her wheelchair.  I asked if she meant that her leg or foot hurt she looked at me straight in the eye and said sternly, "No, I said my wheel on my chair hurts and it wants to leave" and then proceeded with, "momma my hands hurt."  I tried to figure her out when another adorable resident said, "honey, she is crazy go treat some people in real pain and stop wasting your time."  An elderly man then said, "hey willa just give her a pill and shut her up?"  Of course I was speechless!  But seriously, isn't that just soooooo funny yet sad?

 

One week until graduation!!!!!!  Yahooooooooo!!!!! 

On July 20th I will be pinned as a practical nurse!  Can you believe it?  I can't.  Somedays I feel as if I am really not ready to be a graduate nurse.  You see, about a month ago my beloved grandmother died.  She was on hospice and was 91-years old.  She loved life and wasn't ready to die.  Hospice gave our family a book on what to expect and what signs to look out for.  We all saw all of the signs before her death.  She even had a conversation with God the day before.

 

The morning she died I was with her along with my mom and uncle.  It was a quiet morning with the birds and crickets singing.  As we tried to sleep we were comforted with the sound of her breathing with the aid of her oxygen machine.  Later on in the day, the hospice team visited and told the family that she had anywhere from 2-hours to 2-weeks left of life.  This was hard to hear.  I was given the responsibility of managing her meds, counting her respirations, watching for any signs of distress or pain.  My grandmother was unconscious for the remainder of the day and this was the hardest to deal with.  She was a very animated and vivacious lady full of life.  When she died, my sisters, myself, and some of our family was present.  It was heartbreaking.  It seemed as if timed stopped for a brief moment.  Shocked and stunned, I could hear my baby sister crying and asking if our grandma was gone.  I don't remember what my response was.  I looked at my other little sister who shook her head. 

 

Later in the evening I thought, there is no way I can do this for a living; how can I be the confident and strong nurse to lean on or answer questions for families in a similar situation?  Could I ever be the nurse I wanted to be?  I know my grandma was proud of me and looked forward to my graduation.   

 

I miss my grandma. 

 

I will begin my preceptorship on the 9th.  I was VERY excited about it and was looking forward to it until I went in for my orientation.  I'm assigned to a long-term nursing and rehabilitation care center.  There are many elderly residents.  Each person I met or walked by made me think of my grandma.  Perhaps once I am shadowing my preceptor I will feel better.  Perhaps the wound is still too fresh.  Maybe the care I may provide may be even better than before.  I don't know.  I just hope I can be the nurse I wanted to be.  Maybe this is a lesson from above to help keep me a safe, caring and empathetic nurse.   

 

Thanks for listening. 

 

The light is growing bigger these days in my LPN program.  Finals are scheduled for Thursday and my preceptorship is to start on Tuesday 6/26.  I completed my rotations in pediatrics, OB/GYN, and family practice in the clinical setting.  All were awesome and I learned much from each one.  For example, in peds all the kids are sweet and willing to cooperate IF the nurse is funny and plays along with them.  I learned in OB/GYN that our female genitalia looks nothing like the illustrations in our nursing books.  In family practice, I learned that there is sooooo much paperwork involved!  I was in each setting for only two days and noticed that there is very little nursing care involved versus the hospital setting.  The reason for little nursing care is because the appointment is to see the doctor who was in the room for almost each patient withing 10 minutes.  One nurse in peds did give extensive teaching regarding obesity and I thought she was great.  Another gave great teaching to a new spanish speaking mom who's baby had received immunizations.  All in all, my experiences have been great.  I'm still scared to allow myself to accept that I am almost a nurse.  I still feel that I know nothing!!!!  I get my LPN pin on July 20th.  After that I will focus on the NCLEX and then hopefully will get a job for 6-8 months and then ressume school for another 2 semesters for my associates degree.  That is the plan anyway!  Wish me luck!  Good luck to all of you in all your endeavors!

Eve

Last month we attended my nephews' confirmation.  My sister had this dilemna, should she purchase new fancy shoes for both her sons which they will never wear again or let them borrow some.  The thought of borrowing shoes was out of the question (unless they were girls, then it'd be ok).  Buying new shoes was going to be expensive which she didn't mind, but again, they would only wear them once.  The decision?  Rubber shells!  That's right, rubber shells that fit over their shoes.  It worked perfectly and I think the boys have worn them more than once!  Of course, my sister felt bad, my brother-in-law was horrified, and NO ONE NOTICED that they weren't real shoes.  A good decision?  You be the judge, new shoes 64.99 times 2 or Rubber shells, $14.00 times two.  I support the shells! LOL

 

I am happy to report that I survived my pediatric rotation!  I was in a clinic where lots of the clients speak spanish and although I do understand it, I do not speak it well.  It was an adventure and most of the time I was successful communicating with the families and children, but a few times I felt like I was playing charades.  Every single child I met was absolutely adorable and sweet.  Lets see, what can I tell you.  Since I am not naming names of location, clinics, or patients, confidentiality is not an issue (I hope!). 

The one moment that sticks in my head is that of the 5-week old baby who needed to be catheterized to have his urine tested prior to being admitted for a UTI.  I became involved because one of the awesome nurses that I worked with invited me in to watch.  I then followed this little guy to the lab to get his blood drawn to help his mom care for his big brother.  This situation helped me to see that there is more to nursing than just filling in the paperwork and giving shots/medications...it's all about the compassion and trust.  It was an awesome lesson. 

The other moment that sticks in my mind is the 4-year old who was brought in for the possibility of ringworm.  He had lesions on his head and neck but that isn't what captured my attention.  He refused to take his shoes off, refused to get weighed or have his height taken.  He wouldn't smile and was about to cry when his mom demanded that he listen and remove his shoes.  So I quickly told him that I needed his help in catching a bunny who kept tickling the kids and erasing my information while I took their weight and height.  He loved this!  Before I knew it, he was laughing, smiling, and letting me get his measurements and vital signs.  What made it even better was he and his mom continued the story about the silly bunny rabbit thoughtout the visit.  Awesome!   There is so much more I can add, but I don't want to bore you!  I must report that I didn't give any shots.  I just didn't feel I was ready to inflict pain on the little ones even though I understand the need for the immunizations.  Well, next is OB/GYN.  That ought to be interesting!!!  I'll get you posted!  

 

Have a groovy week!

Eve

Gee whiz, it's been so long since I last blogged!  I'm FINALLY in the practical nursing program and my graduation date is July 20th.  It's been a rollercoaster!  I had some difficulities last semester; being a mom, wife and student doesn't work well in my world!  I can't image if I had to work and how that would have fit into my equation....not well I imagine.  I give soooooo much credit to those who have to "do it all" and fit everything into a schedule, especially the single moms! 

 

I'll update more after my OB/Peds rotations...that ought to be fun....NOT!

 

Best wishes for a fabulous week!

Eve 

On Friday during clinicals I was so proud of myself because I actually had my careplan completed, however it was shortlived.  All is needed to do was collect information on how much the patient I was assigned to had taken in and out and her current vital signs.  As we (me and my classmate who were paired up) were talking about who would do what during our assessment, a woman came to the nurses desk and said rather calmly but with urgency in her face said, "I need a nurse for my daughter".  No problem....no one else jumped in so I closed the chart I was looking at and said I'd be right there.  I followed and this is what happened.

 

Mother:  "My daughter can't breathe".

Me:  In my mind, "oh shit, what the hell did I just get myself into?" (Again, only in my mind!!!)

Patient:  (face red, tears, look of terror and obviously problems catching breath) "I.....can't......breathe".

 

I quickly went to the bedside looked at her and this is my assessment:  chest and face quite red,  nasal cannula & tubing ok, O2 set at 2 L/M.....IV looks ok.....patient talking but in distress...humm, post op patient from some sort of abdominal surgery, crap I know nothing about this lady!  I was in the room less than a minute before I said, "Let me find her nurse quickly, I'll be right back!" 

Mother:  "OK"

Patient: "OK"

 

I ran out of the room and yelled for her nurse who was (surprise) on break.  I grabbed my instructor and ran back to the room where the patient was still in distress.  I am so grateful that this lady was having an anxiety attack and nothing more serious.  It was scary for her and for me.  I have been going over the situation repeatedly trying to figure out what I could have done differently like NOT LEAVING THE ROOM!  Duh!!!!!!!  Oh well, like my classmate who just love said, "Eve, you are a nursing student here to learn". 

 

After some time, my instructor banned my from patient care.....her reasoning?  Quote..."everytime you enter a room, something dramatic happens and we want to leave early today"  or something like that so I guess I'm paraphrasing.   (Note to Andrea, "dee dee dee!!!!!!")

 

Hope you all are having a great weekend!

 

Eve

 I didn't have a patient assigned to me since I have my OR rotation tomorrow  (I am really excited about it!)  The patient I picked to follow tomorow is a male who is scheduled for a breast mass removal.  I picked him because I thought it was rare for a male to have a breast mass and thought it would be cool to follow him from pre-op to surgery to post-op.  So to make a LONG story short (as possible anyway) I really had no "assignments" other than to float.  This freedom was awesome.  The unit I am on was quiet (meaning there was a lot to do, but nothing I really could get "into".  One patient passed away, one was on suicide watch for an attempted suicide, and another was (as she put it) "finally diagnosed" with lymphoma.  It wasn't a "fun" day since there were lots of tears.   So since I found myself with empty hands, I attached myself to a busy respiratory therapist who was behind on Neb-treatments due to the huge amount of patients needing them.  As I tagged along with her and listened intently to her explain was was needed she got paged to the ED (emergency department) to take in a ventilator for a code.  So, calmly, but VERY quickly, she gathered what she needed and we walked QUICKLY to the ED.  I felt butterflies in my stomach as we entered the double doors to the ED.    

The patient hadn't arrived when we got to the room but the whole code team was there ready and energized.  I quietly became a fly-on-the-wall in a corner and talked with a ER tech who was VERY informative.  She told me that the lady who was in crisis had passed out.  She had metastatic breast cancer and was in her late forties.  Basically when she arrived she was unresponsive, intubated, had a low blood pressure, and her pupils were fixed and dilated.  Her family requested a full-code.  I was in awe as I watched the team in action.  Every move they made was in sync, they communicated effectively, and it was NOTHING LIKE THE SHOW ER!!!!!!  No chaos here! 

All respect was given to this lady, they talked to her, some explained what they were doing to her, and they covered her up (she was stripped of her clothes) when it was appropriate.  What amazed me was all the terms I've heard over the last 2 years and here I was seeing them in real life...no definitions, just medical terms, medications and procedures in action just like a synchronized dance routine.  It would have been beautiful had this not been real and someone's life in jeopardy. 

The team did all they could.  Unfortunately she suffered a huge brain bleed and eventually her family removed her from life support.  I removed myself from the room when they arrived to see her.  I returned soon after she passed and I found the need to enter her room to say goodbye.  I didn't know her and I didn't know her name, but I saw her face and I knew she was someone who was loved and adored and I just had to say goodbye. 

 

Yes, I am a student nurse and yes, I understand the importance of critical skills for any situation that may arise.  I am working hard to develop these skills while in the hospital, nursing home...actually anywhere a medical crisis may occur.  However, I think I am lacking these skills in basic everyday living.  For example, a few weeks ago while moving my entertainment center, I unplugged everything and proudly reconnected everything.  A few hours later my phone line went dead.  I waited a few days to call the phone company because I thought this was due to the weather or perhaps something that happened to the line outside.

 

A friendly gentleman came over late into his shift (on a Sunday) and checked everything out.  He had me unplug all the phone lines in the house and then reconnect them.  He concluded that something in one room was killing the phone line.  Humm, I couldn't figure it out.  He had many good theories one being that the satellite reciever was causing all the problems.  He suggested that I contact the sat. company and request a new receiver.  I didn't agree because it is a new one.  I then told him about my re-arrangment and he asked if I plugged in everything correctly.  What kind of question is that???  I was a bit annoyed as I explained that I checked the connections more than once.  We talked for a while outside in the dark coldness until I convinced him to come in to the room and look for himself that everything was plugged in right.  Need I say more????? 

 

Ok, I will swallow my pride and admit that I connected the telephone line into the ethernet slot in the receiver thus killing the phone line.  Thank goodness the phone guy has critical thinking skills!!!! 

 

One more example of how I am lacking these skills:  today while driving my daughter to school I heard a rattle coming from my car door.  I pulled over checked everything and figured that it must be something inside the door.  As I drove back into my driveway the sound was very annoying so I stopped the car and then the lightblub clicked on in my brain....perhaps the noise was coming from the second set of keys I used to open the door of the car that were still hanging on the door.  Either I need some sleep, an eye exam, or just a kick in the head to knock my brain back into place!!!!  (This is for Andrea....dee dee deeeeee!!!!)

 

Hope everyone has a great week!!!!

Eve    

Last week during clinicals I had my first scary experience.  Luckily I had two of my classmates in the patient's room with me to help me out.  Seriously, without their presence I don't know what I would have done. 

The patient I was assigned to was unresponsive to any stimulus.  Her Glasgow Coma(a way to assess and document a person's level of consciousness) Score was 3.  Three is the lowest and not the score you want.  Her ammonia level was 215, the normal is 9-33.  She didn't respond to her name, touch, stimulus....anything.  Her daughter stated that the day before she was fine, talking and ready to be released and was in shock to find her mom is this state. 

Her doctor ordered Lactulose to flush the ammonia out of her body.  This causes diarrhea, lots and lots of it!  Long story short, a foley-like catheter was inserted into her rectum to help clear her bowels without causing a mess.  Unfortunately this isn't fool-proof and during my assessment I noticed a pool of stool under her.  So this is when the "mightly men" came to my aid to assist with changing this lady's linens and clean her skin.  We had to move her quite a bit from side to side and had to be cautious because if kept on her side too long, the pressure on her stomach (which was distended) would cause her to vomit.  Well,  this happened.  Remember, she is unconsciousness, but does have a gag reflex so although she was gagging on her vomit, she couldn't clear it.  One of the guys grabbed for the suction but low-and-behold it wouldn't work!!!!!   The guys tried to get it to work as we lifted the head of the bed, turned her head to the side and as the seconds clicked away, I ran for a nurse...any nurse.  The one I grabbed was calm and nice and helped clear the airway for this patient.  Whew, it felt like hours had passed, but it was a few frightening minutes that made me want to walk out and quit!  

After a walk through the halls and a cold cherry vanilla coke, I was ready to tackled the unit again.  I went in before my shift ended to administer her meds and I was amazed to find her with her eyes opened and responding to one of her daughters who was talking to her, massaging her skin, and performing range-of-motion.  It was a beautiful sight!  I pray this lady makes a full recovery. 

 

Hope you all have a wonderful day full of delight!

Eve

Last week during clinicals I went in to do a quick assessment on a patient who had a lumbar fracture.  I spent about 30 minutes with her and during this time I quickly realized that she is at risk for dehydration.  Of course this may sound ridiculous since she is in the hospital and something like this should not happen, but as I talked with her she said her pain is usually a 9 out of 10 unless she is medicated, she has a foley catheter so she doesn't have to get out of bed to urinate nor does she have to wait for help or mess with a bed pan but I noticed that her urine was highly concentrated so I asked if she has been eating and drinking regularly.  The kicker is...SHE DOESN'T WANT TO BOTHER ANYONE to refill her pitcher of water!!!!!!!  Isn't that just the craziest thing ever?????  I quickly refilled her pitcher with ice and water plus two cups of water and gave her lots of straws all within her reach along with a lecture that she is suppose to notify us whenever she needs something especially when it is vital to her wellbeing.  There is a lot more to her health but the point of mentioning this is that if you have a loved one in the hospital, PLEASE tell them how important it is to keep up their fluids!!!  During my post conference with my classmates and instructor, we were told how a call light kept flashing but noone answered it so they went in to check on the patient.  It was a very young man in his early 20s who has testicular cancer, stage 4 with mets to his brain (basically this means he unlikely to beat it) and all he wanted was a popcicle.  A POPCICLE!!!!  Can you believe that is all he wanted yet no one could make the time to pop in and see what he needed?????  What is wrong with these two pictures???????  Arggghhhh!  It's so frustrating yet so fullfilling when you get a heartfelt thank you but so sad that you just can't do more.  Oh well.   I hope you all had a better week. 

Hope you all have a safe and happy President's Day!!!!

 

Eve

Happy Valentine's Day!  I hope all of you had a wonderful day full of hugs and kisses!  Today practically the whole city shut down due to the weather (again!) thanks to the snow.  Me and my children stayed inside and didn't venture out until the hubby came home.  After a night out to Whatabuger (oooh so romantic) and a visit to Target for a new CD which wasn't in stock  (but I did get a new white long sleeved shirt for clinicals...woo hoo!) we then returned home to devour the chocolates the hubby brought us.  It wasn't much of a day but being together and just hanging out was fun plus my kids gave me the greatest gift...they allowed me to be a lazy bum!!!  

Best wishes to you all!

Eve