3 weeks left!

The good news is that there is only 3 weeks left of this semester (boy did time fly!). The bad news is that there is A LOT do in just 3 weeks!

Right now I am trying to finish up my Nursing Care Study which is a huge assignment we do each semester. Basically we have to ask our patient a bunch of questions about their perception of their illness, their health practices, etc. We analyze it all as well as write out a care plan with 3 nursing diagnoses for our patient. I know that sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo to most of you but take my word, it's very time consuming! When it's all said and done, I will turn in about 20 pages worth of work! I'm hoping to do well enough to maybe secure an A in clinical. In other clinical news, not much has been happening at the hospital. My instructor did arrange for me to get some time on the oncology unit this last week. It seemed a lot like a regular med-surg floor for the most part but I guess that is where I would need to start anyway to work my way up in the oncology world. I will spend my last 3 clinical days on the orthopedics floor- hopefully I can get in a sterile dressing change as I have not had the opportunity to do that yet. We will be done with our clinical days by Thanksgiving break and will just do some wrap-up business at school once we come back, including an informal IV skills check-off which I think I'm good on that.

In Theory, I made a 76 on the Gastrointestinal/Genitourinary exam. It was hard! I thought the Cardiac exam was supposed to be the hardest but this one was definitely tougher. Hopefully I am still on track for a B in Theory. We have moved on to the Neuro/Ortho unit now- studying strokes, comas, and a little bit of orthopedics. I have that unit exam on Dec. 3 and then a comprehensive final on Dec. 8 so there is still plenty of studying left to do!

I have posted a couple of pics of my clinical group from this semester. It's been a good group- we have not bonded as closely as I did with my group from last semester but I have enjoyed being with them. Most of all, my instructor has been fabulous. She holds us very accountable for our education but also really wants us to do well. It's a great combo!

Unless something really exciting happens, I probably won't post until after Thanksgiving. Hope everyone has a Happy Turkey Day!