KLS, RN

ouisa boudreaux

2012-01-15T21:43:00.002-05:00

Everything was going along just fine. That is until I ran out of my levothyroxine. Had my uterus and all its paraphernalia yanked along with it back in October. Since then not a hotflash to be had or a bitchy word to expel unto any victim. Then I had to go and run out of those eensy-weensy little pills. Ever hear "nurses make the worst patients"? I do nothing to dispel that theory. I am

shocked to see my blog!

2012-01-10T22:30:00.002-05:00

I was named in the top 50 blogs for student nurses to read at onlinelpntorn.org back in April 2011. Wow! I wish I'd have know back then. Thanks!

it's that simple

2012-01-09T22:11:00.003-05:00

dormify.com

needed inspiration

2012-01-07T17:30:00.001-05:00

"I have had crippling despair at times about my job, too. Sometimes the difference between what I expected and what actually occurred blinded me from my original passion and filled me with dread and desolation as if the bright sun in my heart had extinguished. Make changes until you find yourself in the place where your passion for nursing is allowed to be expressed to the fullness of your

for the love of the written word

2012-01-01T16:38:00.000-05:00

Now that I've been out of nursing school for oh, about a year and a half I've finally delved back into books. This time around I'm reading strictly for pleasure. So far I've read (click on the titles for links to Amazon with reviews): Remember Me? About Lexi, who wakes up with amnesia. Loved it! Sounds Like Crazy This one's about a woman with DID. If you like psychology based novels,

meet Pippa

2011-11-30T22:33:00.000-05:00

The newest member of my family is a little tiger-striped gray tabby. My youngest son's GF somehow talked my husband into adopting a third cat! Well, she's the second indoor cat now! She is a mess and a half!

debacle

2011-11-05T09:51:00.001-04:00

That's the perfect one word way to sum up my first night back at work. Hellacious comes to mind as well. Shitty even. It doesn't help that within minutes of getting settled into listening to report that my lower GI system starts to act up, putting a really big dent into any hopes of getting things off to a good start. Any delays in getting your shift off right can cause your whole shift to be

thoughts o' pondering

2011-11-03T15:27:00.001-04:00

I'm thinking....have been thinking...about returning to school for my master's. That being said I'm not quite sure I want to get my MSN or go another route, but still in health care. I've thought about public health with a focus in epidemiology, healthcare administration, and then as far as MSN: admin, public health, and I've even considered education. Its all very confusing, as I'm not solid

to blog or not to blog

2011-10-17T19:50:00.006-04:00

It has been a while...no it's been forever since I last typed anything here on the ole bloggity blog blog blogger. Time flies when you're having fun? It certainly does! The past few months have been all-that-makes contentment. Sure there have been plenty of struggles, but the good has far outweighed the bad and I hope to be around more often. I've toyed with letting the blog die off, leaving it

oh, what a relief it is!

2011-05-04T10:54:00.004-04:00

Monday morning, around 0930 my phone rang. I looked at it and recognized the name attached to the number. It was her. Within the past few weeks there have been many ups and downs in my professional world. I even went so far as to interviewing for a central scheduling position at The Hospital, that I was willingly going to take if it had been offered. Heck, the schedule would have been perfect.

winsomelosesome

2011-04-16T08:04:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I heard the "bad news" as well as the "good news". Evidently, the mountain I just recently tried moving has only budged a little bit. After, what, nearly three weeks I was put more into my misery than out of it. The HR person called with the news. She informed me that the "bad news is we can't move forward at this time...unable to support new grad...." The good news? They've decided

0740

2011-04-11T08:59:00.010-04:00

That's the time my phone rang this morning. It was the HR person from The Hospital. She had "good news and some interesting news" to share with me. First off, they're trying to figure out what can be done to support a new grad on the unit. (Have I mentioned that in July I will no longer be a "new grad"....gah!?) <--can't wait. They want to hire me, but it's not as simple as "you're hired!"

dingbatitis

2011-04-04T14:21:00.003-04:00

As Crazed Nitwit pointed out, I did give the wrong date for my interview. It was today, the 4th!! What can I say? I am a dingbat! A hopeful one at that. The interview went fairly well. At least, I walked away feeling pretty good about it. So, now I've done all I can to attain employment at The Hospital. Meanwhile, it's on to more applications........and prayers.

the limb

2011-04-03T21:19:00.003-04:00

Sometimes you have to go out on a limb and decide to move a mountain. At one point in your life the mountain may be the Air Force assignment orders you've received that threaten to take you away from the one, or at least keep you far, far apart. That one special person who has come along and you are certain that he is "the one", you may have to be separated before the going gets really good.

cherry on top

2011-03-29T08:33:00.009-04:00

Ok, it's been a while. I've often wanted to get on here and type away, but have then decided to not do so and just keep going on with my business, non-blogging. I'm back.Here's the Reader's Digest version of my recent goings on:I'm still at the skilled unit I started working on back in September. Two things keep me going in my nursey-nurse work: the diversity of jobs out there for my profession

unentitled

2011-02-07T07:08:00.002-05:00

KLS, RNHanging on by thread, hope and prayers.Still at long-term care facility on rehab unit, aka SNF, skilled nursing facility. Does anyone else see the irony here?Tested, and passed, just 6 short months ago for "minimal competency".Still waiting on change. Seems to me it's worse than two years ago.Have you seen the price of gas?Nursing shortage? More like saturation.Something needs a wringing.

are you ready!?

2010-12-29T20:17:00.005-05:00

I am so ready, in so many ways. Then there's one reason that leaves me wanting time to slow way down. I'm ready for this upcoming year. It's a year without me attending classes and studying for endless hours. Ironically though, I'll have a full year without college attendance, at least on my own behalf. LB will take up where I've left off. He'll be attending college, somewhere. harumph.So,

all aglow

2010-12-10T18:37:00.003-05:00

As I was sitting here in the great room I looked out and noticed the pre-dusk glow of the sun setting. I thought it looked pretty silhouetting my tree.

things with wings

2010-12-09T11:11:00.002-05:00

these are a must-make...and soon!

2010-12-07T10:38:00.004-05:00

A friend of mine posted this scrumptious recipe on Facebook a while back and I thought I'd share it here, it is all thanks to fellow blogger A Whisk and a Prayer. I'm trying to channel the negative energy I've been consumed with lately, into some creative energy. It's a great time of year to do so, and so I've done some usual decorating. I even went so far as to buy a second tree. I've been

gobbled up

2010-11-30T08:48:00.005-05:00

Seems I'm eating the words I last typed. Ya know the ones? The ones where I spoke of liking night shift and my schedule. Hmmph. In a lot of ways my schedule is great, but then I'm spending so much time in a zombie-like trance, and that's just not compatible with family life. That's not to mention the fact that currently I work alongside one other nurse, whereas on days I'd have more nurses

the good fit

2010-11-06T12:46:00.002-04:00

Finally! Finally, I'm on my regular schedule and it's basically the schedule I'd hoped for. One week I work Monday and Saturday, the next I work Sunday, Tuesday and Friday, all nights of course. It goes back and forth with this schedule, through November and I'm hoping it will stay like this for several months, at least for now. I feel like this will give me the best of both worlds. One world

blither blather

2010-10-25T17:00:00.003-04:00

Ok, so maybe "hate" is a strong word. I still feel pretty much the same way, though. Let's just start by saying that I'm an honest person, almost at times too honest. If one of my fellow co-workers asks me how I'm doing, how I'm liking it so far, what am I supposed to say? I'm doing great. My med passes are getting faster and faster with each pass, and I'm feeling more and more comfy caring for

must confess

2010-10-09T19:52:00.005-04:00

I hate my job. I'm trying my hardest to make the most of it, to make it through this adjusment period in hopes of feeling better about it overall. I started nights this past week. One thing is for sure, 8-hour nights are vastly different than 12-hour nights. First, it seems to take forever for 11 p.m. to roll around, whereas with a normal 12-hour shift 7 p.m. comes much quicker. The hours

thirty

2010-09-26T16:30:00.004-04:00

Imagine working for thirty years and all you want to do once you retire is nothing. You buy yourself a La-Z-Boy recliner, a bedpan, a urinal and hire someone to clean them daily, for $30.00 a day. You pay someone $30.00 a week to buy your groceries. Literally, you want to do nothing, well except maybe watch TV.This past week we spent time administering flu shots to some of the residents. It

now just green behind the gills

2010-09-20T21:12:00.005-04:00

Today I was left wondering if I'd made the right choice in becoming a nurse. Or rather, it was more like....what the hell have I gotten myself into!?! Last week there was a certain level of comfort, just sitting at a table, watching DVD movies on topics such as infection control and dementia. This week we're branching out a bit. Today we set out with "rounds sheets", which are a checklist of

seeing green

2010-09-16T19:09:00.003-04:00

Soooo, this week has been spent in orientation. I've gone from a job where I basically had no training to one where we're being oriented to the facility and there will be tons of training. I'm loving it. The facility I'm working at - orienting at - is owned by a parent corporation and I like it. I guess you can take the girl out of the military, but there's just some military-type things you

no more crumbs!

2010-09-07T17:08:00.002-04:00

I interviewed last week for a position at a local long-term care and rehab facility. I found out today, that I will be working there part-time nights! Woohooo!No more PO for me!Buhbye!No more hunting for the ever elusive nursing job. I am so thankful for this opportunity.

that's the way my cookie crumbled

2010-09-01T09:31:00.006-04:00

It all started oh, about 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 11th. Imagine that, something happening on the 11th day of any month. It is a trend in my life. I had just gotten off work and was making my way through rush hour traffic to home. As usual I'd looked at my cell phone to check for messages before I started driving. Big B had left one, "Call me". Ought oh.He said he had bad news and

milestones

2010-08-23T17:39:00.005-04:00

Without a doubt, the next few months will be filled with incredible milestones. Both boys drove off this morning, school-bound. AW was riding shotgun while LB maneuvered their way to their freshman and senior year of high school. These times are truly bittersweet. It's exciting to see AW start high school. I'm hopeful his HS career will be um...., less dramatic than his middle school career.

sticks and stuck up

2010-08-13T08:54:00.004-04:00

Working at the peds office (PO) has had its ups and downs. I told a couple of my co-workers Wednesday that it was indeed my favorite day of the three I work during the week. This is simply because it's just MB and I, and no other "nurse". The term is used loosely because the other person I work in patient care with is not a nurse. In the state of VA it is not required to be licensed or

the little buggers

2010-07-31T17:50:00.007-04:00

In a self-fulfilling prophecy sort of way, it seems I thought myself into an illness. Maybe I just worked my way into it. It only makes sense that if you work around germs you're going to fall to those germs eventually. I work around a bunch of little buggers, well some of them are not so little. Working in a peds office is a surefire way to come down with some sort of virus or other illness.

first days

2010-07-21T18:58:00.003-04:00

Good....no, GREAT news! I got a job! One of my forner classmates found a job at a local pediatrician's office, that come to find out is in a bind due to short-staffing because of surgery/vacations. I was called to ask if I could help out. Who in the world would pass up such an opportunity? It's not like other opportunities are fruitful, or even exist. The most recent: Ms. KLS, RN,Thank you

hmmm

2010-07-17T23:30:00.001-04:00

Not too sure about having a background color...I actually liked having the white background, but was hoping that a colored one would make the banner stand out more. Should I stay colored or go back to white?

certs & joiners

2010-07-17T20:17:00.004-04:00

I'm looking at different certifications and am now pretty overwhelmed. ACLS seems to be the best bet - PALS, too. What other certs are there out there that you've found worthwhile, especially as a new nurse?Who's joined ANA or any other organizations? I'm just curious, as to the benefits.

decipher this!

2010-07-15T10:26:00.005-04:00

mulchthegardensscrapbookingreadingforpleasureshoppingforshoes,purses,funstuffgoingtothebeachgoingtoKDwalkingformileslosingweightpurgetheboys'clothingcleanthehouseweedthegardensbrushthedogsbrushthecatsgoouttodinnerspendtimewithfamilyspendtimewithfriendstravelclipsnooki'sclawspaintthebedroomsdesignnewblogbannerwatchmovieswatchtvshowstakeresumearoundlaminateIDcardsizedlicensegetajob!That's my brain

best news!

2010-07-12T10:34:00.005-04:00

RN in 2010!!!!!

the deed is done

2010-07-09T20:30:00.010-04:00

This morning I woke up around 0900 after a pretty good night's rest, thanks to Ambien. I had to take it or I would never have slept a wink. I laid there until about 2245 and finally decided playing Bejeweled Blitz wasn't going to make me sleepy as it normally does. I placed the iPhone on the nightstand, rolled over and was a goner within minutes. Thank you, Ambien!It was nice to wake up in

big gulp

2010-07-08T11:43:00.004-04:00

First, let's start off with some shots I snapped of the fireworks from Sunday's 4th of July display...When I'm tense or upset in any way I like to do things that I enjoy. I love the photos of the fireworks, since they allow me to look at the bursts of color as many times as I'd like. The third one up from the bottom reminds me of sperm swimming in after an ovum. Why am I tense? I'm tense

independence '10

2010-07-04T13:41:00.004-04:00

Happy Independence Day everyone!I took these photos during our fireworks outing last year. I got several good shots, and think they're pretty cool for their vibrant colors and designs.It's great to have the freedom to watch such awesome displays.I feel freedom and independence are extra-special to me this year, after finishing nursing school. The same day that I posted the last post, I received

only one blank to go

2010-06-24T15:25:00.002-04:00

This morning I woke up in the same basically grumpy mood I've been existing in. It didn't help that I had to do the bills. After finishing that dastardly task I logged onto the department of health professions website to do my first of a kabillion obsessive checks to see if my transcripts had been checked, and wouldn't ya know it...they were! Although, I'm still left waiting for my ATT, seeing

one month, two days

2010-06-18T11:45:00.005-04:00

This would be the reason, or at least a big reason why I'm having to proactively think positively (see previous post):The blank blanks are still blank - one month and two days after commencement...no thanks to the astounding college I attended (insert vast amounts of sarcasm). Click on the chart to see it larger.

a dose of positivity

2010-06-18T09:39:00.007-04:00

It seems there's been quite a bit of negativity seething from my pores lately, and sadly it's been reflected in my posts. This year has been challenging so far, so I'm going to point out some of the more positive highlights in an effort to help me realize it's not all been bad.☺ First and foremost, me and mine are all healthy☺ I passed the ATI Comprehensive Predictor on first attempt, and it

what could be worse for a new grad nurse?

2010-06-08T20:47:00.003-04:00

What could be worse than to find out, nearly a month after graduation, that your transcripts were never sent out to the state department of health professions?Many of us had voiced to one another that it did seem to be getting out of hand, as far as the time it was taking for our ATTs to be submitted to us. We even called the school about a week or two ago and asked if the transcripts had been

slumpalicious

2010-05-31T21:21:00.004-04:00

If Weird Al Yankovic wrote me a song based on my current life situation it would be entitled "Slumpalicious" and he would sing it to the tune of "Fergalicious". That's where it would end because I by no means make any boys go loco. Well, maybe I drive my male offspring crazy. sometimes. Anyway...I've been in a bit of a slump lately. Things have not gone the way I thought they would have at

gahhhhhhh!

2010-05-24T15:52:00.003-04:00

Yep, that's about how I feel at this very moment.I'm still waiting for my ATT (Authorization to test) and who knows if the school has even sent my transcripts. Part of me wants to call, but then part of me doesn't. At this point, one whole week after commencement, they should have sent them by now. I might go postal if they were to inform me that the transcripts were still sitting there on

pinned

2010-05-12T16:05:00.003-04:00

He's been not only my CFO the past several years, and then some, he's been my rock. My name was called, and so was his. Mine was mispronounced, as usual; his being more common, wasn't. As we stride closer to one another he exclaims "Thank God!" He starts to come at me with it as if he's going to poke my breast, but he's only joking. I told him he better not. Then he pins me. He kisses and

getting inked

2010-05-12T15:53:00.003-04:00

For several years now I've wanted a tattoo, but I haven't ever figured out what I wanted to live with as a part of my skin, permanently, until recently. I knew one thing I wanted was the caduceus and then also something to do with my boys. At first it seemed that having their zodiac symbols would be a good idea, but the thought just didn't inspire any creativity for me. It finally dawned on me

newsworthy

2010-05-11T12:46:00.006-04:00

PINNING IS TONIGHT!!!!!

admissions

2010-04-30T07:37:00.004-04:00

My last final exam is Monday morning at 9 a.m. and I couldn't be more nervous than I am right now. I'm on the verge of a migraine. It wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't so close to the edge. This is why I don't go to the edges of cliffs. Even thinking about doing that makes me dizzy. But, alas, here I am with an 81% in my med/surg class. We still have four items to be submitted for a grade; one

maple syrup gums

2010-04-28T17:50:00.004-04:00

This is only half of it.I'd probably be able to figure out which dog was most responsible for the trash strewn across my utility area on into the computer room, if only I smelled the breath of both guilty parties. I kid you not, I came home to a trash trail about 20 feet long and 4 feet wide. Whomever got a hold of Aunt Jemima took out some real frustrations, if the condition of the bottle is

nevermind me

2010-04-22T00:45:00.004-04:00

It's nearly 1 a.m. and I'm still awake, on purpose. I'm heading into my last string of night shifts tonight. I've actually liked working nights, since mornings aren't my forte. It's the trying-to-sleep-during-the-days-with-other-humans-living-nearby that has been problematic. Doesn't the whole world know I'm working nights and I need my sleep like some people need to breathe!?

resounding bleakness

2010-04-12T21:05:00.005-04:00

Last year around this time I was obsessively looking at the area hospitals' job search pages. At the time you could be sure to find new grad postings. Now?Not so much.In fact, the only thing comparable is the RNA (RN applicant) position open at a local university hospital. It's for a renal/respiratory unit. It's not really my cup of pee, I mean tea, but at this point, I'll take anything! That

never say "never", except...

2010-04-10T16:10:00.006-04:00

...NEVER leave early, when training.I started my preceptorship this past Wednesday night. I went in eager as all get-out, only to find out my preceptor was not working that night. It was some sort of mix-up, most likely due to my crazed thought processes. Because we have to get in enough hours to finish our schooling I had no choice, but to stay, as long as someone would keep me. Luckily,

days 'n' nights

2010-04-06T16:44:00.003-04:00

As of today I have 35 days until pinning. It's incredibly unbelievable that the days left in nursing school are so few. I was just looking at some pictures from a lunch some of my classmates and I shared one day, in between classes. We'd taken an exam in the morning class. Many of us bombed it and were left feeling very defeated. We headed to a local restaurant to eat and drown our misery.

never in a million

2010-03-29T13:42:00.005-04:00

I have to say, I'm pretty happy I decided to start this blog back when I started nursing school. It enables me the ability to go back through and see how far I've come. This post made me laugh.I didn't think I would ever get to this point, never in a million years.Here it is 43 days until pinning and I am in disbelief. The journey's far from over, but it certainly has been quite the trip.Today

gotta love him

2010-03-29T07:45:00.003-04:00

Recently, I gave my eldest, who is a 17-year old athlete, his own bottle of One a Day Teen Advantage vitamins. He calls me up the next day to ask me how he is supposed to take them. I, in all of my infinite wisdom, and total maternal grace told him to swallow them with water. He informs me he's supposed to take them with food. Ok, that just means you need to take them when you eat. DIRECTIONS:

spring "break"

2010-03-19T13:10:00.003-04:00

At this very moment I'm pretty overstimulated, so much so that it's pretty much impossible to do any studying. What better time to blog, than when you're all excited about life's goings on?First off, there's only 53 days until pinning. If I can survive this next week and a half, it's smooth sailing from April 1st onward. This next week we have a PPT project that is due, we have class on Monday

savings time

2010-03-15T17:01:00.004-04:00

I seriously don't think there's any time being saved as of late. It's whipping by faster than any hurricane force winds. Earlier this semester I made a list of the things that needed to be accomplished prior to pinning in May. I'm happy to report I'm nearly halfway down the list. It includes exams, ATIs, projects, discussion boards, care studies, reports and so on. As of today I have the

she'll be coming around

2010-03-03T12:42:00.006-05:00

So, it's been nearly a month since I last posted. "Time flies...", as they say.What's been up with me?Hmmm. I have been busy. School has me running ragged and it's about all I can do to make it through these last 69 days until pinning. 69 days?? Yes. Can you believe it? My how time has flown!Clinicals have been lack luster. I've had some pretty good experiences, just nothing to write home

5:5

2010-02-03T20:37:00.005-05:00

For the first time ever in my household, we have an even number of females to males.The loss of DC started a long time before his death. As anyone knows who has had, or has an aging animal, they are often not as frisky as they used to be. The elderly feline won't run spastically through the house in a burst of sudden energy. He won't come lie by your side for a night's rest like he used to.

where am i?

2010-01-30T13:33:00.004-05:00

When it was time for me to leave Colorado for Air Force basic military training I hoped and prayed Mother Nature would hold off on dumping the fluffy white stuff called snow. I left December 4th, and I want to say, if I remember correctly, it snowed December 5th that year. That was over 20 years ago. In fact I avoided the frozen precipitation for a couple of years. I went from Texas to

cold lap

2010-01-27T18:26:00.004-05:00

I can remember the day Big B and I brought him home. We'd gone to the pet store in Minot, the one tucked into the side of a hill, and there was this little orange and white-as-new-fallen-snow tabby. His information card said he was 12 weeks old. I don't think it was accurate. He was just too small, and sickly. Had they taken him from his mother too soon? Never mind that, I would nurse him

where have all the good vibes gone?

2010-01-21T12:04:00.005-05:00

I'm feeling like nothing short of a spokesperson for a Cymbalta ad lately. Isn't that the one that says "Depression hurts...?" It's certainly not that I'm feeling pain from fibromyalgia, or diabetic nerve pain, since I have neither disease. It's more like a toss up between depression and anxiety. I'm feeling more anxiety than depression, but nonetheless I feel like doing nothing at all, at

say what!?

2010-01-15T17:40:00.003-05:00

So I was sitting at my computer desk the other day doing various things computerish. After a few moments pass AW joins me in the room, sits down at the kids' computer desk, and proceeds to log on to the 'net.He then speaks up, after apparently seeing the news on Yahoo's home page, and says "Huh, hotty had an earthquake".I still want to burst out into a fit of raging laughter when I think about

eleven

2010-01-14T09:14:00.005-05:00

I just knew it! Going on last year's pinning day and date, last semester I predicted that ours would be Tuesday of Nurse's Week in May, 2010, to follow suit. My instructor dashed my prediction when she informed us that our pinning would be Wednesday, May 12th. Fine, whatever, as the most important thing is the day itself and not the hidden nuances I might feel about the date, rather the number

t minus 35 hours

2010-01-09T21:02:00.005-05:00

syllabi...check!new shoes...check!new supplies...check!nervous energy...check!This coming Monday morning I start my fourth and final semester of nursing school.This gives me pause. Do you know how it feels to be so close to something you've wanted for so long? Do you have any idea how scarey it is to think that in just over four months nursing school will be behind you and after studying for,

dropping the ball

2010-01-02T12:59:00.003-05:00

The family plan for several weeks, if not a little over a month, was to go to Times Square for New Year's Eve. When Big B first suggested it I simply acquiesced to his plan thinking it would probably never pan out. No, it was more like hoped his plan wouldn't come to fruition. Instead, as time went on I talked myself into going thinking it was something I really wanted to do. I can remember

it's a jumble in there!

2009-12-29T10:14:00.005-05:00

Do you ever feel like you've lost your spirit? Your spunk? For me, I think it was the day I went to the ER. (See previous post.) I had been on a roll, as things were moving along just fine. The crazy semester was coming to a fulfilling sense of closure and then WHAM!! It's kind of like my bubble had been burst. Sure, I didn't like having three days of finals, even if it was working out in my

it's been a gas

2009-12-18T09:01:00.007-05:00

Friday, December 18th, 2009How unbelievable it is that the time has flown by like it has since I last posted. This has the potential to be a very long post.I can't blame the time entirely for my lack of posting. It seems this semester nearly got the best of me, that and I've had a bit of a blogger's block. There's been a time or two that I've signed on intending to post, but have been left

MTTBTF

2009-11-25T09:24:00.005-05:00

Many things to be thankful for...Big B's been sick with what I believe was most likely H1N1, and he is now feeling better.Since he's feeling better I was able to sleep in my bed, with him, last night. I'm on Thanksgiving Break, and even though we still have to study it's been nice not to have to get up and go, go, go. Aside from Big B's bout with H1N1 everyone in my family is pretty healthy and

where have all the babies gone???

2009-11-20T09:09:00.003-05:00

Two days at the family birthing center and I don't get to see any birthing! harumph! Ok, so there's five of us in my clinical group and since I was the one who admitted to having seen a c-section before the other four were split up and went in on two different c-sections. I went in on an induction. Of course the baby couldn't make an appearance on my time. I did get to hang antibiotics, and

the reason I'm going to end up an AA member by the time my youngest graduates HS

2009-11-14T12:15:00.006-05:00

So you understand fully my impending need for AA (I am just kidding about a future need for AA--for the most part). The first paragraph explains a status message post I'd made on Facebook about some things parents should never have to go through. The status message: Things no parent should have to go thru: hearing "I hate you", but a 13 yr old will say it as easily as 7 year old; seeing

wham bam thank ya ma'am!

2009-11-13T13:28:00.002-05:00

I have some great news concerning my nursing program. It appears that our discussion with our instructor paid off and they will be making changes! The changes will be taking place next semester even! They're working it out so that one of the primary RNs on the floor will make the patient assignments, and we'll be given 2 patients. It is gong to be based on readiness, so they're taking that

STBTF

2009-11-10T07:50:00.002-05:00

Something to be thankful for...I am extremely grateful that we only have 4 more regular Mondays (which are preceded by a hellish weekend spent studying) until finals week!

suppozin' I should mention...

2009-11-10T07:29:00.005-05:00

Thanks to all who have chimed in on clinicals. It was very enlightening. I should have mentioned what we do do during our fourth semester, so that we don't look as unfortunate as I might have made us out to look like. We do an advanced med/surg rotation, which includes leadership building, as well as a 3 week preceptorship. We'll have clinicals all the way through up until our preceptorship at

brainstorming to battle hindrances

2009-11-06T09:36:00.008-05:00

Yesterday we spent some down time during clinicals talking to our clinical instructor about other possible clinical opportunities. Our program is very limited in the opportunities we have. First semester we do nothing clinically speaking, other than lab learning. Second semester we spend 6 weeks (maybe it's 8 weeks, dont quite remember), at a long-term care facility. Third semester we do med/

she told us so

2009-11-03T15:12:00.010-05:00

Yep. In fact she wasn't the only one to forewarn us, several others did as well. "Third semester is the hardest" she said, and do we ever agree now! "She" would be our instructor and the others would be those who went before us. The sad reality is this is the semester that can make or break you. Evidently we've lost two already. One withdrew from the program by choice as her grades weren't

six weeks and that which drives me bonkers

2009-10-30T09:07:00.004-04:00

We have six weeks left int his semester. I believe that's six weeks until finals week, but am not sure though. Whatever...the time is coming nearer and nearer with each expediently passing day!In the midst of all my eating, sleeping and breathing nursing school certain areas of my life have suffered. My house is, second to my family, the biggest area that's suffered the most.This would be a

really miss ya much

2009-10-23T19:17:00.006-04:00

It's quite evident by my infrequent blogging as of late that I don't have much time. I miss reading everyone's blogs like I used to. I try to catch them here and there, but am not able to keep up with them like before. This week was great, aside from failing yet another test and having a mini mental breakdown thanks to that dreadful 74. Thanks to the support of my classmates I wiped away the

slopes and slaloms

2009-10-20T07:43:00.003-04:00

Have you ever climbed a mountain? You're standing at the base looking up and it seems like you could never, ever possibly make it to the top. You decide, "What the heck! I'll never know unless I try!" So you start that ominous climb. All the way up you might be thinking to yourself, "What have I gotten myself into? I want to give up!" Or maybe you just have someone pushing you. Sometimes

little bitty

2009-10-10T10:08:00.004-04:00

I like that song by Alan Jackson.Alan Jackson-little bittyRebel|MySpace VideosI'm hoping there's little bitty chance to do extremely well on the exam on Monday. Two of the four chapters we're being tested on are on the endocrine system (bleck) and the other two are on nutrition. Deja vu...didn't I just study this same stuff this past summer? One would think I'd do extremely well...then one

near despair

2009-10-07T13:15:00.004-04:00

more like near desperate.Yeah, so...you remember that great decision I made to stick with this nursing program. (BTW--I do not care to hear any "I told you so"s--you did, but what's done is done. I still feel the need to bitch.)I'll keep this brief as I have a care plan to work on and chapters to read. Last week was (hopefully) the hardest week we'll have this semester. We had 8 chapters of

down to one roll

2009-10-02T07:02:00.005-04:00

We're down to one roll of toilet paper in our house. We have three bathrooms, and one roll. How can this be you ask? Those of you who've gone through or are going through nursing school may be able to answer that question. Normally I go grocery shopping every two weeks, or so. I have not gone grocery shopping, I'd like to say, since school started this semester. I may be in error saying

shut up and drive

2009-09-28T18:43:00.003-04:00

Seriously, you'd think I was on speed or something. I'm not...let's just clarify that fact! I have one trillion things going through my mind. First, I made a B on today's test, which with the failing grade from the last one brings me up to a C. Yeah! We have another test tomorrow on skin assessment, something, something, and dosage calcuations. Oh, I think one of the somethings is on

will there ever be a time...

2009-09-26T19:35:00.003-04:00

....when I feel like I know something?Ok, I have to admit, there's been a few things, mainly on TV that I've identified from knowledge I've gained while in nursing school. For instance last night there was a report on the news about the 19 lb baby that was born in Indonesia. Big B called me down to see it, as I was upstairs studying. When I saw the baby I said to him that it was a macrosomia

5 down, 11 to go

2009-09-24T15:53:00.003-04:00

Yep, there's only eleven more weeks in this semester. I have to say it's moving along quite nicely. I barely have time for anything other than reading, reading, and more reading. We started our clinicals back up at the hospital this week, and that went very well. I went in there so nervous yesterday morning, but that eased up as the morning went on. I passed meds, observed PT changing the

so much to talk about, so little time

2009-09-20T09:19:00.004-04:00

Weekends blow.That is, they blow until mid-December. That's only because we have exams every Monday until then. Yesterday was my anniversary, and I spent the greater part of the day studying. See? Nursing school is rough. Fortunately my husband is 85% on board with understanding how IT is in nursing school. He's seeing it first hand. He had to explain to the neighbor lady that 1.) I wasn't

wedded bliss

2009-09-19T11:36:00.002-04:00

September 19, 1992What can I say? I married a pervert!! Still happy 17 years later!

like kids in a candy store!

2009-09-16T18:53:00.003-04:00

my classmate, LP, and ISeriously, when the clinical coordinator took us back to the locker room and told us to change so we could go observe some of the morning's cases you would have thought we were two kids in a candy store. We were so excited to be putting on surgical scrubs and getting to at least observe surgeries. Today was one of my most fun clinical days by far. Not to mention I dig

a tribute

2009-09-12T09:44:00.004-04:00

Our local high school had a pregame tribute to all the area firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, and military personnel in honor of the remembrance of 9/11/01.This is before it started, waiting, while everyone was lining up and the principal made the opening remarks.Here you have everyone filing down centerfield, then lining up, while Lee Greenwood's "Proud to Be An American" played.This is just

open says me

2009-09-10T17:02:00.002-04:00

My eyes can barely stay open and they're just watering like crazy. If this post makes no sense whatsoever chalk it up to pure exhaustion. Monday we had off (yay!) Tuesday was a bit of a waste of time. We practiced taking health histories. We partnered up and asked each other a bunch of questions off of a health history form, that was pretty redundant in a lot of places. Then we were

lucky number thirteen

2009-09-06T13:23:00.012-04:00

September 6th, 1996 Wichita Falls, Texas....in the heat of the summer I gave birth to my second child. It was love before first sight!A year later we were living in Virginia and celebrating his first birthday. Daddy wasn't present since he was overseas in Kuwait. We were surrounded by friends who had become surrogate family and my mom and dad had come out for the occasion.Today we celebrate

curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy

2009-09-02T15:53:00.005-04:00

Somehow I can't believe that there are any heights that can't be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C s. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy. ~Walt DisneyPlentiful, boundless amounts of curiosity.A little short on the rest.My confidence needs to improve and it will, as I have the

how freakin' fabulous!!

2009-09-01T17:56:00.003-04:00

One of my newest Blogworld friends has honored me with this wonderful award!! How freakin' fabulous! Raspberry Scrubs is pretty freakin' fabulous herself! Rules of the Award:List five current obsessions.Pass the award on to five more fabulous blogs.On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them.When you post your five

how about some kibble with that neosporin?

2009-09-01T13:17:00.007-04:00

I walked into the house to a small mess of a shredded up sandwich bag, bandaids and some other unidentifiable something-or-another. I knew it had to have come from my clinical bag sitting innocently on the computer room floor, and I knew who the culprit had to be.Nope, not Sandi. Sandi goes for truly edible items or garbage from food. Nope, it wasn't Sandi. This had to be a Minnie mess.

on a mission

2009-09-01T08:22:00.003-04:00

After class today I'm heading straight for the nearest Walmart to buy a Boppy or butt cushion because I can't take the "study butt" any longer! Even in class I'm sitting there in agony. Maybe I'll just get one of those airline pillows that goes around your neck. That way it's a little more transportable than something larger.Yesterday we took our first exam in maternal/child nursing and I

whiskey tango foxtrot

2009-08-27T15:32:00.003-04:00

Make an acronym out of the the title and you have the kind of expression I thought to myself as I looked for my car this afternoon upon leaving the hospital after orientation. I was extremely excited. We'd had a great day, and I was off to go have my Tb test site checked, then on to get a much needed pedicure. After changing in the bathroom I set out for the parking lot. To understand my story

seriously in need of a butt pillow

2009-08-26T21:16:00.003-04:00

seriously...All this sitting, and studying...sitting, and reading....sitting and doing drug calculations, leaves my hiney not feeling so finey!My butt-tocks (think Forrest Gump) are screaming for some extra added cushion, which I don't understand. I didn't name me arse "Colorado" (it used to be "Texas" before I lost the weight) for nothing! The total lack of muscular tone probably has something

first day, second year

2009-08-24T16:52:00.000-04:00

e.x.h.a.u.s.t.e.d.Put a mortgage closing (because that's about how many papers we signed today), carrying at least 15 lbs in books, a steam roller, and shell shock together and you have moi, today the first day of my second year of nursing school.Ever heard the phrase "I feel like I've been rode hard and put away wet"? Yeah, that about covers it!We had clinical instructors come in and speak