a hit with the proverbial monkey wrench

So much for the great mood I was in this morning!

This morning as I'm hurriedly walking into the building where my classes are held I happen to see a lady whom I recognize as one of the previous instructors, who had resigned just before classes started this August. Low and behold, she's walking into my classroom.

I started a post a while back, and never posted it...now's the time, because a lot of what I said is now coming to a head:

If you're following my blog, a lot of what is about to be said is repetitive, (such as here, KLS, Student Nurse: dilemma, or here, KLS, Student Nurse: to be or not to be, but I'm hoping to pick the brains of newer readers, as well as anyone else who makes it through this whole thing.

I intend to lay it all out, even if it's just for me to see it all in black and white. Please bare with me.

First and foremost, let me say I have wanted to become a nurse for nearly ten years. A wrench was thrown into my first attempt at nursing school, back in 2000, when we received orders to go overseas.

At the point when we had settled into our new home in Italy I started taking classes toward a B.S. in Psych, that was the fall of '01. It was then my intention of either articulating that degree into a possible career in education, which for me was the next bext thing, or nursing, if I so chose to swing back that way.

After arriving back in the states I applied for the local public schools and was finally hired as an instructional assistant, for the local high school special ed department, for the '06-'07 school year. By this itme I was pretty much leaning toward teaching.

Fast forward to '07-'08, during which I decided to go back to my first career aspiration-nursing.

Many factors came into play, a major one being that it's always been an itch that couldn't be scratched away. I applied in February, and received my acceptance letter in May.

September 9th we were notified by our dean, during lecture (Our dean is teaching our Nur100-Intro to Nsg class. There was a huge instructor turn-over right before classes started), that our program is not accredited. This has caused me a lot of stress since then. I've researched other local programs and toyed with the idea of transferring.

Then there is the idea that if I'm going to do that why not just transfer into one of the BSN programs. I have a leg up because I will be able to transfer in as a junior, or even into an accelerated program.

Because I have been going to school since 1999, when I first started in a pre-nursing program, I am burning out at the speed of light. Part of me just wants to be lazy. I could be done with school in December!! Done, finito...finished, at least for a little bit.

Or...I could take the next year off. Once you're in the program you have a total of four years to complete, so I could take a break and start up again. I could even work during that time.

Which leads me to one of my other issues. I've mentioned before, there are a lot of things I want to do. There are home improvements to be made...a lot. We are not going to remain in this house forever, and so we'll eventually need to sell. Improvements need to be made prior to putting the house on the market.

Or...just stay where I'm at, what's two years? I would graduate in May '10, and then be able to get a great job...or would I?

Back to today...

I walk into the classroom after this instructor, only to notice the normal instructor is not present.

I arrive at my desk, and one of my classmates tells me one of the new instructors (one of the ones who just started prior to classes beginning this semester), had walked out, hence the other instructor's presence. Walked out!? Yeah, as in quit...or was she fired? Who really knows!

Can we have a big ole WTF!?

Just last week I had resigned myself to stay in this program, because after all, I am in this program...not to mention they are accepting credits that another school might not.

So this newer instructor who just left, yeah, well, she was the one I really, truly thought was going to be the one to turn our program around. We were in the VA State Board of Nursing's report, from this July, as one of the schools with a less than 80%pass rate!

Who needs the stress of a program that isn't accredited, there is no guarantee of passing the NCLEX (not that there ever is, but you have a better chance with some schools), and now who's to say the old instructor is here to stay for the long haul? Or is she just here as a temporary fix? And if that's the case were going to have to deal with another new instructor come Spring semester who needs to get his or her act together.

What's a student nurse to do?

STBTF

I found it! And I am so happy! You might be wondering what I lost that could make me so happy to have found it. It would be my Fundamentals of Nursing DVD-ROM!!! I was just looking online for a replacement and decided to look around the desk, thinking it just had to be here somewhere, and voila! It was on top of the computer tower under our Blockbuster.com envelopes!!!!!!!!!!! So I am thankful for whomever placed it there, although its MIA status has caused a lot of concern for many days now!

I was so happy I even kissed it. That is sad...sad, sad nursing student!


Something else that makes me happy, and that I am grateful for, is my newfound friendships here in blogland. Thanks to those of you who have been keeping in touch and offering your support. It means a lot!

STBTF

I woke up with a headache in the middle of the night, took acetaminophen, and then woke up with it again this morning, took my Allegra-D, hoping it would just be my sinuses. That didn't work, so I took some ibuprofen...and am still not relieved of this headache! Yeah, it's probably time to go see the doctor, but who has time!?

So today I am thankful for my husband, who made me laugh. It was very much needed. It went something like this:

(I forwarded the email between myself, and our eldest's teacher in reference to the open heart surgery field trip on Friday, to my husband.)

Me: I just wanted to make sure there's still room for me to go on Friday. BZ said something about the bus being full. Can you let me know please?
Teacher: I am not sure where the bus being full came from, but you are on the list to attend if you are still able to go. He will get a memo today with details.
Me: I think it's probably a matter of he doesn't want mom to go. I told him I was on the list! He's such a booger! Yes, I'd still love to go...I'm thrilled to have the chance!!! Thank you!
Teacher: I did tell him you had emailed and he said, “Oh, I just told her that”.

See you bright and early Friday morning.

(I forwarded it to my husband because the other night the subject of the field trip came up and that's when The Teenager (mis)informed me. I felt it was necessary to prove I am not going insane, since I had responded to The Teenager that I was on the list.)

Me, to Big B: Didn't I tell him!?
Big B: He is a dork... Can I Go?
Me: nope! you'd probably pass out anyway! it is open heart surgery! they'll use a saw to open up the sternum, and then dive right into the chest...after spreading it open with huge spreaders! crank, crank, crank...and then they'll pull the heart up for access, and then slice it open! i can't wait!
Big B: Sounds like marriage.

LMAO!

STBTF

Today I'm thankful for the "abundant sunshine," as reported by weather.com for our local area. I will take out all my frustrations on my flowerbeds that have been sadly lacking my attention lately!

STBTF

have to love Anne Geddes photography
Before I head upstairs to delve into my nursing books I thought I'd post my daily STBTF. Today I'm thankful I had what was basically a full night's sleep last night...with the help of some diphenhydramine. I've been avoiding the use of a sleep aid, but after yesterday felt it was necessary, since I couldnt quite shake the feeling that my lack of sleep was finally creeping back up on me.

Anyway.

Yesterday afternoon I met with two of the other members from my group to plan our required Nur100 group presentation. Two of the members were unable to make it. So the three of us planned. We're presenting on animal assisted therapy. After doing some preliminary research we're all very excited, there's so much to cover! I'm gong to handle the programs, such as R.E.A.D. and youth at risk. I look forward to working on this, and justmay shareour Powerpoint on here after all is said and done.

Next weekend I'm holding a study group at my house. We have a few people who are struggling and I want to do what I can to help. I'm thinking of doing a Jeopardy style game. It should be fun.

more Anne Geddes

STBTF

I'm thankful for the three years I was able to spend in the US Air Force, proudly serving our country. I'm thankful for my husband who just retired after 21 years in the USAF. I'm thankful that he came home after serving in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq, just the way he left, well maybe a little thinner. I'm thankful to those who serve, and for those who have died for us to be able to cherish the freedom we so do.



Yes, this was a campaign ad. My point in posting it now is I hope that when President Elect Obama speaks of change, he means for the better, and that he'll make the right decisions regarding Iraq, and our military.

night/morning numero due

Yep, I'm awake, but with nothing illustrious to say.

I really like Kanye West's "Stronger"

From LYRICSMODE.COM lyrics archive

Song lyrics | Stronger lyrics

I also like Martina McBride's "Independence Day"

From LYRICSMODE.COM lyrics archive

Song lyrics | Independence Day lyrics

I have, guess you might say, ecclectic tastes in music. Prepare for mindless, insomnia-induced blather...

My cat, DC, who is 15 years old, loves it when I'm awake like this. He has someone to talk to, but doesn't understand humans aren't very conversational when their sleep has been interrupted.

my assistant, DC


Poor thing is having trouble jumping up onto the washing machine these days. It even came to the point where we have a small cooler sitting in front of it as a booster.



He's having trouble jumping from it now, and I just heard him trying to jump up, miss, and try again. Then he just started meowing again...so I helped him up there. We have to leave the food on the washer, otherwise the girls will eat it.

the girls
photos taken with a crappy, old Minolta Dimage

It's great having a mini-zoo!

Yes, I'm on the verge of delirium. Not getting enough sleep will do that!

something to be thankful for

In the spirit of Thanksgiving I am going to post about something I am thankful for everyday, time and spirit willing! It will be known as "STBTF" tomorrow and in future days.

Today I am thankful for the credits my school has transferred in, hence my not needing to take the required PE class or the required how-to-be-a-college-student class. They pulled two credits from my military career, and after searching a little I think it's based on military basic training/boot camp. Um, I went through basic training in 1989, but who's complaining!? I only needed one credit for that. They also awarded me the one credit from my university level how-to-be-a-college-student class! I also noticed they gave me 28 credits from my psych degree. Don't know how that all fits into the ball game. Need to research that one!

That would all be equivalent to time, money and energy. Thank you to the powers that be. Now I'm only hoping they also transfer my 5 A&P credits and am still awaiting that decision.

sleep habits of an infant

Insomnia: trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early.

How about all the above?

That's me! It goes in cycles. I'll have a few nights where I either wake up in the middle of the night, such as tonight, or I wake up around 4 a.m.

Either way, not good!


Then I guess because I am so exhausted I'll have a few nights where I'll sleep like a log, and every parent's dream...
through the night! Too bad I'm 37 years old! Might as well be an infant!

One cause of insomnia is stress. No!? You don't say!

"Having un-refreshing sleep (not feeling well rested), even after sleeping 7 to 8 hours at night". 7-8 hours!? If only! My average these days is probably more like 5 and that's a stretch many nights.

boys have cooties, but so do girls...

...and more of them!?

I'm awake at this ungodly hour, at first so disoriented as not to even remember the hoopla that is November 4th, 2008, when I logged on and there it was: "Change has come to America". Indeed it has, and if nothing else can be said, we as Americans have all been a part of this monumental day in history.




Wanting to see the news via various domains (I dig pomp and circumstance. What can I say?), I clicked onto the ABC news link and saw this article. Of course, being a student nurse who has just recently (re)learned about infection control it peaked my interests!

Womens' hands are dirtier than mens'!? The article brings up some good points, but I'd never had thunk it!

Speaking of things girls have more of, they have more of a chance of becoming president of the good ole US of A! Thank you President Elect Obama!