Ok, I am really excited about semester 2! We have pathophysiology/pharmacology which is fast paced learning about diseases and the drugs that go with them, and we have a theory course which goes hand in hand with it, based on case studies. Then we have our lab course which covers skills such as medication administration.
I am most excited about our clinical placement! I am in a hospital this semester on a medical floor. We had our orientation today. We got to tour the facility and see all of the neat equipment that we will get to learn to use and gain experience with. We will be doing bladder ultrasounds, medication administration, IV therapy, airway maintenance, wound care and more. I LOVE my clinical instructor. She wants us to get as much hands on experience as possible and she is there to help us gain as much experience and learning as we can. Its going to be so great! Oh, and yeah, its once a week, 12 hour shifts! Call me crazy but I’m still excited about it.
I have a ton-o-homework to do. I forgot to mention my Developmental Psychology Course..... development throughout the lifespan. Cool. I really love my instructor.
I’ll let you know how clinical goes as I get deeper into it!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Update!!
Okaaaay, I haven't written in a really long time. That's how busy nursing school is! But I will try to update on the highlights.
So I had five classes this semester... Anatomy and Physiology (A&P), Computers, Nursing theory, Professional Development, and my clinical and lab. I would have also had Communications but I got an exemption.
A & P - very interesting class. Basically learning all the different systems of the body. Good depth but not crazy. Lots of work to keep up with homework. I got 92% on my first test. Like it.
Computers - Learning how to use nursing software and hospital information systems. Straightforward and easy (but then I'm a computer geek :) ).
Nursing Theory - Principles of nursing, Growth and Development stages of life, Nursing theorists, etc. Some people find this course difficult because theory is so abstract, but there were lots of concrete sections. It was really helpful to learn about the different cognitive, physical and moral milestones in an individual's life. Very useful stuff.
Professional Development - We learned a LOT about the nursing profession's governing body. This will help us not only when we go to write the national exam, but the professional documents provide guidance, skills, knowledge and accountability for the working nurse.
Clinical and Lab - By far the most practical course!! This is where we learn nursing skills (in Lab) and put them into practice (in our clinical placement)! We were placed in long term care facilities this semester and we got to know our patients really well. We learned basic CNA/PSW skills, as well as things like vital signs and how to do assessments on the various body systems.
Next semester we are doing Pathophysiology, Developmental Psychology, Theory, Lab and Clinical.. this time in a hospital! I'm looking forward to it (almost as much as I'm looking forward to Christmas break!)!
Gotta run! Will update more later,
Rachel
So I had five classes this semester... Anatomy and Physiology (A&P), Computers, Nursing theory, Professional Development, and my clinical and lab. I would have also had Communications but I got an exemption.
A & P - very interesting class. Basically learning all the different systems of the body. Good depth but not crazy. Lots of work to keep up with homework. I got 92% on my first test. Like it.
Computers - Learning how to use nursing software and hospital information systems. Straightforward and easy (but then I'm a computer geek :) ).
Nursing Theory - Principles of nursing, Growth and Development stages of life, Nursing theorists, etc. Some people find this course difficult because theory is so abstract, but there were lots of concrete sections. It was really helpful to learn about the different cognitive, physical and moral milestones in an individual's life. Very useful stuff.
Professional Development - We learned a LOT about the nursing profession's governing body. This will help us not only when we go to write the national exam, but the professional documents provide guidance, skills, knowledge and accountability for the working nurse.
Clinical and Lab - By far the most practical course!! This is where we learn nursing skills (in Lab) and put them into practice (in our clinical placement)! We were placed in long term care facilities this semester and we got to know our patients really well. We learned basic CNA/PSW skills, as well as things like vital signs and how to do assessments on the various body systems.
Next semester we are doing Pathophysiology, Developmental Psychology, Theory, Lab and Clinical.. this time in a hospital! I'm looking forward to it (almost as much as I'm looking forward to Christmas break!)!
Gotta run! Will update more later,
Rachel
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Books!
I went to the bookstore today and started buying some of my nursing school books! I just got some of my printed course materials and my biology book, Marieb's Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology. They are all wrapped in plastic and I know I should keep them that way in case I find a better deal somewhere else but I know I won't be able to resist. :) We got a long booklist of required and optional materials but everyone I've talked to is saying wait until you talk to the teachers before purchasing materials. Even in our orientation letter it says we will have a discussion of the booklist on orientation day and a chance to buy our materials then. Soooo I am exercising self-control. But it ain't easy. I just want to rip into them and get started! Alas I must wait until Sept 7 :) Two more weeks!!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Nursing School Bursary and New Scrubs!
I'm thrilled to say that I got a tuition assistance bursary today! It covers half of my tuition for this semester. I applied for it a couple of months back. Let me say all of this back to school shopping has been expensive so it was quite a treat to get this news today! God is good! My other exciting news is that I bought my first ever pair of scrubs this week! My program colour is light blue and I really like it. :) I will make a video soon when I get my books and other supplies and I will show off my scrubs too! School is coming soon... I can't believe it's finally approaching! :)
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Mask Fit Testing for Nursing School!
I just booked my Mask Fit Testing for nursing school. We get fitted for a N95 Respirator. I have to google that because I have no idea what that is! The mask fitting is a 1.5 hour class (I can't imagine what we are doing for all that time?). The class description in my book is:
Complete fitting for a mask for clinical
assignments. Compulsory for all first year
RPN students, BScN, Pharmacy, PSW, OTA/
PTA. You must bring completed “HEALTH
QUESTIONNAIRE” to class.
So I printed off the health questionnaire. It has questions like, are you allergic to latex, do you have asthma, lung or heart problems, etc... basically, any reason why you can't wear a respirator. If you answer yes to any of the questions you have to get cleared by your doctor before you get to class.
We have to have the Mask Fitting class done before clinicals begin... which in our case is Sept 20. I got the Sept 8th at 430 time slot which is on the first day of school after my classes. It costs $40, which of course we pay for... but thats ok. I'm excited for school to begin!
Complete fitting for a mask for clinical
assignments. Compulsory for all first year
RPN students, BScN, Pharmacy, PSW, OTA/
PTA. You must bring completed “HEALTH
QUESTIONNAIRE” to class.
So I printed off the health questionnaire. It has questions like, are you allergic to latex, do you have asthma, lung or heart problems, etc... basically, any reason why you can't wear a respirator. If you answer yes to any of the questions you have to get cleared by your doctor before you get to class.
We have to have the Mask Fitting class done before clinicals begin... which in our case is Sept 20. I got the Sept 8th at 430 time slot which is on the first day of school after my classes. It costs $40, which of course we pay for... but thats ok. I'm excited for school to begin!
Friday, August 6, 2010
My new Nurse Mates nursing shoes!
I got my comfy cozy new nursing shoes today! I wanted to get a pair that would last me through clinicals and into my job, and would keep my feet from aching. So I asked my nurse friends for advice and they were so helpful......... I brought home my new NurseMates shoes today! I can't wait to wear them. It's like walking on a cloud. :) They come in all kinds of styles although I chose a plain top for easy cleaning. I usually have a hard time buying shoes for my size 10 feet but this was so easy... They slid on and boom - instant comfort. Nice!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
A trip to my nursing school... more preparation!
I visited my nursing school today! Can I say that I'm excited about September?? Just a little bit... :):):) Anyway, I went in to get my bus validation sticker for my student card. And while we were there, my friend (who is also very excited) and I asked lots of questions, looked around and visited the bookstore.
I found out a few things: #1. MY NEW BACKPACK IS NOT GOING TO FIT IN MY LOCKER. Lol! and #2. I'm not sure if all of those textbooks will either!! The lockers aren't tiny per se, but my backpack is, um, large, and the books are... well, larger. There are a handful of full length lockers available in the ladies changroom and I'm guessing those will go first. I wrote down the numbers, and when locker selection time comes, I will be waiting at my keyboard (we pick them on-line) to nab a good locker! The half-lockers will probably fit my lunch, and maybe the Fundamentals of Nursing textbook.
Okay, so we also checked out our new scrub colours... we are allowed a variety of shades of light blue. It was suggested to us that we do NOT buy our scrubs from the bookstore since they cost $35 and we can find them cheaper elsewhere, however, I already visited Wal-mart and Mark's Work Wearhouse (I told you I was eager) and the prices are comparable and even more, for lesser quality scrubs. So I will probably wait and buy from the bookstore.
We found out that will also need white shoes for clinicals. I have heard about a brand called Nurse Mates from people on line. So I googled it and saw that Sears sells them. If anyone has any other suggestions, please share!
I bought a new lanyard at the bookstore :) It's pink, says nursing, and unsnaps at the back. That was a suggestion of one of my new YouTube subscribers... she said to get one that opens at the back in case a confused patient tries to grab it or strangle you. Good thought.
Speaking of the bookstore.... let me just say that that was my favourite part of the trip! I loved looking at all of those texts! Yes, they are huge. Yes they are expensive. Yes, they are big and scary and crazy looking and I have no idea how we are going to read all of that material, but sigh, it was like being in Wonderland. Hahaha.. I've got it bad!
Dreaming about pencils and books,
Rachel
I found out a few things: #1. MY NEW BACKPACK IS NOT GOING TO FIT IN MY LOCKER. Lol! and #2. I'm not sure if all of those textbooks will either!! The lockers aren't tiny per se, but my backpack is, um, large, and the books are... well, larger. There are a handful of full length lockers available in the ladies changroom and I'm guessing those will go first. I wrote down the numbers, and when locker selection time comes, I will be waiting at my keyboard (we pick them on-line) to nab a good locker! The half-lockers will probably fit my lunch, and maybe the Fundamentals of Nursing textbook.
Okay, so we also checked out our new scrub colours... we are allowed a variety of shades of light blue. It was suggested to us that we do NOT buy our scrubs from the bookstore since they cost $35 and we can find them cheaper elsewhere, however, I already visited Wal-mart and Mark's Work Wearhouse (I told you I was eager) and the prices are comparable and even more, for lesser quality scrubs. So I will probably wait and buy from the bookstore.
We found out that will also need white shoes for clinicals. I have heard about a brand called Nurse Mates from people on line. So I googled it and saw that Sears sells them. If anyone has any other suggestions, please share!
I bought a new lanyard at the bookstore :) It's pink, says nursing, and unsnaps at the back. That was a suggestion of one of my new YouTube subscribers... she said to get one that opens at the back in case a confused patient tries to grab it or strangle you. Good thought.
Speaking of the bookstore.... let me just say that that was my favourite part of the trip! I loved looking at all of those texts! Yes, they are huge. Yes they are expensive. Yes, they are big and scary and crazy looking and I have no idea how we are going to read all of that material, but sigh, it was like being in Wonderland. Hahaha.. I've got it bad!
Dreaming about pencils and books,
Rachel
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