Another one Bites

One semester down, four more to go.
3 A's and 1 B

Not too bad :) I am happy with it and with my GPA, specially considering that I did not completely wear myself out this semester. Yes, it was stressful. Yes, it was hard work but I took the time to recuperate.
My biggest lessons this semester:
1. Study in a way that works for you, even if it's different than what everyone else is doing. Personally, this meant sleeping at least 5 hours before an exam, no all-nighters. The one time that I slept less than that was my worst grade. While it's true that some people can do it, it just does not work for me so I had to fight the peer pressure to stay up all night. I established a new routine of dropping everything at a specific time, taking a shower, watching some TV and going to bed. I did this regardless of how much of the material I had or had not gone over. Granted this only works if you learned it during lecture and studied at least once before the exam.

2 There are good and bad of everything everywhere, including nurses. One would think that in the healthcare field they would weed out the baddies but that is not the case. I met some long-time RNs that were doing their job terribly. I give them the benefit of a doubt that maybe I caught them in an off day (I hope). It made me set the goal that regardless of how I feel about my patients, or my job, or my boss or whoever, my practice will always be patient focused. My clinical instructor gave me great insight when she said "You will never do wrong if you are doing right by your patient". The phrase has stuck with me in the decisions that I've had to make both in clinical practice and on an exam.

Preparing for next semester already, since the professors already sent out first-day assignments. I need to buy my books, get my supplies together, plan my wardrobe.... all those fun things.
Hopefully I will get to blog once more before the semester starts.

In Deep Water

I am midway through the semester. Feeling exhausted and lonely.
I just always think people don't like me so I figure they don't wan to me around me.
Either way, I am enjoying clinicals a whole lot. Even though I am exhausted by the end of the day, they really give me the sense of fulfillment to know that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. Taking care of people makes me feel needed and useful so it's really a win-win situation. If I could tell anyone anything before they started doing clinical rotations I would say that the main thing I missed is using my resources. The first day there I was so nervous and anxious during patient-pick up because I felt alone and stranded. However, I quickly learned that as long as I am not encroaching on anyone's schedule, using the nurses around me is extremely helpful. Specially whichever nurse is assigned to my patient for that day. I would also recommend eating breakfast every morning and taking time to take care of yourself during the day. Remember to stay hydrated and well-fed because you are no good to someone passed out in the middle of the nurses' station.
School is not as academically difficult and they kept stressing during orientation. The material is -not- rocket science. In fact, a lot of it is common sense and critical reasoning with a scientific background knowledge. The only thing I would say is that focus is extremely important because a lot of programs are very fast-paced and things will sneak up on you. Feeling rushed is just no fun for anyone so keeping track of school work, making a weekly agenda and setting personal goals is really important and helps out a lot.
I have yet to buy myself some cute yellow scrubs, I think that they would just be so upbeat and happy and cheerful. Anyways, my quest continues.
I have two exams coming up next week and I plan to start my study routine tomorrow or Wednesday. I already started making my flashcards and looking over the material that will be covered. I am most anxious about a midterm that is the only other exam besides the final in this class. I like a lot of grades because it means more opportunities to recover from a mess up in grades. Also, I want to create a cushion for finals so that I have at least one class that I am not freaking out over. I learned during undergrad that doing that is about the greatest relief ever. I hated reaching the end of the semester and needing straight A's in finals in order to make a B in the course. I cannot count the amount of breakdowns and exhaustion-driven catatonic episodes at the end of that semester. Those are definitely not fun and I do not want to experience them again!
Speaking of taking care of myself, I think I am catching a bug but it might just be really bad allergies... and then there is the very high possibility that I am turning into a zombie (two words: double tap). I am just drinking a lot of Vitamin C and taking it easy studying and chilling in my room... preparing for my lab check-off tomorrow.

Let The Games Begin

First official day of class tomorrow.
Feeling excited, not nervous at all (which could be good or it could be denial)
I think I have everything ready, it's just a matter of putting it in my backpack and setting it next to the door. My printer has gotten quite the work out this week, much like my stapler and my hole-puncher. The intent here is to start the school year organized so that when things do get messy, they wont be as bad.
I've been hanging out with mainstreams, or non-nerds, and it's proven to be positively enlightening. I do miss my nerd friends and hope to find some here but either way the individuals I have met are not bad. I certainly haven't established any sort of study group or set routine. I think I need to get a feel of how my weekly schedule is going to be before I decide to set anything in stone.
I printed out the available slides for class and there is quite a bit of material that, ocording to the syllabus, the professor hopes to get through in one 3-hour class period. This is completely possible but it sounds like the complete opposite of fun.
I am not totally caught up on my reading (what a great way to start eh?) but I think it's because I need to look at what the professors are focusing on so that I can do so also in my reading. I plan on finishing everything around 9pm tonight, taking a shower and calling it a night.
Talking to current students has really been comforting and reassuring. They made me feel like I am going to have a life for the next 2 years and that school is not going to consume me entirely. I know it is the priority but I don't feel like repeating the episode of last semester were I was left incapacitated by stress.
Speaking of handicaps, I've decided to not have my surgery during the time that I am in school but instead wait until after graduation when I am in between school and a job. Plus myself and Mr. S might have to move after his graduation so I would be looking for a new job either way.
I am looking forward to the rest of the week and hope that my lack of anxiety is not entirely ill-founded.

Can You Hold Please?

I've been on the phone with admissions people most of this week and the last. I have also been sending out e-mails erratically, copying more than one person, that include my admissions paperwork.
Yes, I am -that- student.
They probably know me by name now and think I am insane, not entirely bad I think.
Good news is, except for a minor technical issue, I am all set until orientation in August.
I am really excited about finding out what my schedule is going to be like and meeting my instructors and fellow classmates.

I am trying to figure out what to do during the summer. So far, I have decided that I am going to learn how to skateboard, read through my anatomy and physiology book, and study through the book of Philippians.

I am also setting weight loss, exercise and reading goals.

Staying away from boredom as much as possible.

Want to know a secret?

Getting accepted into nursing school will not, at least immediately, make your life any better. Your mom's a stripper? Dad ran away when you were 2 years old? Have a grandmother with a killer heroin habit?
I assure you, the acceptance letter will not make these things go away.
Almost makes me want to throw my hands up in the air; swing a white towel.
But sorry life, it's not gonna happen. I am staying focused and positive; keeping my eye on the goal. I can't wait until my first round of clinicals.
Heck, I can't wait to step foot inside a classroom :)

Accepted

Hi.

I am optimistic to a fault.

Also, annoyingly ambitious.

The glass is not only half full but oh my goodness let's do what we can to make totally full.

I smile and I talk... a lot.

Specially today. Specially because I got accepted into nursing school for the fall!

So extremely excited.

This is my first post documenting my journey to and through nursing school as I fight not to lose my determination and positive outlook on life. I know there will be ugly things fighting right back.

Time to buy some scrubs and sensible shoes.