BABIES!!!

I never had my own children. Never had a sister to assist with her childbearing. Never had a friend who needed my help with her pregnancy. It may be a sign of the times that business women in the 70s and 80s didn't think it was possible to have a career and a "mommy" track. But yesterday I had some amazing first-time experiences. I'm doing a clinical rotation for 7 weeks, in a Labor and Delivery Department of a large inner-city medical center. I bathed and completed a physical assessment of two babies within their first hour of life. Answered a new mom's question about the benefits of breastfeeding her baby, verus bottle feeding. Observed as two little boys were circumcised. And, saw how lovingly the hospital cares for the remains of the littlest of us who do not survive their entry into this new world. And that, my friends, was both uplifting and devestating to see. It is truly the miracle of life. And I got to participate. Cheers! Ima

New Semester...New Challenges

It hardly seems right that I should be back in school and Labor Day isn't here yet. My university changed to semesters so the days of a late September start are gone! But it was so nice to see my friends from the nursing cohort; all appeared rested and ready for round 2 of this craziness! I'm taking 15 graduate credit hours this semester, so there will be little time for blogging - but I'll try to keep y'all in the loop as best I can. Obstetrics, Labor and Delivery, and Pediatrics are on the schedule, as is Biostatistics and 2 classes in Community and Public Health. There is also weekly time in the hosptial and in a community setting, so plenty of time to have hands on experiences. But I made a promise to myself, and asked a dear friend to help me keep it. I WILL make more time for myself, and family and friends, during the term. Even if my grades suffer a bit doing so, I need more balance. While I know they love and support me, it's not good for any of us if I get burned out! Right?! Same for you...keep what's most important in your sights, too. Till later! Cheers! Ima

One Down, Three To Go

OK, so as my school friend Chrissy said to me today..."OK, ask me your healthcare questions, 'cause I'm 1/4 nurse today!!" Love her enthusiasm. Actually, we're all exhausted and ready for the three week break that begins right now. But I did well (2 As and one B+) and they haven't scared me off yet. My clinical nurse was the best person I could have picked, and the hospital staff was very welcoming (for the most part, anyway.) Now, for a two-day nap, followed by three days of WELCOME house scrubbing. (Never thought I'd say that one!) August 27 will come way too fast, I'm sure. Till then...Cheers! Ima

What a Day at the Hospital

I am overwhelmed. Since I last posted almost two weeks ago, I have bathed patients, comforted them, given them shots of all kinds and medication of all kinds, changed bed linen, observed invasive radiological procedures, changed a "wafer" and fed a patient via J tube. (Note: if you don't know these last two, don't ask now...too close to dinner time.) But today I felt like I made a difference. I was assigned a patient who has been the difficult one on the floor - someone whose emotional state is not allowing them to press on and therefore go home. Now, this person has endured some tough surgery and recovery isn't for wimps, but at some point it's time to just get on with it. She wouldn't get out of bed to bathe, wouldn't walk around, and was just miserable to all around them. So that was my project today. And when I left for the weekend she was smiling, had showered, and had done 6 "laps" around the floor - first exercise in a couple days. WOW. I now KNOW that I can do this! Cheers! Ima

It is Saturday morning, and I've just survived the first full week of clinicals, which also included my first day of patient care. I have learned so much this week that I can't hardly recall any of it! Not a real encouraging sign for the poor man or woman who gets me as a nursing student next week, huh! No, seriously, the instructors have been amazing. Their role this semester is to simply get us exposed to a lot of things, and to supervise and guide us as we get the opportunity to use what we have learned. Fortunately my very first patient was a nice man who had a superb attitute about his health status (which is not good) and life in general. He was patient with me as I fumbled through taking his vital signs, and he allowed me to accompany him for his CT scan and thoracic procedure so that I could talk with him. I pray for his full recovery. But on a more light-hearted note...I had no idea how many different tubes, catheters and devices exist to remove bodily fluids, or get nutrition into the body! Pumps, suction devices, catheters of all style, size and shape...my oh my! And you all should have been there the morning that I gave an injection to my first bratwurst and tangerine! It was stellar. Yes, the fun has now begun. But you'll be along for the ride, I promise. Cheers! Ima

Day one in the hospital completed. Met my one patient and he is a very nice man. But I feel so incompetent! Just have to be patient. Cheers! Ima

I'm In Nursing School!!

The day arrived with little fanfare, but I completed my first day of nursing school and didn't kill anybody. Kidding. They don't let us near a patient yet! But all joking aside, in my first two days I have learned to take an accurate blood pressure and vital signs, and have completed the first sections of a patient health assessment, capturing data for later use. Also donned a hospital gown (oh yes, we had to get almost "buffed up" for this part) and did physical examinations of a fellow student, regarding skin, hair and nails. OH MY! Three quizzes...one group paper...one paper due tomorrow. (They didn't call my program 'accelerated' for nothing!) But the best part of all this is that I am in a cohort with 39 other very frightened students, and so far I can report that everyone is helpful and professional. Only one person has passed out, and it was from lack of nutrition, not something icky. (That's a medical term, right?) I'm certain that this will come later. Through it all, kindness and empathy abounds in the student population! Good thing I've got the next five days off, to read, reflect and study!! Cheers! Ima