Calm Before Finals Storm

Sunday my hubby and I went out to eat in a mine! Well it wasn't really a mine but it sure looked like one. Here are a few pictures.
Once we got into the restaurant, there were hand built rock formations all over the place.  It was a fun setting.

 The interior of the restaurant mimicked the look of this menu cover to the T.

 This looks to be a rust covered mining excavator...perfect photo op.

 One of the hubby with more of the falling down building in the background.

 My lunch consisted of a sandwich called the Miss Piggy that had a blend of four melted cheese on sourdough bread with sliced ham, and a baked potato.  Yum, I even saved leftovers for today.

First Day on the Birth Center

http://www.rch.org.au/blogs/ccch/category/media/

Saturday was my first day on the birth center (BC) and I was simply frightened.  I didn’t know what to expect other than to see babies and mommies.  My shift was from 0630-1830, I met my preceptor and we got report on 8 babies in the nursery 4 of which needed initial baths.  Those same 4 needed hearing checks, and photos. I watched my preceptor with the first bath and then I got to give one.  Man it’s been a long time since I held little ones.  I need to tone up my forearms especially to be able to wash their hair over a sink.   The hearing screening consisted of three sticker probes one on the baby’s forehead, nape of neck, and shoulder, along with plastic cups over each ear.  Sometimes the hearing test goes quickly within 10 minutes and sometimes it takes longer.  It’s best to check their hearing while they’re sleeping yet babies can be so finicky that they may not stay sleeping hence a longer screening.  There is also a photo studio with props and reminds me of Anne Geddes style photos.  There was so much going on; I didn’t sit down until after 1300.

http://curezone.com/ig/i.asp?i=36365

After lunch a mom came and was taken to L&D #1, I didn’t hear how far along she was when she came in, but in about an hour later she was “rimming”.  I’m thinking that’s pretty close because a little while later my preceptor and I were called into the room to help assist the doctor and nurses.  I hung back as far as possible (out of the way), but before I knew I was asked to get different things for the doctor including sutures, a different gauge needle, and other various items.  The mom was so tired and the dad was so supportive and comforting.  In a matter of a few pushes the baby came out without a hitch and I was so thrilled for witnessing another miracle.

All the while we were helping in L&D #1, another mom came in and was put in L&D#2 but was discharged before we got out of #1.  Go figure, she wasn’t ready yet, and because it was the weekend and after 2pm the housecleaning staff wasn’t working anymore, so my preceptor and I cleaned up #2 top to bottom.

Before you know it my time was up, the only two things I know for sure is that I need a different pair of shoes being on my feet that long AND that I love my job.  12 hours flew by and I was so happy I learned so much.  I made the right decision when I accepted this job!

Head-To-Toe Assessment in Less Than 20 Minutes Guide

Tomorrow is the big head-to-toe check off for the sophomore students and I was asked to offer any help that I could to better organize their check lists.  Each student will be given a scenario where a patient is being seen in the hospital for one reason or another and each student is supposed to perform a head-to-toe assessment including focusing on  three areas that are most concerning regarding the patient.  All of this has to happen in less than 20 minutes.

So I scoured the internet looking for resources and I came across this gem:

This is where I found it:  An Easy Guide to Head To Toe Assessment page 5
Of course I recreated the document with a different body in the middle, but you get this gist.
I hope this helps some students just starting out in their programs.

No Motivation

I have no motivation to study for finals and here's my proof:

view from the garage

neighbor's treetops

my hot pink shoes on the gravel driveway

The day is too gorgeous to miss by being inside, so I'll catch up listening to my church's message I missed on Sunday. 

What are you doing today?

Unexpected Greatness: 5K, Hair, and Gold Medal

Last Saturday was a busy one for my family, the day started off with my daughter skedaddling to her State French competition for school where the bus picked her up curb side from our home at 5:30am.  Yikes, I’m glad my daughter was ready to go so that I didn’t have to walk outside and embarrass her friends with my morning beauty.  I told her to have a good time and speak the best French ever.  Then I came back in and went to bed for about 45 minutes only to be woken up by my hubby’s Guns and Roses alarm reminding me that we had a 5K to get ready for.

The morning was raining/sleeting and the temperature was 35 degrees, not the best running weather but after the first mile we were in the woods and out of the direct elements.  As much as I love to run/walk, up until this day I’ve never been able to manage running the entire 3.1 miles before without stopping.  I don’t really know what came over me, besides maybe the blessing God gave me with the new job but I just kept thinking run, run, run, and don’t stop.  So I didn’t and I came across the finish line 8 minutes faster than my usual pace.  I broke my goal for the end of summer in my first race of the year!  Felt good!  My hubby is a machine and finished 7 minutes earlier than me, and was waiting at the finish line to give me a hug!  Our son entered the 1 mile race and we were all happy campers when it was over.

Later that afternoon, my hubby had his annual banquet for work at a local hotel.  I really wanted to look nice with a new outfit and being a poor college student, I headed to the thrift store and picked up this blouse by Sam and Max $3.50, earrings $1.99, and tank top by St. John's Bay $1.50 worn over a black skirt by George $3.50. 

I’ve also been watching a lot of youtube videos on how to style my hair by a brilliant stylist that goes by the name of K8bryan, look her up, she does the best tutorials on hair, you can also visit her blog called the small things blog.  Kate did a tutorial of a “Knotty or Nice” look where you actually wrap your hair in a couple knots and a few bobby pins and this is the result:

I put in two knots and a little bun

After our time together, my hubby went to do his DJ thing while I stayed home watching a movie with my son.  My daughter came home a little later and with great pleasure I’m glad to say she won a gold medal for her outstanding job well done in her state championship competition.  Way to go girl!!

Gold feels good

New Job Announcement

http://www.google.com/imgres

As I said in the past, “as one door closes another door opens” and my other door is leading me, to my area of interest, after I graduate nursing school…aka…the world of Obstetrics.  It was a few months back, where I wrote about my clinical time for a day on the birthing center.  What I didn’t write about, was how I called the nurse manager of the department and told her how impressed I was of their unit and how I’d love to be a part of the birth center’s team.  She was quite surprised and said “no student has ever said that before”.   This made me blush because if there’s anything I’ve learned in my short amount of time on this earth, it is to not waste a good moment, if you like something speak up and declare it!! 

Shortly thereafter I got a call from the scheduling manager and was asked to talk to her regarding a casual position coming open soon.  I headed up to her office and sat for about ½ hour just shooting the breeze and didn’t feel like I was being interviewed.  Instead I just let her know my current work history at the hospital on the med/surg. floor as a CNA and about nursing schooling etc. etc.  She made notes and told me she would call me the minute the job became available in a few weeks, to which, I was doing a happy dance inside my head.

About two weeks ago, guess what??  You guessed it; I got a call from the OB manager for an official interview.  After the interview was over I was told that I’d hear back either way by
"early the following week".  Now “early the following week” to me, means Monday, so when Monday came and went I started freaking out.  But before I could freak out too much, Tuesday morning the HR Rep. called to offer me the position.  I gladly accepted and jumped for joy in my living room!  My wheels started turning about all the exciting things I’ll be able to see and experience.  If the birth center is truly where I want to begin my nursing career after I graduate, then what a great opportunity to get a job there a whole year in advance…right?? 

Speaking of a new job, you wouldn’t possibly think that I could continue both, my other two jobs and continue being a full-time student right?  That’s right; I had to quit one of my other jobs.  Unfortunately I put in my notice to my clinic job that I’ve been at for the past four years.  The most loved job I’ve ever had in my entire life.  The work was exciting and manageable, and my relationship with my co-workers was outstanding, but in order to make new decisions for my future as a nurse, I had to let go of the one job that was a great stepping stone along my path. 




Common theme here people would be food

My clinic job threw me a party with cake (that my boss decorated) and goodies along with some flowers and a card signed by everyone.    The hardest thing is letting go of something I know like the back of my hand with confidence and entering into a world of the unknown with babies and mommies.  I have no doubt I’ll make new friends and learn the job eventually but making grown-up decisions isn’t always easy even for this grown-up.  

Anyone else having to make hard decisions with employment recently?

PHN Summer Intership - Offered and Declined

Some of you may have read in an earlier posting that I was not chosen for a summer internship through the local hospital here in town…bummer!  In that same post I mentioned the opportunity I had to apply for an internship with Public Health Nursing (PHN).  I figured what the heck; this could possibly be a great chance to get my foot in the door and see another side to nursing. 

After an awesome application/essay submitted by yours truly and a few weeks of waiting.  I was offered the slot of Nursing Intern for one of the nearby public health county offices close to where I live.  The offer included a schedule of M-F 0800-1630 for 8 weeks.  The director of the office gave me the break-down of the job duties:  55% strategic planning, 35% beach and well water testing, and 10% job shadowing. 

Here is a description of the job:  With accreditation as a front-burner opportunity within many health departments, the       County Health Department has realized a need to begin the initial step of preparing a comprehensive strategic plan. Under the general direction of the Director and guidance of our Lead Public Health Nurse, this intern will work side by side and, as appropriate, be given a lead role in helping to prepare our plan outline in collaboration with other health department team members and governing board members. Primary objectives will involve: outreaching to other health departments to secure example strategic plan templates, organizing key stakeholders and/or partner organizations, identifying priorities, developing a draft plan outline. As well, it is anticipated that this intern will help with beach and transient non-community well water testing. On an as needed bases, the intern will be given opportunity to craft press releases to raise public awareness and/or work with facilities when well water samples exceed "safe" thresholds. The intern will shadow our Public Health Aide and/or Public Health Nurse and, if skill set allows, be allowed to pull samples by him/herself.

Now don’t get me wrong, I was thrilled as pie to even be considered for this summer internship, but I was a little hesitant as well.  So far all of my time spent in school learning as well as my patient care during clinical has been rooting me in a foundation of floor nursing.  I had a hard time accepting the idea that majority of the time spent in this position would be dealing with paperwork creating a strategic plan.  The job duties state that 10% of my time will be job shadowing, I’ve bolded within the description what that includes.  If you’re following me, that means that my clinical hands-on time with patients would only be 10% of my entire time this summer and that just didn’t sit well for me and I’ll tell you why. 



Before I decided to become a nurse I did office work for many years.  I’m not interested in doing that any time soon.  I've spent the past 2.5 semesters learning how to touch patients and help make them better through my knowledge and ever-sharpening skills.  After having a few long in-depth talks with my hubby I came to the conclusion that PHN isn’t the route for me at this time in my career.  So unapologetically I declined the offer.  Now I know you all must be wondering: WHY DID I APPLY IN THE FIRST PLACE, if I didn’t think this is where I wanted to be. 



Honestly I think I just wanted to be wanted.  I didn’t think so much as my future, nor did I think I would even be extended an offer.  I just wanted what my classmates had and that was a facility that wanted them for a summer internship.  After much prayer I decided that wasn’t a good enough reason to hold someone else from a PHN slot they much rather wanted.



http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://2.bp.blogspot.com



However stay tuned because, when God shuts one door another door opens, and boy did another door open wide for me that I’ll write in another posting soon.

Alert: Headache Prayer Request

I'm asking for a prayer of healing for a nasty headache that I can't seem to shake.

Ever since I returned home from my trip to SD I've had the nastiest, massive headache known to man! I caught a cold last Thursday from a co-student on our trip and I thought it was a sinus issue.

However after reading more about where the pain is located I figured it may have more to do with migraines. The pain comes and goes when it pleases, no amount of pain meds actually get rid of the pain fully, I feel like there is a vice-grip squeezing my head to a pulp, it's solely located on the right side of my brain, sometimes I feel like I'm going to die from the amount of pain or just pass out or cry.

I've never felt this intense pain before, well other than the time I had nerve pain directly related to a tooth that needed a root canal, but even then it didn't last this long.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and thoughts, something’s got to give because I feel like I'm going to die, ahhhhhh!

http://www.wellsphere.com/healthy-eating-article/natural-headache-remedies/648940

Happy Easter

Would you believe this is South Dakota?

Badlands

Expanded Experience Rosebud SD

This past week I was involved with an expanded experience with my school.  I had 3 days of clinical at a hospital on Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota and then 3 days out in the community with Public Health nurses. 

Living room commons area

Day 1: Our group arrived Saturday afternoon and checked out our housing, stuck around long enough to put our things in our rooms and then skedaddled to the grocery store for our week’s supply of food.  After that we had enough time to grab a quick bbq at our instructor’s house as well as a quick smudge (ceremonial burning of Sage for good thoughts and blessings for each of us) before heading over to the hospital to work a quick 1800-2200 shift.  During that time I got to share one patient with another nursing student because the hospital’s census was low.  Together we spent an 1.5 hours learning how to chart handwritten using the S.O.A.P.I.E. method S:subjective data, O:objective data, A:application, P:prevention, I:Intervention, and E:Evaluation.  I’ve been spoiled at my home town’s hospital because we chart by computer and use Exception charting.  Ultimately by the time we were done in the hospital I was getting the hang of it.  Later that night our room assignments were two women to each room and each room had two beds.  My best buddy Farrah and I shared a room next door to a couple of gals we wanted to get to know better CC and Katie during this trip so we stayed up late getting acquainted.  


Day 2: We slept in and had to be ready for church by 1100, visiting a Catholic church on Palm Sunday was incredibly long and I didn’t get much out of the message.  At one point the Priest mentioned that Jesus was a mistake, so after lifting my jaw off the floor I looked over at my new next door roommate CC, and she reminded me that throughout this week we may not agree with everything we see but to respect it anyway.  This was definitely a learning opportunity for me despite whether I agreed or not.  That afternoon we ate baked chicken at our instructor’s house and off to the hospital again 1400-2230.  This time I was stationed in L&D to help with two babies being born within a couple hours apart, one was a vaginal and the other a c-section.  I shed a tear after seeing the vaginal birth because once again I think life is such a miracle and getting to witness a baby being born is pretty darn awesome.  I was soooo excited seeing as though I’m developing such an interest in OB that I couldn’t contain my excitement.  To my surprise some of my classmates were jealous that they didn’t get to have the opportunity to see a birth like I did, but my nurse I was with just reassured me by telling me that I should grab every opportunity that comes my way in nursing school and not to let those “Debby Downers” bother me.  Later that night Farrah and I had girl time in our room with our new next door roommates CC and Katie.  We stayed up way too late bonding, because the clock said 0200 when we finally went to bed and we were expected back to the hospital by 0730.  Not much sleep but well worth the amount of giggles.

Day 3:  0630 rolled around way too early, I kicked myself for not taking a shower the night before.  We headed off to the hospital for our last day in-house, where I was assigned a baby to one of the mothers I helped birth the day before.  I was super thrilled to learn how to do a baby assessment from my nurse (I think this will help for when I apply for a new job soon, but more on that later).  I learned the trick of counting the heartbeat by tapping my finger to match the baby’s hr and watching the second hand on my watch.  I also was advised to gently place my fingertips on the baby’s chest to feel and look for respirations and most importantly to count a full minute because of irregularities.  I was able to give the baby their first bath and I got to lather on the baby lotion.  Yummm I love the smell of baby lotion, it makes me just want to smooch that little baby all day.  I wrapped the little one tightly in their receiving blanket and helped with latching on to mom for feeding.  My heart was soaring inside at such beauty.  Since we were done early that afternoon we headed off the reservation for dinner, lots of laughter filled the restaurant.  Being able to bond with my classmates helped with the slight homesickness that began to bubble up inside me.  That evening I had a heart-to-heart talk with CC regarding a past hurt friendship with Dori that I had been struggling to get over.  I haven’t written much about this friendship but I definitely was grieving over my decision not to be her friend anymore for quite some time.  We started our friendship when we both started college for our gen. eds. but over time I was continually being dealt the short end of the stick in the relationship with a crashing blow to end the friendship.  CC helped me to remember good things about our friendship and then she asked me to tell her something good about our friendship currently.  When I couldn’t think of anything she helped me to know it was okay to let the friendship finally go without guilt or hurt feelings.  CC helped me to find the closure I so desperately needed and helped me to finally be free.  I was so amazed at her wisdom and it felt good to start mending my broken heart for good.  


Day 4: Was my day off, I finished up work on a couple oral presentations that were due the following day and helped 5 other ladies prepare a large dinner for our evening’s guest speaker.  FYI, playing Limbo in the kitchen with too many cooks can be dangerous…dangerously fun that is hahaha!  Once again a late night venting/chit-chat session with the lady roomies was in order.  We commented to each other about how strange it was we were all getting along so well and how we didn’t ever want our friendship to end. 

Day 5:  This was my first day out in the community and I shared my time with the instructor and one other classmate.  We traveled to an elderly housing unit and set up a blood pressure screening.  Now I know this may sound unchallenging just sitting around doing vitals.  But what amazed me was how the instructor made an attractive health screening area out of nothing.  We walked into a room with a rectangle table and a few chairs and in a matter of moments she transformed the room into a professional area with just a few moved pieces of furniture.  My instructor helped assemble a line for the people to stand and wait to be seen.  The Lakota people know her and respect her, one man we passed on the way in said, “here are the nurses that help heal people”.  What an awesome reputation our instructor has out in Rosebud just by living in that area.  That evening we headed over to one of our instructor’s friend’s house to be involved in a Sweat Lodge ( you can read all about it here). This was an opportunity of a lifetime for me even though I didn’t pray to the American Indian Gods while the other tribe members in the hut were doing.  I prayed to God in Heaven that our group would find unity together, that our trip would be blessed with safe travels and that there would be healing with the patients we took care.  Our time in the sweat included passing and smoking a peace pipe that burned sage and tobacco.  Again whenever could I say that I had the opportunity to be handed a peace pipe from a tribal community member?  Um that’s right…the answer is never, so I participated.  Afterwards we came out of the tent dripping wet from sweat but feeling more spiritually connected and at peace.  We all had dinner in the log house near the sweat area for a big meal to include all of us students and tribal members before heading back to our housing for the night.

Day 6:  My last day in the community included 4 hours in the Women’s Health department at the Clinic.  Now originally before ever starting nursing school I thought nurses who worked in the clinic setting were cool and I wouldn’t mind a job like theirs.  However after my time in that area I wasn’t impressed.  One nurse took patients and checked them in by getting vitals and asking their symptoms while the other nurse helped the doctor by preparing the room for what he needed like opening the speculum from its wrapper or getting q-tips ready for catching samples.  BORRRIIINNNGGG!  I was so dog-tired from not being challenged that I thought for sure this wasn’t the place for me anymore despite my original thoughts.  We headed home for our last goodbye supper of lasagna and enjoyed our last night of girl time talking before we hit the hay.

Day 7:  We headed out on the road by 7am for a quick breakfast at our instructors house of pancakes and sausage.  Then we decided that since we were only a couple hours away from the Badlands that we would stop there before heading back home.  I have been to the Badlands one other time in my life when I was a girl, but didn’t remember much other than how massive the formations were.  This time going back as an adult was so very amazing!  I learned how to use the panoramic option on my cell phone camera and was pleased with how the pictures turned out.  I was kind of glad the sun wasn’t brightly shinning or we wouldn’t have been able to keep our eyes open.  We drove straight through on the way back home without stopping for the night and I was able to sleep in my bed last night.  Unfortunately about by day 3 I had developed a cold and now I believe it’s worked its way to my sinus cavity…ouch!  I’ll keep taking Sudafed and maybe see the doc on Monday for meds if I think I need them.


Overall my trip was filled with lots of experience within the clinical setting and out in the community, most importantly I was able to bond with 3 other women who I didn’t intend to love so much!

HESI RE-TAKE

I retook my HESI exam and scored a whopping 1152!  Ow ow that’s right; I’m super smart and sassy!

Spring Break Get-Away

I mentioned that I would be traveling with my hubby (no kids) to a cottage overlooking the Mississippi for a get-away spring break weekend/15th anniversary and here are a few pictures from the website to give you an idea of what the inside of our cottage looked like.

 This was the absolutely THE best thing that I needed for a break from school, work, kids etc.  I completely enjoyed myself and my husband.

 After we got to our cottage, our first look out of the windows showed this amazing view.

 And this one too, that is the Mississippi River and our cottage is nestled HIGH up on the bluffs.  Some called our cottage a birds nest for being so high up.

 The owners of the cottage included in our price a welcome breakfast of sausage, eggs, and homemade bread.  YUM, we had quite the appetite.

 I know this angle is kind of sideways, but it shows the parking lot below our cottage and the rest of the way up we had to go by foot. 

 My hubby caught a few eagles through his binoculars so I tried to get him and the eagles in my shot, but cell phone cameras are only so good.

 We stopped to go shopping at a few shops that were open for the season and I scored this lovely skirt and shoes *bonus*!

Here we are on our last day waving goodbye to the cottage that helped us to relax and connect better during our vacation.

This is the view as we were driving out of town.  Looks too good to leave.

Curling Iron Cord/Muck Update

So after all your guys' exciting and helpful comments from my last post, I decided to take apart my curling iron in hopes of cleaning the crud off the barrel. 

I unscrewed the clamp, and scraped the top layer of gunk from the barrel.

I couldn't find my oven cleaner so I tried spraying Kaboom. I tried spraying bleach and 70% isopropyl alcohol and still no avail.

I couldn't get much of anything off the barrel, and from all the hard work I ended up breaking the handle.

So in the garbage I threw it!  *wipes hands back and forth on jeans* I'm glad to be done with that curling iron.

I thought that while I tried my hand at fixing my curling iron, I would work on cleaning the dreaded embarrassing hair catcher from the family shower, but I couldn't help but give it a try.

Back side looks even worse with all the mold and mildew build-up. Yuckoo!

After, doesn't look 100% clean but much, much, much better!

Bye, bye yuck!

After scouring the internet for a suitable replacement curling iron, I came across this beauty.

Remington Ceramic Pearl-Infused Professional Curling Wand

(I'm not getting paid for this by Remington, but I'm just impressed)

Because this iron is considered a curling wand (no clamp) it comes with a glove so you don't burn your fingers.  I have to say I was very intimidated by trying this beauty tool, so my beautiful daughter with long flowing locks offered her hair as my practice model, which I happily accepted. 

I didn't curl every section of her hair because c-mon she has some wicked long and thick flowing hair.  So I just curled sections and layers until I was done with the whole thing.  Do you like?

I'm glad it worked well on her hair, but tomorrow morning will be the test if I can handle the curling wand on my own hair.  Yikes!

Twisted Curling Iron Cord Troubles

As embarrassing as it is to admit this, does anyone out there know how to untwist a curling iron cord? 

I thought I would post it on Abbie's 5 Days 5 Ways Friday-Free-For-All blog.

I totally love my curling iron as old and cruddy as it is and I'm not yet in the market to buy a new one. 

However, every time I use the darn thing I get all tangled up.  Sometimes it even comes unplugged from the wall when I use it.

My question is does anyone know a way of untwisting the cord itself?

Also would anyone have a way of cleaning/scraping the build-up of hair products off from the barrel?

Next Stop, Spring Break

Hello all, today I took my second exam in one of my foundational classes and scored the lowest yet 66.5%.  To say that I’m devastated doesn’t even come close.  The content included renal, liver, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and epilepsy.  I totally rocked the stroke, tbi, and epilepsy, but the renal and liver overtook me.  It goes back to my struggles with intercellular processes; I just don’t understand that stuff as well as I should.  I wanted to become a nurse to help people but slowly I keep realizing that the help comes in the form of knowing my cellular levels and lab values more than my desire to empathize with my patients...or so it seems.  I’ve made an appointment with one of my instructors for advice and maybe some helpful study tips.

Looking forward my spring break is next week and I’m super thrilled!  

We’re leaving the kids with grandma and grandpa so the hubs and I can escape to a cottage in northern Wisconsin.  No TV.  No kids.  No snow, just beautiful weather.  There’s a sauna and whirlpool for relaxing, and walking trails overlooking a river.  I’ll be taking lovely nature pictures so you all can see our views.  What are we to do with ourselves…I’ll update you all when I get back. 

My Baby Girl is Growing Up

My daughter is an amazing and wonderful 15 year old, who two weeks ago passed her written permit driving test.  She is so very excited and happy to be able to have a little freedom especially since she has been talking about driving for the past couple years.  The time has finally come and since she’s a little older than her peers having the ability to drive seems pretty awesome to her.

However after she passed the written test, we went down to the DMV and unfortunately we didn’t have the official copy of her birth certificate so we couldn’t get her permit.

Upset and concerned my daughter suggested we get a copy of her birth certificate as soon as possible so we wouldn’t lose precious time of behind-the-wheel training.  We filled out the proper paperwork and expect to see something in the mail in the next few weeks or possibly sooner depending on the office’s turn-around time.

Either way LOOK OUT WORLD because my daughter’s planning on getting her license by the time school starts up again in the fall and she is thrilledJ…so are we.

Fish Fry at the Bowling Alley

Love the carpeting

Today is the end of my first six weeks for the current semester and we don’t have any more clinical to attend until next semester. I’m excited to have my Tuesday and Wednesday’s open to study more for the remainder of the semester.  These first six weeks have been difficult not in the way that they’ve been too hard, but just time consuming with a lot of busy work.

What better way to end the week than to go eat fish fry at the bowling alley with one of my hubby’s besties.  This dinner date was exactly what I needed to let my hair down and relax, and although I didn’t eat fish fry I had a great Caesar salad wrap with fries.  Here we are before we left.

We decided to come back to the house because the bowling alley was having some kind of Leprechaun party and the volume level was getting too loud.  Here we are at home and I was able to get a little more comfortable for the night.  Just one more week until Spring Break woo hoo!!!

A Change of Mind

I have an OR nurse friend that was pretty influential to me before I started nursing school.  She would tell me her opinions of what area of specialty she likes and dislikes (among much other advice).  I would absorb just about anything and everything she had to say because she’s been a nurse for over 20 years so she must be highly wise. 

She would ask me what areas I’d like to focus on after I graduate and I would tell her I didn’t know.  She would ask what areas other ladies in my class are interested in and a few of them would talk about OB, while others talked about different areas.  My friend would interrupt saying things like, “Don’t go into OB nursing, it’s for the prissy girls.” Or “All women students want to be OB nurses, don’t be like them.” 

After hearing this from my most wise nursing friend before I even started nursing classes I began to develop a stigma towards OB nursing.  I began to avoid that area like it was the plague.  Every time my OB interested friends would talk about babies and women I would turn up my nose at them.  I was determined to love any other area of interest than OB.

However little did anyone know that deep down in my heart I had a sliver of interest in OB nursing.  Of course it all started around the same time as when I was having children of my own and watching episodes of The Baby Story and tearing up like a babbling fool, but I wasn’t going to admit that to anyone.

Last Tuesday I had a clinical day in the OB department and I prayed the Lord would make a way for me to witness a birth, and guess what??  I got to see a c-section, that took entirely too long because of complications from the mama but after the final cut was made and the splurge of bag of waters came out the little baby that emerged was so incredibly amazing I could stop what happened next.

I felt like the Grinch on Christmas morning when his heart began to grow a few sizes larger, I wondered what was happening to me.  The baby was brought to the warmer and Apgar tests were beginning and I was just looking in awe.  A few moments later as I motioned the dad to come hold his newborn child, I grabbed his camera from his breast pocket and I started snapping pictures for him(he was fine with this).  Low and behold my cheeks were dripping with fresh fallen tears.  I think in the flash of a moment my mind changed from being against OB to being for OB. 

There is just something so very wonderful and amazing when a beautiful, perfect, innocent, lovely brand new baby is born.  I could not deny this was one of the most amazing miracles to witness. 

Now I can talk to my wise OR nurse friend and let her know that for once in my three semesters of nursing school, I think I’ve found my specialty.

Creating a Nursing Portfolio

 

Information found from http://www.registerednursern.com/nursing-portfolio-how-to-create-examples-and-what-is-it/

Most nursing students and nurses create a nursing portfolio to help them keep track of their professional goals, accomplishments, competencies, and skills. For example, an artist creates a portfolio to show their work and accomplishments to future clients.

Nurses in a sense keep a portfolio to show future employers who they are and what they have done. A nursing portfolio is a tool used by nurses to help them secure a nursing job.

When trying to wrap your mind around a nursing portfolio, think of it as a scrapbook that contains everything you have done up to that current moment in your nursing career.

A nursing portfolio does not need to be confused with a resume. A resume is a piece of paper that shows the employer a summary of the nurse’s education, other job experiences, references, and certifications. The portfolio is the supporting documentation of that information.

How to Create a Nursing Portfolio?

Most nursing schools require nursing students to create a nursing portfolio. This is a great way to help the new nurse get started with creating their portfolio. However, some nurses have never created one. Remember that if you are a new nurse your portfolio will not be as in depth when compared to a nurse who has been in the field for several years.
Before you start creating your nursing portfolio you need to compile supporting documents. There is no right or wrong way to compile your supporting documents. Also, keep in mind that you need to include information that highlights your competencies, educational achievements, and skills. Below are suggested documents to include in your portfolio.

What type of information is included in a Nurse Portfolio?

• Resume
• College Transcripts
• 1 page essay on what your personal values and beliefs are on the nursing profession
• An outline of your plan for professional development with supporting documentation of activities and learning outcomes.
• Health records which includes immunizations and current physical
• List of Volunteer Positions with Supporting Documentation
• List of Professional Organization you are in with Supporting Documentation
• Your Job Description
• Performance Evaluations
• Competency Checklists
• Copy of your Nursing License
• Certifications with renewal dates
• Samples of Academic Work such as research
• Professional Conferences Attended with Supporting Documentation
• In-services Attended with Supporting Documentation
• References and Recommendation Letters
• Peer/Manager Evaluations
• Lists of Committees you are on and type of work you have contributed to it
• Educational Projects you have done such as in-services
• Awards you have received

Tips on How to Organize a Nursing Portfolio

Once you have compiled all of the proper paperwork you need for your nursing portfolio you need to place it into a three ring binder. It is good practice to place the resume at the beginning of the portfolio because this has your name and contact information on it.

Try to organize your documentation in chronological order, if possible. For example, organize in-services based on the date they were completed and so on. However, there is no correct way on how to organize your documentation. Try to organize it in a way that will make sense to the reader.

To help your portfolio look professional be sure to label each section with binder tabs that can be purchased at Walmart. In addition, a table of contents needs to be created and placed in the front of the portfolio.

Your nursing portfolio is yours and should reflect who you are so have fun with it!

Picture found from

http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/2011/12/college-preparation-the-well-planned-day-high-school-4-year-plan/