Nurse's Notes

Wow.

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:04:57 -0500

Its been so long since I’ve blogged here. So much has changed! I’ve been employed for a year as a floor nurse on a 44 bed telemetry unit. I work 12 hour shifts and take care of anywhere from 4 to 6 patients at a time…sometimes 7 if we are really short staffed. I learn something new every single day.

Any questions, feel free to ask!

Finally

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 20:24:30 -0500

the semester is winding down. I have one more week of class and clinicals, then it’s finals time! So close. It’s been an amazing journey.

I feel like everyone in my class is part of a wonderfully dysfunctional, family. I am going to be sad when I won’t get to see them.

But, I’m ready for pinning and the beginning of my nursing career! Merry christmas to me.

Procrastination pays.

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:29:26 -0500

My instructor just informed me that we are just going to have an observation day in the ICU…which means no paperwork. The one time I actually procrastinate, I’m rewarded. Maybe I’ll try it more often.

This is me when I have clinical paperwork to do...

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:31:31 -0500

and only have two days until Thanksgiving break.

Push for ‘Personhood’ Amendment Represents New Tack in Abortion Fight

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:23:42 -0500

Push for ‘Personhood’ Amendment Represents New Tack in Abortion Fight:

hshields137:

A constitutional amendment facing voters in Mississippi would declare a fertilized human egg to be a legal person, effectively branding abortion and some forms of birth control as murder.

This is absurd. There is no way this can pass.

That’s how I feel. What are your thoughts? As healthcare providers, we need to understand what new laws are being made that affect our practices.

To my followers!

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:05:26 -0400

I would love it if you would take the time to send me a message telling me a little bit about yourself! I’d like to get to know all of you!!

discoverynews: Creature from the Waste Treatment...

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:16:26 -0400

discoverynews:

Creature from the Waste Treatment Lagoon

Flushing unused antibiotics down the toilet is leading to a growing problem of drug-resistant bacteria.

Read more

Stop flushing those meds!

Woo!

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:52:45 -0400

I am super excited. I got a 30/30 on my Endocrine pharmacology exam! Prior to this exam, I was failing with a 75%. Now, I am well above passing!!

I couldn’t be more excited!! Time to go out for dinner with my husband in celebration.

Happy Halloween, lovely followers! I hope you have an amazing evening!

Just wanted to say hey

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:27:00 -0400

to my new followers!

Welcome. Please feel free to ask any questions you might have about…well, anything! :)

Also, if anyone is interested, feel free to follow my personal blog, too! http://hshields137.tumblr.com/

I am a nursing student...

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:50:01 -0400

“I am a nursing student. I study more than I sleep. I am never “done” with my homework because there is always more to do. I cover about 500 pages of info per week and I am expected to retain and recall it all at any given time. I may only go to class or clinical a couple or a few days a week, but don’t let that fool you, I am always a nursing student with work to be done. I am giving up my time with family, friends, and myself to learn how to save other people’s lives. Please support and encourage that. If you are a nursing student or you know and love one, you know the drill - Re-post it!”

This is what is trending on facebook right now. Thought it applied! :)

Time for an update.

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:30:00 -0400

Well, it’s been a while. I’ve been super busy. I had my cardiology exam. I passed the theory part, but failed the pharm (tele/CV nursing is NOT for me). So, I had remediation for that.

Today, I had the Renal/Shock/Burns/MODs exam. Passed both theory and pharm this time! Woo! Certainly helps that I had a acute renal failure/septic shock patient last week!

We also got our order forms for our Nursing Pinning ceremony. They are $50…whaaaat!? I don’t think so. I’m ordering a generic one that says “RN” on it because I can’t justify paying $50 for a pin that I’m only going to wear for one ceremony. :P

Please, let me know if you, my dear followers, have any questions about nursing school/content. I might be able to help explain some things in a way that’s easy to understand.

did-you-kno: Source Actually, I did know that.Useless...

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:54:00 -0400

did-you-kno:

Source

Actually, I did know that.
Useless information, sure. But, information nonetheless.

Thank you, nursing school.

Not ready for tomorrow

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:29:00 -0400

It’s my last 12hr clinical day of the semester (then I switch to two 6hr days). Feeling very drained from studying and paperwork. Someone tell me it’s worth it in the end! :P

TMI Tuesday. Ask away. I’m waiting anxiously!

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:00:30 -0400

TMI Tuesday.

Ask away. I’m waiting anxiously!

Student Charge

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:22:00 -0400

Tomorrow is my student charge rotation. This involves me knowing all about the 12 patients my fellow students are assigned. Tomorrow I will go around with the doctors to those 12 patients, I will inform my fellow students of new orders, check to make sure all meds are given and all assessments/procedures are done, and assist where need be.

I hope I can keep organized. :)

Great experience in clinicals

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:35:22 -0400

Had my ER rotation! It was very neat to see how nurses prioritize care in the ER. There weren’t any traumas that came in. As a student nurse, that would have been awesome. I’m sure the nurses were very pleased that there weren’t traumas.

Today was our scheduled cardiovascular exam. Our online testing server was down, so they postponed the test until Wednesday. Totally throwing me off. More time to study and stress, I suppose! :P

I am currently in the process of getting my application and background checks to take my NCLEX.

Clinicals

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:43:00 -0400

So, my first week at clinicals was quite interesting. My pt was on Zosyn….I couldn’t figure out why the md brought out the big guns for my pt. There was no infection. My pt just needed post-op prophylactic antibiotics. No big deal, just not sure why he picked Zosyn…any ideas?

Anyway…first dose IVPB at 0830. Periodically checking in on my patient, I noticed a red, splotchy rash developing on arms, hands, and legs. We stopped the infusion, notified charge nurse who then notified MD. He d/c’d the Zosyn with no explanation as to why she was on it.

What I learned: Yay for seeing an allergic rxn to “cillins” and catching it in my assessment (thankfully not an anaphylactic one!), and maybe I should have questioned the charge nurse sooner as to why said antibiotic was prescribed. It’s okay to question, right?

Overall a great day, and I’m quite pleased with myself!! Now, time to enjoy this beautiful weekend!

Clinical paperwork is a pain in the rear. Agree?

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:49:48 -0400

Clinical paperwork is a pain in the rear. Agree?

Simulation

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:57:09 -0400

Had my first simulation of the semester. I was primary nurse. I am not the leader type and it’s a roll I’ll have to invest time into before I’ll be comfortable.

Our “patient” had a trach and developed a mucous plug. After many attempts of coughing and suctioning we had to lavage the trach to remove the mucous plug.

What I learned: Respiratory distress = no fun!

Clinical rotations! :)

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:20:04 -0400

My clinical rotations for this semester are going to be great! My “home base” for clinicals is a neurological unit. I also get to rotate out into ER, CVICU, OR (to observe an open-heart surgery!!) and Telemetry. I am super excited!!