This summer I spent 5 weeks on the Medical/Surgical floor of University Hospital.
This floor included mostly orthopedic surgical patients as well as several bariatric and other misc. patients.
We started Wednesday afternoon with preplan. This was time when we went to the hospital, were assigned a patient, and got all their basic info--labs, condition, treatments, procedures etc.
Then I would head home....plop down in front of So You Think You Can Dance (FAVE SHOW!) to do my care plan. This involved very little thought...mostly a lot of flipping through the book and copying it down...making it ideal commercial/boring parts of the show work. After the 2 hour show I was almost always done....so I got myself ready for bed...packed a lunch and went to sleep. BY 10PM...BECAUSE
Thursday bright and early I got up...dressed like this
PICTURE PENDING!!!!
....grabbed some breakfast and my sack lunch...and ran to the hospital.
From roughly 6:45 to 7:15 we had conference...basically hearing about our patient from our instructor. And then we ran out onto the floor to get vital signs...and the day began!
Seeing as we literally just started school, we are not exactly the most trained nurses ever, but we did have several responsibilities.
1. Bed baths....Have you ever given a bed bath to a 300+ pound immobile person? NOT FUN!!!!
But usually these were not too bad. It gives you lots of time to talk with your patient..learn about them and their condition. It also gives you an up close and personal look at them, so that if there are any physical issues you can consider and treat them.
Although another downside to bed baths was the fact that you often had to change their sheets while they were still in there. Possible...but takes practice!
2. Physical assessments......Head to toe we had to check them out. It is both a good and a bad thing to have a student nurse assigned to you from a patient's perspective. Good cause you get lots of individualized attention. But not so good because they do much of what the nurse has already done again...just for practice.
3. Vital signs and I/Os...every 4 hours we did blood pressure, respiration rates, pulses, temperature and pain. We also had to keep track of everything that went in (I) and everything that came out (O) LOVELY RIGHT?? haha
4. Simple procedures...these usually included wound care and dressings. But sometimes if you were lucky you got a feeding tube or catheter you got to take care of!
5. Some people got to ambulate their patient.....this basically just meant help them walk around the floor to maintain good circulation. I never got this job, since I only had 2 of my 5 patients that were mobile, and they were specially walked by Physical Therapy. So sad!
6. If you had a nice nurse you also got to give shots, administer medications and draw blood. This was always very fun!
7. GOPHER!!! Lets be honest...this was our main job. The patient or nurse needed anything...our job!
We actually got to do quite a bit if you think about it. Not much else was done that we couldn't do. We were nurses...we just always had to be supervised!
Because Life is Not Meant To Be Wasted
Friday, July 29, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Weeks 6 and 7...Oh the happenings!
So it has been 2 weeks since I last updated. So lets see what I can do to get you guys all caught up.
Its been a roller coaster and A LOT has happened...so hold on tight!
Week 6
Monday--pretty normal day I think (its hard to remember that far back haha) Went to my first FHE with the ward and had such a good time. It was at the Bishop's house. This couple for reals is like the sweetest old couple ever!!! And SUPER funny too. I am bummed that I came out when their time in our ward is pretty much done (they release them after 3 years) But there is talk of still getting together with them...which I hope happens cause they are GREAT!
Tuesday--This was an interesting day.... Some of you might know I had been dating someone long distance while I was out in MO. Very short version of the story....we started dating right before I left...kept in contact...I went out to visit him..had a REALLY great weekend...we talked every night for HOURS..he was planning on coming out and seeing me 4th of July weekend. So that catches you up pretty fast.
Anyways..he decided that Tuesday that he wanted to see other people and that we would break up and he would not come visit me that weekend. It was really hard and there was a lot of drama involved....that you don't need to hear about. But anyways. That is what happened...and kind of shaded the next several days in an unexpected light.
Wednesday--I had gotten to talk to several friends and family members the night before and talked with some friends in my program during the day....so I was holding up pretty well. I stayed busy and went to Preplan that afternoon. Preplan is when we go to the hospital the night before clinicals to get all our patient information so we can write a care plan for the next day.
Thursday--FIRST OFFICAL NINJA SCRUBS DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (our scrubs are black and the patients sometimes joke that we look like ninjas wandering aroudn the hospital) Our patient was the sweetest old lady who was actually several days post-op so she wasn't too difficult. I think I am going to put up a whole post about clinicals cause it would take too long to do it now...so stay tuned ;)
I was SUPER tired by the end of the day even though she wasn't a hard patient....because I had to get up at...wait for it.....5:30!!!!!!!!!! ICKY!!!!!!!! and anyone who knows me knows that the phrase "not a morning person" doesn't even come close to being strong enough to describe me. haha
Friday-- This was a CRAZY day for our program. We were sooooooo antsy and ready to get out of there! It had been a long week and we were ready for the long weekend to start. We were crazy...it seriously looked like a classroom full of 5 year olds not a classroom full of adults getting their 2nd BS degree ;) But once class was doen we bolted! And I got to drive home with my old high school friend who is also in my program...Allison. LOVE HER!!!
So we got home and I grabbed some dinner and left again to go to a bridal shower. My sweet little Katy....who I have know since she was 7 and I was 9/10ish....is getting married!!!! CRAZINESS!!! Years of Rising Generation and Girls Camp/Young Women's trips and activities and then we took D&C together last year. SUCH AN AMAZING FRIEND!!! And I am soooooo happy for her :)
After the bridal shower I was able to talk to my ex-boyfriend on the phone to get some closure that I felt I really needed. Dramatic phone call...followed by keeping my mom up talking till 2 AM....sorry Mama!!!!!! But it was important for me to do.
Saturday--quiet day at home. I caught up on sleep and got to talk to the family and a good friend from Provo. I also started on a book by my favorite author my sister had made sure would be there for the long weekend I would be home.
Sunday--normal day at church. Several people were missing from the Primary leadership so my mom...the music leader was doing the whole sha-bang. Usually she takes a moment to go over to nursery to sing with them...but since she couldn't...I did ;) I had a blast with the little cuties!
After church I enlisted my little sister to tailor my ninja scrubs to look a little less like...well a tent. When she finished my first words were..."Look I have a shape!" She did a GREAT job! I have gotten many comlpliments and several people who would like to enlist her services as well :)
At some point during the day I discovered how to post videos on people's facebook walls....which provided quite a bit of entertainment for me...and a great deal of annoyance from all my friends ;)
I also drafted my baby sister to help me study for my HUGE patho test that was Tuesday morning. She did an awesome job flipping flashcards for me.
The evening ended with several games of Uno and Old Maid....TONS OF FUN!
Week 7
Monday--4th of JULY!!!!! Our family celebrated by going on a mini-road trip to take me back to Columbia. We stopped at an outlet mall on the way to get some shirts for G's mission. And then we stopped at...wait for it....OZARKLAND!!!!!!!!!! BEST RANDOM STORE EVER!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of pics are up on FB if you would like to look :) We also stopped at Nostaligaville....but it was kind a let down after the awesomeness that was the 2 floor gloriousness of Ozarkland :) The car ride was full of dancing and singing. We made a special playlist for the trip. Thankfully my family was understanding and accepting of the several breakup songs that were mixed in with the party mix.
It was really hard to have my family leave because they had been such a strength to me all weekend. But they left and I got back to the studying.
Tuesday--Not a fun day..I wanted to be back on vacation and had 2 tests. Seriously who plans 2 tests on the 5th of July. LAME!!! Did better on the first test than any others in that class...thanks to my study buddy! Didn't do super hot on the 2nd but thats ok The day did get a little better though because I got to talk to like 6 super good friends from Provo. Everyone has been so sweet to me lately!
Wednesday--pretty normal day. Our schedule was changed with the day off...so I had some time off since it was a lab day. Pretty sure I got a nap in there that afternoon Great times! Preplan was also good.
Thursday--CRAZY DAY!!!! Got up early and got to the hospital to find out my instructor had changed my patient that I had done my care plan on. So I spent the morning feeling like I was constantly playing catch up. She also had a lot that she needed and we literally were on our feet all day caring for her and taking care of all that was involved in that. But she was a dear sweet lady and this is what i signed up for. But I got home and crashed for a couple hours!
Friday--VERY ready for the weekend again. The plan had been to get a bunch done that night....but then I turned on the TV while making dinner and got sucked into a Harry Potter marathon. So on a lamo Friday night I snuggled up with Harry, Hermione, and Ron, some popcorn and yarn...I made a beret to match the scarf I made last winter :) It is very cute and I am quite impressed with myself!
Saturday--slept late which was MAGICAL. Then I got all my study materials together, packed up my laundry, and headed to the pool. The other people prolly thought I was crazy cause I would leave every 45 minutes to check on my laundry! But a little while after I got there a friend from the ward who also lives in my complex came and we chatted for a while, till I really had to go in and study some more. After a day of studying I turned on the Harry Potter marathon again.....very nice :)
Sunday--Church of course. Pretty average. Went to a dinner with some new friends from the ward and had a blast just hanging out and chatting. Plus we made Cafe Rio style tacos which I have been craving like since I left Utah!!!!! Soo yummy!!!!! After that I got to talk to my sweet Kennababe before she leaves for her mission (this week!!!!!). I miss her so much already but I am soooooo excited and proud of her! She is going to be the BEST missionary EVER!!!!!! Also got to "go on a walk" with Iggy. Super fun and good to talk to so many good friends!
So that has been my weeks..... Ups and Downs and lots of LOVE. My sweet friend Holly sometimes says that people are too nice to her and she doesn't understand it. (If you knew Holly you would know that this statement is RIDICULOUS) But though I feel it is ridiculous I am beginning to understand. Everyone has been so kind and loving to me. Even people who are not my best friends are calling or texting or facebooking checking in with me and letting me know that they care.
Thank you everyone for making these weeks much easier :)
Hugs and kisses till next week!!!!!
Its been a roller coaster and A LOT has happened...so hold on tight!
Week 6
Monday--pretty normal day I think (its hard to remember that far back haha) Went to my first FHE with the ward and had such a good time. It was at the Bishop's house. This couple for reals is like the sweetest old couple ever!!! And SUPER funny too. I am bummed that I came out when their time in our ward is pretty much done (they release them after 3 years) But there is talk of still getting together with them...which I hope happens cause they are GREAT!
Tuesday--This was an interesting day.... Some of you might know I had been dating someone long distance while I was out in MO. Very short version of the story....we started dating right before I left...kept in contact...I went out to visit him..had a REALLY great weekend...we talked every night for HOURS..he was planning on coming out and seeing me 4th of July weekend. So that catches you up pretty fast.
Anyways..he decided that Tuesday that he wanted to see other people and that we would break up and he would not come visit me that weekend. It was really hard and there was a lot of drama involved....that you don't need to hear about. But anyways. That is what happened...and kind of shaded the next several days in an unexpected light.
Wednesday--I had gotten to talk to several friends and family members the night before and talked with some friends in my program during the day....so I was holding up pretty well. I stayed busy and went to Preplan that afternoon. Preplan is when we go to the hospital the night before clinicals to get all our patient information so we can write a care plan for the next day.
Thursday--FIRST OFFICAL NINJA SCRUBS DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (our scrubs are black and the patients sometimes joke that we look like ninjas wandering aroudn the hospital) Our patient was the sweetest old lady who was actually several days post-op so she wasn't too difficult. I think I am going to put up a whole post about clinicals cause it would take too long to do it now...so stay tuned ;)
I was SUPER tired by the end of the day even though she wasn't a hard patient....because I had to get up at...wait for it.....5:30!!!!!!!!!! ICKY!!!!!!!! and anyone who knows me knows that the phrase "not a morning person" doesn't even come close to being strong enough to describe me. haha
Friday-- This was a CRAZY day for our program. We were sooooooo antsy and ready to get out of there! It had been a long week and we were ready for the long weekend to start. We were crazy...it seriously looked like a classroom full of 5 year olds not a classroom full of adults getting their 2nd BS degree ;) But once class was doen we bolted! And I got to drive home with my old high school friend who is also in my program...Allison. LOVE HER!!!
So we got home and I grabbed some dinner and left again to go to a bridal shower. My sweet little Katy....who I have know since she was 7 and I was 9/10ish....is getting married!!!! CRAZINESS!!! Years of Rising Generation and Girls Camp/Young Women's trips and activities and then we took D&C together last year. SUCH AN AMAZING FRIEND!!! And I am soooooo happy for her :)
After the bridal shower I was able to talk to my ex-boyfriend on the phone to get some closure that I felt I really needed. Dramatic phone call...followed by keeping my mom up talking till 2 AM....sorry Mama!!!!!! But it was important for me to do.
Saturday--quiet day at home. I caught up on sleep and got to talk to the family and a good friend from Provo. I also started on a book by my favorite author my sister had made sure would be there for the long weekend I would be home.
Sunday--normal day at church. Several people were missing from the Primary leadership so my mom...the music leader was doing the whole sha-bang. Usually she takes a moment to go over to nursery to sing with them...but since she couldn't...I did ;) I had a blast with the little cuties!
After church I enlisted my little sister to tailor my ninja scrubs to look a little less like...well a tent. When she finished my first words were..."Look I have a shape!" She did a GREAT job! I have gotten many comlpliments and several people who would like to enlist her services as well :)
At some point during the day I discovered how to post videos on people's facebook walls....which provided quite a bit of entertainment for me...and a great deal of annoyance from all my friends ;)
I also drafted my baby sister to help me study for my HUGE patho test that was Tuesday morning. She did an awesome job flipping flashcards for me.
The evening ended with several games of Uno and Old Maid....TONS OF FUN!
Week 7
Monday--4th of JULY!!!!! Our family celebrated by going on a mini-road trip to take me back to Columbia. We stopped at an outlet mall on the way to get some shirts for G's mission. And then we stopped at...wait for it....OZARKLAND!!!!!!!!!! BEST RANDOM STORE EVER!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of pics are up on FB if you would like to look :) We also stopped at Nostaligaville....but it was kind a let down after the awesomeness that was the 2 floor gloriousness of Ozarkland :) The car ride was full of dancing and singing. We made a special playlist for the trip. Thankfully my family was understanding and accepting of the several breakup songs that were mixed in with the party mix.
It was really hard to have my family leave because they had been such a strength to me all weekend. But they left and I got back to the studying.
Tuesday--Not a fun day..I wanted to be back on vacation and had 2 tests. Seriously who plans 2 tests on the 5th of July. LAME!!! Did better on the first test than any others in that class...thanks to my study buddy! Didn't do super hot on the 2nd but thats ok The day did get a little better though because I got to talk to like 6 super good friends from Provo. Everyone has been so sweet to me lately!
Wednesday--pretty normal day. Our schedule was changed with the day off...so I had some time off since it was a lab day. Pretty sure I got a nap in there that afternoon Great times! Preplan was also good.
Thursday--CRAZY DAY!!!! Got up early and got to the hospital to find out my instructor had changed my patient that I had done my care plan on. So I spent the morning feeling like I was constantly playing catch up. She also had a lot that she needed and we literally were on our feet all day caring for her and taking care of all that was involved in that. But she was a dear sweet lady and this is what i signed up for. But I got home and crashed for a couple hours!
Friday--VERY ready for the weekend again. The plan had been to get a bunch done that night....but then I turned on the TV while making dinner and got sucked into a Harry Potter marathon. So on a lamo Friday night I snuggled up with Harry, Hermione, and Ron, some popcorn and yarn...I made a beret to match the scarf I made last winter :) It is very cute and I am quite impressed with myself!
Saturday--slept late which was MAGICAL. Then I got all my study materials together, packed up my laundry, and headed to the pool. The other people prolly thought I was crazy cause I would leave every 45 minutes to check on my laundry! But a little while after I got there a friend from the ward who also lives in my complex came and we chatted for a while, till I really had to go in and study some more. After a day of studying I turned on the Harry Potter marathon again.....very nice :)
Sunday--Church of course. Pretty average. Went to a dinner with some new friends from the ward and had a blast just hanging out and chatting. Plus we made Cafe Rio style tacos which I have been craving like since I left Utah!!!!! Soo yummy!!!!! After that I got to talk to my sweet Kennababe before she leaves for her mission (this week!!!!!). I miss her so much already but I am soooooo excited and proud of her! She is going to be the BEST missionary EVER!!!!!! Also got to "go on a walk" with Iggy. Super fun and good to talk to so many good friends!
So that has been my weeks..... Ups and Downs and lots of LOVE. My sweet friend Holly sometimes says that people are too nice to her and she doesn't understand it. (If you knew Holly you would know that this statement is RIDICULOUS) But though I feel it is ridiculous I am beginning to understand. Everyone has been so kind and loving to me. Even people who are not my best friends are calling or texting or facebooking checking in with me and letting me know that they care.
Thank you everyone for making these weeks much easier :)
Hugs and kisses till next week!!!!!
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