Oh yeah...

I finished up the semester with an A in Physical Assessment, and Bs in Patho and Nursing Process. This semester I'm taking Pharmacology, Ob-gyn, Principals of Teaching and Learning, and Professional Nurse Development.

Goals Today

1. take vitals
2. read charts
3. make beds
4. don't faint

Yesterday was the start of clinicals for my ob-gyn class. I'll be working for two days a week at a public hospital in Brooklyn, taking vitals, observing procedures and generally trying not to kill anyone.

Things were moving along swimmingly when I got the opportunity to observe a circumcision. Hooray for nice doctors! Four of us gathered around the as he put two shots of Lidocaine in the balls and went to work. Things were going great! I was asking questions and leaning in for a good look. All done... thank you doctor... feel better lil' baby... close the door... oh dear... tunnel vision... lightheaded... can't stop it... "I'm fine! I'm fine! I'm fine!" ... nope.

I didn't full-on faint but I needed to sit down for a minute. I'm so humiliated, how will I handle the ER if I can't handle a little circumcision?

I felt better when my roommate (the ER resident) said he has fainted twice during procedures... both times in ob-gyn procedures. I wasn't hydrated enough, it was right before lunch and my blood sugar was probably low, and I was probably holding my breath. Now it's time to get back on the horse.

Update: Two more circs observed and no lightheadedness, hooray! Two other girls in my group hit the floor though. At least I'm not the only one.

Aaaarrraaah!

what... day is it? are midterms over? do I seriously have finals next week? My body is being invaded by mutant cold virus and all I can do is survey the damage... 72% in Nursing Process... Pathophysiology grade still isn't up but likely is in the mid-70s. Intro to Health Assessment -- a 92%! Hey, not bad! Gotta look on the bright side.

I'm not alone. I hit the class average in Process and Patho and I did better than most in Assessment. Current emotional level of cohorts is "Panic and Despair." And some are turning to anger. In fact, our class rep sent this out just a couple hours ago:

[Ed: This was sent to the entire class, edited for length]

Subject: Standard Bearer

Well, as you all get to know me, .... I have been through, and seen more, in my
50 years than I wish on any of you in your life times. With that in
mind, I present to you the following, which is an email I just sent to
Professor ___. ... I would appreciate it, if knowledge of its existence is kept to a
minimum on campus. ...

Dear Professor ______:

I realize it will not be possible to fulfill my request before the administration of the course final, but ... I would very much like the opportunity to discuss with you the midterm exam ... In my humble opinion, ... a 50/50 division of students between two effectively arguable correct answers, this indicates not a deficiency in student comprehension, but a lack of clarity in the question itself. ... If my comprehension of the material and study habits leading to the exam warranted a grade of B-, I am adult enough to assume responsibility for that. However, at this juncture I would be upset if I had received a B+!

... if the exams I have taken thus far were written in a manner that would adequately assess my comprehension and retention of the materials presented, then I truly believe my results would have reflected the same. ... if the average of any exam, given to a group of students as motivated and intelligent as are the members of my class, is in the range of B- to C+ (or less), then there is a fundamental problem in either the presentation of the material, or in the formatting of the examinations, or both. I would like very much the opportunity to have an “off the record” conversation with you about my concerns, so I may more effectively formulate any pursuant course of action I might consider. ...

Sincerely,

M_____

Well, I certainly don't miss movies and TV. I'm getting plenty of entertaining drama at school. People are starting to lash out at one another. I told my professor that I had a feeling we would look back at this semester and say "Oh, that was the easy part!" He laughed and said I was right.

On to finals! and beyond!

'Think Beyond the Book!'

My cohort's status update...

Patho lecture: FAIL

i'm hoping that "It speaks for itself" or "it goes on and on and on like this" will be the correct answer for all Patho midterm questions on cancer, neuro and endocrine material. that pretty much sums up what i absorbed today.

Yep, that's what my notes say, too. Along with other helpful tidbits like "I just told you that!" and "Think beyond the book!"

Midterms next week. The downside of a six-week semester.

Sudden Death

Studying cardiac disorders in preparation for midterms next week. A lot of these disorders have a complication called "Sudden Death." Not a heart attack, not tissue necrosis, just... sudden death.

Hey, Body, you're fired.

To the Rescue

The other day, Prof. N admitted she had skipped breakfast and was feeling a bit lightheaded. All 40 of us wannabe nurses began throwing power bars and dried fruit at her, begging her to keep up her blood sugar. I thought one girl was going to start bawling when the teacher declined a Tic-Tac.

Minimal Encouragement

Today in Nursing Process and Health Promotion we learned how to talk to patients in an understanding and encouraging way. We watched a helpful video that demonstrated some of the more effective tactics.

Do:

Use paraphrasing and subtle encouragement such as nodding to make the patient feel like you are listening to and understanding their concerns. Example: "Hmm, yes, it sounds like you have some fears of your upcoming procedure."

Don't:

Be an ass. Example: "Sounds like you're hostile toward men, which is understandable considering your background."

Cut the Glut

I've just begun my 15 months of accelerated studies and already they are warning me about the "nursing glut" in New York City. Seriously? What happened to all the "recession-proof" talk during the information sessions? I heard it could be difficult to find work with an associate's degree, but I thought baccalaureate degree holders had more of an edge.

Oh well.

I'm already resigned to dying in poverty. At least I'll get health insurance. Besides... you know what they say: "Love what you do and you'll never work a day in your life."

I love vacations and time off, so it's kind of redundant.

A Page 1 editor for the Wall Street Journal went down this road before me -- it all hits a little too close to home. Gotta love the burn unit though. Wheeee!

Pathophysiology

Now, we're getting into the good stuff -- hematological disorders, gastritis, portal hypertension. Twenty-five chapters on pathophysiology in six weeks. Only two scores make up our course grade: the midterm and the final. Hyper tension indeed.

Today, we covered anemia, leukemia, lymphoma and non-coagulation disorders. We were supposed to cover gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders, but Prof. J let us go early -- to study.

Fun fact: Did you know microcytic-hypochromic anemia may give you a "red, beefy tongue"? Now you do.

Try Not to Show the Fear on Your Face

First class is "Introduction to Health Assessment." We learned how to take a patient's blood pressure and practiced our professional manner.

"Good Afternoon Ms. ______ (Prof hates the words 'Hi' and 'Hello')

My name is Corrie and I'll be taking your vitals today. I'll start with your blood pressure."

After a promising start, I fumbled a bit. The brachial artery was a little tough to find. Professor J suggested I hide my nerves a bit better, lest the patient think she is a zombie.

All in all, a good day. I got my stethoscope and a a blood pressure cuff. I took D's blood pressure several times, with varying results.

Orientation

High points: Getting my student ID card; the newly renovated library; meeting the 45 other bright-eyed, eager, young cohorts.

Low points: OSHA videos; the fear on the faces of senior students when asked about their job prospects.

So it begins...