'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...