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!