Hello everyone, this past week has been especially rough for me. My grandpa is in the intensive care unit because of a medical error and I've gone to be with him. However, rather than dwell on this right now, I've decided to distract myself and explain my experience with working and being in nursing school. Hope this helps some of you who have been considering it.
As you all may or may not know, nursing school is rough. I'm not talking the kind of rough where you have to study for a hard test the night before, I'm talking the kind of rough where you wonder what life was like before you entered hell... when you can't remember NOT reading hundreds of pages a week... the kind of rough where you don't necessarily freak out that you forgot your phone for the day, but you panic because you haven't done nearly enough flash cards or practice questions (even though you've done HUNDREDS) prior to an exam.
Let me start with a background about Sylvia prior to nursing school. In high school I wasn't the smartest kid, I HATED homework and therefor I didn't do it. Come college I seemed to have found my niche. Going to lecture and reading was more my style of learning rather than homework assignments. I completed my pre-requisites for a BSN program in 2 years, however due to a little slacking on my part, I did not complete my final one til summer, so I was forced to wait a year to start the program. Meanwhile I worked part time in an emergency room as a monitor tech/clerk (sat/sun 7pm-7am).
My first quarter of nursing school was not too bad. I took assessment, pathophysiology and nursing basics or something (you know, learning about nightingale and all those gals). Patho on the other hand was rough. I had a professor who believed that he knew more than the text books so I learned to translate his lectures to notes. I actually dictated his lectures word for word, picture for picture. I didn't have much time to study, every spare hour I spent in the library looking over notes, and studying. The weekends were essentially off limits because of the constraints of work.
I honestly believe that I would have done better in my courses with more time to study... I did get 2 A's and a B in patho, but I could have done a lot better if I had the luxury of the weekends off from work. This quarter however was only the beginning of my battle of school and work.
I struggled prior to nursing school with a mean boss. It was weird, we had never had problems before and I had been on a set schedule for quite a while, but the week prior to clinicals started my boss all of a sudden decides that I have to work night shifts during the week. I explained to her that this was not possible, I had clinical during the week and I could not be awake for such an extended period of time AND be expected to safely take care of my patients. This turned into a long drawn out ordeal. She told me verbatim "I did not hire you to go to school, I hired you to work for me." Anyways, long story short, I ended up having to get the union involved and they helped me secure my schedule.
As time passed and the program progressed, it became harder and harder to work. A main problem I had was during finals. I had my first extremely difficult final and asked to have the weekend off prior to the exam. By this time I had a new boss and her answer to that was, "well, if you can find someone to work for you, then you can". This wasn't easy, in fact it was impossible. We already had 2 people on sick leave and there was nobody else qualified to handle my job. So what ended up happening? I worked.
I do not believe in calling in sick just because I have to study. A lot of people say, just fake sick, school comes first. Well, unfortunately you are only allowed a certain number of "occurances" and when that number starts to climb, your annual evaluation shows just how "sick" you've been.
Spring quarter of my first year I started to really feel the stress. I began to ask around the hospital if there was a job that only work 8 hours, or would allow me to take more time off. I strolled over to ICU one day and talked to their charge. She let me know that quite often, the monitor techs who work ICU have to be "flexed home". So this sounded great! The next thing I know I'm being pulled into the managers office and she's hiring me!
My transfer to ICU was not only a blessing but a challenge. Not only did I have to learn a new job, but I would be working nights on the weekends. Now don't get me wrong, I love nights, but imagine waking up at 5 am for school mon-thurs and then switching around to waking up at 5 pm fri and sat. The switch to ICU did kill my circadian rhythm but it allowed me to take time off for my studies. My new boss in the ICU always said, school comes first. Amazing! What a concept! Not only did she encourage me to take time off to study for exams but she constantly asks, "So, you're going to work for me after your graduate right?" Perfect! Not only did I find an accommodating job, an excellent manager, but a guaranteed job after I graduate.
This kind of situation doesn't happen everywhere. I have to make sure that I work my minimum 48hrs/2 wks in order to maintain benefits which are quite necessary. Some other benefits to working during nursing school in a hospital: endless resources. Have you ever not understood something? When it was time for critical care I was lightyears ahead of my class mates. I had only worked about 6 months in the ICU but my mind was a sponge! Nurses LOVE to teach you things, and occasionally give you opportunities for hands on learning (DON'T DO IT! Always remember your scope of practice).
A few other benefits include networking with potential employers and tuition reimbursement (3,000/ fiscal year as long as I pass my classes with a C or better!
In the end, if I had the choice to work during nursing school as a CNA/ Clerk/ Monitor tech/Central supply tech, whatever, would I?
Yes and no. It does provide me ample opportunity for learning and growth, but it also has given me considerable amounts of stress. I often wish I would be able to focus on my studies more, and even have a life. Unfortunately I have to work for financial reasons, I typically don't have time to relax and go out with friends. I am always juggling work and school and finding every moment I can to do one or the other is difficult. But it also has helped my learning during the program because of what all I'm exposed to.
So, in the end, you have to decide what's best for you. How well can you juggle your life? Are you able to force your studying to be during the week only? Can you handle the stress? Could you imagine not having a weekend off before an exam? If you don't have to work during nursing school, then I would strongly urge you to keep it that way. If you're dying for a little experience consider casual/per diem positions that typically do not have minimum hours/pay period requirements.
If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask. I've survived 2 years of this, 1 more year should be as easy as pumpkin pie!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Ammonia cures all
So I'm sitting here watching house and a scene comes on where the doctors are checking a patients level of consciousness (they've suddenly gone unconscious). They place a pen cross-wise against the patients finger and bend as hard as humanly possible. Try this on yourself. It hurts like hell. This scene reminds me of an inmate patient we had. I'm walking down the back hall and all of a sudden the people near the room say, "Nurse Nurse!! Come check on him, he just slumped over!" So I go by and said patient is slumped over in the bed, I rock his shoulders to try to arouse him. Nothing. Next, I do a sternal rub, nothing. I'm looking at the monitor, HR is normal, SpO2 is normal, BP is normal, Pleth shows good wave form, what the heck?!
So I yell at his nurse to come look at him. He comes over and does other various painful maneuvers to try to arouse him. Nothing! So we get the dr, who asks us to bring 2 packets of ammonia. The doctor then tries to arouse him with similar techniques and no response. I'm puzzled, what is going on? Did the patient have stroke? Did he go in a coma? Next the doctor places a rebreather mask on the patient without oxygen. The nurse comes in and has the 2 ammonia sticks. The doctor orders her to break them in half and he places them both inside the mask.
An entire minute goes by with no response. I'm standing there puzzled, what is going on? Then I noticed that there was no longer steam in the mask from his breathing. He begins to cough and choke. Vomit is spewing out and he's thoroughly pissed.
The doctors walks out laughing. What is going on? I ask him, so what does that mean? He says, "he's full of shit and faking."
Ooh.
I seriously was dooped. I felt stupid, I had fallen for a patients attempt to be "unconscious" and avoid going back to the prison. Honestly, I felt I was more seasoned than this. I retold this story to a professor of mine who is an ER nurse and a psych nurse. She explained that yes, I had fallen for an age old trick, but that I would never fall for it again. I just thought this was funny. Next time an inmate wants a trip out of the prison, they're gonna have to hold their breath for a lot longer than 1 minute.
So I yell at his nurse to come look at him. He comes over and does other various painful maneuvers to try to arouse him. Nothing! So we get the dr, who asks us to bring 2 packets of ammonia. The doctor then tries to arouse him with similar techniques and no response. I'm puzzled, what is going on? Did the patient have stroke? Did he go in a coma? Next the doctor places a rebreather mask on the patient without oxygen. The nurse comes in and has the 2 ammonia sticks. The doctor orders her to break them in half and he places them both inside the mask.
An entire minute goes by with no response. I'm standing there puzzled, what is going on? Then I noticed that there was no longer steam in the mask from his breathing. He begins to cough and choke. Vomit is spewing out and he's thoroughly pissed.
The doctors walks out laughing. What is going on? I ask him, so what does that mean? He says, "he's full of shit and faking."
Ooh.
I seriously was dooped. I felt stupid, I had fallen for a patients attempt to be "unconscious" and avoid going back to the prison. Honestly, I felt I was more seasoned than this. I retold this story to a professor of mine who is an ER nurse and a psych nurse. She explained that yes, I had fallen for an age old trick, but that I would never fall for it again. I just thought this was funny. Next time an inmate wants a trip out of the prison, they're gonna have to hold their breath for a lot longer than 1 minute.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Feeling lighter ; P
So, nursing school has no doubtedly given me some extra stress, and the extra stress has lead to more studying and less working out... which has lead to a larger tire around my waist and a lower self-esteem. It's funny, self-esteem has never been something that I lacked... In the past 2 years (since I started the program), I have gained about 30#... and that has bothered me. I never wanted to be super skinny, I know it's not possible with my build, but I did want to fit into my clothes I've outgrown. It would be nice to walk into a clothing store and never worry about if their size will fit you. Well since the nursing program has started it's only gotten worse.
As the years have passed, I kept saying that when the program was easier I would dedicate more time to healthy eating and more exercise. Ironically, I LOVE veggies and fruits. Chocolate, cake, ice cream, candy, doughnuts do NOTHING for me. You would think I'd be as thin as a rail. However, with the added stress of the program, my desire to fix the foods I enjoy has gone out the window. I then began to settle for convenience (quick, portable, and effortless i.e. fast food).
These bad habits have got me in trouble, my pant size is enormous... (maybe one day when I get down to my ideal weight I will tell you)... and I feel disgusting. So I recently found out that I have a genetic condition that alters my metabolism and other various aspects to my body. My hormones are "outta whack" and it only adds to the problem. My PA believes that my weight gain is 50% bad eating/no working out and 50% metabolic disease. So he wants to start me on glucophage (for you non-nursing it's a diabetes medication that helps with glucose metabolism {I do not have DM but it helps for people like me}) Well he hasn't done this yet because I've been having some stomach problems...
These stomach problems have lead me to alter my diet. Basically can you imagine having diarrhea for 3 months? Well I did and it sucked. I thought I may have a lactose intolerance so I began to cut dairy (100%) out of my diet... this lead to no cheese, milk, yogurt etc which was shockingly a large part of my diet. With this new change I began eating differently, choosing different options, which ultimately were healthier options. As I began to feel better I thought about making it permanent. Healthy eating is not difficult, but only takes effort. And the funny thing is I like this much better!
I began to essentially count calories and make better choices. I do not count vegetables into my calorie count because I don't believe in limiting what is naturally healthy, and fortunately for me, what I love. This has been going on for about 2 weeks. With inspiration from BadEmma by reading her blog, I've began my own journey. Her facebook collection of food is inspiring, and has helped me unleash some new dishes that I love and are super healthy. Thanks lady!!
As of today I am 10lbs lighter. Its a start, I don't quite see it yet, but people are noticing. Plus, I feel better, I don't feel guilty anymore and honestly just enjoy stepping on the scale and seeing my progress.
I wrote this to not only give you insight into my life, but to hold myself accountable. I've put myself out there so expect updates, and if you don't see any (or read any on twitter) then send me some words and remind me LOL...
My goal for this summer is to be down 30# by September 11th... wish me luck!
Anyways, this is lengthy, but necessary... good times and happy healthy living ahead : P
As the years have passed, I kept saying that when the program was easier I would dedicate more time to healthy eating and more exercise. Ironically, I LOVE veggies and fruits. Chocolate, cake, ice cream, candy, doughnuts do NOTHING for me. You would think I'd be as thin as a rail. However, with the added stress of the program, my desire to fix the foods I enjoy has gone out the window. I then began to settle for convenience (quick, portable, and effortless i.e. fast food).
These bad habits have got me in trouble, my pant size is enormous... (maybe one day when I get down to my ideal weight I will tell you)... and I feel disgusting. So I recently found out that I have a genetic condition that alters my metabolism and other various aspects to my body. My hormones are "outta whack" and it only adds to the problem. My PA believes that my weight gain is 50% bad eating/no working out and 50% metabolic disease. So he wants to start me on glucophage (for you non-nursing it's a diabetes medication that helps with glucose metabolism {I do not have DM but it helps for people like me}) Well he hasn't done this yet because I've been having some stomach problems...
These stomach problems have lead me to alter my diet. Basically can you imagine having diarrhea for 3 months? Well I did and it sucked. I thought I may have a lactose intolerance so I began to cut dairy (100%) out of my diet... this lead to no cheese, milk, yogurt etc which was shockingly a large part of my diet. With this new change I began eating differently, choosing different options, which ultimately were healthier options. As I began to feel better I thought about making it permanent. Healthy eating is not difficult, but only takes effort. And the funny thing is I like this much better!
I began to essentially count calories and make better choices. I do not count vegetables into my calorie count because I don't believe in limiting what is naturally healthy, and fortunately for me, what I love. This has been going on for about 2 weeks. With inspiration from BadEmma by reading her blog, I've began my own journey. Her facebook collection of food is inspiring, and has helped me unleash some new dishes that I love and are super healthy. Thanks lady!!
As of today I am 10lbs lighter. Its a start, I don't quite see it yet, but people are noticing. Plus, I feel better, I don't feel guilty anymore and honestly just enjoy stepping on the scale and seeing my progress.
I wrote this to not only give you insight into my life, but to hold myself accountable. I've put myself out there so expect updates, and if you don't see any (or read any on twitter) then send me some words and remind me LOL...
My goal for this summer is to be down 30# by September 11th... wish me luck!
Anyways, this is lengthy, but necessary... good times and happy healthy living ahead : P
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Happenings
So, it's as if I blinked and it was thursday again... this week at work (university) has just flown by and that's good and bad. It's good because it means the boss is coming back from vacation on Monday, but bad because I don't nearly have all my work done for her before she gets back... What to do? Today I was supposed to finish my main project, but the pre-nursing advisor stuck me with a project that took ALL DAY! apparently what took me 6 hrs to do would have only taken her for... but she said, "thats why I have scut-monkies for"... fabulous. Anyway I told them I have to get my other project done tomorrow no matter what. They agreed.
Another good thing about it being friday is that next week I'm going to VEGAS!! I'm so freaking excited for this. A few nurses from my unit and I are headed to go to a Critical Care symposium which is just a bunch of fancy classes that prepare you for the CCRN (critical care registered nurse).. I am not taking those courses, I'm taking the interesting ones like, "I've got a bad feeling about this patient" and "heading off complications of multiple trauma"... sounds amazing right?? Well trust that I will have my handy dandy lap top taking some killer notes!!
Other than that.. not much going on... I do really like the iPhone project 365. It's a cool picture a day type project with my new iPhone 4... just an excuse to bust out some photography skills.
Since it is 3:40 am I guess I'll head back to sleep. Today I need to go register for initial ACLS (GASP)
Another good thing about it being friday is that next week I'm going to VEGAS!! I'm so freaking excited for this. A few nurses from my unit and I are headed to go to a Critical Care symposium which is just a bunch of fancy classes that prepare you for the CCRN (critical care registered nurse).. I am not taking those courses, I'm taking the interesting ones like, "I've got a bad feeling about this patient" and "heading off complications of multiple trauma"... sounds amazing right?? Well trust that I will have my handy dandy lap top taking some killer notes!!
Other than that.. not much going on... I do really like the iPhone project 365. It's a cool picture a day type project with my new iPhone 4... just an excuse to bust out some photography skills.
Since it is 3:40 am I guess I'll head back to sleep. Today I need to go register for initial ACLS (GASP)
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Update
My oh my how a lot of things have happened this past quarter. Spring qtr must have been one of the worst ones I have ever had. My course load was rough, I took Psych theory/clinical (easy) along with Nursing Research (horrible!!). Psych was a piece of cake, thank god, but research was killer. The main problem was that it was online. What a horrible class to teach online!! I understand it was done that way because of budget, but honestly, I think it made learning incredibly more difficult than it had to be. Research is not the kind of course that you can essentially "teach yourself". The instructor was the our department chair, and was very enthusiastic about the subject, however, she did not have the time to devote to it that was necessary.
In the end, I ended up with an A-... Not quite sure how I pulled that off, but I did. My GPA is climbing ever since I got in nursing school. It's a shame I never cared about it before. In other news, I have been finally diagnosed with my hormone imbalance. It ended up me demanding to go to a specialist down at Cedar Sinai and many drives down there for testing. I've officially been diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (a mouthful right?). Basically I have a genetic defect that causes a problem with adrenal synthesis of certain andorgens. So my adrenal glands are trying to make cortisol, but can't very well. So they try harder, and end up putting out more of all the other hormones (testosterone, DHEA, 17-OHP). This leads to excess hormones and they are essentially killing my ovaries. The main problem is going to be having children (if I will ever be able to because my ovaries are pretty damaged from all the excess hormones) but we will cross that boat when it comes. Right now I have to take birth control to protect my ovaries (weird right?). And when I want to have children I'll have to be on corticosteroids to suppress my adrenal glands. At least I have a plan. Many kudos go out to my primary care provider, who is a PA & NP, because if it wern't for him, well when I tried to have kids they would either be deformed, or not be possible.
What else? Well, this past quarter I got offered a position to work in the department as a student assistant to the director. It was quite an honor, the position only makes 9.50/hr but it's extremely easy! I just help her with random assignments. I love it. The most recent thing is organizing her office. She is new to the chair position and the past 2 chairs have basically left all the paperwork in a royal mess. So thats where i come in. I have been making endless file tabs and organizing everything. I'm ALMOST done.
Also, I worked on an article with 2 other nursing professors. My name will even be on the byline!! We submitted it to ADVANCE for nurse practitioners for publication. If it gets published I will be stoked! Other than that, not much has been going on. I'm basically working like a mad woman trying to stay busy.
That's it for now...
In the end, I ended up with an A-... Not quite sure how I pulled that off, but I did. My GPA is climbing ever since I got in nursing school. It's a shame I never cared about it before. In other news, I have been finally diagnosed with my hormone imbalance. It ended up me demanding to go to a specialist down at Cedar Sinai and many drives down there for testing. I've officially been diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (a mouthful right?). Basically I have a genetic defect that causes a problem with adrenal synthesis of certain andorgens. So my adrenal glands are trying to make cortisol, but can't very well. So they try harder, and end up putting out more of all the other hormones (testosterone, DHEA, 17-OHP). This leads to excess hormones and they are essentially killing my ovaries. The main problem is going to be having children (if I will ever be able to because my ovaries are pretty damaged from all the excess hormones) but we will cross that boat when it comes. Right now I have to take birth control to protect my ovaries (weird right?). And when I want to have children I'll have to be on corticosteroids to suppress my adrenal glands. At least I have a plan. Many kudos go out to my primary care provider, who is a PA & NP, because if it wern't for him, well when I tried to have kids they would either be deformed, or not be possible.
What else? Well, this past quarter I got offered a position to work in the department as a student assistant to the director. It was quite an honor, the position only makes 9.50/hr but it's extremely easy! I just help her with random assignments. I love it. The most recent thing is organizing her office. She is new to the chair position and the past 2 chairs have basically left all the paperwork in a royal mess. So thats where i come in. I have been making endless file tabs and organizing everything. I'm ALMOST done.
Also, I worked on an article with 2 other nursing professors. My name will even be on the byline!! We submitted it to ADVANCE for nurse practitioners for publication. If it gets published I will be stoked! Other than that, not much has been going on. I'm basically working like a mad woman trying to stay busy.
That's it for now...