It hasn't set in at all that today was my last clinical ever, before I become an RN, barring failing any exams (actually I could fail and still pass, unless it was an extremely low grade). Every patinet I had in critical care with the exception of one was intubated and none had made it off the vents when I cared for them. I had a patient a few weeks ago that respiratory therapy attempted a wean test with (usually lasts about 30 minutes), but she failed within 10 minutes. Today, my patient for the first time in my critical care history ... PASSED! I took that as a good sign for not only him, but for me. too. He had been taking quite a bit of the Michael Jackson juice (Propafol/Dipravan) as I have so fondly been calling it and when I stopped the pump, called out his name and gave him a firm sternal rub he could barely open his eyes. However, when I reported off a little before 1pm he was extubated, had a venti mask on and was turning his head to the left and right. What a fighter!!! Hell Yeah!!
Tomorrow, I have my very last class from 9-1p and testing from 1-3p, but you can bet your candy canes I wont be going down until noon or so. I have one final project due by midnight tomorrow that's pretty much all wrapped up. I look back now at all I have learned and I still feel like I don't know anything. It's rumored it can take up to 2 years to feel comfortable on the floor -- yikes!
In other related news, I nominated my precpetor for an excellence award as a leader in nursing and lo' and behold I received an email stating ..... "thanks for nominating so and so. Your nominnee passed all the necessary criteria and will be honored at a semiformal dinner celebration." She hands-down deserved the award and so much more in my opinion. I don't think I could ever thank my preceptor enough for all she did to guide me as a soon-to-be new nurse.
The entire nursing school experience was much more difficult than I had ever thought it would have been. I generally am not an overconfident person, and when it came to academics I never worried. This program has really knocked me down a notch or ten, but it's also opened my eyes to critical thinking and application on a whole new level.
This program has afforded me the opportunity to meet twenty-nine peopleI will never forget and miss dearly. We have worked together, studied together, and even cried together, but all those times don't even come close to how much we have laughed together. I know they will all be very successful in their nursing careers.
On Wednesday, if I haven't said it before I am scheduled for my last exam. It ends at 12:30pm and when I walk out of Henderson Hall it will be for the last time.
I will have victoriously crossed another finish line.
Showing posts with label General. Show all posts
Showing posts with label General. Show all posts
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
What to do? What to do?
It's over. It's really over! I am half way done with this accelerated nursing program. I finished my last final at midnight last night for genetics. My grades have gone in the crapper, but I am passing.
Pediatrics - C (teachers thought maybe I had a learning disability and suggested it had to be my fault my grades along with many had severely truncated from medical-surgery in the previous semester)
OB - B (although it was really fun and I learned a lot, there were only 2 exams and only 2 got an A on the first exam and no one, I repeat no one got an A on the second exam).
Pharmacology - B (never showed up to class except for a test after the first two weeks; I got a 91/105 on the final and only studied for 3 hours because all my time went into my OB exam - plus I know my drugs, so studying was minimal)
Genetics - B (I didn't learn much as the class seemed too disorganized and answers with rationals were never posted, so I have no idea what I missed!)
My GPA has dropped to 3.15 (ewwww!). That is the lowest it's ever been (sigh). I am hoping things will turn around this summer for me, but I am extremely fearful as I have 17 credits!! It is going to be intense!
I have all but resolved myself to put running and triathlons out of my mind after this weekend. I thought I could do it, but I am so broke and the idea of trying to train and work with my schedule is impossible. I am going to get my few races in to make the quota for SBR, but that's it. I can't force myself to spend money on races I am going to suck at. I just want to train as a break from school work, not as a necessity for a race.
I need to get my GPA back up (or at least try). I applied for a tuition assistance program with a possible employer for my last semester at KSU. The employer gives you $5k each semester and then every year you work for them it forgives the $5k, plus you have a job. It may not be exactly where I want to start, but in this economy it is a job and I will take it!
I think ultimately, I am going to try and get into OB in a hospital or even a place like Plan Parenthood. Although, I thought this would be the end of my scholarly years, I think I will continue my education after a year or two of working as an RN and going to school for my master's as a nurse practitioner or a certified nurse midwife. I am certain if either of my parents read this they will be groaning and thinking "not another degree!" -- But I can't help myself! I am an addict, I guess.
Pediatrics - C (teachers thought maybe I had a learning disability and suggested it had to be my fault my grades along with many had severely truncated from medical-surgery in the previous semester)
OB - B (although it was really fun and I learned a lot, there were only 2 exams and only 2 got an A on the first exam and no one, I repeat no one got an A on the second exam).
Pharmacology - B (never showed up to class except for a test after the first two weeks; I got a 91/105 on the final and only studied for 3 hours because all my time went into my OB exam - plus I know my drugs, so studying was minimal)
Genetics - B (I didn't learn much as the class seemed too disorganized and answers with rationals were never posted, so I have no idea what I missed!)
My GPA has dropped to 3.15 (ewwww!). That is the lowest it's ever been (sigh). I am hoping things will turn around this summer for me, but I am extremely fearful as I have 17 credits!! It is going to be intense!
I have all but resolved myself to put running and triathlons out of my mind after this weekend. I thought I could do it, but I am so broke and the idea of trying to train and work with my schedule is impossible. I am going to get my few races in to make the quota for SBR, but that's it. I can't force myself to spend money on races I am going to suck at. I just want to train as a break from school work, not as a necessity for a race.
I need to get my GPA back up (or at least try). I applied for a tuition assistance program with a possible employer for my last semester at KSU. The employer gives you $5k each semester and then every year you work for them it forgives the $5k, plus you have a job. It may not be exactly where I want to start, but in this economy it is a job and I will take it!
I think ultimately, I am going to try and get into OB in a hospital or even a place like Plan Parenthood. Although, I thought this would be the end of my scholarly years, I think I will continue my education after a year or two of working as an RN and going to school for my master's as a nurse practitioner or a certified nurse midwife. I am certain if either of my parents read this they will be groaning and thinking "not another degree!" -- But I can't help myself! I am an addict, I guess.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Deep Breath and Exhale
Reading this article I had to laugh. It seems someone is always out there to "rexamine" or blow holes in someone elses theories. While, I am trying to keep an open-mind and see both sides of this, I have to think that this researcher is looking for an excuse to not do any core stability training and hit up the local McDonal's in London, or he was just looking for something to write about!
The Myth of Core Stability
While core muscles, specifically the transverse abdominal muscles may not directly be responsible for lower back pain and other maladies, it is undeniable that there is some type of relationship. Muscles either work for you or against you, hence the agonist/antagonist action. If you have a weak core and are overcompensating with your hamstrings will that not have an effect on your lower back? A good number of mucles including the hamstrings and glutes attach to the ishial tuberosity and parts of the iliac, when the bones are moved during pregnancy, does that not affect the muscle position and lenght? And don't tell me that movement of those bones and muscles has never been enough to compress a nerve. Has no one ever heard of sciatica? What about the obturator?
What about the general value of core strength? Increased core strenght allows for a longer torso and more upright position, which in turn increase the amount of space the diaphragm has to expand not only transversely, but longitudinally. This increase will allow the lungs increase in surface area upon inhalation. Deep breathing opens up the alveoli decreasing any chance for atelectasis or bacterial build-up, promoting efficiency with each breathe in the exchange of O2 and even more importantly CO2 expulsion. This benefits the entire body by transporting nutrients and removing wastes to cells and tissues, especially those that are inflammed and irritated, i.e., the lower back muscles. But what do I know.
People may lood symmetrical, but they aren't. Having a weak core only allows a person to overcompensate with other muscles causing misalignment of the axial skeleton that may otherwise be minimized by a STABLE and STRONG core! Resulting in lower back pain from overcompensation.
________________________________________________________
And another thing... one of the reasons women may recover faster postpartum is because they are supercharged! They have increased amounts of relxin to help relax joints and muscles throughout the body and they have a huge increase hematocrit and hemoglobin, RBCs and WBCs. Not to mention platelet count must increase to decrease the bleeding and platelets carry serotonin, which provides that "happy feeling." They are about as close to invincible as a person can get! Obese people do not have those reactions to with the jelly belly, but they do overcompensate with posture to minimize pain and lack of core strenght for stability and don't tell me overweight (>25% Body Fat) and obese (>30% body fat) don't have more musculoskeletal issues than non-big people!
Core stability regarding strength is not bullshit either. When a person complains of knee problems, often it is due to decrease strength in other areas, in pubescent girls it is often due to the rapid growth in bone, not met by the same amount of muscle increase, especially in the quads. However, once the girl is prescribed strength exercises her knee tends to feel better....amazing! Is this not a parallel for back pain and CS??? Okay, I am done.
The Myth of Core Stability
While core muscles, specifically the transverse abdominal muscles may not directly be responsible for lower back pain and other maladies, it is undeniable that there is some type of relationship. Muscles either work for you or against you, hence the agonist/antagonist action. If you have a weak core and are overcompensating with your hamstrings will that not have an effect on your lower back? A good number of mucles including the hamstrings and glutes attach to the ishial tuberosity and parts of the iliac, when the bones are moved during pregnancy, does that not affect the muscle position and lenght? And don't tell me that movement of those bones and muscles has never been enough to compress a nerve. Has no one ever heard of sciatica? What about the obturator?
What about the general value of core strength? Increased core strenght allows for a longer torso and more upright position, which in turn increase the amount of space the diaphragm has to expand not only transversely, but longitudinally. This increase will allow the lungs increase in surface area upon inhalation. Deep breathing opens up the alveoli decreasing any chance for atelectasis or bacterial build-up, promoting efficiency with each breathe in the exchange of O2 and even more importantly CO2 expulsion. This benefits the entire body by transporting nutrients and removing wastes to cells and tissues, especially those that are inflammed and irritated, i.e., the lower back muscles. But what do I know.
People may lood symmetrical, but they aren't. Having a weak core only allows a person to overcompensate with other muscles causing misalignment of the axial skeleton that may otherwise be minimized by a STABLE and STRONG core! Resulting in lower back pain from overcompensation.
________________________________________________________
And another thing... one of the reasons women may recover faster postpartum is because they are supercharged! They have increased amounts of relxin to help relax joints and muscles throughout the body and they have a huge increase hematocrit and hemoglobin, RBCs and WBCs. Not to mention platelet count must increase to decrease the bleeding and platelets carry serotonin, which provides that "happy feeling." They are about as close to invincible as a person can get! Obese people do not have those reactions to with the jelly belly, but they do overcompensate with posture to minimize pain and lack of core strenght for stability and don't tell me overweight (>25% Body Fat) and obese (>30% body fat) don't have more musculoskeletal issues than non-big people!
Core stability regarding strength is not bullshit either. When a person complains of knee problems, often it is due to decrease strength in other areas, in pubescent girls it is often due to the rapid growth in bone, not met by the same amount of muscle increase, especially in the quads. However, once the girl is prescribed strength exercises her knee tends to feel better....amazing! Is this not a parallel for back pain and CS??? Okay, I am done.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Never Forgotten
"In a 2,000-degree inferno, the tower crumples and crashes to the ground at 9:55 am. Minutes later, at 10:29 am, the north tower collapses."
"As the heat from the inferno became intolerable, trapped workers were forced to jump from the towers to escape the flames."
Alisa Schindler, searching for friend Charles. "We go around to different places, but you run out of places to go. So we always end up back here at Bellevue."
It's hard to believe it has already been eight years since the 9/11 tragedy. I remember it still so clearly. It was sunny out. I was working in the cash office at my old job when I heard the news on the TV's. Surreal wasn't the word. It was unimaginable and then when the second tower was hit, along with the Pentagon and United Flight 93 I was sick. I felt completely helpless and pissed off! I cried so many tears that day and the many days after.
I remeber watching interviews with family members of loved ones who died and my heart broke for them. One lady received a call from her husband from UF-93 telling her he and some others had to stop the hi-jackers and that he loved her and to tell the kid's he loved them too (and as I type this I am cying) before saying goodbye one last time to his wife. In her interview, she was crying as she was telling her story and she said after he hung up with her she held phone for hours after the battery died unable to let go. It was unthinkable.
I also found this site a few years later after I started running. His name was Stephen Siller.
Stephen Siller, beloved husband and father of five, was a firefighter from Squad 1, Park Slope Brooklyn. On 9/11, he was off-duty, and on his way to golf with his 3 older brothers.
When Stephen heard on his scanner that the World Trade Center had been hit, he turned his vehicle around and headed towards the site. When his truck was prohibited from entering the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, typically of him, he raced on foot towards the site with his gear strapped to his back.
He was last seen alive on West and Liberty Streets where he, more than likely, went looking for his Squad, all of whom perished. The Tunnel to Towers Run retraces Stephen's footsteps on that fateful day.
In running along his path, we honor the memory of all the Firefighters, Police, and EMS workers who performed their duty that day. In running this race, we are reclaiming still another part of the city for all our heroes and for all of those who died on 9/11.
They will never be forgotten!
Watch the video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
2008 Is Here
Like so many other blogger's latest entry... Happy New Year! I am only 2 days in and other than swearing I haven't broken any of my other resolutions.
1 No/Less swearing
2 Be more commited to working out
3 Go to church at least once a month
4 Be nice to people I would normally dismiss
5 Do not get so easily upset
5 Do not get so easily upset
I would say I am swearing less, but not at nil yet
I just put in 15 miles on my trainer and lifted
The other two, well I did not yell at anyone at work last night (hey, it's a start!)
But onto the more exciting stuff. After another successful day of training I got a new outfit and headed to Pickle Bill's with some friends for dinner. We had lots and lots of seafood. I wasn't impressed with the service and I was a little too cold throughout. It was nice to see everyone one last time in 2007. Dinner ended at about 10:00 and we all got a group pic.
After that we ran home to grab the Walrus's bag and head to the Fox N Hound to meet my bestest friend ever, her husband and some additional friends. I was so excited because the Walrus was the designated driver and I was the designated drinker. We made it just in time for midnight at about 11:30pm. I got a large Labatts, my first shot of Maker's Mark and a glass of champagne all in less than 30 minutes. The MM hurt going down. Yea, it was a smooth bourbon, but no bourbon is smooth enough for me. It just hurt my tummy. We had lots of laughs and I managed to put down a shot of Petrone, a buttery nipple, and another large beer. No way was I driving. I had caught myself a nice little buzz on January 1, 2008. We finally left a tad bit before 2:00 am to head home and pass out.
I had no trouble sleeping when I hit my bed. I did however remember to 3 Motrin before falling asleep, but when I woke up it didn't matter. I still had a hangover (uuuggghh). I took 3 more and forced myself out of bed around 10:00 am. I had a polar plunge to get to.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Confucius Says...
"Change comes from within...."
I don't know when it happened or why but I am trying to step up to the plate. I want to be the best person I can be in all aspects of my life (and I can't really figure out why, but maybe it will continue to add to my happiness, or it will insure my place in heaven, or someone else will have a better life because of me... I don't know).
This is a tr/running blog so here is the "rundown"
1. We have started recycling. We have a blue bag for plastics and glass and a brown box for paper products.
2. I am donating all my "acceptable" running shoes to warrenstriderstrackclubinc and to nikereuseashoe.com. Warren gives them to other people and Nike uses them for athletics and playground surfaces. I think that is so neat.
3. My grandfather was diagnosed with lymphoma a few months ago and has been putting up one hell of a fight and in his honor I am going to run the Cleveland Marathon to raise money for Team IN Training http://www.teamintraining.org/. I have registered for the full, but I have done that the last 2 years and had to drop to the 1/2 due to injury or under training. This will hopefully keep me on track.
I know it is only 3 things but every time I try a "BIG" thing I get overwhelmed and it doesn't work or I only do it half ass. Life is too short I need to be all I can be in this life.
On another note. Training is not very in depth, but it is still on the go. I am struggling with my anemia a bit. I have had a few cramps and my RLS is back. I am hoping it is caused by my dehydration lately. I haven't had any alcohol in 3 days and am trying to down a around 30-40oz of water a day or more. I am not really that thirsty, but my body needs it.
I started lifting this week and I actually liked it. Yea, I liked it. I even called my dad at the last minute and told him I wanted a weight set. My goal is to gain stronger legs for running and cycling which should equal faster times and just to get cut and drop off some of this pudge I have acquired. Swimming has been nil this week. I have not made it up to the Y, because we haven't changed to a family membership and I feel bad not paying. I might have gone today if I hadn't slept all morning and missed the lap swim time. Cycling is picking up. I am working on frequency more than seat time as my butt can only handle about an hour max right now. I bought some movies in hopes of distracting me from the time and to help keep my head up. It is bad form to look down and I do that on my bike when I get tired or antsy. Running, running, running,....still haven't hit the bug yet. Hoping to get it before the big snow hits and I don't want to go outside. I still am only at 10-20 miles a week. Soon here it will change whether I like it or not. Active recovery is nice, but only a few more weeks and I will have to start training if I am to make it to Cleveland and my first HIM.
I don't know when it happened or why but I am trying to step up to the plate. I want to be the best person I can be in all aspects of my life (and I can't really figure out why, but maybe it will continue to add to my happiness, or it will insure my place in heaven, or someone else will have a better life because of me... I don't know).
This is a tr/running blog so here is the "rundown"
1. We have started recycling. We have a blue bag for plastics and glass and a brown box for paper products.
2. I am donating all my "acceptable" running shoes to warrenstriderstrackclubinc and to nikereuseashoe.com. Warren gives them to other people and Nike uses them for athletics and playground surfaces. I think that is so neat.
3. My grandfather was diagnosed with lymphoma a few months ago and has been putting up one hell of a fight and in his honor I am going to run the Cleveland Marathon to raise money for Team IN Training http://www.teamintraining.org/. I have registered for the full, but I have done that the last 2 years and had to drop to the 1/2 due to injury or under training. This will hopefully keep me on track.
I know it is only 3 things but every time I try a "BIG" thing I get overwhelmed and it doesn't work or I only do it half ass. Life is too short I need to be all I can be in this life.
On another note. Training is not very in depth, but it is still on the go. I am struggling with my anemia a bit. I have had a few cramps and my RLS is back. I am hoping it is caused by my dehydration lately. I haven't had any alcohol in 3 days and am trying to down a around 30-40oz of water a day or more. I am not really that thirsty, but my body needs it.
I started lifting this week and I actually liked it. Yea, I liked it. I even called my dad at the last minute and told him I wanted a weight set. My goal is to gain stronger legs for running and cycling which should equal faster times and just to get cut and drop off some of this pudge I have acquired. Swimming has been nil this week. I have not made it up to the Y, because we haven't changed to a family membership and I feel bad not paying. I might have gone today if I hadn't slept all morning and missed the lap swim time. Cycling is picking up. I am working on frequency more than seat time as my butt can only handle about an hour max right now. I bought some movies in hopes of distracting me from the time and to help keep my head up. It is bad form to look down and I do that on my bike when I get tired or antsy. Running, running, running,....still haven't hit the bug yet. Hoping to get it before the big snow hits and I don't want to go outside. I still am only at 10-20 miles a week. Soon here it will change whether I like it or not. Active recovery is nice, but only a few more weeks and I will have to start training if I am to make it to Cleveland and my first HIM.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Couch Potato Alert
It is now Thursday and I have logged 0, yup ZERO miles for the week running. I don't think I have had a week like that since I was sick in March. I have been tired and at work every night until at least 11pm. I did manage to get in a few hours of cycling and I am hoping that with this blog I will stop being a wussy and woman up. The plan is to go to work tonight, coach my kids and get the heck home so I can cycle for 30-60 minutes depending on how the CAVS game is going, hit a 5 mile run and jump in the lake for a 30 minute swim. Wow, that's more in one night than the whole week, but I know we all have these moments. Timeouts are allowed. Quitting is not an option.
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