Whelp, I've worked on my floor for 4 days now. Thanks to my experiences at Mayo and Northwestern, I was able to take on a lot in a short amount of time. The last two days I had the full load of patients and did nearly all the work. My preceptor was there to support me, and when there was something new, she would help guide me through it. My preceptor is very knowledgeable and is great at remaining calm in stressful situations. I'm thankful to be with her cause I feel like I can learn a lot, but I can also learn how to do it without stressing out too much. I'll be on orientation for about 10 more weeks. During that time, I'll mostly be getting comfortable with the way things go on the floor and trying to get experience with things I wasn't able to do during nursing school (patients with traches, inserting IVs, different medications, etc.)
My floor is a telemetry (cardiac) floor, but the patients I'm working with are very sick people. Compared to Mayo, it isn't as specialized, so I get a wider variety of patients. I think that this is a great learning environment cause I get to see a lot. However, the patients often have a lot of complications and frequently have a poorer prognosis.
Here's the thing: confidentiality is a huge issue which makes blogging a little difficult. However, I find the biggest problem to be that although I have so many experiences and so many stories, it's hard to share them in a way that is as meaningful in writing as it is in real life. Each day I learn something different and I am changed a little bit. You'd think that I'd have all kinds of stories about funny or difficult patients, but everything that is changing me is in the little moments. I'll try to give some examples
-I explain something to a patient and they say, "Why didn't anyone tell me this before?"
-I read a note in the chart that says my patient's wife died earlier this year. This makes me understand his attitude a little more.
-I hold a patient's hand cause they're nervous while they're getting an IV inserted. I tell them to take deep breaths and try to distract them. When it's all over, they squeeze my hand.
-A family member calls me in tears because they're worried about not being their for their loved one. -A patient down the hall dies and family members are crying in the hallway.
-A patient cries out for help and when I ask her what I can do for her, she asks me just to stay with her.
-I need to take a deep breath and wait a minute before I go into a room so that I can treat a persistent and overbearing family member with cheerfulness and patience.
These are just a few examples. I do have funny stories and sad stories and stories of patients who drive me nuts. But for the most part, it's all in those little moments. I'll try to be a good blogger who doesn't bore you with the same kind of material all the time, but I can't promise anything. :)
Friday, September 26, 2014
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Caroline RN
Yesterday was my first day actually on my floor. MY floor! Overall, it went really well. I pretty much followed a nurse around all day and tried to learn my way around the floor. However, there were a couple of highlights.
1. I got to put in a foley catheter, draw some labs, and change dressings on a stage 4 pressure ulcer. I've been trained in all of these things in nursing school, but I didn't have a lot of chances to try out my skills.
2. I made an observation early in the day during an assessment. I mentioned it to my nurse and made a suggestion. At first, nothing came of it, but later in the day, it turns out that I was right! This might not be a big deal, but it boosted my confidence in my own skills.
3. I officially and professionally signed my name Caroline RN on multiple occasions and it actually counted for something. A nurse would ask for someone to come double check blood orders and instead of sitting there feeling useless, I was able to say, "Oh yeah! I'm a nurse! I can do that!" So that was fun.
4. I have once again entered the world of holding hands, calming patients, calming families, critically thinking through situations, smiling as I enter an isolation room even though I just walked out, rubbing someone's back for two minutes, washing my hands until they are raw, and caring for patients in a holistic way. There is nothing better.
See ya soon!
-C-
1. I got to put in a foley catheter, draw some labs, and change dressings on a stage 4 pressure ulcer. I've been trained in all of these things in nursing school, but I didn't have a lot of chances to try out my skills.
2. I made an observation early in the day during an assessment. I mentioned it to my nurse and made a suggestion. At first, nothing came of it, but later in the day, it turns out that I was right! This might not be a big deal, but it boosted my confidence in my own skills.
3. I officially and professionally signed my name Caroline RN on multiple occasions and it actually counted for something. A nurse would ask for someone to come double check blood orders and instead of sitting there feeling useless, I was able to say, "Oh yeah! I'm a nurse! I can do that!" So that was fun.
4. I have once again entered the world of holding hands, calming patients, calming families, critically thinking through situations, smiling as I enter an isolation room even though I just walked out, rubbing someone's back for two minutes, washing my hands until they are raw, and caring for patients in a holistic way. There is nothing better.
See ya soon!
-C-
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Information Overload
The last few days have been a little hectic. I am almost completely moved into my new apartment. I've met my roommate, and she seems like she'll be great. I'm going to code name her Macaron cause they look delicious. I've continued orientation to a brand new hospital. I've turned on my electricity and purchased internet. I'm living in a new town. I've got all of my scrubs ready for my first day on the floor on Friday. I'm ready to settle in a little bit.
A few stories for you:
There are 11 new nurses going through orientation with me. Orientation starts every two weeks and the nurses spend most of their time together. We've developed some comradery between us since we've spent the last week and a half sitting in the same classroom. It's kind of fun to have people around you who are going through the same things. A few days ago, we were all talking about how we've gone from being unemployed with no income to actually getting paid. One of the girls said, "Guys, we're going to get our paycheck, and it'll have our very first comma!" I didn't realize until then how important commas could be outside the realm of grammar. :) While money isn't everything, it's definitely a perk of being employed.
Secondly. It took me a total of 2.5 hours to single-handedly move everything in completely. My parents came later with my large furniture items, but I realized just how little I have when I looked around at my apartment full of my possessions and couldn't tell anyone was living there. I'd say I'm off to a pretty good start, but there's still a long ways to go.
A few stories for you:
There are 11 new nurses going through orientation with me. Orientation starts every two weeks and the nurses spend most of their time together. We've developed some comradery between us since we've spent the last week and a half sitting in the same classroom. It's kind of fun to have people around you who are going through the same things. A few days ago, we were all talking about how we've gone from being unemployed with no income to actually getting paid. One of the girls said, "Guys, we're going to get our paycheck, and it'll have our very first comma!" I didn't realize until then how important commas could be outside the realm of grammar. :) While money isn't everything, it's definitely a perk of being employed.
Secondly. It took me a total of 2.5 hours to single-handedly move everything in completely. My parents came later with my large furniture items, but I realized just how little I have when I looked around at my apartment full of my possessions and couldn't tell anyone was living there. I'd say I'm off to a pretty good start, but there's still a long ways to go.
Thirdly, I turned 22 last week. I was awakened at midnight on my birthday by my lovely sister blasting Taylor Swift's song 22. One line in the song says, "We're happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time. It's miserable and magical." I know Miss Swift did not write this song for me, but it is so true. There's so much to figure out and so much potential to mess up. However, there's also so much opportunity to learn and grow. I think I'm ready.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Why I might have picked the wrong profession
Haha! I got you! That's called good writing- picking a title that will make people go, "What? I thought you loved nursing?" Aren't I clever?
Here's the fact: I LOVE nursing! Sitting through orientation is long and somewhat boring, but I also have the opportunity to learn just how cool nursing is! The reason I might have picked the wrong profession is because I would be an AWESOME nurse recruiter. I should get paid big bucks to go talk to high schoolers about choosing the best profession in the world.
Here's why:
1. You get done in four years. No medical school. No required master's program. Four years and you get a real job. If you just want to start real life and get a job, nursing is for you!
2. You can go on in school if you want. There are so many opportunities! You can become a nurse practitioner, certified nurse specialist, educator, nurse administrator, or get your doctorate in nursing. If you're one of those crazy people who likes to punish themselves by always being in school- nursing is for you too!
3. If you're a nurse, you can totally work part time. Or overtime. You can get a job with pretty much any schedule you want. I knew a nurse who worked three weekend night shifts each week and that was it. He got a full work week in and was able to stay at home during the week with his kids. If you want to have normal hours, you can work in a clinic and be at home when your kids come home from school. If you want to be a full time mom and work one day a week, you can do that! No matter what your schedule calls for- nursing is for you!
4. If you can get through nursing school, you can basically go in whatever direction you want after that. You can work with patients every day or you can sit in an office. You can teach! You can travel! If you don't like people, you can be a nurse anesthetist and put people to sleep. If you are really passionate about diabetes (weirdo) you can do that every single day. If you want to handle cool technology, you can do that. If you want to hold babies, you can do that too. No matter what you like or how much you can handle blood- nursing is for you!
5. You get to care for patients. You get to hold someone's hand during a very stressful and scary time. You can teach someone how to manage a complicated disease and see their eyes light up when they finally get it. You get to learn and grow as a person every single day. If you care about people- nursing is for you.
I could go on, but I think that my word count is inversely proportional to how many readers make it through this post, so I'll stop. I made it through my first week of real work! It's been good. :)
I'll be back!
-C-
Here's the fact: I LOVE nursing! Sitting through orientation is long and somewhat boring, but I also have the opportunity to learn just how cool nursing is! The reason I might have picked the wrong profession is because I would be an AWESOME nurse recruiter. I should get paid big bucks to go talk to high schoolers about choosing the best profession in the world.
Here's why:
1. You get done in four years. No medical school. No required master's program. Four years and you get a real job. If you just want to start real life and get a job, nursing is for you!
2. You can go on in school if you want. There are so many opportunities! You can become a nurse practitioner, certified nurse specialist, educator, nurse administrator, or get your doctorate in nursing. If you're one of those crazy people who likes to punish themselves by always being in school- nursing is for you too!
3. If you're a nurse, you can totally work part time. Or overtime. You can get a job with pretty much any schedule you want. I knew a nurse who worked three weekend night shifts each week and that was it. He got a full work week in and was able to stay at home during the week with his kids. If you want to have normal hours, you can work in a clinic and be at home when your kids come home from school. If you want to be a full time mom and work one day a week, you can do that! No matter what your schedule calls for- nursing is for you!
4. If you can get through nursing school, you can basically go in whatever direction you want after that. You can work with patients every day or you can sit in an office. You can teach! You can travel! If you don't like people, you can be a nurse anesthetist and put people to sleep. If you are really passionate about diabetes (weirdo) you can do that every single day. If you want to handle cool technology, you can do that. If you want to hold babies, you can do that too. No matter what you like or how much you can handle blood- nursing is for you!
5. You get to care for patients. You get to hold someone's hand during a very stressful and scary time. You can teach someone how to manage a complicated disease and see their eyes light up when they finally get it. You get to learn and grow as a person every single day. If you care about people- nursing is for you.
I could go on, but I think that my word count is inversely proportional to how many readers make it through this post, so I'll stop. I made it through my first week of real work! It's been good. :)
I'll be back!
-C-
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
I'm employed!
I figure that since I am officially employed, I actually have something to say on this lovely blog. I am not promising consistent posts, but I find writing out stories therapeutic, and I know there are a few people who like to keep tabs on what I'm doing. (Mom and grandma-I love you!)
Before I give an update, I'd like to tell a story:
This summer, I applied to quite a few jobs. As in probably twenty per week. I accidentally memorized every phone number of every employer I've had, my driver's license number, and the address of Mayo clinic. I applied to jobs that I had absolutely no interest in at hospitals where I absolutely no interest in working, and I heard absolutely nothing.
Although for the most part I was trusting that God had a plan for me, there were a few rough days. (At one point, I literally lay on my couch face-down and cried) There was one day in particular where I was feeling particularly discouraged. My mom and sister worked really hard to cheer me up- partially by helping me eat my feelings. That night, God and I had a really long talk. I think the reason I had to wait for so long was so God could teach me humbleness and how to trust in him. Waiting for a job while other nurses were employed was hard for my pride. The next morning, I got a call for an interview.
I want to share that story because I think I learned my lesson. All of my blessings are given to me by God. Even if I was the best nurse in the world, I should only boast in Jesus Christ and not be proud. Part of being not-proud is being willing to tell people humiliating things so...Tada!
Update: I am working at a hospital in Illinois. I am on a telemetry (cardiac/heart) floor. This is the same kind of stuff that I did at Mayo Clinic which is very exciting for me. I will be doing orientation on days, but eventually I'll switch to nights. I started orientation this week. Today I took a five hour assessment of my skills that was a big jolt back into the nursing world. It's all going well, but isn't terribly exciting at this point unless you'd like me to go into detail about falls and restraints and blood glucose monitors.
Also, I am renting a condo less than twenty minutes from the hospital and about an hour from home. I'm moving in on Monday. It's cute and I like it. I have a roommate as well who will probably acquire her own code name at some point. :)
Final point- I am no longer working at Mayo. Therefore, my blog name- Lettuce, Tomato, and Mayo- is no longer applicable. Therefore, I will need a new blog name. Therefore- I am calling on my readers (Hey mom!) to give me suggestions for a new blog name!
Before I give an update, I'd like to tell a story:
This summer, I applied to quite a few jobs. As in probably twenty per week. I accidentally memorized every phone number of every employer I've had, my driver's license number, and the address of Mayo clinic. I applied to jobs that I had absolutely no interest in at hospitals where I absolutely no interest in working, and I heard absolutely nothing.
Although for the most part I was trusting that God had a plan for me, there were a few rough days. (At one point, I literally lay on my couch face-down and cried) There was one day in particular where I was feeling particularly discouraged. My mom and sister worked really hard to cheer me up- partially by helping me eat my feelings. That night, God and I had a really long talk. I think the reason I had to wait for so long was so God could teach me humbleness and how to trust in him. Waiting for a job while other nurses were employed was hard for my pride. The next morning, I got a call for an interview.
I want to share that story because I think I learned my lesson. All of my blessings are given to me by God. Even if I was the best nurse in the world, I should only boast in Jesus Christ and not be proud. Part of being not-proud is being willing to tell people humiliating things so...Tada!
Update: I am working at a hospital in Illinois. I am on a telemetry (cardiac/heart) floor. This is the same kind of stuff that I did at Mayo Clinic which is very exciting for me. I will be doing orientation on days, but eventually I'll switch to nights. I started orientation this week. Today I took a five hour assessment of my skills that was a big jolt back into the nursing world. It's all going well, but isn't terribly exciting at this point unless you'd like me to go into detail about falls and restraints and blood glucose monitors.
Also, I am renting a condo less than twenty minutes from the hospital and about an hour from home. I'm moving in on Monday. It's cute and I like it. I have a roommate as well who will probably acquire her own code name at some point. :)
Final point- I am no longer working at Mayo. Therefore, my blog name- Lettuce, Tomato, and Mayo- is no longer applicable. Therefore, I will need a new blog name. Therefore- I am calling on my readers (Hey mom!) to give me suggestions for a new blog name!
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