Ah

I got 14 hours of sleep.

tired

I can't really type a lot right now because I have to do some reading before I pass out (only got like 3 hours of sleep), but I just wanted to say I had a great hospital orientation. I met my preceptor and she is awesome. Now I'm so happy I am at my hospital. Our instructor is amazing--so laid back and normal. Love it.
Now I'm going to attempt to read 2 chapters of physical exam and then sleep, wake up tomorrow morning and read 2 chapters before class.

Oh, and I now know how to do glucose checks--woo for me! Yay for blood!

yeah

I GIVE UP!!!!

NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I IRON MY UNIFORM PANTS--THEY ARE STILL WRINKLED!!!

I've tried steam, dry, and STARCH--WRINKLES!!


Anyway, I went to the meeting today. There were probably like over 100 students, which I was surprised about. The Vice president wanted to see who was who, so she asked the college of medicine to raise their hands--almost everyone. Then she asked college of nursing to raise theirs---ONLY ME!!!!!!!hahah. It was funny.
Then the president doctor guy kept coming over and sitting on the floor to talk with me about recruiting other nursing students and even running for vice president. Yep. I'm totally going to run for vice president now. They go to the Dominican Republic in December--it is awesome!

Now I need to get other nursing students involved.

Getting involved

Even though I'm sure I'll be intensely busy this semester, I'd like to get involved!
One thing I am definitely looking at is student council from our college, but also there is this program called the Internation Health Services Collaborative, which looks interesting. It is the college of medicine, nursing, public health, and physical therapy--they do fundraisers, etc. Their goal:

• Promoting sustainable health projects in underserved communities within the U.S. and developing nations
• Creating a forum for interdisciplinary interaction within *the university* Health and throughout *university, which will result in more well-rounded health professionals

They even went to countries like Dominican Republic and Educador.

Sound cool? Should I do it? I tried emailing some of my other clinical members to see if they wanted to go since they have two meetings.

First Day

My first day of nursing school went pretty good. I like my professors for Fundamental and Patho especially. There isn't much to say. My day started at 12:00 and ended at 6:30. Gotta remember to bring more food next time.
The only thing that kind of bothered me today is this girl who is in clinicals with me who is a nice person, but complains a lot. She's pretty negative about everything and talks a lot about people. In fact, she's kind of pre-occupied with everyone else and how they piss her off. I just stay positive and hope it changes.
Now I'm only hoping that Wednesday isn't cancelled because of the hurricane. That is our hospital orientation day.

OF COURSE!!!

You have GOT to be kidding me!!


I will be pissed if classes are cancelled during the first week--I have clinical orientation on Wed!! MOVE OVER ERNESTO!!!

The Big Day

I start nursing school tomorrow!!!
About time.

What's in store for tomorrow?

12:00-2:50 Fundamentals
4:30-6:20 Pathophysiology (most excited about this)

I have one more chapter to read of Fundamentals, then I need to read 2 of Patho. Not to mention the 4 for Physical exam that need to be done by Thursday's class, the entire med term book for fundamentals, and I need to go back and review everything and answer objectives. FUNNNNNN

Goodbye black ink!!

OMGGG my team coordinator was not joking when she said she would post A LOT of papers for clinicals...GULP.
bye bye ink.

Anyway, the dinner last night was fun. I set up a car pooling with one girl and another guy. They will be picking me up at 6:30am on Wed (we don't have to be here until 8:30, but traffic..). I told them I'd be standing outside and they won't miss me because I'll be the dorky nursing student in ALL WHITE.
Our TC gave us a tiny tour and we saw the skills lab--sooooooooo cool. It is basically a bunch of beds with supplies, but it is brand spankin' new. The semester 3 students were jealous. We even have two of those sensored dolls. I think this is awesome MAN!!

Also, I found out floor number I am on and my preceptor's name. It is kind of weird though because most students have another student on the floor with them, but my number is different from everyone elses? Hmm. I still don't know what the name of the floor is--just numbers, which mean absolutely nothing to me.

So far I feel great about this program. EVERYONE I meet has been nice and friendly. Also, they seem to be organized and have it all together. woooooohooooo.
Okay, I have to get back to reading. I've only read 3 chapters of the 9 for Fund. It is only taking me awhile because I am writing out the objectives and jotting down answers after, as well as answer the review questions. ALSO, I pretty much have to read an entire 600 page med. term. book before Sept 11th, along with finish 32 quizzes/exams. It can be tedious, but at this point, I am open for anything. I'm just glad I am in the program!
I hope I make more friends.

EDIT: I just found a sheet that has key code for the hospital. I think I'm going to be on "Gynecology and Women's M/S Pediatrics (Locked Unit)." WOO sounds awesome!!

Planning

Oh god, I just went through and wrote down every quiz and exam in my planner for every single class. I think I'm going to be sick now!!

Tonight is the dinner from 5-7pm. I made a greek pasta salad, which looks and smells oh-so-delicious. I made so much extra that I can live off of it for the week, so that's good.

Already it is starting--I have tons and tons of reading to do before Monday.

Still no roommates here.

On my own

It is official: I am on my own.

Not that I haven't been an independent woman for awhile now, but truly--I am on my own now.
Mirza (boyfriend) helped me move all my belongings on Sunday into my cute little apartment-style dorm. Since I moved early, none of the other roommates are here, but I met two of them.
I love my room. I love my nice big desk with tons of studying space. I love being on my own...so far. I kind of wish I had the whole apartment to myself because it's been great--all nice and quiet. I think my roommates will be quiet though, for the most part. They didn't seem like party-animals or anything crazy.

Let's see, what nursing school related news do I have?
Ah yes, I bought the rest of my books. Eight more. That brings the total to 12--not too bad. However, they were so heavy that I had to carry them to my car in a cardboard box, which the lovely cashier taped up for me. Longest. Walk. Of. My. Life.
The box weighed a ton, not to mention the sweltering Florida heat beating down on me. And of course I had to park in Egypt. Sigh.
I feel relieved about getting my books though.
I think the grand total was: $851.00

I have already read the first chapter of Fundamentals and the first chapter of my medical terminology book. We have to take this online med. term course through blackboard, but the system will be down until this Thursday.
I feel kind of lost. I want to start reading for my classes, but I have this irrational fear that I'll forget everything!! Crazy,I know.

More news: we were sent an e-mail informing us of a 3 hour test the first day of school to see "where we stand." I don't understand the time though because I have patho during the same time? I'm nervous. No clue what will be on this thing. I am worried I'll get a low score and then my professors will think I'm a moron!!!

Anyone have any studying advice for me before school starts on Monday? Or any advice at all would be great. Thanks.

The countdown

Well, well, well...time is slowly creeping up on me. There are now ELEVEN (11) days until the first day of NURSING SCHOOL!
The real drama begins on Sunday though--I am moving out of my home and into a dorm. I'll be on my own for the first time. I am so ready and excited.
I have almost everything I need--dishes, pans, towels, bed in a bag, school supplies, and my unform is almost complete!
I went on campus the other day to get my books. Supposedly there are eight books just for one class. Unfortunately, my drive was kind of pointless because I could only get four books--the rest were in boxes.
My fundamentals professor already posted things for us to do online. We have to complete this medical terminology course online that consists of 16 quizzes and 16 exams. Yowza. It has to be done by the 11th. AND OF COURSE, the book that I needed for that wasn't available.
Others things that I am excited about--next Thursday we have a welcoming dinner from the college. I need to bring a side dish. My mom has a mean recipe for macaroni salad, so I might bring that.

That is pretty much all that's been going on. I'll post again once I am on campus. Wish me luck!

Quick Update

I have to be to work in 20 minutes, so I guess a quick update is in order. Nothing too interesting has been happening lately. I've just been stressing about money and getting ready for school to start, which is in 25 days! I'm excited!!
I am trying to get all my things together since I'm moving to a dorm, however, it's hard because I'm broke!
I got my stethoscope in the mail yesterday. I bought a Littmann Classic II SE in raspberry color. I really like it.
Well, this post is pretty pointless. Once school begins I will have more interesting posts!:)