hearts

Yesterday went awesome! My preceptor is really nice. She has been there for 2 years and she graduated from my school, so that is good. She isn't able to take open-hearts yet (meaning fresh out of surgery for the first few hours), but we still had one critical patient and one step-down. I was mostly just trying to absorb everything, so I didn't jump in as much as I would like, but tomorrow is another day.
The coolest part was when another nurse got an open heart patient, so I went in the room for approximately 4 hours while he assessed/monitored him and tried to get him extubated. It was soooooooooOOoo cool. And this nurse was awesome. He was definitely into teaching, which was helpful and I liked. I pretty much stood there and told the patient to keep breathing and wiggle his toes to keep him awake so we could finally pull out the tube. I was just really amazed by the whole process. I never realized they extubate them so quickly. Before change of shift, he was already sitting in the chair using his incentive spirometer. I have a lot to learn.
Tomorrow is my second day. I hope it goes okay. My goal is to do more and if my preceptor has a stepdown/tele patient then I want to take him/her and be more proactive. Also, if another nurse gets an open heart, then I definitely want to come in the room and "help."
I can't wait until I just KNOW all this awesome stuff.

first day tomorrow.

In less than 12 hours from now I will be starting my preceptorship! I'm really nervous. I don't know why though because it's not like they're going to leave me alone or anything crazy with ICU patients, but I am worried about my preceptor and whether or not she will think I am stupid. Also, I am worried because I hope she is a good teacher in general.
Once I get the first day over, it will probably be a lot easier.

getting nervous!!!!!

I finally have my preceptor name and schedule. Now, I just need to pass my med calculation exam on Tuesday and I can begin preceptorship. I am starting to freak out just a little bit though. For one, June 3rd is the final HESI. We need an 850 to pass. I have always gotten above 850, so I have no reason to worry, right? Right~! Wrong. I keep thinking worse case scenario: Failure. And then failure a second time means redoing the entire semester.
OH and I keep worrying about the med calc exam even though I have never failed one. Why do I worry? Why? Because it's getting down to the home stretch and I am so close I can taste it. I just don't want to fuck this up.