I'm BACK

Hi Friends & Family,

I AM BACK! As I sit here studying for my finals, I realize that I have not updated my blog this quarter. A quick recap of this quarter…we went to a new hospital (loved it), able to give medications (loved it), and now the quarter is coming to an end and it’s time for finals. This quarter was a little crazy because not only did I have nursing classes, I also took an upper division writing course which was a ton of work. Now in finals week, I got the worst toothache, went to the dentist and was told I needed a root canal. SO today, I had my first root canal. I have to say, dentistry is pretty interesting. And for anyone in the desert if you ever need a root canal David Li in Palm Desert was AMAZING! I didn’t feel a thing.

Here is a picture of us all squished in the elevator at the hospital.

This quarter I got observe different parts of the hospital. First stop was the GI lab (Gastrointestinal Laboratory) which doesn’t sound fun at all. I have no desire to look up anyone’s butt and into their colon. I was surprisingly shocked, I loved it there but I did not have to see the insides from the bottom up. I got to see the inside of someone’s lungs, the inside of the throat down to the stomach and also a bone biopsy. I went to the “cath lab” where I got to observe an angiogram (looking at someone’s heart vessels) and see a stint put in place. I went to the OR and got to see a feeding tube placed. I also got to go to wound care and learn about hyperbaric chambers and how they are using them to help heal wounds.

As I explore the hospital setting more, I’ve come to realize that I love procedures. Even though everyone is convinced I’m going to be an ER nurse, I think I like the OR. I still can’t figure out if being told I’m going to be an ER nurse is a good or bad thing but my instructor is an ER nurse so it has to be a good thing. I like to stay busy, I hate to be standing around, so wherever that takes me. We shall see.

Here's a photo of us at post conference discussing the experiences of the day & on the patio of the hospital.

I really enjoyed this quarter at the hospital, I should have written weekly so I could really express how much I enjoyed everything I’ve done. Next quarter I promise to be better at it. I feel like things are finally making sense or more sense anyway. OK back to studying, have to pass these finals Friday.

Here's a little funny to make you smile!

Hope all is well, until next time…S

Happy New Year - 2012

Hi Friends,

Wishing everyone a blessed 2012! I'm excited to see what this year holds. 2011 was so good to me, getting into to nursing school, finishing my 1st quarter, meeting new friends and now considering them family and feeling healthy! I don't know how this new year can get any better, I can't wait to continue my journey!

OH & the best part of 2011-2012, my SF 49ers are going to the playoffs! Woooowhooooo GO NINERS

Hope all is well with everyone!

xoxo, until next time....S

Last week of school is DONE...

Hi Friends,

Sorry if the link below doesn't work. Over the break I'm going to freshen up my creative skills and hopefully start posting some cool videos. I think I need to ask for a video camera, one of those tiny ones, for xmas.

WE JUST FINISHED OUR LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!! Doing the happy dance!!!

Next week is finals and then we get a few weeks off! YAY, then only 8 more quarters left til we are nurses.

This last 10 days or so have been the hardest. I'm so thankful for my classmates, if it wasn't for them, I'm not sure I would have gotten through this tough time. Thank you everyone!!!! Big thanks to Ms. Fry too! Crazy how I feel so cared about by people I didn't even know a few months ago. Feels good! =)

Wishing everyone a happy weekend, go do the happy dance too but not recommended with a cocktail in hand...unless you're a professional! ;)

Until next time, S

Cosmetic Nurse

Hi Friends,

Below is info on the cosmetic/aesthetic nursing field.

http://sn1-pptbroadcast.officeapps.live.com/p/PowerPointBroadcast.aspx?pptbid=87ab4ba8-c228-4417-af16-0f3023db2fb7

Thanks Shana

I love Rev Run's tweets

Thought this was a great quote from Rev Run tonight & wanted to share!

"Mediocrity never congratulates excellence.. #bedope!" -Rev Run

Happy Thanksgiving Friends....

Hi Friends,

I'm back, updating my blog at midnight! FUN! My mom told me this week "I have to read your blog to see what you are up to!" Good thing for this blog. It was a great idea and I will continue it through the rest of my schooling.

Happy EARLY Thanksgiving!!!! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Today, myself and a few other nursing students, went and purchased 10 turkeys and delivered to one of the food banks here in the desert. They feed something like 300 families on Thanksgiving and are short turkeys, so we helped out. Thanks to my Uncle & Auntie we were able to purchase the turkeys. Here's a picture of all the turkeys in my trunk. Why are frozen turkeys so heavy compared to none frozen turkeys? I'm sure there is some great chemistry explanation but honestly, I hated chemistry.

OK, so this weeks topic. Is nursing a career or a profession???

A great nurse is a multi-tasker, critical thinker, good on their toes, educator, advocate…and on and on and on. Although, those are all important traits of a nurse, they do not distinguish nursing as a profession over a career. To me, nursing is a profession. I believe this because a nurse has to be formally trained by an accredited institution, meet educational and clinical requirements as well as take and pass a state board exam. This is the difference between a profession and a career. A career is a job such as a waitress, nothing is wrong with being a waitress it’s just an example. In California, to be a waitress, you don’t need be licensed or formally trained. You may be an amazing waitress and be considered a “professional” by trade but there is no qualifying merit that distinguishes you from someone else doing the same position. You get trained and do the job. I asked a few friends on facebook what they thought, here are a few comments I enjoyed or supported my claim.

Question for my friends, except if you are a Nurse or nursing student...Do you consider nursing a CAREER or a PROFESSION??? Please give your reasoning to why. Just curious what you all think. Thanks!

“It's a profession because you’re receiving specialized training.” ~Rosa Vega

“A 'career' is a job/occupation. A 'profession' requires extensive or specialized education. I believe you fall into the latter.” ~Ahi Ting

Once again, I believe nursing is a profession and not a career. I'd love to hear any comments if anyone has any.

I am thankful for all my family and friends that have been so supportive since I've went back to school. :) Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving holiday!!!

Until next time...xoxo~S

Only a few more weeks left....

Hi Friends,

We only have a few more weeks left then it's finals and we are DONE!!! YAY! Plus next week is Thanksgiving, so exciting! Stress level is at a 1, have a few things due but feeling pretty good right about now. I took this last weekend off, flew home to SF to work Friday. Felt really guilty but it was needed but I definitely used my new knowledge when seeing patients and assessing our new lil guy. They say you can't get a carotid pulse in an infant, see me trying below to assess a 1 month old. (No babies were hurt while taking this pic!) They were right, couldn't feel a carotid pulse, did however find his brachial pulse, so it was pretty cool to test out some new skills.

While in SF I also went to a boot camp class and did this cool machine called a jacobsladder. I put on a 20 lbs weighted vest and did the machine, it was pretty intense. Maybe that's why my stress level is so low.

Goal for this week, to continue to keep my stress down by handling future assignments now instead of waiting til last minute and getting in some gym time. Oh, Bridget and I signed up to do the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning to represent Coyote Nurses! I'm excited except not sure I can run 3.1 miles but I'm going to jog and give it my best shot.

Below is a few pictures of my clinical group after clinicals last Thursday morning. See my "boy" scrubs, I swear I look like a boy in them. I don't know why but our outfits aren't very flattering scrubs. Oh well, I'm getting used to them.

My flight home last night was oversold so I volunteered to take a later flight. I got to have dinner with my Grandma and got a $400 credit voucher to another flight on United. I think I'm going to use that credit to take a trip over winter break. :)

OK, until next time...