Update

Since I haven't written in a while, here's an update:

Maternal/Newborn Health: the class is pretty good. Who knew there were SO MANY videos of women giving birth! My clinicals are also pretty good. I'm at a small hospital which has is ads and disads. They only have about 110 births a month and unfortunately if none of those happen on a Wednesday, I won't get to assist during one. Good thing is, plenty of free parking. Too bad it is an hour drive from my house.

Community Health: the class is also pretty good. My clinicals suck!!!! There has been some kind of legal snafu between my university and my clinical site. There are three of us assigned there and we weren't allowed to go last week and we won't be allowed to go this week. This sucks since we have papers and projects that we have to complete. Those projects will be very difficult to complete if we have no clinical site!!!!

Nursing Research: I have this 3 hour class right after lunch. It makes a wonderful place to take a nap. No offense to researchers, but 3 hours a week on how to conduct research and write it up, is way, way boring.

The other thing going on is that we are in the process of applying for student nurse externships for the summer. We have to complete at least 200 hours of work as either a nurse extern or a nurse aid this summer. The application process has been a real pain in the butt. Most all want clinical references on their own special forms. This wouldn't be that bad, but most of us only have one or maybe two people who can give us clinical references. Unfortunately for them, those people have been stuck writting many, many letters all with different requirements. I feel bad for them, but they had to know this was coming!

That's about all. Coolest thing happened last week in my nursing research class. The professor kindly asked two girls who were talking incessantly to please stop. A few minutes later when they had not, she less than kindly asked them to leave her class. It was beautiful! I wish it were done more often. Perhaps then, some of my fellow students would be able to develop some manners!

Nothing

Before I get nasty emails for not posting anything, there isn't anything to post. We started classes last week and they are ok. I think they are better than last semester, but that wouldn't be too hard. But right now I have nothing to complain about with respect to nursing school! I'm sure that will change over the next two weeks as clinical rotations start!

Helo Ride Along and the first day of classes

I spent all day yesterday doing a ride along with the EMS helo at our hospital. It was great! I am sure that it is really what I want to do.

Today was the first day of classes for the Spring 2005 semester. It sucked. We expected it to suck, so at least we weren't disappointed. This semester my two clinical classes are Maternal/Newborn Health (read birthin' babies) and Community Health. My community health rotation is going to be with the EPA, so that might acutally be interesting. I have absolutely no interest in labor and delivery. But, I am sure that I will have a ready supply of interesting stories for you all!

Story of the week: I wasn't there, but the person who told me this story was personally involved and it definitely meets the icky story requirement to be posted. A Nurse Practitioner working at a county jail facility had an inmate come into her office complaining of burning, itching, and a discharge from her vagina. She assumed "the position" for a physical exam and while the NP is examining her she says, "Hey doc, while you are down there can you check to see if I left a $20 bill in my cooch?" She was serious. Apparently before going to a party where she was sure she was going to get mugged, she decided to carry her cash in her "built in wallet". She forgot how much she had put in and wasn't sure if she got it all out.

There are several points to this story: 1. You hear wacky stuff when you work in a jail. 2. If you are going to store your money in your vagina, remember how much you put in. 3. It might be a good idea to put your money in a plastic bag before you shove it in. And 4. Money is a WHOLE lot dirtier than you ever imagined!!

And finally, one more note for your education. Things that are bad: a cough, rectal bleeding, and cocaine.

Financial Aid and my Birthday

I'm starting this semester off great. Today was my birthday and so as a present to myself I decided to fill out my financial aid forms for next year. Hey what a great present! I found out that despite the fact that I am a drilling reservist with the US Marine Corps and therefore occassionally get a paycheck, my adjusted income last year was NEGATIVE! Yes, NEGATIVE. They couldn't even calculate an expected family contribution, I have to go see my Financial Aid Administrator. So I guess this means that I can take out more loans and then have to pay back more later on. Yeah me.

3 more days until classes start. Tuesday I am doing a ride along with the Air Care helo. This is what I think I really want to do, so I am really excited!

Update: There were no, and will be no, spankings. Real nice, Kevin.