Finally back in the saddle!
Well, after a very eventful year off from school, I am finally back full time and ready to finish my degree.
First, I want to say congratulations to all my friends from the Class of 2006. All graduated and within a couple of months passed the NCLEX and are working as real-live RN's!!! And yes, even some of the scaryier ones graduated and are out there practicing the art of nursing right now!
As for me, I spent the last year as an officer in the US Marine Corps (my other life) and 6 months of that time in Afghanistan. I had a crappy job (it involved taking notes and writing papers - gee what a change!) and worked for an interesting boss (not in a good way interesting). But, I got to travel and I have to say the whole experience ranks up there with some of my best. But, now it is time for me to get back to the books and finish up school.
This semester I am taking Peds and Psych and am currently in my Peds rotation. As is usually the case, I went into it thinking I would not like it (I'm not much of a kid person) and ended up really enjoying my first week of clinicals. I am looking forward to Psych since my clinical rotation is at the state mental hospital. I understand from others that there are some very interesting cases there. My other two classes are our continuing Nursing Theory class and Nursing Leadership. Neither of these classes have formal exams, but plenty of papers to write and articles to read. I'm sure you will be reading many rants regarding those two classes!
I am getting to know the people in my new class. Unfortunately, the way our school works the class years don't really every mix, so chances are good you won't know anyone in the class ahead or behind you. There do not seem to be the same amount of second degree, later in life kind of students in this class, but I have found a few. One is in my Peds clinical and she spent her summer working in a hospital in Kenya delivering babies (very cool). She and I often look at each other with that "I was just in a 3rd world country and you don't know how good we have it" look.
So, some things have changed and others things have not and I'm sure you will hear all about them!
Odd habit of my new class - they clap for just about anything. It is actually kind of annoying becasue the instructors have to wait for it to be quiet before they can go on.
Some things I have already learned:
1. Pediatric oncology patients are both sad and encouraging.
2. The 6:23 AM bus will get me to hospital on time for clinicals.
3. My clinical instructor has scared the crap out of all of us (rightfully so) about giving meds to the kids.
4. I really like my Psych professor.
5. I really hate both the instructors and the entire subject of my Nursing Leadership class. Don't yell at me, I get the reason for having the class - I just hate the patronizing way they are teaching it.
6. Both success and sanity in nursing school is all about your study group - and I have to find a new one!
First, I want to say congratulations to all my friends from the Class of 2006. All graduated and within a couple of months passed the NCLEX and are working as real-live RN's!!! And yes, even some of the scaryier ones graduated and are out there practicing the art of nursing right now!
As for me, I spent the last year as an officer in the US Marine Corps (my other life) and 6 months of that time in Afghanistan. I had a crappy job (it involved taking notes and writing papers - gee what a change!) and worked for an interesting boss (not in a good way interesting). But, I got to travel and I have to say the whole experience ranks up there with some of my best. But, now it is time for me to get back to the books and finish up school.
This semester I am taking Peds and Psych and am currently in my Peds rotation. As is usually the case, I went into it thinking I would not like it (I'm not much of a kid person) and ended up really enjoying my first week of clinicals. I am looking forward to Psych since my clinical rotation is at the state mental hospital. I understand from others that there are some very interesting cases there. My other two classes are our continuing Nursing Theory class and Nursing Leadership. Neither of these classes have formal exams, but plenty of papers to write and articles to read. I'm sure you will be reading many rants regarding those two classes!
I am getting to know the people in my new class. Unfortunately, the way our school works the class years don't really every mix, so chances are good you won't know anyone in the class ahead or behind you. There do not seem to be the same amount of second degree, later in life kind of students in this class, but I have found a few. One is in my Peds clinical and she spent her summer working in a hospital in Kenya delivering babies (very cool). She and I often look at each other with that "I was just in a 3rd world country and you don't know how good we have it" look.
So, some things have changed and others things have not and I'm sure you will hear all about them!
Odd habit of my new class - they clap for just about anything. It is actually kind of annoying becasue the instructors have to wait for it to be quiet before they can go on.
Some things I have already learned:
1. Pediatric oncology patients are both sad and encouraging.
2. The 6:23 AM bus will get me to hospital on time for clinicals.
3. My clinical instructor has scared the crap out of all of us (rightfully so) about giving meds to the kids.
4. I really like my Psych professor.
5. I really hate both the instructors and the entire subject of my Nursing Leadership class. Don't yell at me, I get the reason for having the class - I just hate the patronizing way they are teaching it.
6. Both success and sanity in nursing school is all about your study group - and I have to find a new one!
posted by Shannon @ 7:30 PM
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