happy summer!

No, I don't know who the heck these kids are, but I love the feeling of summer, they exude!

Well I began summer for one week then began a nursing class, urgh. Ah well, it's a good class, just more work then I suspected.

The good news? A group of friends and my daughter when to see WICKED. Amazing, honestly, you have GOT to go see it! As I was walking out, my first thought was, "I have got to see that again!". So there you have it, the best part of my summer vacay so far.

In another week or so, our family will hit the road up to the redwoods, santa cruz, and monterey. I am looking forward to the aquarium and lots of clam chowder! We will have a great time. Then we are back for dd's chicken contest at the fair.

I'm scrapping as much as I can, and again... trying to find one weekend to get away to scrap. Pickin's are pretty slim for all of us gals to get together. That's it with me, how bout you? Leave me a message, and let me know what you're up to!

Phew! All done, well, one semester anyway

sorry i've been incommunicado. Just too busy, too stressed, you know what that feels like eh? I finished and passed all clinicals, exams, and competencies, whoo hoo! So i am relaxing and playing housewife. It's much more fun, since i don't do it so often. I finished my online pharm class with an A! You don't know how darn rare those A's are for me. Few and far between believe me! I got B's in Nsg. and clinicals. I'm just darned glad i passed this time. I've got 3 more semesters to go which feels like eternity after doing the first semester twice. But plug away I will(oooh i'm talking like yoda).
I will be seeing Wicked on Tuesday, and I cannot wait. Bought the tickets months ago knowing i couldn't enjoy going with school hanging over my head so i put it off. I am so glad I did, i will have so much more fun being able to play all day.
This summer i'll be relaxing and going on some trips to Santa Cruz, Monterey (I NEVER get tired of going there), and some other places. It doesn't matter where, as long as we go. I wanna take some sort of fun class this summer but I haven't decided what yet. But I am a schoolie, and happiest when i'm learning somethin.
My kids will be finishing 9th grade and 6th grade. It is so hard to believe my 'baby' is going to Jr. Hi next year!
I plan to do lots of scrappin' this summer, hopefully including a girls wknd! I so need a girls wknd! Leave a comment okay!

Last clinical!...Whew!

Yep today, I finished my last clinical of the first semester!! Ya hoo!! I am so glad, and believe me, i was a little nervous at competencies today when I failed the assessment the first time. Eeeeeeeeeek, I just about started crying, and fallin' apart, thinking i may just not make it, when some of my group came to my rescue and built me up. Believe me I was praying, and so were a couple others. It's the only way I got over my anxiety to do it the second time. I pictured David and Goliath when facing my second time chance. Knowing that I didn't have the courage, but God did. I did much better that time. And yep, I passed it along with professional communication comp. I only have one left, my care plan comp. I've turned it in for the 3rd and last time. I think i'm okay with that one. We'll see. Two weeks to go. Now...back to my homework, ick.

two down...three to go

as in competencies. I passed the medication comp. today which is such a relief. I had done my prep work on the drugs for a pt who was NPO when i got there! Egad, it was beginning to feel just like last week. The big difference was, that my other pt, had fairly simple drugs, supplements and hormones, and one steroid. Phew! All done, and my CI actually said, "Good job"! And believe me, compliments from her are EXTREMELY rare. Tomorrow is our last clinical of the semester, can you believe it??? This quarter seems to go so much faster than the first. Tomorrow, I will need to pass assessment and professional commun. I think i'll be okay, but i'll need to practice on my kin again tonight (whether they like it or not).

so right now, i need to fix up my final care plan competency.

dang ladies, we are almost...done (with the first semester, dang). then 3 more, egad.

not counting the two exams, and 90 synthesis cards i need to make... but hey, i don't want to think about those today. As Scarlet said, "Oh fiddlee dee, I'll think about that tomorrow!"

Happy Belated May Day

Hi and news on the Sterile front, you know the dang sterile field, wound change test. Yesterday was the big day. The first time, I failed because I forgot to check the "pt's" ID band. Later I took it and passed, finally. I would like to say I am overjoyed, but I felt guilty for passing because I remembered some things I had done wrong, but were overlooked. Anyway, at least I'm moving on. I still have 3 other competencies to finish next wk, but they are a bit easier so I should be okay on those. Many didn't pass yesterday, probably about 10-15 of us. Lots of tears, including mine yesterday. But dang, I'm glad it's over. This coming week is our last clinical days of the semester, then I can breathe a little. I know I will have to do some prep for the fall, but at least there will be no hospital prep, which is sooo time consuming and stressful. But hey, first, I just need to pass the first semester right? Schedule for the next 3 wks is crazy. Next wk, all my competencies in 2 days, eeeek. The following wk: My final evaluation with my clin. instructor, Mid term exam for Pharm on 50 drugs (know them forward/backward), along with oral report on community visit (sr center), and the final wk: final on pharm, and Comprehensive final for 193 (Gero). Then???............BREATHE..... summer is here! Whooo hooo!

ESCAPED...from the asylum!

Okay, so it feels that way. I apologize for not being on for oh quite a few weeks. I'm sure everyone has given up on stoppin by for a little chat and coffee. But hey, like I said over there =>
I am in nursing school from hell.
My semester is going a little smoother, now that I've got a few weeks under my belt, but dang I was rusty. Trying to remember everything from the fall was a tad difficult. Luckily, my patients have mostly been wonderful and encouraging. My CI is mucho difficult, and very very perfectionistic, but she is also extremely patient and so great at really getting you to think through the answers on your own, which makes it near impossible to forget once you do. She is the consummate teacher. Not warm and fuzzy, but an excellent instructor.
I haven't done any of my competencies yet (believe me, it's not for the lack of trying!), so I still have those hanging over my head. This wk is the dreaded sterile competency, yes the one I failed last semester! So please please, please lift me up in prayer k! The nice thing is that we don't have the hospital this wk. I love working at the hospital, but absolutely hate hate hate all the prep work and care plan that is all done in 2 days. More good news is that I only have to go through it one more time! Whoo hoo, only 2 hosp days left of the semester! YEAH!!! I have an exam tomorrow I'm studying for but it doesn't seem too bad. I got an A on the first exam. Can you believe it? I see VERY few of those babies, believe me. It could be because I took the same test last semester. Ya think??? So, 3 more weeks and I'll be done for the semester! Dang I can't wait. I just hope I pass! How are you all doing anyway? I know I've been incommunicado and I apologize. I have been living in stress town, and i can't wait to move. c ya soon.

Pal o' mine from the big house!

Started back this wk fine, but found out Thur. 5 am that i could not go into hosp. until my new background check clears. All this because I wasn't enrolled for ONE quarter. Egad, like I went out and became criminal during that few weeks. Yup, me and Ronnie. What about all the other students? We all got it done last July or August. They could all be committing crimes too, even while IN the nursing program! So... My wonderful instructor gives me an alternate assignment bless her, so I don't get yet another write up for my lil' ole file. I swear I must have 6 of those from last semester! It still hasn't cleared, so who knows what'll happen this wk. It takes 3-7 days. Trying to keep up on Pharm as well. First exam in program is next Tues or maybe it's monday. I guess i oughtta look that up, huh? Been doing hw today, i think i'll go read a little for fun.

Just checking in...

I'm back to nursing school hell, so I will post this wknd to give you the update. Just know, that I really appreciate your prayers, it's a bit of a miracle that I got one of the 3 spots available!

P.S. Happy belated St. Patty's Day!!!

Hey, no problem, I'll just wait around until you wanna call....

Sound a little peeved? Yup, I am. Let's see, it's Wednesday, and Nsg 193 starts MONDAY, but have they ("the nursing school from hell") called to inform me one way or another if I will be starting??? Noooooooooooo. I have called twice and for 2 days have not even received a courtesy call. It totally pisses me off, it's the whole arrogant, 'we're doing you a favor to think of you at all' attitude, that really eats at me. Tomorrow, I am hitting the other college that I am considering transferring to. But even if i do want to transfer, I think i would probably need to finish out this first semester first. So I'm probably screwed either way, but I guess I'll find out one way or another.

My Pharm class is going fine. I've kept up on all my assignments, and I am dutifully memorizing 110 drugs, along with their classification, what they do physiologically, and practically. It's quite the job, i'm a tellin you! So, since I learned that I am a kinetic learner, I bring them to the gym with me, and work on them there, while i'm moving. It really does seem to sink in faster that way.

On the craft front: I bought a big red sweater from the thrift store for a couple dollars, and i'm cutting it into a short bolero style, with trim and some funky buttons. When i'm done, i'll put in on here. So far, i've cut it, and put bias binding tape around all the cut edges. I am hoping it will keep it from unraveling...we'll see.

I am also reading On a Wild Night by Stephanie Laurens, one of my very very favorite authors. I love all her Cynster books, but this one is not one of my favorites.

I also am beginning a blue knitted scarf. Not exciting, but hey, I'm bored. That's all that's up with me. My son Bryce made the lovely gal above with scissors and paste! Cute huh? In a scary kind of way, haha. The boy is creative though.

k-nitting and c-rocheting

Yes, this is what we ladies of leeezhure do all day. This is going to be a summer purse. It came out very cute this year. I attempted the same thing last year with knitting, and it came out terribly! I have gotten better, but I wanted to try crocheting this time. The ladies in the knitting/crocheting circle at The Red Bee http://www.theredbee.com/default.aspx?p=5 helped me.

If all goes well I will be back in nursing school hell next week. I need to call and make an appt w/nursing director to make sure there is a spot for me. I tell ya, having too much time on my hands, has really made me have second thoughts. But I have told my husband and myself, that I will not drop out without finishing this semester. I have to remind myself how much I love working with patients and other nurses/nursing students. What I hate is "playing the game", urgh, my pride gets pecked. So I'll fill you in later.

Being benched

Hey, I know I don't write here as much as i used to, but that's because I'm kinda on hold until next month (on the 19th) before I start back full time. My online pharm class is going well so far. I passed the math final, which was soooo cool because that means i don't have to take it again. I received a high B, which means I "just" passed. Yeah, pretty tough standards. I'm not positive i will start next month because there has to be spaces available before i sign up. Usually, it's not a problem, but I also know there were 12 of us who didn't pass last quarter. I know not everyone is wanting to come back, so I hope it's not an issue. I still need to memorize the 110 drugs for the pharm class. I've gotten all the Uncl ones mem'd which means, oh about 8 of them! Whoo hoo for me! We have to know the classification along w/physio action. It's tough. Some of them I've seen in the hosp making it a bit easier to remember, but many??? dunno, I'll just have to suck it up and mem them!

I am still having doubts about continuing with nursing school. I love the actual time with patients, but I hate the political a%* kissing many of the teachers expect. I am just too old to play that. And I was constantly told, not to be me; ie: don't touch so much, not as much eye contact, no endearments, not as much closeness..... I felt like I have to be just like them (

slow start up

I started taking Pharm at long beach city college, hoping to get it out of the way, so i won't have to take it any more at cypress, but i hear i will still have to take one quarter of it on the 4th semester. A pisser, that. Anyhoo, it's all online, which has been good so far. I have my first exam tomorrow which is the math exam. It's mostly reveiw but you have to pass it with an 80%, and i'm not sure i can do that. I've been reveiwing and i've gotten 82% to 97%. But on the pretest, i just got a 80%. Too close for comfort, so i will figure out what i'm doing wrong today and study some more. I should know tomorrow if i pass. If not you get one more chance. I will be starting 193 next month, so mentally i am gearing up for that. I can't say i'm looking forward to it. I guess i've been out of the loop for too long eh? I am looking forward to being back with patients though, I do miss that.

I have hit 45 since the last blog. Geeps, why does that seem so much older than 44? I guess I was in denial. hee hee. Still, I am hot for being so dang old!

I just finished re-reading The Gift by Julie Garwood. One of my alltime ever favorites. I swear, I could read it again tomorrow, it's that good. Well I just got back from church, they had part of a drum corps, it was amazing. Must hit the books. Thanks for stopping by.

nursing school update

well, everyone from my class last semester has started, and i miss them already, though i am fine about not missing the new stress. I have been looking for a pharm class somewhere, but haven't had much luck. Usually it's a 2 unit class (not big enough) or it's on a Wed. night, which i don't think could work out once i begin 193. What does everyone think (those of you who had 193 last sem)? I really don't think i wanna just audit the pharm i already took, seems like a bit of a waste. I will start 193 in March, so i'd have a couple months of the wed. night pharm. under my belt before i start it. I don't know yet.

Kierstin has been feeling better except when her menstruals hit (before and during) so we will have to follow up on that as we go. She had her ultrasound on her liver today, so we should hear from the doc in a few days concerning the hemangioma. Thanks those of you who have kept her in your prayers. I'm still waiting for the authorzn. to get my noggin checked. I'm assuming it's nothing serious, or they would've shoved the paperwork through faster.

after new years

well i have been doing a lot of relaxing, and cleaning. You know, surprisingly, during nursing school i didn't do much more than pick up stuff and wash some dishes. So, now, i have done some heavy duty cleaning, though my tub still looks yellow and gooey. Yeah, i'll get to it eventually ( i shower so i don't sit in the yellow goo), so i'm sure you respect me a lot more for tellin' ya that, eh?

I have been looking into other nursing schools that i might try to transfer over to. Santa Ana is looking pretty good. I am doing some research, and i'm going to bring over my transcripts and talk to a counselor. There is a waiting list of 14 people trying for second semester. I haven't made a firm decision yet, but it looks much less stressful than where i am now.

My daughter continues to have stomach troubles. She got a CAT scan, and then another more indepth catscan type scan (different but similar), they think she may have a hemangioma on her liver, we'll learn more next wk. Meanwhile for the last 3 wks i've had really bad headaches in one area, and i've been exrayed for sinus infections and found nothing so next wk, i will get an MRI on my noggin. Please pray for my daughter and myself. Thanks.

Isn't it strange how one week, we are messed up little stress mongers, then poof! we are back to homemakers, employees etc? Sometimes i don't know what to do with all the hours that i stuffed w/school work before. Hope you are enjoying the new year. Don't forget, my birthday's coming, so gifts should really be in the mail by Monday.

afterglow...

(I thought it would be fun to put a pic. of me up here for those who don't know me. This pic is from last year, i don't have any too recent. And you can subtract 20 lbs from that rear and thighs, but still it's me.)

yes, the afterglow of my first semester in nsg. Of course it's not a perfect afterglow since i need to retake one of my classes, but still, i can breathe and relax a little.

I've had some sort of strange flu. Low grade fever, with severe headaches that last nearly all day. tylenol, ibuprofen, sudafed didn't touch it. Today it's just a little, so i took 3 ibup. just in case, and i'm trying to take it easy today. Which is hard since i really need to get christmas shopping! I've gotten all extraneous gifts, but not many of my nuclear family. But it's gonna have to wait 'til tomorrow. Got my grade in Pharm yesterday. Got a B on my final (better than i thought) and a high B in the class. That first A sure helped my overall grade. And I got a B in Intro. to Nursing. And a withdraw in the one i need to redo.

Daughter is still home sick. We've set up some new appts for her. We will prob set up homeschool thru her high school, so her grades won't get effected. That's tricky for me since i don't know whether i should try to go for a CNA job before i begin my class in March. Everyone else doing fine. Hope you're enjoying the season. I LOVE this cold weather, don't you?

Last final

Phew! All done! Feeling a tad melancholy about my class going on, and me going back. Even though i know it will really help me, it's still hard to swallow, that ego, or pride or whatever you want to call it. It was hard saying goodbye to so many nice people, but I know i'll make a whole mess of new friends. I don't think i did as well on the final as i would've liked, but i did get an A+ on the drug group project, so that ought to help me a bit. I won't start 193 until March! Wow that's a long time. I will start pharm in the spring sem though. I think that's mid-January.

Daughter is still home sick (going on 2 1/2 wks out, plus many other missed days) with we don't know what. We are waiting for insurance authorization for a catscan. So in the mean time, we pick up her work so she doesn't get behind. Please send up a prayer for her. Thanks.

slow and steady

studying for my last final. Pharm tomorrow, then i'm done. I feel like i'm already done, so it is hard to buckle down and study. But study i must!! I'm feeling a little melancholy about my classmates going on without me. They're so rude, not retaking class with me! At least there will be 2 others going back with me.

Keeping my chin up!

okay, both of them, haha. I find that I'm eating more since I've got more time on my hands. I really need to watch that! Had pharm review yesterday, i think I'll do well on this exam since i have more time than usual. I still need to meet w/ nsg director about signing up for next classes for next semester. the puter won't let me, because all the classes are co-classes. it won't let me just sign up for one. Also, I'm hoping to get that F switched to a W. I went to the nsg party yesterday and i was feeling a little melancholy there, seeing all my classmates moving on without me. I can't believe they didn't all storm the nsg office with flames in there hands and blood on there minds! The least they could do is stage a peaceful sit-in for there fallen sister (me). But noooooooooooo, they are all just planning on moving ahead to the next semester. They are sooo selfish.

I know i lost it there for a minute, but i caught the sane train back and I'm okay. At least there will be a couple of us going back to do it again to help each other. I really am happy for them (classmates), they have been just as stressed as I. Final friday, must go pick up the book. Have a good tuesday.

Weekend before finals

So i finally look at studying again, since my big fall from grace, because i know that we have a review for pharm on monday. I know the final is on a friday, so i'm assuming that means the following week.. but nooooooooooooooooooo it's this friday. Eeeeek, haven't cracked a book since the breakdown.. So I am getting on with it today. This time next week i'll be all done, yay! I am feeling surprisingly relaxed these days. The one blip in my otherwise stress-free life is that i missed the withdrawal date for the class i failed out of. So now instead of a W, it will say F. Dang it. I'm gonna beg the director to fix that seeing she was supposed to call me on that very date to let me know how the "team" were going to react to my complaint. She never called me, so i didn't drop etc. So we'll see. The worst thing that can happen, is that i'll have to request the F to be removed from my records once i pass it next time around.

I've been looking into other RN schools that i MIGHT transfer to once i finish this next semester. I'm seeing if they are also insane crazy stressful. If i can find one less stressful, but still a good school, i might consider changing schools after this next do over. Any ideas anyone for orange county nursing schools that are great yet manageable??? Thanks for everyones support, your e's and comments have kept me afloat.

Strike Three!

(doesn't that look like some tidey-whities? but it's an iceberg, silly)


Okay, good news first. I am more relaxed than i've been in MONTHS, okay the bad news, as i know you've guessed........... I failed my 3rd attempt at the sterile wound competency. The same un named teacher tested me, and had me do stuff that not one other person had to do. I did it over and over correctly but still it went on.......... dragging on.............. and i was brave, but then i got pissed, and started getting careless. And yes, the back of my hand supposedly touched the curtain. I don't recall it, but that's what she said. So the first day, i was a little spazzy, a mess really. Crying and nashing of teeth etc. I spoke my mind to said professor, i guess she didn't appreciate that. I cooled off eventually, went and took an exam, later apologized to said professor, though i told her, that what i said was what i believed, though i said it in a disrespectful manner. I wrote in the report what she did unfairly that she did not mention in her report. I then spoke w/ mentor, pharm prof, and lastly the director (had to wait around for hours for her grrrr) and the director backed said evil prof. so i'm screwed. I was a mess for a day, then the following day, yesterday, i was almost downright GLEEFUL. Now, i'm darned relaxed. I will go back in next semester for the second half, to retake the class I uh....flunked. there i said it. I'm out for this quarter. though i have to say, I always felt like i was barely hangin' on, putting out fires you know? So I believe it will be a good thing all around when I do go back, not so lost, overwhelmed etc.

And K. has some kind of mystery illness that's been haunting her all semester, she's missed tons of school, so i know i can deal with that more effectively. (appt.'s etc) She's not so sick that we are totally scared, but sick enough that she needs to be home near the RR.

So that's the scoop. I'm still in Pharm, so i'll finish that up. Hey, i'll actually be able to scrap and enjoy Christmas this year! Yay! Thanks for everyones support, I'm still moving forward, just a little slower... you know, one step forward, two steps back.... hee hee.