tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58490871157119444952012-02-16T15:23:18.228-05:00Random thoughts and experiences of a nursing student working on her Nth careerCathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.comBlogger1021100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-29349931898900986902009-04-02T07:37:00.004-04:002009-04-02T07:44:32.839-04:00

I didn't even attempt to try to post the beginning of this semester. 5 day a week, 8-4 classes or 4 day a week clinicals which ran from 3-11 pm dominated my calendar. Throw in an occasional NA shift on my cardiac floor and you get the picture.Now we are only 4 weeks from finishing up the school work (but don't graduate until the end of May- WTF) and I can breath and start looking back. I still

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-5369902850334579992009-03-26T06:25:00.000-04:002009-03-26T06:26:44.265-04:00

This blog has been in a dormant state since last October. Can't decide if I will pick it up again or let it go - 4th semester is a wild ride. Stay Tuned.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-5938987590260834962008-10-25T14:13:00.004-04:002008-10-25T14:29:21.581-04:00

This semester is just kicking my ass. I'm doing well, but it is a daily struggle to motivate myself to do the work that I need to do.I spent 4 weeks in the newborn nursery, a week in a pediatricians office, a week at a our local "Big University Hospital" children's clinic and a week so far in postpartum. The only thing that has even remotely been interesting was the one day I observed in the

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-90681435225505340702008-09-16T06:32:00.000-04:002008-09-16T06:32:01.014-04:00

35As a 1930s wife, I amPoorTake the test!

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-47901997077869554082008-09-15T06:06:00.002-04:002008-09-15T06:19:50.498-04:00

Thanks to whoever sent the link to the article in the comments under "Le Circ". Being a nurse means being an advocate for your patient and the article goes into detail of how nurses at a hospital in NM went the full distance trying to educate their patients. In their case, their jobs were endangered due to this effort.This last week I changed a diaper on a newborn who just had a circ, so this

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-27816366724250219622008-09-10T07:10:00.001-04:002008-09-10T07:10:00.448-04:00

We are studying the different phases of birth. The other day we got to the transition phase and Muriel demonstrated the breathing technique she wants to utilize. She called it, Three Hoo's and a Hee.I call it the newest Dr. Seuss Book.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-63216082800761357582008-09-09T07:06:00.001-04:002008-09-09T07:06:01.177-04:00

No, it's not a fancy restaurant. It's a circumcision. I found out last week that they call circumcisions "circs".I saw a total of 4 of them in two days. The first day there was only 1 and the doctor used something called a Gomco Clamp, as seen below.The next day a different MD did the procedure on three babies and she used something called a Mogen Clamp.If you asked me a week ago what I

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-83891936018921479572008-09-08T07:00:00.002-04:002008-09-08T07:06:35.854-04:00

I survived the first week of clinical in the newborn nursery. I'm so completely out of my element it is funny sometimes.I haven't changed a diaper in over 10 years, so I had to be talked through it again. It's funny, I can put a diaper on a 190 lb man, but a 7 lb baby seems more complex.I am also the world's worst swaddler. One good sneeze and the kid would be exposed to the world. My

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-59127178402581429402008-08-28T06:31:00.005-04:002008-08-28T06:42:42.055-04:00

We have an instructor that I don't mind, but is a little daft at times. Muriel seems like she is 4'8" (not really, but seems like it), not too worried about using the correct terms (like using semesters instead of trimesters), and is as blind as a bat. BUT, she can be as funny as shit, intentionally and unintentionally.The unintentional: A friend of mine volunteered to assist her in front of

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-21599446404941643272008-08-23T06:42:00.000-04:002008-08-23T06:42:06.509-04:00

According to the lectures I had this week, myself and countless others should be incredibly brain damaged. This is because mothers* of my age group did the following:Smoked while pregnant and after hatchingDrank while pregnant and after hatchingDrank Coffee, Tea, Coke, Pepsi, TabBottle FedThrow in the fact that I probably ate some lead paint along the way and it is a wonder I don't need a

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-66333716079656235072008-08-22T06:33:00.004-04:002008-08-22T06:37:27.265-04:00

We learned about breastfeeding this week, so our instructor brought in a (I giggle at the word) manipulative. It looked like a Beanie Baby.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-51368519437733735932008-08-21T06:00:00.000-04:002008-08-21T06:00:00.278-04:00

I don't like to make general statements like the one in the title, but I think it is appropriate based on two things I learned in lecture.1. Preschoolers want things how they want them. End of story.2. Preschoolers are proud of their penises. Enough said.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-13272998321997043782008-08-20T09:10:00.000-04:002008-08-20T09:10:00.552-04:00

My last day of my externship was a very interesting one. When the 42 year old in chronic afib who refuses to take his Coumadin because it is "rat poison" (no shit Sherlock) is the least interesting of your patients, then it has been an interesting day.One patient we had was a woman in her early 50's who was released one morning and came back later the next day for the same kind of pain she had

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-35087626169663105592008-08-19T07:38:00.002-04:002008-08-19T07:41:46.243-04:00

First DayLecture Topic: Pediatric AssessmentSubtopic: Genital AssessmentSuggestion: Have naked child sit like a frog in order to assess genitalsConclusion by fellow student: Sign me up as a sex offender just by hearing the suggestionSmart Ass Comment by my Husband: "So she is asking the kid to go 'Knee-Deep?'"

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-17677553538494414802008-08-17T08:06:00.007-04:002008-08-17T08:19:20.859-04:00

Last Thursday was our big orientation day. Compared to our other orientation days, it was a walk in the park. In fact, I don't understand why we even had to show up since we could have had one big conference call in our PJ's and it would have been more productive.This semester is going to be the necessary evil for me. I have to have the material in order to take the NCLEX, but I don't give a

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-5552212262014207422008-08-16T08:40:00.001-04:002008-08-16T08:40:05.936-04:00

FOS = Full of Shit It's a real life nursing diagnosis. You get this label if you come into the hospital complaining of chest pain, but really you are just constipated.I was surprised this summer that we averaged at least one FOS per week. So what happens to you if you are an FOS patient. The following are included in your stay:Chest X-rayCardiac MonitoringNuclear Stress TestCardiac

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-69149932286067343602008-08-15T06:40:00.002-04:002008-08-15T06:40:00.581-04:00

This summer I joined a gym in order to help lose weight and avoid being one of the people that I have seen in the hospital this summer.I knew that I had sit through a sales pitch at the gym, but what I didn't expect was the sales guy wanting me to listen to his "story." So picture it, I'm sitting in this cramped office in this gym while this fairly in shape guy leans in closer to tell me his

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-59083712973726207842008-08-14T06:00:00.001-04:002008-08-14T06:00:01.528-04:00

This summer Soccer Nurse (my preceptor) and I had a client that was a self described "dirty old man." I didn't give to much credence to his claims, because to me he really wasn't that outrageous. He did give me one of my favorite quotes of the summer. He felt that his manhood was a bit lacking, so he told me "One inch shorter and I'd be a lesbian."

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-64976593911895332192008-08-13T08:34:00.000-04:002008-08-13T08:34:00.318-04:00

Dear Crackhead,If you smoke crack, it will constrict your blood vessels, which may induce chest pain. If we ask you, "When was the last time you smoked crack?" don't answer "a while." "A while" to most people may mean something like 3-4 months ago, not 30 minutes.Thank youCathyXIs, Student Nurse

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-59921170300982063132008-08-09T06:30:00.004-04:002008-08-09T06:49:27.459-04:00

Oh CNN how I love you this morning. You brought me a newstory that warms my heart and renews my faith in my own ability to sniff out bullshit. I have never trusted John Edwards. From the moment he bought the Senate primary election in NC I knew that he was the epitome of a politician, someone only looking out for his own interests. He is the man that repeatedly told the voters of NC that he

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-21586155313730550822008-08-08T07:01:00.002-04:002008-08-08T07:06:26.190-04:00

I haven't been that motivated to write lately. Call it enjoying the summer, being too tired, not giving a shit, what have you.It is probably better that I've let my summer stories simmer a while. I can write them with a little perspective and hopefully humor.I finished my PNA program a couple of days ago. I had an AWESOME experience. I give full credit to my preceptor, Soccer Nurse (he

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-71824889026099146012008-08-08T06:55:00.004-04:002008-08-08T07:01:30.613-04:00

CNN is carrying a story about a flight attendant who was assaulted by a passenger over liquid on an armrest. The flight attendant is suing the assaulter, who happens to be the wife of a preacher of one of these mega-churches. The flight attendant says "she suffers from anxiety and hemorrhoids because of the incident"... she got elbowed by a mega-church soccer mom, where the hell did she hit her

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-39835033756764510882008-06-19T08:25:00.003-04:002008-06-19T08:32:16.821-04:00

It has taken several weeks for me to finally feel like I have a clue about what I am doing on the floor.My preceptor is awesome. He is funny, organized, laid back and doesn't sit around complaining all the time about how awful the hospital/floor/money/job is. Nothing terribly exciting has happened so far and based on what I have seen, I don't anticipate anything really dramatic. It is a good

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-81557281594878582432008-04-29T06:03:00.000-04:002008-04-29T06:44:14.117-04:00

Every clinical week we have a post clinical conference (PCC) where our clinical group sits around talking about our experiences. A few weeks ago I was in the OR, so I had instructor Y (as in Why oh Why does she want me to feel like an incompetent ass) lead our PCC. One of her topics was to talk about the areas where we have interest.Before this discussion I've made it quite well known that I am

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-56140117961238692042008-04-26T07:11:00.007-04:002008-04-26T07:56:32.327-04:00

I got a call yesterday offering me a summer PNA (Professional Nursing Assistant) externship in cardiology. This means I will be spending my summer on the telemetry floor being a nursing assistant, but also being mentored by one specific nurse on that floor. I will work their hours and be their NA.Cardiac medicine was my first choice because I am interested in it post graduation and figured this

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-57808141401573983612008-04-22T06:39:00.002-04:002008-04-22T06:52:15.786-04:00

Every semester we are assigned at least two group projects to submit to our instructors. Last semester and this one seem to have a theme... you have 1 case study and 1 project with a different theme, but that is geared towards the elderly (last semester it was prescription drugs, this semester it is nutrition).So last night I finished the elderly nutrition project (I already completed the case

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-5676809769289304642008-04-21T06:37:00.002-04:002008-04-21T06:39:40.399-04:00

I can't take credit for the title quote, that goes to a nurse on the medical floor I did clinicals on earlier this semester. It still makes me giggle, so I have to share it with the internet.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-70245891303776520072008-04-15T06:10:00.000-04:002008-04-15T07:35:19.166-04:00

This semester we have to spend two days in PACU (formerly called the Recovery Room). The course coordinator for this semester is a PACU queen, so naturally she oversee's the experience.Instructor Y sets us (normally three students are in PACU, but my rotation only had 2) up in a bay and we take a client. At least that is how it is supposed to work. Our first day went relatively smoothly. All

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-35805127623033300542008-04-14T06:19:00.008-04:002008-04-14T06:34:47.887-04:00

The course coordinator for 2nd semester is a very matter of fact, no nonsense kind of person. I came into the semester all excited because I thought she was going to be the kind of instructor I would love. WRONG.What I didn't know is that rampant favoritism is also one of her attributes. We have several people in my class who love to inspect our instructors tonsils by using an anal entry. I

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-80988011257602527542008-04-13T19:09:00.004-04:002008-04-13T19:31:38.969-04:00

Our clinical schedule for this semester has us 6 weeks on either a medical or surgical floor, 3 weeks in OR/PACU/Home Health and 3 weeks on the orthopedic floor.I had instructor X for my 6 weeks on a medical floor and I LOVED her. She was the first instructor I've had that I felt sized up her students and knew their strengths and weaknesses and tried to address them. I really liked her

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-19026370348380501162008-04-10T05:49:00.000-04:002008-04-10T05:50:18.278-04:00

there was a rather large male client with a nasty mouth that needed a bed bath. "Little White Support Hose" nursing student was called upon to bathe the said client, so she bounced into the room to help. "Little White Support Hose" was eager to help and wanted to make a good impression with the big, bad client."Little White Support Hose" starts at the top and works her way down, just like a

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-55804903081615545102008-04-09T06:11:00.000-04:002008-04-09T06:11:42.176-04:00

Melena = black, tarry stools

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-60786755617162696472008-04-08T06:44:00.004-04:002008-04-08T06:54:56.324-04:00

Yes, I mean they have their head up their ass.There was a post I read on the Allnurses.com forum started by someone who wondered why the nursing students at her school where so negative. This person had yet to start nursing classes, she was just finishing up her pre-req's. She wanted to know why they seemed so negative. Naturally, everything in this person's world was wonderful including her

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-46567596063225304522008-04-07T06:12:00.003-04:002008-04-07T06:26:28.289-04:00

This semester is eating me alive. The typical non-clinical day has me reading several hundred pages, reviewing notes, taking practice NCLEX questions and trying to get assignments done all the while attending lectures. Clinical days mean setting the alarm for God's wakeup call, hopping into that fabulous uniform and getting to the hospital before your clinical instructor asks where you are (

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-34390837361360802782008-03-09T08:57:00.001-04:002008-03-09T08:58:47.653-04:00

2nd semester rocks - but it takes all of my time and energy. We are on spring break at the moment so I hope to catch up with some stories this week.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-90742999248529027132008-01-20T07:02:00.002-05:002008-04-26T07:33:58.616-04:00

Our classrooms have wireless internet access, so it stands to reason that you can do a little internet surfing during those boring class times.Note to self: Don't shop for intimate apparel during nursing classes unless you are in the back row where no one can see your screen. I'm just saying.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-46901286074374417582008-01-17T14:44:00.001-05:002008-04-26T07:34:45.467-04:00

Woodworking Man = My Father in LawWoodworking Man is a Type II diabetic who has very strong opinions about the location of a finger stick when testing blood sugar. I have heard on more than one occasion that it drives him nuts when healthcare workers take his sugar, they poke the pad of his finger and not the side.Last time it came up I promised him that if they didn't allow me to do the side

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-36127869116912927572008-01-12T06:53:00.000-05:002008-01-12T06:56:59.601-05:00

I think I was channeling my inner Sally Fields at orientation the other day. Walking in I was thinking "No one will want me to sit by them, no one will want to talk to me." It's like all the fears of Jr. High came back with a vengeance. I'm such a dork. I found a place to sit by people who I really like and I spent a lot of time catching up with many of my classmates. I am such a ninny.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-38488887005850859602008-01-12T06:45:00.000-05:002008-01-12T06:53:46.333-05:00

It really should have been called "How to scare the shit out of a room full of adults." Ok - maybe we weren't scared, but definitely overwhelmed. I'm really excited about this semester since we will be learning about chronic diseases. Most importantly is that our time in class to clinical gets better, it will now be a 1:2 ratio (class to clinical).

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-80275477303471202892008-01-08T06:16:00.000-05:002008-01-08T06:21:39.321-05:00

Break time is over.... it was sure fun while it lasted. I can't believe a whole month has gone by.Thursday is our orientation day and then next Monday we are off to the races. IV's, Trach care, bladder irrigation here I come!We have a scavenger hunt that we need to do before showing up on Thursday and I thought, "Oh - I'll just pump this out and get it over with" late yesterday afternoon.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-20967294045582310752007-12-18T08:11:00.000-05:002008-04-26T07:40:27.214-04:00

I am LOVING my time off. I get to sleep in (compared to 5:30, 7:00 IS sleeping in), surf to my hearts content, and then try to get something accomplished so that the day isn't a total loss. Right now I am finishing up Christmas shopping. There wasn't much to do, just getting around to the places without loosing my mind was an accomplishment.I went to school yesterday to help unpack and sort

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-49511591886757159232007-12-11T14:18:00.000-05:002008-04-26T07:40:27.214-04:00

My 1st semester of nursing school is complete. I received a great evaluation and was told that I am in good shape to go into next semester. The rumor mill is that 4 people will not be advancing with us, far more than I expected.I can't even begin to describe the feelings of relief I am experiencing at the moment. I think this picture sums it up...

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-44484836514247602782007-12-09T20:18:00.000-05:002008-04-26T07:40:27.215-04:00

I participated in a study group for our final. I knew the people in the group, but really haven't worked with them during the semester, so it was a bonding time.For most of the semester I have kept my head down, ass up and kept out of all the typical squabbling/cliques that go on in this type of environment. I mostly did it because I immediately knew who in the class I wanted to stay away from,

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-92124108113474581072007-12-09T20:12:00.000-05:002008-04-26T07:40:27.215-04:00

Tomorrow morning I take my final for school. This time tomorrow I will be breathing a sigh of relief or they will be cleaning up the classroom because my head exploded during the test.That means on Tuesday I go in for my final evaluation with my clinical instructor and I get my grade for the class. I figured out that I need a 5% on this final in order to pass the class, which means I only have

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-27534283210423830622007-12-04T06:31:00.000-05:002008-04-26T07:40:27.215-04:00

I have this whole week off in order to enjoy the full experience of studying for my final. Today I'm going to meet up with some of my classmates at Borders. We plan on raiding the NCLEX books in order to practice question answering. While I feel slightly dirty for doing this, there's a very good chance that I will walk out of there with some random book - therefore a win-win situation in my

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-49677926487093082022007-12-04T06:26:00.000-05:002008-04-26T07:40:27.216-04:00

Last Saturday I stopped by our local state controlled liquor store to pick up some vodka in order to make some vanilla. Anywho, I go up to the counter to pay and the guy asked for my ID. I instantly fell in love. I don't care that he has to card everyone who appears under 35 - he carded ME. I think it had to do with the major local university sweatshirt I had on more than my youthful

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-35367352372858553132007-11-29T06:13:00.000-05:002008-04-26T07:44:29.000-04:00

This week I finished my first clinical rotation and turned in the last of my paperwork. Yahoo! Now I am studying for the final which is little over a week away. I loved the second part of clinicals this semester. We were at a local VA rehab facility and I got to see some interesting things and work with some really nice people. Also, I LOVED my clinical instructor. She is a great teacher and

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-51632234690420086912007-11-19T18:58:00.000-05:002008-04-26T07:45:29.277-04:00

There is a news story on CNN that has the headline, "Friends, family mourn 'good kid' who died after Taser incident". My question is, if he was such a good kid, why did he put himself into a situation where the police would Taser him? Discuss it amongst yourselves. That is all.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-89228163050587424282007-11-18T07:38:00.000-05:002008-04-26T07:41:44.489-04:00

Three clinical days and a final exam are all that stand between me and the end of the semester. I start today studying for the final. There is a huge amount of material to review, so it is going to take me several weeks. I plan on breaking it up with cleaning out the room that will be our guest room. Over break I plan to redecorate it, since I will have the time. I will also be studying for

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-69100603132073670562007-11-08T06:30:00.000-05:002008-04-26T07:41:44.490-04:00

Now all that is left for skills check off is the injection. School policy doesn't allow us to stick each other, so we have to do it on a mannequin. I SO don't get the policy. We can't practice on each other, but it was acceptable for our first stick to be an elderly person. You would think that we should have given each other our flu shots.While on the same subject, I got my flu shot today.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-45799029938910658322007-11-07T19:21:00.000-05:002008-04-26T07:41:44.490-04:00

Today I had my skills check off for placing urinary catheters. I had to place an indwelling cath into a anatomically correct model. I was thrilled that when I opened my kit it didn't smell like grapefruit. I didn't want to have to explain that to my instructor.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-15393752474007281922007-11-07T19:05:00.001-05:002008-04-26T07:44:29.000-04:00

We only have 4 weeks left for this semester! We have finished all the lectures and labs so all that is left is clinicals, tests and projects.I had my midterm clinical evaluation. It went well so now we are on to the next clinical site with a different instructor.Last week we got to go to a local long term care center (the new politically correct term for nursing home) and give flu shots to the

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-66268724023873830052007-10-25T05:25:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:41:44.491-04:00

Last week we had our elimination lab, which means we got to learn how to put in Foley and In & Out catheters. You really have to watch keeping a sterile field during these procedures and to remember that once you put your non-dominate hand in the field (nice way of saying - grab the penis) that it is contaminated and you can't use it until you are done with the insertion. This is a skill that I

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-4094097870968328762007-10-21T17:41:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:41:44.492-04:00

This should have been the name of my last lab. I was such an adult and didn't laugh when I walked into our lab room last week. There, on the table for each of us, was a plastic penis. No, this wasn't a porno, we had to learn how to put on condom catheters.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-26685570179225570932007-10-21T17:07:00.000-04:002007-10-21T17:22:36.845-04:00

Atelectasis - failure of the lung to expand completely. Now keep in mind that I go to school in a state known for a southern drawl and some of my instructors put this drawl onto some words. So imagine if you will standing outside yelling, "Come 'ere ă-de-LEXUS".

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-87536842067750579682007-10-21T17:06:00.001-04:002008-04-26T07:41:44.492-04:00

Fall break got in the way and then I just never got back into the swing of writing. But, it has allowed me to stock up on some stories.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-17277182425061894952007-10-03T06:19:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:41:44.493-04:00

I think that needs to be my nickname. The past two days have been very challenging to my ego. I have quickly discovered that I am a whiz at theory and a klutz at practice skills. Clincials this week dealt with bathing our clients. Let's just say I think there was more water on me by the end than used on the client. Let's just not go into the first time experience of putting on an adult

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-59056909587471102862007-09-27T06:25:00.000-04:002007-09-27T06:29:52.018-04:00

I didn't fall into a bedpan and get lost... Husband decided last week that his abdominal pain was bad enough to warrant a trip to the ER at {Big Name University}. Turns out that he had pancreatitis, so he earned a 5 day stay a Chateau {Big Name University}. Naturally this put a dent into my free time to blog, but everything is OK now.For all you medical types you can appreciate this... his

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-91942930622391755652007-09-27T06:22:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:41:44.494-04:00

I have some very funny and creative classmates. For the Rat's Ass class we have to read journal articles and present them, which we do in groups. One group today did a little skit about the various causes of bed wetting. Two people played the parents and the remaining four were children representing the various reasons. The four came into the room wrapped in a blanket and then the parents woke

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-21354101428882910752007-09-16T07:43:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:44:59.836-04:00

Last night the husband and I went out on a date (gasp!). Yes - we were out past 7 pm and it didn't involve a drive through window.We went to see Emo Philips last night. If you don't know who he is, check out the website. He's on the order of Steven Wright... and if you don't know who he is, then I can't help you. The husband mentioned that if Bobcat Goldthwait and Steven Wright had a child -

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-61585789714085434782007-09-16T07:30:00.000-04:002007-09-16T08:03:40.117-04:00

During class the instructor was going over what would constitute nursing negligence. She gave an example of a double amputee falling out of bed and then suing for negligence. Naturally someone had to ask if the client would really have a leg to stand on.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-68778527882049997862007-09-07T06:16:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:44:59.837-04:00

I did a quick gander this morning to my syllabus to see what is in store for today's learning excitement. Our schedule is set up that Monday-Fridays we have Fundamentals of Nursing and on Fridays we have what I like to call "The Things the State Says We have to Teach You, but We Know You Don't Really Give a Rat's Ass About." This has no reflection on the instructor who is highly opinionated and

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-51719023945602317562007-09-06T06:40:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:41:44.494-04:00

Last Friday, Dr. Whirlwind (the head of our program) came into class to go over the many educational choices we will have after we graduate from the current program. You see, I am attending a school where I will get a diploma from the school and an Associates in Health Something or other from the school where we did the pre-req's. She covered the RN-BSN route - which she said was good if you

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-82432338025259172932007-09-06T06:30:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:41:44.495-04:00

Since we had Monday off it has been a short week for us (like almost everyone else in the country). I anticipate that my normal Friday 11 am meltdown won't happen. It seems that I just hit the wall on Friday's around 11 am. At that point I have had enough and all I want to do is crawl under my desk and cry. Nothing sets it off - I'm just overloaded by then. I thought I was the only one doing

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-63067318880083591832007-09-06T06:26:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:41:44.496-04:00

OK, so it doesn't have the same ring as Steve Martin exclaiming, "The new phone book is here! The new phone book is here!" in the movie The Jerk - but we did get our uniforms yesterday. Mine are proudly sitting right were I left them yesterday when I got home. I like my lab coat and am not that thrilled with giving it up to look like a glorified hotel maid. Once I get them out of the package

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-37860000184878288602007-08-30T16:57:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:41:44.496-04:00

We had our second test today. Testing procedure means that when we finish the test we hand it in and then leave the room. Naturally, we congregated in the break room comparing answers. I wasn't too thrilled with my performance and became concerned when I had a number of answers that were different from other students. We got our tests back in the afternoon and I was surprised to find that I

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-49525767575615577292007-08-29T07:31:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:44:29.001-04:00

We had our first clinical this week. My group is at a nursing home and we were each assigned a rehab resident to take vital signs on. I was assigned to a cute little old gentleman who kept thanking me for taking his blood pressure. Let's just say he wasn't quite oriented x3, but he was nice and appreciative.My favorite moment was while I was waiting for my instructor in the breakfast room with

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-58651352525226949902007-08-26T06:55:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:41:44.497-04:00

Each day this week I tried to sit down and write an entry about something funny or unusual that happened in class this week, but nothing seemed to stand out. I think off handed things my instructors said were more funny than anything. My favorite was:"Don't do that, you will kill the patient."We also had our first test this week and I did really well. It was a relief because I had no idea how

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-9353103493768096952007-08-26T06:54:00.001-04:002007-08-26T06:54:30.515-04:00

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-36063449955348420922007-08-24T07:25:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:41:44.498-04:00

We were told that each day will seem really long, but then time will seem to fly by. That is exactly how this week felt. We learned so much this week I can't believe it. By the end of today I will have learned how to do a full nursing assessment. That's a lot of info to absorb in a week. Now we have to start practicing our technique. I have to go find an eyeliner so that I can mark up BB's

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-34992133756409385852007-08-19T19:07:00.001-04:002008-04-26T07:41:44.498-04:00

I broke down and ordered some knee high support hose to wear with my pants uniform. I figured I would give the half ones a try before trying the full ones that go with the dress. I anticipate I will be wearing the pants set more than the dress. I have visions of bending over the wrong way and giving an elderly gentleman a heart attack from fright.I also decided to buy an additional stethoscope

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-79631723515126866632007-08-18T08:00:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:42:40.823-04:00

Today in class the instructor used a skeleton to demonstrate something and she mentioned that she gave it one name, but that we could rename it if we wanted. Now you would expect names like "Mr. Bones" or "Skeletor" would be mentioned. Oh no, there was a one second beat and then I think most of the class at once said, "Ernest"which was immediately followed by laughter. You see, Ernest* was our

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-89025410813049390592007-08-18T07:44:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:42:40.823-04:00

I meant to post on Monday, we are not a man down. The student in question rejoined us after having some "coming to God" time with his wife and the head of the program. I don't know if it was a compliment or an insult that when I heard his voice and went to meet him and the first words out of my mouth were, "Holy Shit."

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-92215048060015958072007-08-17T06:30:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:42:40.823-04:00

I absolutely cracked up (laughed, not had a nervous breakdown) in class yesterday. Our instructor casually mentioned that we will be doing physical assessments on each other as well as bathing. You think she asked us to strip down and do the hula right there and then! The SHOCK that we would be touching each other was highly amusing. Her response was "Didn't you think about how you were going

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-9161485154182603372007-08-16T19:05:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:42:40.824-04:00

I've been sitting in lectures all week, so there's nothing really funny to report. We have been assigned into so many different groups for labs, clinicals, projects, etc that when a fellow classmate came up to me and said, "I'm in your group and I have a question." I just looked at her with a blank expression and had to ask "Which one?"

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-76907750346722696052007-08-14T20:51:00.001-04:002007-08-14T20:54:24.451-04:00

BB has been contemplating getting an outside dog to scare away the deer that are consuming his strawberries. He wants to name it Peeve.. so he can introduce it as his "Pet Peeve."I was doing my reading last night and found another good possibility. I like the name Cerumen which means earwax.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-76175336426724200652007-08-13T19:38:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:42:40.824-04:00

Today in class we covered how to write a nursing diagnosis. I was driving home and as I was approaching my exit the car in front of me decided to exit too, however he decided to come to almost a complete stop just before the exit. It prompted me to write my first nursing diagnosis for the driver.Immobility at exit ramp related to inability to get head out of ass in time as evidenced by the

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-84096187898483586292007-08-13T03:28:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:42:40.825-04:00

In little under 6 hours I start my first class. BB packed my lunch last night (thank you sweetheart), I finished my homework and I packed my school bag. Other than the fact it is 3:30 am and I woke up from a nightmare about searching for a charge nurse to report HIPPA violations, I'm ready to go.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-3962076566187986702007-08-11T07:59:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:42:40.825-04:00

Well, the first student hit the dust. I had to go to school yesterday to pick up a book and ran into a couple of classmates. They told me that one of our two guys dropped out. He's got a lot of responsibilities on his plate at the moment, but I don't think any of us saw this coming. I'm really saddened by this because he is funny as hell and would have been a great classmate.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-17273285016647223652007-08-09T19:07:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:42:40.825-04:00

I bought and put together two new fans because of the heat we are enduring. We have air conditioning, but with heat over 100 everyday and not much cool air coming at night, it just can't keep up.I went today for my employee health appointment at the hospital. All it was about was a reminder for me to get the last of my Hepatitis B vaccinations in November. I immediately went to HR and got my

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-87512493742815129552007-08-08T17:45:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:42:40.826-04:00

The main part of Orientation is OVER! YIPPEEE!Today they pulled out the big guns and we had our overview of the two classes we will be taking. One of them is strictly classroom based and covers the profession of nursing, history, current nursing issues and other effluvia. I think as a class we were overwhelmed by the amount of work needed for the class and underwhelmed with the realization

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-16309585006970466842007-08-07T17:40:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:42:40.827-04:00

It was necessary for me to change my blog title. I have found out that we no longer have to wear the caps. I have never heard such a loud sigh of relief when we were told the news.There were several reasons why the caps were discontinued as part of the uniform. The main reason was that the students voted on not wearing them. They tend to get knocked off and they are an infection control

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-27884184748517612392007-08-07T17:31:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:42:40.827-04:00

Day #2 is finished and I have no homework tonight! Yeah! It was a long day filled with HIPPA videos, hospital tours and not as much paperwork. It was a lot of hurry up and waiting. Considering the heat index was 113 today it made for a very long day.Our clinical instructors gave us the hospital tour. During the tour we were warned about tomorrow. We were told we should bring some Motrin

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-11784668978171753182007-08-06T19:02:00.001-04:002008-04-26T07:42:40.827-04:00

Today one of my classmates said it was the first day of the rest of her life. She was right, we are all entering a new world.The day was great. We filled out a LOT of paperwork today and listen to some people come in and talk about security, the chaplaincy program and my favorite: Risk Management.Part of our clinical rotations will be in VA facilities, so we had to fill out all the paperwork

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-12699061761811747082007-08-02T17:38:00.000-04:002007-08-02T17:41:16.887-04:00

I had to take a "College Math" course as part of my pre-req's. I went in on the first night thinking "OK, we will review some polynomial equations, maybe a little trig thrown in for some good measure."Boy was I wrong!The subject matter consisted of us learning factoring, Venn Diagrams, fundamental geometry and other meaningless stuff. I think at least half of what we covered where concepts that I

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-56302030965982907462007-08-01T20:09:00.000-04:002007-08-01T20:17:48.109-04:00

I found the following site that allows you to map out the places in the world you have been. I have a lot of work to do if I want to get into the double digits. It is going to be a few years before I can expand my map, but once I can.. I'll be hitting the double digits in no time.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-52435985441422290292007-08-01T11:39:00.000-04:002007-08-01T11:44:44.217-04:00

This post isn't a funny one. It's an observation of my pre-req classes that I had to endure.The nursing program that I am attending is associated with a college in my state which I have affectionately named Pickle U. In order to get the associates degree in health science that is awarded along with the diploma from the nursing school we had to take 18 credits with Pickle U. I could give a rats

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-3462804919857994792007-07-31T19:28:00.000-04:002007-07-31T19:36:40.340-04:00

Since I have some free time I met BB at his place of employment today and we went out to lunch. While eating we had a discussion about the Mayo Clinic. A few years ago we were up there and were so impressed with the staff because they really seemed to enjoy their jobs. BB asked me after I have my RN if I would ever want to work up there. Naturally, my reply in proper Minnesotan was, "Ya Sure,

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-6708495445858340682007-07-31T19:25:00.000-04:002007-07-31T19:26:25.849-04:00

I think that nursing schools weed out some students just through their admissions process.If you want to get into a nursing school these are the steps you might have to go through before you can step through the door:Fill out an applicationGet 3 (but I got 4) letters of recommendationGo to the Post office and get a cashiers check for application feeGet all of your schools to send transcripts (I'm

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-77059642397424941582007-07-31T19:18:00.000-04:002007-07-31T19:20:57.024-04:00

The fact that I had the time to find this clip or that I felt the need to share it.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-34751137167075356652007-07-27T18:34:00.000-04:002007-07-27T18:50:02.194-04:00

A few years ago my father had open heart surgery. One of the complications from the procedure is that he has gone into into (afib) atrial fibrillation.To correct the arrhythmia, he is sedated and then shocked with a defibrillator, which is called cardioversion. Since he recently slipped back into afib, he is scheduled for another cardioversion.While talking with BB about it I theorized that we

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-81941437336256118922007-07-25T07:14:00.001-04:002007-07-25T07:29:04.306-04:00

BB and I took a long weekend and went to Asheville, NC. The whole idea was to get away and just relax, so no - we did not go to the Biltmore.We stayed at an awesome B&B called the Lion and the Rose. The breakfast they serve is outstanding. It filled us up so much we didn't need to eat lunch the entire time we were there! The highlight of the trip was a visit to Shoji, a Japanese themed outdoor

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-66468545054966295162007-07-19T08:48:00.000-04:002007-07-19T09:16:51.552-04:00

It is finished. 6 months, countless hours, a LOT of spackle, a few minor injuries and we can finally say the office has been redecorated. Between school, working and normal activities it has taken us a really long time to get this done. I can't even begin describe the amount of prep work that went into getting the room ready to paint and put the floor down. Here are some before and after

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-61024653357023203752007-07-17T17:29:00.000-04:002007-07-17T17:35:38.590-04:00

Day #2 of my vacation was as productive as the first. It's amazing the number of things you can get done when you don't work. This just seems like a long weekend rather than extended time off. BB has been making fun of me ever morning. Normally, he has to drag me out of bed. Not the last two days... I've gotten up before him and even gotten the coffee and have been (gasp) in a good mood.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-22349896652826943042007-07-14T14:03:00.000-04:002007-07-14T14:09:02.576-04:00

BB has planted a garden this year and today we needed to blanch and freeze some green beans. Rochester made a point to inspect our work and help us.

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-49228007947858596152007-07-14T06:44:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:42:40.828-04:00

That seems like a simple question, but for me it is a complicated answer. There are so many factors that went into the decision to go to nursing school that it is hard to distill them into a single answer.Last night BB (AKA Big Brain, my husband) and I were talking about this very question and my difficulty in answering it without sounding like either an idealistic freak or a complete

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-15150396120268158062007-07-13T20:23:00.000-04:002007-07-13T20:27:44.175-04:00

Today was the last day of work for me. I have been temping at a big pharmaceutical company for the past year. While the work was at times a bit like the movie Groundhog Day, the people I worked for and along side with were remarkable. I believe that everyone who comes into my life does so for a reason. I think that I will take away more from this experience than I could ever hope to give. It

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-5528112484285789652007-07-13T09:54:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:45:29.277-04:00

Yes, I know it should be Surgeons General, but based on some news reports it sounds like the people who have held this position fought an upstream battle.Former G. W. Bush appointed Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona is accusing the Bush administration for interfering on issues like stem cell research and emergency contraception because it didn't fit their political agenda. Excuse me while I

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-78501797989669898562007-07-12T08:09:00.000-04:002007-07-12T08:30:40.511-04:00

I was SO hopeful that I had everything I needed into the school regarding my health forms. Alas, this is not the case, I still have to chase down some loose ends. I think I will be writing a post about the process of getting into nursing school. I think they weed people out just through the admissions process. I'm beginning to wonder if their motto is "If you can survive getting in, then you will

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5849087115711944495.post-23855508955277117962007-07-11T06:11:00.000-04:002008-04-26T07:41:00.355-04:00

This week is the deadline for tuition payment for the first semester of school. I went there to pay the balance of what my loans didn’t cover. While I was writing the check I had trouble remembering the date, wrote the amount on the Pay To: line and desperately wanted to write on the memo line: OHMYGODWHATAMIDOING. Instead I voided the check and wrote the correct one. I don’t think it was

Cathy X. Ishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180637279695943058noreply@blogger.com0