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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> Updates on Nursing School
        
(Message started by: Lizzie2 on Aug 22^nd, 2004, 6:23am)

Title: Updates on Nursing School
Post by Lizzie2 on Aug 22^nd, 2004, 6:23am

Well this past Friday, I officially finished my first semester at Jefferson for my 2nd degree nursing program! I had my last week of clinical on Monday-Wednesday, and then I had finals on Thursday and Friday. It was a very intense and busy week, but I'm glad that I got through it! So far I'm just missing one exam grade, but I've gotten A's and B's in everything else! I feel relief over that especially since I really didn't study for finals very much because of the CH and other headache pain.

So finishing up this semester actually equates to being 1/4 of the way to becoming a full fledged nurse! Crazy that it is going this fast. Seems like it wasn't all that long ago that I graduated from Penn State. :)

I really like nursing, even though sometimes I think that I can't do it. I told my mom tonight (in the midst of some pretty bad pain), that the only reason I don't quit school sometimes is because I need to have a job to get health insurance. That sounds so awful!! Honestly it isn't how I feel most of the time, but that is how I feel when the pain is really bad and I'm having a hard time getting the things done that need to be done.

Next semester I move on to Cardiac for the first 6 weeks. I will be doing clinical in the evenings on Monday -Wednesday, which works out well for me because I am not a morning person in any way shape or form! (And yeah, I know I'm writing this at 6:30am...LOL) It means that I will have to put in extra time on almost every Sunday for those six weeks because of how the scheduling worked out, but I'd still rather be doing the evening thing!

I forget if I posted publicly or not that I also got a part-time job to help defray costs and to gain more experience. I got hired as a nurse extern, which is somewhere between a nurse's aide and a full-fledged nurse. I get to do pretty much anything except give meds. I will be working on a renal/urology/transplant floor starting at the end of September. The committment for now is every other weekend and then I am allowed to put in time wherever I want on top of that. I don't think this is the kind of floor I will ultimately want to work on, but it is going to be a really great experience. And heck, I will be a pro at inserting and removing catheters by the time this is done! LOL!!

So I just wanted to give an update. I'm on my week off now, so I came back home to my real house, which is nice! I get a little time to spend with my family and my dog. :) We're going to the beach in NJ today for the day, and otherwise this week will just be continuing to work on the insurance battles and trying to relax!

Just wanted to give an update! Thanks for the support you all always give. I think it is helping me get through my education, and also I have big motivations for becoming a nurse after going through what we all go through with this beast!!

Hugz,
Carrie/Lizzie2 :)

Title: Re: Updates on Nursing School
Post by synergy on Aug 22^nd, 2004, 7:18am

Great news!!!! What a relief the exams are over - that part is never fun.

Keeo going with your study hun and stay strong with it. Im glad your enjoying and when your a fully fledged nurse you can start educating other nurses on CH!!!!

Good luck and keep us posted on everything

luv sarah and marc xx

Title: Re: Updates on Nursing School
Post by E-Double on Aug 22^nd, 2004, 7:23am

Congrats L-Double :)

Very inspiring and a perfect example of how to push forward while enduring the presence of our "friend" as well as other obstacles.

Good for you and keep it up ;)

Best,

E-Double

Title: Re: Updates on Nursing School
Post by Kevin_M on Aug 22^nd, 2004, 7:46am

Great job, as usual Lizzy.

Sometimes reminding myself of the insurance from my job makes it a non-thinking decision to go everyday and do good. Good insurance is a valuable commodity.

Good catheter-putter-inners are well appreciated. :)

You've done lots during very difficult times for yourself.

Great to hear! ;;D

Kevin M

Title: Re: Updates on Nursing School
Post by Gator on Aug 22^nd, 2004, 7:51am

Glad to hear you are doing so well. Sounds like you are going to get some well deserved R & R.

The temp job sounds like it will be a good experience. You don't want to mess with meds right now anyways. Big time PITA and potential liability you don't need at this stage. I was a certified Medication Administration Technician when I worked in a juvenile detention facility. One of my "Extra Duties" that I didn't get paid for. I hated giving meds.

Keep up the good work. I know you are going to be a fantastic nurse some day.

Gator

Title: Re: Updates on Nursing School
Post by Opus on Aug 22^nd, 2004, 9:15am

Thanks for the update,

I worked a horrible low paying job for years just for the health insurance. I hope you comtinue to get good grades.

Opus/Paul

Title: Re: Updates on Nursing School
Post by IndianaJohn on Aug 22^nd, 2004, 12:36pm

Congrats Carrie! You just keep showing that beast that he can't keep you down!

Title: Re: Updates on Nursing School
Post by broomhilda on Aug 22^nd, 2004, 12:44pm

Carrie, awesome news, I knew you could do it :D

I am so proud of you, keep fighting and make no obstacle get in your way!!!

Enjoy your week at home, with your parents, your dog and the beach :)

Hugs

Andrea

Title: Re: Updates on Nursing School
Post by Melissa on Aug 22^nd, 2004, 1:33pm

Wow Carrie, sounds like you are really kicking some tail! Wish I had the smarts like that...

You're doing a great job, and I'm really proud of you!

:)mel

Title: Re: Updates on Nursing School
Post by Charlie on Aug 22^nd, 2004, 6:24pm

Nice going kid.

You sound good to me and I hope you can keep our resdient horror at bay for the next couple of centuries.

Charlie

Title: Re: Updates on Nursing School
Post by Lizzie2 on Aug 22^nd, 2004, 8:35pm

Thanks for the words of encouragement...means a lot! :)

The beach was nice today...mostly relaxing until the sun and heat started bugging at my head and my dad got mad at me for telling him to get the cigarette out of the car! LMAO ;) (Yeah I know I'm preaching to the wrong crowd on this one!)

Gator,

we actually do give out meds as nursing students. Probably by my 2nd week of clinical I was giving out meds? Just started running IV meds more recently. Scary, huh? hehehe Actually we are all overly cautious and not allowed to give out meds without our instructor or another nurse witnessing and co-signing them out with us. I do like the meds stuff...especially the IVs because it gives me something interesting to do sometimes! But when I'm working in the externship, may be nice to get a break from the meds stuff!

Thanks again for all the support!

Carrie/Lizzie2 :)

Title: Re: Updates on Nursing School
Post by Jeepgun on Aug 23^rd, 2004, 8:41am

Awesome, Carrie. Congratulations on all that you've accomplished. Keep on kickin' ass! :)

Title: Re: Updates on Nursing School
Post by lionsound on Aug 23^rd, 2004, 11:02am

Oh, Good for you Carrie! I love hearing your uplifting news!

Enjoy your much deserved break.

Title: Re: Updates on Nursing School
Post by stuey on Aug 23^rd, 2004, 1:14pm

This is good news. You sound like you will be successful and dedicated so GO FOR YOURS!