the First Exam

How can it be that I've only just been in class for three weeks and I've already been presented with an amount of knowledge that should accompany months of study??? Indeed from one course alone I am already expected to know the entire system of fluid balance within the body - how it works, what can go wrong, how you can tell if it goes wrong and ways to fix it, Electrolyte management within the many systems of the body, normal vital signs, hormone and electrolyte levels and the basics of how to do and entire body assessment upon entering a patients room...oh, AND the basics of the cardiac system - paths, jobs, diseases and basic EKGs. One course. And we're being tested over all of that on Monday. Yes, my dear readers - two days from now. Holy cow. My weekend is filled with studying and I am amazed at how much I already know compared to this time last month when I sat in a moving truck traveling across thousands of miles of asphalt!

So, the study is going well, but needless to say it is already taking a toll. Just to prove my point:

Some nursing school friends and I two weeks ago - at the beginning of the semester.

And now - in the midst of studying. Boo Hoo!

I hope all of you are getting more sleep than I at the moment! :)

First step - look the role

The true journey to nurse-hood has officially begun. True, it technically started several weeks ago when I moved to New Haven and started classes, orientation even. But, yesterday was my first day in the hospital. I donned my scrubs, lab coat, fake crocs, ID badge and stethoscope and headed out of the house to be there for the 7am shift. True, we didn't do much "hands-on" work yesterday - it was just orientation. But, it was interesting and exciting to enter a hospital for the first time with a tiny ounce of clinical knowledge.

I'll be working on the cardiac floor - mostly with post-op patients. I am particularly excited about this assignment because I had a two week "orientation" to the cardiac floor in Houston a few months ago when my dad underwent bypass surgery. I am excited and interested to see this now from the other side. So much to learn!

In my scrubs...

and lab coat!

Today I have the 7-1 shift again and will actually start working with the patients. We have been officially learned to check vital signs: temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure. We've also learned how to change a bed (with hospital corners) and give a bed bath for those patients too weak or too sick to get out of bed. It's in my head...now I just need to transfer it to my hands. Wish me luck!

A little of Connecticut

Alas, grad school seems to eat up every moment of my time already and I have been slow to post any pictures and stories from my time here in New Haven thus far. I shall try to make a routine that allows me to update this blog more often. But, at the moment, I have piles of studies sitting (literally) between me and this keyboard and I must get to work. So for now these pictures from my mom's visit up here this weekend will have to suffice.

Mom came up for the weekend and we spent Saturday taking a road trip through the back roads of Connecticut. I plotted a route on the map and mom exclaimed that it would simply take us forever to drive. In fact, it took about an hour and a half. Toto, we're not in Texas anymore! :) So, we set out on our drive.

After changing plans a few times, we decided on a cute 2 lane road through the country and it was perfect because we happened upon and Lewiz farm - produce and antique shop:

Continuing on, we enjoyed driving through the crisp, cool autmn air amidst the lush trees and stone fences:

Soon we came upon a beautiful draw bridge, which we drove over slowly several times to take in the view (and, of course, get some pictures)

Our road trip ended at the shore in Meridian, CT. We found a great little resaurant (The Warf) where we sat watching the sunset, eating clam chowder and fish and chips. Beautiful!!!

Today we started our day at a Catholic church in the neighborhood and then hiked up "East Rock" which is only a few blocks away from my house. What a view!

On my porch - ready for a walk

a street near mine

"East Rock"

On top of East Rock with New Haven behind us

part of New Haven and the Long Island Sound

Look, it's my house!

It was a good visit and a beautiful time.

Classes Start Tomorrow!!!

I'm all settled in to New Haven now and I promise to upload some pictures just as soon as every last box is out of my bedroom and I put up the wall hangings. Unfortunately, that is yet the case on this eve of the beginning of my journey into nursing.

Orientation week was great - the group of students in my Pre-speciality RN/MSN program is truly remarkable. We come from something like 35 states and have studied in over 180 different institutions of higher learning. That's even more remarkable seeing as there are only around 100 of us (maybe up to 120). The group includes lawyers, teachers, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (five of us), social workers and a pipe organ builder (who helped build the largest pipe organ in the world!) Degrees held in the group vary from theatre to public policy to English to various sciences to public health to education to...to....to... It is an interesting and diverse group of people.

So, we were bombarded with information during orientation and given the tools to get us started on this incredible journey. I am sitting in my room, after this beautiful labor day weekend, reading over the notes for tomorrow's lecture. We do get one introductory day before jumping off the Olympic high dive. In two weeks we will be actively in the hospitals, 2 shifts a week, under the observation and guidance of preceptors in the medical-surgical units. I can't wait. And I'm scared to death.

I must return to my note reading, but I did want to leave you with this cute cartoon that one of our professors sent us via e-mail. I think it accurately describes our state at the moment. But, not for long....