Week 3 as a Level 1 Nursing Student

You know how they say time flies when you're having fun? It's so true. I can't really complain because I'm quite enjoying it. I think the over anticipation of it all has really helped me. Becoming a nurse, I've come to realize...and by realize, I mean it's been forced down my throat for the past 2.5 weeks, is a very reflective process. We're currently enrolled in 6 courses and 3 out of those 6 include self reflection, group reflection, and discovering who you are and what shapes you. If you know me well enough, you should know that I majorly dig this kind of stuff. I am quickly finding myself falling more and more in love with this program and what I'm doing. I wouldn't exactly say that my courses are difficult, and believe me, being in St John has helped tremendously, but there's just alot of material to get through and finish. It's alot of reading, and alot of journal writing, but there's a purpose to everything I'm doing, even if I can't see the immediate rewards, so I will endure.

I had my very first patient on Wednesday and it was such a great experience. I didn't build a great bond with them like many of my classmates managed to do with their patients, but I think that's going to be something I work on. I wanted to do my assessments on him without my "cheat sheets" because I feel that I should be able to do it and also for patient comfort. I was super excited when I got almost everything..I missed checking the pupillary response. Rookie mistake!!! Literally, rookie mistake - I have to do that in St. John, too!! I was pretty choked about that, but I was excited that I got everything else without having to consult my sheets. After interacting with an actual patient and not my classmates, the realization of, "Hey, I'm going to be working on people who don't have scripted responses...." has finally kicked in. I left the hospital thinking, "AWESOME! I CAN DO THIS! IM GONNA BE A NURSE!!!" Of course, I'm just waiting until I have a bad day. One where I'll leave the hospital thinking, "Oh my god, I can't do this." But until then, I'm going to continue floating around on this cloud of euphoria I have claimed possession of.

In terms of my presentation next week, I completed it yesterday at 2am!! I made my very first powerpoint presentation! It was all very exciting for me. Monday, I will hopefully work on my magnets. If I don't get those done, I'm not going to worry, though. It's time permitting. Otherwise, I just have to practice and copy and paste the important information onto my handouts! Chutzpah!

Back to my readings! Adios for now!