Week 11 as a level 3 nursing student

Yet again, a late entry. Sorry folks, it's been a bit crazy as of late. Week 11 was a bit frustrating for me but I was very enlightened with all the assessments I was able to perform (all.....two of them haha!). I was able to get along very well with my patient and learned so much about her. She was a fellow nursing student! I was so excited. I honestly feel that the ability to remember the names of patients and their family members really builds a fast an effective rapport. I always think about how special I feel when someone remembers my name and I try to do the same thing.

That week, I was able to do my first newborn assessment. I have had quite a bit of interaction with children and babies, in my life, I'd say. Through St John, I have been able to practice flipping babies from back onto front for the CPR protocols but flipping a REAL baby is so different. I was kind of nervous, I'm not going to lie. I know the technique, but actually executing the process is different! A bit daunting, but also very exciting. Babies are very resilient. Hehe.

Something I find very frustrating as a student is going onto a new ward and getting acquainted with all the new knowledge. I feel as though it's a constant world of not-knowing and trying not to look stupid. In week 11, we were only able to do the basic maternal assessments and we had JUST learned the baby assessments, we weren't able to do baby baths or much else. I just find it a bit frustrating when I'm trying to find something to do and I keep on asking the other nurses if there's something I can do but the things I'm able to do are so limited. Oh well, see the next entry for a more optimistic view!

In PBL, we were able to get a fair bit ahead! We were able to start class in week 12 an hour later! I was very excited to be able to sleep an additional hour for week 12.