-Video validations- This is how we are tested on our skills. We go into a small exam room with a surveillance looking camera on the ceiling, set up our DVD to record, and go into the room to perform our skill. We get to watch these before turning them in (which is a blessing and a curse). There are "critical elements" that cannot be missed (some of which are random and super picky) and if you fail any of these it is a 3% deduction in the final class grade. I have done the first one 3 times now, each time being nearly flawless, but still worried that I didn't say the exact right thing at the right time, etc...so have continued to re-do. It is literally a script that takes about 25 minutes to say everything. I'm sure these will get better but for now they are the source of a LOT of stress in my life. I know the neurologic and hormonal stress responses (HPA axis) in more detail than I would have every imagined (but that knowledge landed me an especially good score on my first pathopharm test, so I'll take it), and the increased gastric juice secretion from the stress response in my body feels like it's eating my stomach lining away...but the curbing of my appetite has preventing me from gaining weight as my workouts significantly decrease (see, there's a positive in everything :)
-Shoes- I have been having an internal struggle as to whether or not I wanted to spend over $100 on shoes to wear for clinicals. After my first week of clinical, I decided to make the plunge,
and I bought a pair of black patent leather Dansko clogs. And it even surprises me, but I think I'm going to love them, and I will obviously have ample opportunity to wear them. On a side note, bought these at Dillard's the other night, and fortunately/unfortunately went the night they were having a huge sale. I came out of the store with 4 pairs of shoes! (the clogs, 2 pairs of boots (real leather and super nice), and a pair of yellow flats (that Grant of course insisted I buy because he hopes to some day paint a car the exact color of them)) . And better yet, all 3 pairs of non-work shoes together cost less than the clogs!-Workouts- Between the hours that I am in school or having to work, I literally have almost no time to do anything else. Luckily, I have found a girl in my class who also likes to workout, and we often go to the Johnson Center between classes. This has been a hard transition because I hate getting ready for the day only to get sweaty at lunch time, but if I'm going to stay in shape (and yes, I did sign up for the Derby half marathon again, and no I will not be able to run it as fast as I did last year because I have no time to train but oh well), I'm going to have to continue to do this. Love the screen on the treadmill that allows me to virtually run around a track...gives me a good push being able to see it visually.
-Study groups- I was worried about this in the beginning, choosing a group of people to study with, making sure I connected socially with them, but that they were also able to help me learn, etc. I feel like I have a good group of friends/study buddies now, and it's actually made studying much more fun and manageable.
Well again, that's a lot of talk and not a lot of pictures (the opposite of most of my posts), but since I have a hard time finding time to actually write in my journal, this will have to do. Feel free to read them or not, but I'm hoping to document my nursing school joys and woes here :)
"I'd rather have chlamydia than Emphysema." -Rachel. (These are the comments that emerge when you're locked away in the medical library basement, crammed into a study room, stressed about a test). Provides good comic relief though : )
No, I think your friend might want to reconsider the chlamydia thing. I worked in an doctor's office that saw a bit of it. Not good.
ReplyDeleteTaryn, I can understand that you worry about all this, but I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that you will not only succeed, but that you will do fabulously. Hang in there girl.
5 years ago you would have never thought about wearing those shoes. Awesome. And of course you're rocking the tests and video assignments - you're a genius!
ReplyDeleteI will read your Nursing school diary. Maybe I will get a good idea of what I might be in for some day. Good job for getting those workouts in when you can!
ReplyDeleteI continue to be totally amazed at your committment to school, your journal, your marriage and your church. I am sure I would do the same, except I may not be as good about the workouts. Congratulations on how well you are doing and keep on plugging but enjoying the experience.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you! You will seriously be done before you know it. It goes by fast. It sounds like you are doing good though. It is fun to hear about it. I don't think I realized how busy it really was until I was done...but it gets better and it it totally worth it. I kind of miss it now. Continue to post about it. :) Oh, and I LOVE your shoes. A good pair of shoes is totally worth it because sometimes you honestly don't sit down for 12 hours at a time. :)
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