Procrastination at play...so here I am

So I'm really supposed to be studying for my first TNI exam on Monday.  I really *should* be studying for my first TNI exam on Monday.  But I'm not.  Just can't quite make myself get into that proper mindset yet.  Dragging feet.  So I'll yak about my week instead.

• ATI Critical Thinking test -- still not sure what this means, but we all took this test this week.  It wasn't too bad...think SAT/ACT-like questions.  We got our results immediately and out of the 6 areas, I do very well in 4, and not so well in the other 2.  I got 100% in the 4...then a 55% in inference and a 75% in explanation.  The inference I can kind of see...but explanation..?  I used to be a teacher...and I thought I'd been able to explain things fairly well...?  *shrug*

• Assessment lab -- got to do a mock skin, hair, nail, and ears assessment on my partner, complete with using an otoscope for the first time.  Our instructor went around and checked us off on blood pressure...and I passed!  

• Went through the rather dull computer training, so we can now use the computer system at the hospital to input patient info.  In theory, anyway.  Hoping my first time out I will have lots of help.

• Community clinical -- first time out.  I was at the county Health Department in the WIC offices, although I didn't end up doing much with WIC.  The nurse I was assigned to is the department's TB nurse, so I ended up seeing a lot more TB stuff than WIC.  I feel like I learned quite a bit regardless.  I also went to the Family Planning clinic to sit in with a couple appointments (one of my classmates was with them for the day and thought I needed to observe a couple procedures)...that was really interesting!  I'm assigned to the Family Planning clinic in March and I'm looking forward to going back.

I had lots of paperwork to do this week...and I'm glad to say it is all finished and ready to be turned in next week.  The only thing I have to do is study.  I've got most of tomorrow -- I have social plans during the day and later that night *squee* -- and all day Sunday.  I think I'm going to just throw in the towel and head to the local college library so I won't be tempted to watch the Super Bowl.

Alrighty...I suppose I procrastinated enough.  Guess I better do at least some studying...boooo

Happy weekend, y'all!

Slowly getting there...

Officially finished with the 2nd week...not going to mention how many more to go  ;-)

I feel like we haven't really done much, but I'm guessing that will change in the next couple of weeks.  I don't anticipate much change with the lecture classes -- sit and take notes, discuss, ask questions, etc. -- although we do have some group presentations at some point for a couple of the classes.  Regarding labs and clinicals, we're working our way to our regular schedule.  Week 4 is the first week we'll be in both labs and both clinicals.  One more week of prep and then we're doing the real thing!

This past week we had our first labs for Health Assessment and TNI:

• Health Assessment -- we just worked through our complete health history packet with our classmates.  The goal was to get us acquainted with the 26 pages (I am not kidding...26 pages!!) of questions so we'll have a better idea of what to expect when the time comes for us to do our real assignment.  Now, after having looked at some of the questions in this sucker, and knowing how detailed and specific some questions get, I have no idea who I plan to interview for my assignment.  I love my friends and family, but I really don't need to know them quite this well!

• TNI -- over last weekend, we were supposed to watch certain skills videos to prep us for lab.  I'm proud to say I got all my videos watched and did well on the review quizzes  :-)  Anyway, in lab itself, we worked with our supervisors on giving bed baths, making beds, providing peri care*, putting on TED hose, and using a gait belt.  She demonstrated, then we had to run through the skills ourselves.  I will say it's more than a bit awkward to talk to a mannequin (Mr./Mrs. Smith, whichever the interchangeable parts may indicate) as if it's a real person, especially with your fellow classmates watching.  But, I did it, and I think I'll be good to go for our skills evaluation this week.

*provided much fodder for laughable moments...especially when the female supervisor, when changing Mrs. Smith to Mr. Smith, said to the male supervisor "I need your penis"  :D

I was supposed to have my first Community Health clinical this past Thursday, but bad weather put a kink in those plans.  Not sure what we'll do, but our instructor says we'll have some kind of make-up or alternate clinical.  I was bummed because I was looking forward to having clinical...but then again, I know I have plenty of future opportunities.

So that's a good wrap-up of week 2 of Kendra's adventures in nursing school...not too many adventures on which to report yet, but stick around, I'm sure this space will contain more "adventures" soon enough.

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Now, an off topic and somewhat girly-girl mention before I head over to Blackboard to take a skills quiz:  Cartoon Characters asked me what color I use on my hair.  I always use Garnier Nutrisse and the color varies each time.  I just colored my hair in December and used shade #56, Medium Reddish Brown (Sangria)...although it's faded quite a bit already.  I'm going to let it slide until about March and then re-color it.  Not sure what color I'll go with then, but it'll no doubt be some form of red again.  I'm still digging my red hair, even if it comes from a box.

OK, girly-girlness is over for now.  :-)

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Thanks for stopping by and thanks for comments...all are appreciated!

Have yourself a good weekend and best of luck to those who are starting classes this coming week!