It's tough but it flies!

I can't believe I'm finished my second semester classes! I can't remember any other period in my life flying by like these last few months have - It's pretty incredible and wonderful :). I remember the looks on peoples' faces when they'd hear how long my degree program was before I started. I tried not to let them get to me by trying to convince myself that time would go by quickly and I'm so impressed that I was right...so far at least. lol. At the same time I keep having to remind myself to cherish the experience of nursing school and the friendship and support of my classmates as I'm sure I'll miss all of this like crazy once it's over - the way I missed high school when I graduate(eons ago) even though at the time I willed it to speed by.

I was starting to feel a little bit burnt out by the end of this semester but I'm feeling refreshed now. It feels amazing to be done classes and ONLY have studying for exams to worry about. I have two exams this coming week and two the week after. Then I'm finished!.. for a few days at least, before spring semester begins. :) I'm taking two classes during spring which hopefully wont be TOO difficult. One is my statistics class which Im sort of dreading as I'm definitely no math whiz. I'm going to try my best to stay on top of homework, hopefully that will help.

My classes this semester have been decent for the most part. My nursing class was once again pretty much a self-taught class which leaves me sort of POed. I enjoyed my nursing lab though - our teacher was terrific. We had our scary skills tests again last week and I passed. We only had two skills to prepare for this time which made it less stressful, although they were both sterile procedures (simple wound dressing and catheterization) which added a bit of difficulty/ heightened chance of failing.

We already had to registered for fall, which seems soooo far away (but will probably creep up fast). I'm very happy to have most of my classes and my clinical with people I've become close with. I'm extremely thankful to have clinical with good friends as Im worried our next one is going to be much more stressful. We start doing meds in the fall as well as more care.

I don't feel like I'm very well prepared for this second clinical because many of the patients I had this semester were extremely independent. So instead of doing bed baths and alike, I was walking beside 4 wheel walkers chatting about the war and delivery ice chips. lol. Don't get me wrong, being on this unit did teach me a lot and was a terrific experience but I'm worried I'll be expected to know a lot more then I do come next semester. I'll let you know how that goes.

I'm also in the process of applying for a summer nursing aide job (like Im sure MANY other first year nursing students are doing). I've applied with the government as well as with a couple of private agencies but I haven't heard anything back yet. I'm not holding my breath as I'm sure I have tons of competition but I'd love to gain some more experience providing care to patients.


Well I better get back to cramming :)

Thanks for stopping by!!

Lou