Monday, December 29, 2008

New Year's Chaos

So, it is the last few days of the year, and what does every pregnant family want right now? A birthed baby, of course. Gotta have that tax deduction and there are only a few days between Christmas and New Year's in which to get in all these deliveries so healthcare providers don't get their holiday festivities interrupted.

I hate working this week, but I knew we were going to be slammed, and being on winter break from school, I have the time and need the money.

Last night was a zoo......eight scheduled procedures to come in, not to mention the five triages we had. Three of those stayed and two or them delivered before shift change. Tonight will be no different.....there are seven procedures scheduled and we will be tightly staffed because all those who came in last night will be delivered so half the scheduled staff will be doing postpartum tonight. This will leave just enough nurses to take care of the scheduled procedures.......heaven forbid a triage walk through the door. The powers to be just don't understand that! They fill us up with procedures and make no concession for the women who actually go into labor and just show up.......what? women can actually go into labor on their own? you don't have to schedule their deliveries....grrrrrr!!!

Okay, just had to rant a little.

Hope everyone is gearing up for a great start to the new year! Bring on 2009!!

Friday, December 26, 2008

Unintentional hiatus......catching up

Okay, so I feel like a bit of a slacker. I haven't blogged in two months and I told myself when I started this that I would keep up with it. I have a bad habit of starting something and being all excited about it at first and then, well.....

I must say that ALOT has happened in the past three months. I managed to survive my second term in grad school and again walked away with three A's. I loved the decision making course, it made me really think about how to do a history and the questions to ask and how to put your biases aside to provide proper and thorough care to patients. The nursing theory class, well yuck! I don't enjoy writing papers and that class was nothing but papers! I did enjoy my reproductive physiology course.
The last week of that term I went to Houston, TX to work as part of the disaster relief effort from Hurricane Ike. Yes, I got paid for the stint. If I had the money I would have volunteered my time but I don't. I am a grad student with loans and a family that consists of three children......I have bills, lots of them!
The week I got back from Texas we lost my 23 month old niece. Very long story there, one of which I cannot go in to no matter how badly I want to. Her death was ruled a homicide and the case remains open at this point. The family has had a hard time dealing with this but we will pull through.

So, the third term of school began the first full week of October. I only had two classes this term compared to three classes for the first two terms. I thought this would be a relief to only have to focus on two classes. WRONG!!!!!! This was the worst term I have had in school, any school, EVER!
I took Primary care, which turned out to be a great class. I learned alot and it was by no means easy, but I squeaked by with an A.
I also took Pharmacology. Let's just say, hell on earth! The class was supposed to be a "basic pharmacology" class, to prepare us with basic pharmacology knowledge going into our more advanced midwifery classes. Well, nothing about this class seemed very "basic". I went into this class knowing it would be a challenge and would not be a shining moment for me but, I had no idea. I actually failed the third test in this class, I cried and lamented and lost sleep!!!! Somehow, thanks to the open book quizzes, the alternative med assignment and the extra credit project I managed to barely squeak through with an A, and I mean barely. This had to be the most mind boggling class for me, I just didn't get it. I would study, study and study some more and then take the test and just do horrible....even when I thought I had done well.
I have never been so happy to see a class be finished!

So, this next term I am taking Antepartum, Postpartum/Newborn and a Community assessment class. I have already gotten my Varney's midwifery and have started reading. It's a great book! I already love it! It is such an easy read, almost poetic.

Well, I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! We sure did! We ate too much, played alot and just enjoyed being with family.

I promise to not go so long without blogging. I think it is a bit therapeutic for me and I should do it more.

Well, in case I don't post again before next Thursday........Happy New Year!!! May you have a prosperous and healthy 2009!!!!!