did someone get the memo I just graduated?

Seriously...at least here in IL, the money just to take the NCLEX is adding up.
82 bucks for processing, 50 bucks for fingerprints, 200 bucks for computer center testing fees, and that's not even counting the license fee!
Good lord, could someone just do this in installments til I get my Real RN job?
Seriously, that's all I've done lately....Kaplan review, work, and sleep....
Work is work, and I can't wait to give notice....I'd much rather be the nurse for 6-7 patients vs. the total front line for 13/14.....
It's been crazy...we had post-ops all night, including someone arrested for home invasion and tasered(by the cops) in his forehead....little tip folks. Don't bend over when the cop says he's gonna shoot...he's lucky he didn't wind up dead or with some serious seizure activity going on. could've got fried brain syndrome...(like that? it's my new dx)....

The curtain is rising.............

Well....for my fellow friends, I just realized that a LOT has happened over the last few weeks...So, in no particular order comes the following:
Lorenzo's List of Lasts:
1. Had my LAST theory test! (ok, so I wound up with a 78%, but hey, let me revel in that glory for a minute) We spent our last day taking that test, and filling out NCLEX applications. It was kinda nice to say "I now have been taught everything that the school wants to teach me!"
2. Went through my Capstone days....ugh. 36 hrs of working with a staff nurse on a tele floor. First, I'm not a days person. I like having clients asleep for the 2nd half of my shift. I also don't like waking up at 3:30am just to get ready. And my new name for tele? Med-surg for hearts. It was not boring per se, but I didn't feel like I could do a whole lot besides assess and pass meds.....also, during my 2nd day 2nd semester students showed up for most of the day so I only had 2 real patients that were all ours....I did learn about how to deal with patients, and how to try to be the "nurse". Did also pick up some info about heart strips.
3. Took my HESI exit exam....well, i did the best I could..... AND I PASSED!!!! I scored a 922, and passing is a 850. The exam is supposed to weigh questions based on the basic skills of being a RN vs harder questions...like NCLEX. it was 160 questions, took me 2 hours, and most of my friends passed. We got together at the bar for "lunch"....although more drinks were flowing than tears. Some people didn't pass, but they have another chance friday. So need some good wishes towards those friends.
4. Got a job offer from the hospital where I work at now. And it's my shift, and my floor! So, I look forward to changing my job role from tech to RN....and know that I quite honestly couldn't have a better group of people to work with. I believe that I will be trained effectively, and am comfortable with the patients we generally get. Plus, as a confidence booster, I was having break with a nurse the other night and she goes "I wouldn't mind training you, you understand how we are, and you pick things up really fast. However, that other girl(the one I go to school with) gets too stressed, too easy. You gotta be flexible up here." So, I feel better about it. The thing that stinks is that I have to train on days 2-4 weeks....so I'll be dead for a while.

And, for my friend Dawn, pinning is May 16th!!! Can't wait to see what's in the slideshow! Keep the faith!

Save the date....seriously!!!

Ok, folks....like life wasn't stressful enough with work, projects, tests.....now I have about oh....17 out of 30 dates to remember.....I wouldn't dream of listing them all here, but things such as the following are now in NEON flashing in my brain...(I wouldn't be suprised if the arteries rearrange themselves into letters to be a subconcious reminder...)
Capstone work dates (22,23,24 on 12 hr day shifts on a tele floor at the hospital I work at.), exit testing (25th....hopefully the only date for that I need to remember), psych test (21st), m/s theory test and nclex application filling out(15th....and I need 286 bucks for that day....ouch.) , etc.....and of course pinning (May 16th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.....not like I'm excited or anything!)
Also, knowing that I have few readers at the moment, it's good to see those of you that comment.....please know I appreciate it...even if I don't have time to comment back.

Do not stand at my grave and weep........

That line comes from a song I used to sing in High school."In Memoriam"..and it comes to mind every so often when I'm doing what I do.

Just a reflection....I spent today taking care of a resident who is approaching end of life. And upon my arrival to assess her, I found myself encountering a hospice aide. Wow...I thought I was a good CNA. this aide was there for about 2 hours in a shift, cruising through, did AM care, helped me think of ways to break her 102 degree fever(aside from the g-tube tylenol)...we did cold compressess, mouthcare, fan on back....the aide helped me turn her, helped me find another pressure sore developing on a foot, helped me assess areas that I would have had a tough time doing by myself.
She also talked to the family, helped me finish things up. Then the hospice nurse arrived....wow, she was focused....when we started talking, I mentioned that she already had a order for meds to help congestion, meds for pain sublingual, and was on top of each thing the nurse asked....
Then the family and I talked while I helped turn her, and gave her mouthcare, etc. I'm reminded that, when I'm in the situation at the end of my life, give me my dignity. A drop of water, medication to keep me comfortable, treat my symptoms, but let me die gracefully.

Like a flower slow to open,
this life will soon be done.
my spirit will be soaring,
for the race I finally have won.

I'm headed home to eden,
No pain can find me now.
Sunshine always upon me,
without a single dark cloud.

I will be with you in the dew,
the life I've left behind.
Never forget who I am,
and I'll always be alive in your mind.

Hug your loved ones tighter today....and give kind care to whoever you encounter....and to my fellow student nurses(never forget that the care you give is watched by EVERYONE related to the patient!)

The care you get.....

Sometimes I'm reminded of the old beatles song....the care you get is equal to the care you give. I think that even though patients are sick, in pain, having to deal with dx's, etc....most are willing to treat the staff well, and understand that if they need something that is not pressing...they follow up with "when you have time."
I personally have a issue with taking that to mean "when you get around to it." I provide EXCELLENT service, (as far as I know), and would rather go get what someone needs right away, versus having to remember to come back in 20 mins....besides, I'm a little slow to begin with.
Remember the reason that we are there, folks. We nurse because we care. If we didn't, why are we here? I will rue the day that I'm a patient, and I know the kind of service that I would expect....however, if I can still get up with a walker and go get some water....I'll probably do that myself, to relieve the burden.
off to work.....and spend the night listening to moonbeam conversations, and women who want breakfast at 2AM....

spring break...and recruitment dinners

So, what have I done with the first few days of break? Slept, did laundry, shopped a little, and that's it.....
Looking forward to relaxing, and my big interview tomorrow at the trauma I center for their ICU and their step-down unit. Hopefully, will be worthwhile for the trip. It's an hour away, and if I get it, I'll have to move down there. Would be a neat place to work.
On the other hand, I wound up going to the recruitment dinner at the hospital where I work. It was ok, but quite hokey. they did make some good points about education, magnet journey and so forth. However, I heard from other staff that my own manager tried telling people that the ratio was 1:5....plenty of nights the nurses are running at 7-8:1 and have admits or transfers coming. If I do end up working there, I want to work in the ICU or on my own unit...it's such a challenge to figure it out. just a thought....if I worked on my own unit, would the aides respect me, or figure that I should do their work as well as mine? As opposed to ICU where I'm doing all total care without aides? Just another challenge to figure out...

now THAT's what I'm talking about....

If you ever have a God complex...come by my floor. My patient tonight kept yelling "god, help, god, help" over and over...well, apparently she meant me. Rock out....
Work is work....such as it is at the moment. I keep wondering what's going to happen when I put in my notice when I get my first RN job....keep on short staffing is my guess....
School-wise, I'm DONE with my big 40 page project for legal issues class....finally. Got a test today at 12, so I probably should be sleeping, but I'm too jazzed at the moment. Looking forward to clinicals this week, and just getting things done.
On the romance front....anyone know HOW frustrating it is to be going to school with lots of women who mostly are married or in serious relationships? I finally got a match.com membership and have already hit it off with 2, count em, 2 women in a week! Whee me! Too early for some things, but I'm looking forward to getting to know them both.
All for now....and if anyone is looking for some good folk music check out www.ellispaul.com good singer/songwriter guy and I'm going to see him in chitown this month!