out of sight, out of mind...

I rarely think about this blog. I mean, its been ages since something of worth was even written. You may have noticed a few dumb posts about nursing and such - they were from an assignment from one of my instructors. But today, after having to go to this blog to navigate to some of my links, I decided it was time to get something, anything, on here...

(I proceed to sit here, staring blankly at the computer screen for a topic of substance or a funny anecdote. My mind is quite empty.)

Maybe I'll share an interesting fact with you (don't judge me - I've been away for a long time).

According to Dr. Oz (as retold by my mother): If you start your morning off each day with a glass of really cold water, you will lose a pound a year from this ritual alone.

Ha, okay, now that I've broken my barrier of silence, I will come back soon and write something of deep importance. Like baseball.

goals

Discuss how the clinical objectives and personal goals for the experience were met.

Before I started clinicals, I wrote down some goals on items I wanted to accomplish from this preceptorship.

Goal 1: By the end of my preceptor experience become competent and comfortable in setting up IV bags and programming the pumps. (I haven't had much exposure and don't feel very comfortable in this area.)

I had many opportunities to set up IV bags and also to set up the pumps. Before, the pumps seemed a bit confusing. But my nurse took the time to make sure I understood them, and now I feel much more comfortable.

Goal 2: Learn to adequately use the system HELP to chart all patient care with minimal help from preceptor by the end of my preceptorship.

I grew very accustomed to the charting system and was charting full assessments on my first day. As more time went on, my nurse gave me more leeway, and I was able to chart on most everything.

Goal 3: Research all the drugs my patients are receiving and be prepared to explain reason for use and potential side effects each time I pass meds to patients.

I made sure to look up and know all the drugs I was giving. I wanted my patients to be educated on what they were receiving.

Goal 4: Be able to give complete and concise change of shift report to the oncoming nurse by the 4th shift.

I gave shift report to oncoming nurses. This used to seem a bit scary because I wasn't sure if I would have the answers needed, but as time went on, this became easier.

Goal 5: Look up labs for each of my patients daily and make sure I do the research required to understand what the values mean.

I would look up labs right after shift report. If I wasn't sure of a value or what a test meant, I took the time to look it up. I would always research out what this lab meant for this patient, why it was drawn, and for patterns (if going up, down, or staying same).

I initially made these goals because I felt I was lacking a bit in these areas, but I focused on these things and feel that I accomplished them.

the impact

Describe how your learning will impact your nursing career.

I feel that my preceptorship has impacted me for the positive. I have mentioned before that I was feeling super confident before because I just didn't feel like I had continuity before. I would learn something, and then the next week I was on another floor with different rules. It's hard to keep it all straight. Being on the same floor with the same nurse did wonders for me. I felt like I could just keep building more and more on the information I was retaining. Because of my experiences here, I feel much more ready to actually start working as an RN.

My nurse was pretty awesome. I was continuously impressed with her work ethic. She didn't cut corners like some others that I had observed. She did things right. It was a good example to me to be ever-vigilant. I'm glad I was trained by her because that will impact how I approach nursing. Adopting that dedication, along with solidifying a lot of my nursing skills, I feel like I will be much more competent when I'm really out there.

what i learned

Describe what you actually learned through this clinical experience.

The third floor at UVRMC is known as the "Progressive Care Unit". The cases are a bit more critical than typical MedSurg, but not as acute as ICU. On this floor dialysis is also provided.

I feel like I gained a substantial amount from my experience on this floor. I was paired with an awesome nurse who really knew her stuff. I feel like I really pulled it all together during my time there. My nurse got me into a routine that really didn't seem as scary as it did before. Before, I felt like my thoughts were a bit jumbled, but staying in one place with the same nurse was extremely helpful. I was finally able to retain information more easily; information that would be pertinent the next time I was there. Specifically, I become more competent in placing and setting IV pumps, placing catheters, interpreting telemetry strips, performing and charting complete assessments, changing central line dressings/removing central lines, etc. After each subsequent clinical, I felt more and more confident.

Clinical Area

Describe why the clinical area was selected and what you initially expected to learn.

We have made it to the fourth semester of Nursing School - the final semester of the Associate's Degree requirements. Typically in your final semester before taking the licensing exam, the NCLEX, we finish complete a preceptorship with a nurse for 90+ hours in one location. On November 18 last year, all the students in my semester gathered for a "lottery" to draw where we would go. I initially had ideas of the ER or ICU in mind. But when I arrived and drew one of the last numbers that would be allowed to choose, I knew that I was going to have to take what was left.

Naturally the ER and ICU slots went first. Finally they got to my number near the end, and I scanned the overhead projector for any remaining spots. I just wanted something during the day. I saw the third floor at UVRMC open, so I took it. I really couldn't remember what floor that was or if I had even been there before. At that point, I was just hoping for the best.

Not being exactly sure of what kind of floor I was going to, I didn't have too many expectations. I knew that I wanted a nurse that would challenge me a bit, but who would also take the time to make sure I was really getting it. My main goal or expectation was that I would finish my preceptorship feeling more comfortable with the prospect of actually being an RN this year. I expected to learn to become a better problem solver and to solidify my nursing skills.