Coming Up For Air

Whew!  What a long week!

In my accelerated nursing program, our clinical courses are structured with "frontloading."  For the first two weeks of the course we have class on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.  For the remaining six weeks, we have clinical shifts one or two days a week with classes on Friday.  

This semester is the only semester (thank goodness) in which I have dual clinical courses.  So for the last two weeks I have had class from 0800-1700 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.  This week, in addition, I had orientation for my Peds clinical rotation on Monday from 0900-1500, and my first OB rotation from 0630-1900, and my first OB exam in class on Friday morning.  

Yikes!

At least I had paid enough attention in class to do well on my exam without much study time...

As scared as I was about my first twelve hour shift on a labor and delivery floor, I had a really great experience.  I got to meet the most lovely couple who were having their second child.  I wasn't sure the baby would come before my shift ended, but he did decide to make his appearance at the last minute, and I got to help his Mom and Dad celebrate his very first birthday.  It was incredible.

So now, here I am taking full advantage of my Saturday, sleeping in and lounging around while I take a minute to breathe.

While catching up on my reading list, I found a couple of things I would like to share with you, and I think I might try to make it a weekly Saturday thing to share some interesting bits with you.  Any ideas for naming such a weekly segment?

First this week is a few "Survival Tips for Every Nurse" from Nursing Link.  I think it is very applicable to nursing students, like myself, as well as new nurses and experienced nurses.  I especially like the section called, "When You Want To Run - Stop and Stand Still" because I think it will come in handy for me with these two rotations!

 

Second, this is the most adorable video of a puppy bath, set to the music of Ingrid Michaelson (who, as you know, is one of my faves).  It's good for a smile and a laugh.  Five points for cuteness.

Speaking of dogs, here is some interesting and compelling news from NPR Health about dogs and their ability to "sniff out" cancer.  Intriguing, although I'm not sure what the real-life implications of this could be...yet.

Last but not least, the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) has recently recognized five hospitals that exhibit extraordinary nursing quality.  I would like to point out proudly that three of the five hospitals are in Colorado!  This article describes four key traits exhibited by all five hospitals that help to make their nursing care extraordinary.  Food for thought in your current or future nursing careers.

Thanks for tuning in.  I hope you all had a great week and are taking advantage of the winter weekend!