SNOW

Daddy made the crowns and watches with the kids...Impressive!

Oh my...

It seems a little early for us to have snow...but here it is :)

I love it, the kids do too.

I have not bought Arianna snow pants as I didnt know if there was a point. James still has some that fit.

But it looks like I need to get her some and waterproof gloves

It sure is pretty when it snows here...the flakes are nice a big.

Today the kids went and sat on Santas lap. James was scared last year and didnt, but this year he did fine. I pick up the picture in a couple days. Arianna told him she wants a pink pony and James said cars and dinosaurs.

Tomorrow I am going to put up the tree with the kids...dont tell Brandon lol

he says not until Dec 1. but I am working :) SOOOO tomorrow is my free day, so up its going. :)

Day 3

Still sick...and tired lol
But today was a bit better. I realized yes, I will not be getting the exact experience I should, but the times where meds are being given are the times where I may get to do extra skills.
Besides that I am really not enjoying the experience. It is so sad.
I am going to give it another week, and then talk to the school. First weeks are always hard.
I am going to move up to 2 patients.
My next one is going to challenge me. He has ALS, non verbal, requires tube feedings 3 times a day with water flushing before and after, turning every 3 hrs as he is getting a pressure ulcer, suctioning in the mouth, Has an IV and O2, vitals 3 times a day...
it is going to be hard, and I am nervous.
I feel like my instructor is expecting us to know everything. She does not spend as much time teaching. I feel lost. And then she criticizes us for things, when she isnt even there to help or teach us....or doesnt even know what we have or have not done.
It is reall frustrating
I am sick, so things are probably bothering me more then usual.
I am just disappointed.

Marie, with no meds we have more time for skills. (we pick up tasks from other RNs like wound changes, blood sugars etc.) But it still sucks.
If any other your classmates for to mount st josephs or st pauls they will have the same. (I dont think anyone is going to st pauls though)

Well, enough of that, I have 4 days of to recharge.

First showing today...first offer coming in a 9am tomorrow!! haha
BUT they want the house asap.
Can we really move in 2 weeks???
I dont know.....
I have babysitting set up until Dec 21, so I dont really want to mess with that as she is right near me here....kinda out of the way....hmmm I dunno.
It better be a good offer. will update tomorrow!

Day 2

My throat is killing me still.
I made it through another shift. And I am super tired.
there is NO way at this stage in the game, that I could work 12 hr shifts.
We have been getting off early.
We really have nothing to do by the afternoon.
We got jipped on the location as we are not allowed to do meds. That is half our job at other hospitals. So we really have nothing to do!
It kinda bothers me, as I am not getting 100% off the experience I should.
I am worried for preceptorship when I have to manage my time with meds! I really hope I have a good nursing staff to work with.
The nuring staff at st pauls is great...so friendly and helpful.
Our instructor is nice....but very relaxed. I hope she teaches more.
I am interested to see how the next couple weeks go. I am going to take all opportunity I can to seek out learning.
Today I got to flush my first G-tube (tube into stomach) and administer 02. Vitals are routine every day.
Showing on our house tomorrow...lets cross our fingers they buy it haha

Day one

Today I had my orientation at the acute care ward at St Pauls.
It was eye opening. It is in the downtown core of vancouver and has its share of interesting people.
I am very overwhelmed and still nervous about the days to come.
Am I really ready for this?
I got my first patient assignment, and as of saturday he is my responsibility.
Tomorrow I have one day of shadowing.
He is 98. Wow.
I will keep you posted on any nursing skills and things I get to do for real...no more dummies in the lab.
My instructor is super. I think she will be a great teacher...and super nice to let us off early some days...(like the day before my birthday! hehe) Dec 1 is a saturday so I can maybe see my friends...And on my birthday its the Spice Girls...yahoo.

The commute downtown is not as bad as I thought. It takes me an hour and a half total. Some days I will be home in time to see the kiddies right before bed.

Oh of course, one day at the hospital and I am getting a cold. My throat is killing me. I will need to wear a mask with my resident if I get worse.
I already have to wear a gown and gloves all the time...so I may as well get fully decked out lol.
I bought some cold effects and vitamin C and am battling this cold as we speak! hehe

Time to go and attempt to eat...all I had was a small coffee and soup all day.
I think this clinical is going to be a diet haha...not to mention I have to walk uphill from the sky train station lol
Cant say I will be complaining ;)

Getting Close

The school part is officially over. I still cannot believe I do not have to do any more homework or study...well not studying until I start getting ready for licensing exam...and its a big one. 6 hours I think....

Anyways, its an amazing feeling. I am so amazed at what I accomplished so far over the last 9 months.
I created great bonds with students and instructors and am going to miss them a lot.
It is great timing to be done, considering our house is up for sale. Yup, we are going to move.
We found a house in the area I have dreamed of living but didnt think we could afford it....but a house came on the market that was in our price range...and was perfect.

Granted, it needs some cosmetic updates, unless you are a fan of wallpaper? hehe
But with some paint and new light fixtures it will be perfect.
The yard is really big and private...huge trees in the back.
It has a hot tub and sauna...want to come for a dip?

I could rave on about it and the neighbourhood, but the deal is not done yet. Our offer was accepted, but now we need to sell our house first. We have 60 days.
SO CROSS YOUR FINGERS.

I spent 7 hours straight cleaning this place. It is house-showing ready :)
It kinda echos when its this clean haha
Now to keep it clean...haha
I am off 4 days a week now, so that is wonderful.

I start on thursday this week my clinical in acute care.
I am not really sure how this will go. On one aspect I have been told I will see some interesting things.
BUT LPNs at this hospital are only starting to be full-scope. Meaning right now some units they do not do medications.
And I am going to one of these units.
We are the last LPN group going there until all the changes are done.
But, an LPN job is 70% meds. you give them every 2-3 hours to many clients. It take up alot of your time.
So take that away from us, and what are WE going to do??
the other groups will be doing meds.
I know once you do meds, its all the same really. I guess I will miss injections :) hehe
I guess I am just nervous I wont be as prepared for preceptorship.
I am just nervous overall, as I dont feel ready to be a nurse...and in just a few short months I am done all together.....eeeek

Thats all thats new from here! It is nice to be home with my babies again.
Speaking of babies, my friend Cathy has welcomed her 6th child yesterday!
She welcomed another beautiful girl, this makes number 5! And one boy.
Welcome to little Courtney! I hope to meet her sometime.
Gives me the baby itch ;) hehe

Andrea

update

I am finishing my final week of school coming up, and things are stressful. I have 4 exams. Yuck..
I am beyond tired. I have worked my butt of these last 9 months! I have one clinical let and then my preceptorship. That will take me to Feb!
I have a couple weeks off at christmas. :)
The schedule has been hard, and I am looking forward to picking and choosing when I work. Right now I have no choice, and am stuck doing 12 hrs in Vancouver.
I think my future will be 8 hr shifts at langley :)

It is a stormy day here...the power is flickering. I hope it does not go out!
Kids are good, getting excited about the holiday season, as we are reminded of it everywhere! hehe
Just need to get the shopping done. Going to go easy on the gifts this year.
Only a couple more weeks until the big 27 for me. I am going to see the spice girls on my actual birthday :)

Still waiting for my Cat scan appt. things sure do take forever. My leg is no better. In the mean time I am going to start physio for it to see if some of the pain can be reduced.

We are going to look at a house tonight....we are still wanting to move. Just waiting for the perfect house...maybe this will be it lol.
I am not going to hold my breath ;)

Thats about all from here...wish me luck this last week!