Weekend

I made it through first week, sick and all.
But I ended it with a bang. On thursday they found out they were going to be short staffed on friday, so I stepped up to the plate to help up. I said I would put together a craft activity that night and do it with a group of clients on my own on friday. The rec. therapists were happy. So I put together an activity where they painted clay flower pots and I made some flowers out of foam that would be put in it.
So when I went to work friday morning, my boss and the other boss, did now know what I had done. When they found out they were floored. Said I got major bonus points :)
I ran the craft and it was a HUGE success. I was so happy.
My teacher came to visit me from school, and all they had to say to her was that I was awesome, they were keeping me, and wanting me to switch careers to become a rec. therapist. hehe :)
It was a HUGE accomplishment for me, as I was uncertain about how they felt about me there. It is really busy, and I had to jump in and do things I was not used to, with no help or being taught.
Thank goodness I was able to.
Now I know they think I am an asset and am doing a good job. :)
The first week was rough, but ended well. I think now the next 2 will be ok, as I now have more confidence in what I am doing.

I am still sick, but on the mend. I still sound pretty bad.
And of course now Brandon is sick. He has the bad sinus headaches that I have been suffering from for the past 5 days.
Didnt do much this weekend, as I was drained from my busy week.
It is funny, most of my friends on practicum are doing communication and not much nursing skills. they just spend time talking to clients and doing relaxing activities.
Unlike me, who has hard work.
I am doing client transfers, toileting, peri-care, charting, I even emptied a colostomy bag, and next week I am doing some bathing.
I am getting valuable experience thats for sure. But it is hard work lol.
I was placed here for a reason ;) according to my teacher...lucky me lol
I get a break from homework, but have a care aid job! hehe
I am sure in the long run I will be thankful I did more then hang out :)

Today I am meeting some friends for lunch. And then visitng my friend and her new townhouse she moved into.
Of course cleaning and laundry. Who has the energy for that! hehe

I want to plan a trip across the border maybe next weekend. I found out they opened a gymboree outlet! ahh. I LOVE that store for the kids. It is soooo pricy. BUT now I am in trouble knowing I can get a good deal close to home.
I will have to plan a few trips a year to stock up for the seasons.
I am hoping to go next weekend :)

I am planning my "project" for practicum. I think I am doing it on wednesday. I am doing a cookie program for a group of client. I am going to have cookie samples from around the world, do some fun facts on cookies, and then get them to make sugar cookies and decorate them :)

Well laundry is calling.
Hope you have a good week, and will update soon...I think I have some recent pics too.

Andrea

waaaa sick!

Yes it started my first day of practicum. And has got worse. It is a cold/allergies/sinus issues. I feel soooo bad. I made it through today, thank goodness for advil sinus. I am hoping it does not last long. It is so hard to do anything when you feel this way :(

So I know now I do not want to be a community nurse. The setting is just not for me. I worked in a group home, and it is similar to that.
It was not what I expected either. I was literally thrown right into it.
I was under the impression I was going to be taught things and monitored.
Nope.
I am doing the care aide job.
My first day I was doing transfers and toileting!
Today I do more...and got to encounter a colostomy. All I have to say is thank goodness my nose was plugged. the smell is unreal LOL.

Most of the people (30 or so a day) are old and have short term memory loss and alzheimers. It is very hard to work with them. You need to treat them like a child and specifically tell them what to do. !

it is very overwhelming for me.

the experience i am sure will be rewarding, but it is tough lol. it is hard cause i dont know the needs of the clients like they do.

i just hope i feel better!

Practicum

I start tomorrow.
I am a bit nervous. It is like starting a new job. I am sure after tomorrow I will be ok. The first day will be the hardest.
I have worked in a group home with older adults, so I have experience.
I just hope they like me! hehe

I enjoyed the weekend. With NO work. But I have to say I found myself wanting to do something lol.
I like learning...and I love what I am learning in this course.

Spent a lot of time this weekend at my parents. the kids enjoyed playing outside.
I wish I could say I caught up on housework, lol.
But I guess I deserved a lazy few days.

I am waiting on an email from my teacher with my final grades. A few of them I have NO idea where I will be at, as we didnt get exam and project marks back.

Well I better run, James is being naughty. And we are headed to my parents to pick up the van.
I will post tomorrow about my first day!

Andrea

DONE!

First semester is complete....
and I have an awesome finish to it. I had my anatomy final today..and pulled off a 98%!! Thes best part was it was cumulative, and was on 13 chapters.
YAY! I got the highest mark :) hehe what a nerd ;)

I should have my final course marks (report card hehe) by next week. I know a couple, but will share all together.

I AM DONE! I actually get a 3 day weekend to myself, to do nothing! yahoo!
I dont really know what to do with myself....It has been 3 months of studying.

I am excited to start practicum. the Langley adult daycare sounds really interesting. Sounds fun! I think most of the time will be spent communicating with the patients. They are adult/elderly...with diseases such as Alzheimers, Strokes, MS, Polio and more. They go on outings on a bus, and I will be joining them :)
It is 10 mins from here, and I am working monday-friday 845-415. could not get better than that!!!!
I will be nervous my first day of course, but I am sure I will do ok.
Wish me luck!

As for this weekend, it is rodeo weekend...but I dont think I will make it there.
Brandon is working fun evening shifts. Just me and the kiddies.
He is going to play poker tonight, so I rented a mocvie for myself.
And I think some martinis are in order to celebrate!

I am going to pick up my sexy black bridesmaid dress for my brothers wedding tomorrow. Since losing close to 9 pds, I am sure it will be a tad big lol.
I am not going to alter it until august. want to lose the last bit. I am sure stress will continue to take care of that, since second term is full of pharmacology....and another case study! eeek.

Well I am off to try and book our vegas trip! yahoo.
Have a great long weekend :)

thank you for the kind words lately, they have made me feel good. Like I am doing a great job, and it is noticed. Means a lot.

Andrea

Arianna and Mommy

Here is me at 3 and Arianna...I think we look alike lol

Case Study

I DID IT!!
It was sooo hard for me to overcome the nerves, but I did and it felt great. I was confident and knew my stuff!
So....I got 90%!
I made one big, stupid error, basically forgetting a skill. I did not realize it until the end. She gave me partial marks becasue I did remember it.
Overall she said I did excellent. She said she could tell I knew my stuff, was confident and that she WAS PROUD OF ME! This is a teacher that is intimidating to us all.
I was soooo thanful for her comments even more then I was my mark.
To know she thinks I did such a good job, means the world to me and has boosted my confidence!
It is SO NICE to hear someone say they are proud of you. I wish I heard it more from my loved ones.
For all the hard work I put in, I dont often hear that I am doing a good job. Sometimes it really is NEEDED.
I want to feel like it is being noticed...and appreciated :(

Anyways, I am on cloud nine having that over.
I ended my nursing arts course great.
I will get my final grades by the end of the week. But I think I did great. :)

One more final on friday.
It is for anatomy. It is cumulative, so is all 8 weeks. eeekkk
I have not studied much as I put all effort in to case studies.
Tommorow I will spend the day doing it, as I have the day off.

Wish me luck!
then its an entire 3 days OFF with no homework or studying!!!!

Andrea

FINAL week!

I am sooo nervous for this week though.

It is my case study, plus I have 3 finals!!!

I found out I am going on my first practicum to a place that is 10 mins away from home in langley! Cannot get better than that. It pays to be the teachers favorite hehe. Over half the class are being sent to Vancouver and North Vancouver.

I am going to an Adult Day care center.

It is a place where people go who dont have people to take care of them during the day. I am not exactly sure of any more....but should be interesting either way :)

AND I get my anatomy instructor as my monitor...who again ...loves me ;)

I also have top mark in anatomy going into the final! yay! 92% to be exact!

I treated myself to a haircut and hightlights today. It feels great! I will attach a couple pics for ya too!

Will TRY and get a good pic tomorrow if we get the family together at my moms.

Andrea

Yes!

Presentations and Projects are over...well except for one. But that was 10! On top of all work and exams this has been one stressful term!
It is coming to an end nicely. I am ending of strong ...and I am happy.
Had 2 finals this week. one was hard and I dont think I did as well (being sick) and todays was great. Another A I think. :)
Now it is time to prepare for the dreaded case studies. I am going to work on that tonight...and do a bit of studying for my LAST anatomy test friday.

I think over the practicum time I am going to treat myself to a nice haircut and some warm summer highlights. I can go back to school feeling refreshed!

It is so sunny today, I took the kids out to ride bikes after I picked them up from Ashleys. Did I tell you James is riding a two wheeler now with training wheels? Yup he could not master a tricycle but is a pro at the tow wheeler hehe
He is riding Ariannas dora bike from last year (it is blue and green hehe) and our neighbours gave arianna a red bike. it was nice.

James is still taking his time on the potty. some days he just refuses. he is a little stubborn guy!

I am pooped. time to make dinner. I think its bacon and eggs tonight..mmmm I am lazy ands it just the kids and me.

Andrea

So Proud

My hardest exam so far was the nursing arts one. It was all theory based, and was tough. I was so scared after taking it because my friends all had diffferent answers then me..and their reasoning made sense to me. I really second guessed myself.
Well...turns out I was right. I got 88% and one of the only A's!!!!
Everyone else just passed (70%). I feel bad for them, but am so proud of myself.
Nursing arts is a class about nursing skills. So by doing well on this exam I really know this is the field for me. I am loving it!!!
I also got another midterm back 98%. wahoo. that is the last of the midterms.
And guess what starts next week...finals.
ahhhh. it is going to be a hell of a two weeks lol.
I am studying for an anatomy test for tomorrow.
I am so beat and worn out. This was a sad couple of days for me.
Between finding a growth inside my tongue, to finding out my best friend in class (thomas) is having to drop out of the program.
It has given me such a heavy heart......I am really going to miss him. I hope we will still remain friends....

Made it through the 3 presentations I did this week. I think I did well on them all too.
I should be finding out soon about where I am going for the practicum. It will be a nice break from school.

I guess I better get back to the studying.

Oh one more thing to share. we finally for james interested in the potty. before he would not go near it. now he has peed in it a few times. I hope to work on it this weekend :)

Andrea