Jan. 26, 2012

Really, today sort of feels like my last "real" clinical day in OB.  Saturday, I have my final check-offs, so I will be doing a postpartum assessment by myself, in front of my instructor, as well as a newborn assessment by myself, in front of my instructor--for a grade.  Each one will be worth 10 points.  Then, next week, I really won't have much of anything, since it will be the last day.  I think my instructor said she would put me back down in labor and delivery, in hopes of getting me in to see a cesarean delivery.  Plus, we will also get to go to the lab and play with placentas, which should be interesting.

So today, I had a really awesome nurse to follow around.  She made sure I was actively participating and encouraged me to really jump in and learn.  It was great--because for the most part, my other nurses have really just been having me watch and not really do anything.  This nurse also had me pick a teaching topic to go in and teach the clients, which was kind of uncomfortable, because the father of the baby was really cranky about us having come in early (he was still sleeping, and we apparently woke him up, haha).

Beyond that, I was able to hand in all my remaining paperwork, except for the home visit assignment; my partner is pretty anal about making sure it is absolutely perfect.  We met up for a few hours after clinical today, and we had met up earlier this week, after Foley check-offs for a few hours.  Altogether, we have spent 6 hours together working on finishing this assignment, and I've put another hour into it from home.  And she is still not convinced that it is good enough.  I find it difficult to work with partners like this, who believe in doing every part of the work together, rather than splitting it up.  I trust my partner to do good work, and I wish she would trust me to do the same; this way, we wouldn't have to be wasting time and can work more efficiently--coffeeshops are just not that great for my productivity.

Oh well.  I plan to spend tomorrow practicing for my final postpartum and newborn check-offs!  I'm really nervous, because my instructor is pretty strict about these assessments.

Jan. 24, 2012

Today began with presenting our case studies that we worked on yesterday, over the birth process.  Then we actually got some real lecture about some complications that can happen during birth.  And... that was pretty much it for the day.  Lecture, some case studies, and we finished up early.  So, the check-offs got started early, too.  

When I got down there, I got a really great instructor for my checkoff, and I had to do my Foley on a female.  I was sort of hoping I would get a male mannequin, just because the procedure is a little less complicated on a male, but it wasn't too bad.  In fact, I only missed 0.25 out of 10, so I really can't complain.  The only thing I didn't do was say that I visualized the site of entry.  I am really, really glad that is done!! 

Tomorrow I have off, now, so I will be spending the time working on some clinical paperwork as well as the cesarean delivery presentation I have with my partner!  My sweetheart is coming to visit me next week, and I want to make sure all my paperwork and stuff is done before, so I can just spend the weekend with him without anything hanging over my head.  

Jan. 23, 2012

Another exam today, and once again, we were mislead.  We all received an e-mail the DAY BEFORE the exam telling us to study from the reading guides, as these were what the test questions were drawn from.  So, I completely ignored the extensive review guide.  And wouldn't you know it--about half of the material wasn't on the reading guide and there were a lot of very in-depth, detailed questions.  I find it hard to study for these exams, because even though I do the reading and then review the reading guide, it still seems as though the questions are just drawn from somewhere completely different.  In any case, we then had a very short lecture on the birthing process, followed by more case studies.

Today was also the first day in Nursing Research.  We already had to do a discussion posting online, which I went ahead and did a week or so ago.  Then, as seems to be the norm, we had a quiz today.  Then, we had group work over the information from the quiz, which was basically looking up some information on a website and compiling it to hand in.

After class, I had to get into open lab, which started late because the person who was supposed to be supervising didn't show up.  Foley Catheter practice.  It's really not that difficult, procedurally.  What's difficult is not breaking sterile field--because you can do it so easily without even noticing!  After practicing, I feel more prepared for check-offs tomorrow.  What a long day!!

Here's what I woke up to yesterday, by the way:

I was planning on cracking the window... but I changed my mind....

Oh, and I forgot to add something from a few weeks ago!  There was a frog down in my sump area.  Unfortunately, he died overnight from when I noticed him; otherwise, I probably would have fished him out and got a terrarium or something for him (or her, I suppose).  So, here is yet another creature I can add to my repertoire of strange pseudo-pets.