Final-ly

My kitty is chewing on my school papers.  I keep telling him that they will never believe me when I say that 'My cat ate it'!
I'm hittin' the books for the final ~ good luck to everyone!  Happy 10/10/10
nursgal

looking on

Thank God the Fin Aid fiasco is resolved!  It's distracting from studies when you don't know how all this will work.             
It's almost time to look on to the 2nd part of this term.  I was glad to get the email from Ms. Campbell with somewhat of a       schedule of what our lives will be like these next 8 weeks!      It's not so much planning leisure time as it is just life time.  Knowing ahead of time helps to put things in order, balance so   that one can be successful.  But, as John Lennon said, "Life is  what happens while you're making plans".  

OOPS

I made the biggest booboo at clinicals this Friday at Healthsouth.  The day started off with me losing my ID - I did find it later in my car.  Then I broke my glasses.  I did manage to fix them. 
But my faux pas was that I entered an isolation room. Yep.  My picture of an isolation room was closed doors and carts outside with PPE and big ominous signs that were obvious.  Nope.  
It was a contact isolation room and the guy had MRSA.  I was all over him taking vitals....
I was gently corrected and needless to say, or maybe not, I won't do that again!!  After disinfecting/degerming/cleaning up everything I could including myself, I did receive a U for that part of the day but I do consider it a valuable lesson.  Sometimes the mistakes we make are just that - valuable! 

what a week

I've been reading some of my fellow posters' posts, and many of us have the same thoughts and concerns.  Most of us are pleased with the midterm grades and glad it's over.  Many of us are very concerned about our financial aid.  I'm trying to remain positive about the outcome and anticipating Dr. Nied's report to us on Monday about her efforts to talk to the financial aid department concerning the problem.  As far as I can gather, the confusion is about the usual 30 day wait period ( for attendance ) which seems to present problems due to our term being in 2 sections, extending the waiting period to the 2nd half of the split term, therefore not refunding until October.  And then some 30 days later possibly.
I've heard some comments alluding to having to drop out because of this, students not being able to afford to stay in school.  This is serious.  It makes sense to me that we should receive half of the usual refund now and half in the 2nd part of this term.  I surely hope for at least that. This may take some doing from the new Ford Direct loans and TCC financial aid department but it's necessary. 

my little study buddy

This is sort of related to school - and she did say it could be about anything! 

I'm afraid I'm going to have to send my new sweet little baby kitty to re-hab.  Yes, Ramses is addicted to catnip.  He's been off of it for about a week and he's experiencing withdrawal symptoms.  Poor little thing didn't need it in the first place - he's quite lively and animated naturally. 
He was rescued but not ferral - I can tell he's been around humans, he's very loving and sure knows what the kitchen is all about!
He is Egyptian/Mau and I wanted to name him Ra after the sun god but people thought I was saying 'raw'.  So Ramses it is and Ra for short.  Although he is known by many names - Beastie Boy, Man Kitty....
He actually fetches his little play ball!  Honest!  He also climbs all the way in the fridge at mealtimes, is very talkative and wonderful company even though he just thinks I'm one of his toys, albeit his favorite one.
I've wanted a kitty for a while and now that I know I'll be in Tally for at least 2 years, he manifested!  I'd like to get a pic of him up here, oh yeah one of me too!

still choices

A dear friend passed recently with Hep C.  He had been in and out of the hospital for some time, and then hospice. Although the same funny, wonderful, intelligent Mark he'd always been, he was slipping.  We stayed with him and talked and laughed and prayed and told all the stories.  He chose not to be placed on the list for a liver transplant.  We administered care where we could.  I massaged him, my gourmet cook sister who cooks with love, fed him, my musical friends played and sang with him. We decorated his room and no one seemed to mind us.
Mark needed ice packs off and on rotating certain parts of his body including his scrotum - that was my part as massage therapist.  No one was modest and as nurses we won't be.
Mark passed and we took his ashes and a picnic to St. Marks at sunset and had our beautiful ceremony ~ apro pos      

nursgal

choices

Well,  I survived the 1st week of nursing school.  All I've heard is just how   hard it will be - it wasn't that bad!  Yet.  I'm trying to be prepared while not being being completely scared away - I've done this before right!?  I'm glad  and honored to be here.                                                                          
I think the decision to become a nurse was sort of like when I became a       massage therapist - divine intervention!                                                    
I briefly had a few clients who happened to be nurses and they described      their experiences as something positive and worthwhile.  This came at a time
of crossroads and recovery from a particularly rough time in my life.  I think I have found my "niche".                                                                           
I have not yet developed my philosophy of nursing - I think that is something that will evolve and I intend to enjoy the ride ~