Stethoscope Review
I have gone to a few chat rooms that talk about different stethoscopes to determine which one I want to get in the future. Stethoscopes range fro $5-$300 and so I wanted to have an idea what a makes one good or bad. I also scan ebay and craigslist regularly and there are sometimes some for sale for good prices, but I had no idea if they were any good or not. The consensus seems to be that the Littmann Cardiology scope is a good one, so I will be keeping a look out! It has an adult side and a pediatric/thin person side that is adjustable and the ear pieces are supposedly more comfortable...
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
On to week NINE!
I am in week 9 of the 16 week semester...over the hump. My Anatomy midterm went well...180 out of 200. I am very happy with that grade and relieved it is over. Now we are on to nutrition, electrolyte balance, the urinary system, genetics and the reproductive system to round out the end of the semester. I honestly love it all, or love to hate studying it... if that makes sense. It is so insanely interesting and I love the moment when I finally get it. The journey from thinking I am reading something in a foreign language to being able to explain it to someone else is in a way magical. I am learning how the body works and I love it. All the systems are really coming together now which is exciting, too...how all the body systems function as one whole unit. It really is so very cool.
My other two classes are going well, too. For my Interpersonal Communications course, I needed to enter into a culture different from my own and study the different communication methods and any bridges or barriers that I experienced. The assignment was to attend a cultural event or religious event that was out of my comfort zone. I decided to study, instead, the communication issues between people with cancers and those without and the difficulties that people have talking to people about their illnesses or talking to them at all. It was a very enlightening and wonderful experience. I learned a lot through my research that I will be able to use in nursing. For example, did you know that many breast cancer patients are overwhelmed with all the pink ribbon products on the market? Many times they say that they try to forget that they have cancer for a moment, but they can't because they can't even buy a box of cereal at the grocery store with out there being a pink ribbon on it. I also learned that the LIVE STRONG movement is difficult for many cancer patients...the whole...YOU CAN DO IT! We will beat this together attitude. Many times, they find this kind of talk annoying because no one really knows if they are going to beat the cancer or not. A lot of times they want just a simple, "I'm sorry. This is so unfair." Very cool assignment and I hope to do more about nurse-patient communication in future.
My other two classes are going well, too. For my Interpersonal Communications course, I needed to enter into a culture different from my own and study the different communication methods and any bridges or barriers that I experienced. The assignment was to attend a cultural event or religious event that was out of my comfort zone. I decided to study, instead, the communication issues between people with cancers and those without and the difficulties that people have talking to people about their illnesses or talking to them at all. It was a very enlightening and wonderful experience. I learned a lot through my research that I will be able to use in nursing. For example, did you know that many breast cancer patients are overwhelmed with all the pink ribbon products on the market? Many times they say that they try to forget that they have cancer for a moment, but they can't because they can't even buy a box of cereal at the grocery store with out there being a pink ribbon on it. I also learned that the LIVE STRONG movement is difficult for many cancer patients...the whole...YOU CAN DO IT! We will beat this together attitude. Many times, they find this kind of talk annoying because no one really knows if they are going to beat the cancer or not. A lot of times they want just a simple, "I'm sorry. This is so unfair." Very cool assignment and I hope to do more about nurse-patient communication in future.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Destressing before my test in the AM
I added a bunch of my favorite songs in the sidebar as My Soundtrack! These are the songs of my life and I keep adding to it as I think of more that I sing in the shower! I needed to relax before my test. My brain is cramped and I don't think anymore can fit in there. My midterm is at 9 tomorrow!
Some of the songs are funny to me and make me laugh, some give me goosebumps, some give me tears...enjoy! And if you have a question about why one of the songs made the list, let me know.
Some of the songs are funny to me and make me laugh, some give me goosebumps, some give me tears...enjoy! And if you have a question about why one of the songs made the list, let me know.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
midterms....ahhhhh
I haven't had anytime to write on here! I have been studying for my Anatomy midterm for days and some of the information is finally starting to stick. Last week, I had to turn in papers for my two other classes as the midterm and this week is dedicated to getting the endocrine, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive and cardiovascular systems down. It is so much information! When I go to bed at night I feel like my brain is going to explode and I am exhausted. Since my class is online, I have to go to the college to take the test in their testing center and I have until Wednesday of next week to take it. Since my husband is home on the weekend, I thought to take it on Saturday...but now, I am thinking of taking it on Monday and taking the weekend to study some more. He doesn't go to work until the afternoon...so maybe I can take it before he leaves. An extra few days would be nice. I get so nervous, because so much is on the line for each one of these tests. Each anatomy test could make or break my chances of getting into the program and I want to make sure I am as prepared as possible. I don't ever remember studying this much for my BA, and I still graduated with a 3.7...who knows...maybe I have selective memory of those years.
Anyway...once I get through these midterms, I will be back up posting those photos of the dissection and some more nursing news I have read and would love to comment on. Got my application for volunteering!!! yay! Will be sending that out tomorrow. That will be such a great experience. I hope they can work with my tight schedule! Ciao for now...Anna
Anyway...once I get through these midterms, I will be back up posting those photos of the dissection and some more nursing news I have read and would love to comment on. Got my application for volunteering!!! yay! Will be sending that out tomorrow. That will be such a great experience. I hope they can work with my tight schedule! Ciao for now...Anna
Friday, October 8, 2010
Please Hire Me!
Back in the late 90's, I volunteered at a hospital near the university I attended in the Cardiovascular Recovery Unit. I was responsible for directing families to the correct rooms or to the nurses station (if their family member had passed away). I remember being trained on "the black line." If the patient was black lined, they had passed and I was not to tell the family members or friends...I just had to direct them to the nurses station.
I have been thinking that I needed to get back into the health care environment...get back with patients, their families, medical personnel, etc...
So, I excitedly called my local hospital today to find out about any super part-time (6 hours or so) jobs that they have available and they recommended I talk to volunteer services. Being in school, with a toddler and a husband that works 60 hours a week doesn't leave too much time to work, but I am hoping to find something that is only Saturday or Sunday evenings...maybe from 12 to 6 or 8 or something like that. She said that the interview process for volunteering takes about 5 weeks with orientation and background screenings and such. That would put me starting around Thanksgiving...fingers crossed. I am really willing to do anything. Have me clean out bed pans! I am fine with that. I would just be so excited to even observe the units and the nurse/doctor/patient interaction and it would be great training and insight for clinicals. I have heard a lot of great things about the hospital and it is close to my house. I am hoping it all works out. It would be nice to learn and become familiar with the hospital. I would think it would be nice that I already have some hands-on experience and familiarity with the facility. It would be great experience and I really hope it works out. I will keep you all posted.
I have been thinking that I needed to get back into the health care environment...get back with patients, their families, medical personnel, etc...
So, I excitedly called my local hospital today to find out about any super part-time (6 hours or so) jobs that they have available and they recommended I talk to volunteer services. Being in school, with a toddler and a husband that works 60 hours a week doesn't leave too much time to work, but I am hoping to find something that is only Saturday or Sunday evenings...maybe from 12 to 6 or 8 or something like that. She said that the interview process for volunteering takes about 5 weeks with orientation and background screenings and such. That would put me starting around Thanksgiving...fingers crossed. I am really willing to do anything. Have me clean out bed pans! I am fine with that. I would just be so excited to even observe the units and the nurse/doctor/patient interaction and it would be great training and insight for clinicals. I have heard a lot of great things about the hospital and it is close to my house. I am hoping it all works out. It would be nice to learn and become familiar with the hospital. I would think it would be nice that I already have some hands-on experience and familiarity with the facility. It would be great experience and I really hope it works out. I will keep you all posted.
Monday, October 4, 2010
What is up with me...
Today, I did my respiratory dissection on the fetal pig. I took some pictures and I will post them soon. Found the trachea and esophagus and counted the lobes of the lungs. I was disappointed with my 16 out of 20 on the quiz again...it is so frustrating to work so hard at it and then miss some anyway. For the semester in Anatomy, I can miss 100 points and still get an A. So far to date, I have missed 12 points. My midterm is in a couple weeks...man, I hope I do well. I just have one more chapter to read - the digestive system - before the test on the 20th.
I am taking 2 other classes right now that are full of busy work. I write papers and discussion boards on various topics. This past week, I had to write a paper about language as a bridge or as a barrier in the movie The Terminal. Then, I had to write a discussion about the Code of Ethics for Nursing. Last week, I also had to research urinalysis drug testing and why and am pro/con and write a mock memo to the Factory Manager at a faux company about my recommendations. None of it is really hard, but it is time consuming. Neither of those classes are looked at for admissions to the nursing program, but they are required to graduate, so I have to pass. Passing to me, though, means getting an A. I have trouble just doing the minimum to get by and end up spending more time then probably necessary...time I should be spending on Anatomy that does count for admissions.
Other than that, fall is here...and though I do love my sweaters, I hate winter. My fingers are cold and nearly numb as I type this. I think it is about 63 in the house right now, but I refuse to turn the heat on-it would be admitting that it is cold or something. Instead, I bundle up and hope for a warm day tomorrow to heat the house up. I think it is supposed to be in the low 70s...Time to winterize the house and make sure the cars are ready for the snow and ice...ick! I hate scraping windows and fighting the weather. Give me sun! Give me heat! Maybe one day, I will move somewhere were winter never visits. I do love to visit the apple orchard every fall. I make applesauce and apple pies. There is something about gathering my own food that warms my heart. It makes me so happy! I love to cook. I made the greatest chicken marsala tonight with my neighbors. I was vegetarian for about 6 months this year...for health reasons...I simply don't digest animal products well...but I decided to add some meat back in my diet because I love cooking for my friends and family...and well...they eat meat! For the 6 months I was meatless, I would make a meal for me and one for my husband and son and I hated it! It wasn't the extra cooking that bothered me, it was that we were not able to share a meal together and discuss the flavors. I simply can't live like that.
I am taking 2 other classes right now that are full of busy work. I write papers and discussion boards on various topics. This past week, I had to write a paper about language as a bridge or as a barrier in the movie The Terminal. Then, I had to write a discussion about the Code of Ethics for Nursing. Last week, I also had to research urinalysis drug testing and why and am pro/con and write a mock memo to the Factory Manager at a faux company about my recommendations. None of it is really hard, but it is time consuming. Neither of those classes are looked at for admissions to the nursing program, but they are required to graduate, so I have to pass. Passing to me, though, means getting an A. I have trouble just doing the minimum to get by and end up spending more time then probably necessary...time I should be spending on Anatomy that does count for admissions.
Nurse Could Lose License for Snooping - WNEP
Nurse Could Lose License for Snooping - WNEP
In this day in age, I think people have forgotten that privacy is a right and is protected by law. We are so used to Google-ing people and checking them out on Facebook, that we think that if we can find the information, it is our right to know it, have access to it, and share it with others. This nurse in this story is probably going to lose her nursing license and get a hefty fine for looking up someone's medical information without authorization. She looked up her neighbor's information and then was so bold to comment about one of his allergies TO HIM! Not very bright. She should never have looked it up in the first place, but then to comment on it...doubly wrong and stupid...and I think she should lose her license. The patient-doctor relationship is special relationship. You confess things to your doctor that you would never tell anyone else and to know that someone is looking at those files for laughs and giggles is horrifying. Our bodies and our minds are so private. We have the right to keep it that way and to only share the information with the people we chose to share it with. I think about so many people that don't feel comfortable in doctor's offices...and why? Probably because they don't want to talk about such private issues or face admitting past behavior was inappropriate or harmful to their health or to discuss behaviors that need to change. Shame on you, snooping nurse.
In this day in age, I think people have forgotten that privacy is a right and is protected by law. We are so used to Google-ing people and checking them out on Facebook, that we think that if we can find the information, it is our right to know it, have access to it, and share it with others. This nurse in this story is probably going to lose her nursing license and get a hefty fine for looking up someone's medical information without authorization. She looked up her neighbor's information and then was so bold to comment about one of his allergies TO HIM! Not very bright. She should never have looked it up in the first place, but then to comment on it...doubly wrong and stupid...and I think she should lose her license. The patient-doctor relationship is special relationship. You confess things to your doctor that you would never tell anyone else and to know that someone is looking at those files for laughs and giggles is horrifying. Our bodies and our minds are so private. We have the right to keep it that way and to only share the information with the people we chose to share it with. I think about so many people that don't feel comfortable in doctor's offices...and why? Probably because they don't want to talk about such private issues or face admitting past behavior was inappropriate or harmful to their health or to discuss behaviors that need to change. Shame on you, snooping nurse.
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