It's been a couple of busy weeks with another big exam and clinical competencies to get through. Exams don't bother me too much, by now I know what to do to be successful. I am, however, surprised by my performance during competencies; the tests for our hands-on care skills. These are more like oral exams with the student demonstrating whatever skill is being tested. I didn't expect to stumble on these, but I did - and I have a new-found and healthy respect for them. Because I'm unfamiliar with this testing method, I went into competencies without any anxiety at all, figuring I knew the material and had practiced to the degree I thought necessary to pass.
What I didn't take into account was the things that can go wrong that would cause my anxiety to increase, and my performance to decrease.
Things like the differences between older BP cuffs and my new one and how the valves will vary in terms of sensitivity. Or how taking pulses on different clinical partners can make a real difference when testing. I started on a gal whose pulse was a little tough to find and keep for a full 60 seconds. Missing a beat or two means a fail. Luckily I identified another student whose pulse was slow and strong, steady as a drum. Ultimately I passed all of my competencies, however I see now that it will be important not just to practice, but to almost over-practice. Get the muscle-memory established so when unexpected things arise...I won't be fumbling with the basics.
I do like clinical days the best. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays we have clinicals, meaning we aren't sitting in lecture, but are in the Sim Lab learning hands on care, or we are out at a clinical site actually practicing what we have learned in lecture and lab. Mind you, I don't enjoy the ridiculous uniforms we wear. The whites – also called the Polyester Disaster. Still, these days are like field trips from school and a welcome break from our 5-hr long lectures.
Last week we went out to a daycare center to practice assessments on different age-groups. The children were delightful however, it was like taking a bath in a petri-dish full of germs. I think half of the nursing class came down with a cold and cough the following week. Myself included. It could be that visit or the extreme drop in temperature we have had that did us in. It went from 70's and flip flops to 40's and shearling boots seemingly overnight. I need to to a major re-org of the wardrobe.
October is here and I have this overwhelming urge to stay in my flannel jammies and make soup. I'm delighted to report I found a new (to me) grocery store that has special sections just for various world foods; kosher, British, Indian, Mediterranean. I took home a scone mix from the British section, since scones and tea are a comfort ritual for me. And from the kosher foods I found a huge selection of frozen soups. I can't wait to try the borscht (I realize that's Russian) with a huge dollop of sour cream and watch the rain falling outside my window.
Life is settling into a pattern here which is helping with the loneliness and homesickness a great deal. Friday nights are spent at the local pub. Sundays are spent just down the street at a great 60's-era diner. They don't mind my camping out there for 5 hours studying, and the old broads who wait on me all call me hon, or sweetie. The last couple of Sunday evenings have been spent at a friend's house who also relocated here from Tacoma around the same time. We cook dinner and visit, and then I get a long soak in her magnificent claw-foot tub! Bliss!
I've grown accustomed to dorm living now, and really don't mind it. It's like the Hogwart's of nursing schools, with it's own traditions and legacy. I'm willing to bet this school could be the last in-residence, hospital-run diploma program in the nation. This makes me sad, because it's truly a unique experience living and learning this way. I love that I can finish an assignment at any hour and toddle downstairs to push it under my instructor's office door. I can roll out of bed and be in class in 10 minutes and not give a damn what the weather is doing outside. If it's cold out we can take the tunnel into the hospital. The lab is left open at designated times for extra practice and it's just down the hall. I love looking at the old photos of the first classes of nursing students in the late 1800's who also studied medicine right here. I feel connected to them.
And I've finally met "Flo!" When I arrived there were little post-it notes around, or messages on the white boards, ostensibly from this Flo person. Things like: "Flo says wash your dishes," in the kitchen. Or, "Flo says Welcome Back students!" I just assumed "Flo" was a fastidious and involved person. Turns out she's a mannequin down on second floor, dressed in one of those 1890 nurse uniforms, named after (of course), Florence Nightingale. Apparently, residents like to kidnap her and put her in unexpected places, like the elevator or in front of someone's door in order to give them a fright. I have no doubt she'll be very active as Halloween approaches.
I'm dreading these last 4 weeks. The exam schedule is getting more rigorous. I have one every Friday until end of term. The material on them is data-heavy and will involve a lot of memorizing. Who doesn't hate memorizing? What I can look forward to is finishing that final exam and then hopping on a plane for 9 days at home with family and friends.
I CAN'T WAIT!
