Semester Three, Week Seven

Two exams.

One clinical calculations quiz (you know, the one that requires 100%; the one I almost had a coronary over just a little while ago when I failed it?)

First, some serious prayer happened this week, and may I just say that it really worked?

Psych final: 90%
Second pharm exam (remember; I failed the first one): 92%

Aaaaaand, clinical calculations quiz, oh, just A 100% ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT.

In fact, with that clinical calculations quiz, I flew through it, despite the advanced IV calculations. I was like "no problem". I re-checked my answers (despite knowing, internally, I had done it; the answers were correct).

That didn't stop my anxiety as I approached my instructor to grade the quiz (real time grading is awesome) and as she went down my ten answers, green marker in hand, page one, page two, she tells me I passed. I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Euphoria.

It truly was a phenomenal week. I followed some suggestions by my pharmacist friend to cut back on caffeine and sugar, and then of course, turned to prayer, and hey, here we are.

It's weeks like this that make me feel (once more) that I can do this.

My perception of this semester and my nursing goals are bi-polar; I get it.

Began Advanced Concepts of Med-Surg (fancy, right?) this week, and while the content was absolutely disenchanting, (think: fluids, electrolytes, dehydration, hypovolemia, fluid volume excess, fluid volume deficit, interpreting lab data, anemia, and shock) it feels......manageable, even if I can't tell you the differences between hypocalcemia and hypernatremia (actually; I could tell you a few things, but that's besides the point.)

And, a bit of a medical crisis hit me today; my dog, beloved, beloved girl has fallen ill. She's diabetic and today has not eaten in 24 hours nor drank in 6+ hours. Vomited twice, restless, and uncomfortable. My parents, whom I am staying with this weekend turn to me for medical expertise. All my years working in the veterinary setting prepared me somewhat, but the panic of losing my girl attempted to wiggle its way in.

I attempted to think like a nurse, even giving her veterinarian a comprehensive history and current status report. But, naturally, it was up to me to determine the course of action. Bring her in, observe her, pick up antibiotics for a possible infection, shot for nausea, and so on.

The nursing process assisted in my decision (Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation) and I opted to pick up an antiemetic and monitor her.

Here comes the painful waiting stage; was I correct in my assessment? It's difficult, I'm learning, and I know this will transpire even once I'm a nurse dealing with sick humans. Did I do the right thing? Is my assessment, my findings correct? Have I missed something vital?

And so, the waiting game goes.