The Scrub Life of a Student

[myscrublife]

I got into my Registered Nursing Program!!

I am excited to announce my good news, I was accepted into the RN program at my local community college. This is just one huge step in the right direction. My ultimate goal is to have my masters or doctorate and become a clinical nurse, or FNP. 

My experience so far....

Well since I received my acceptance letter a few weeks ago, I have been running around making sure all paperwork is submitted, my physical appointment ready to go, and of course vaccines vaccines vaccines!

The excitement lasted about a day and then I realized I was in for a hard 2 years of schooling. I have a small idea of what I am getting myself into but I am praying that all is well. I just have to take it one day at a time but I am super nervous for what is to come. I am beyond blessed to be able to experience this, I am beyond blessed for this opportunity!

[myscrublife]

Clinical day, but 2 more to go.

Today was tiring. Emotionally, and physically. I was comforting a resident who was in tears and heartbroken because she found out her son has cancer. She was devastated and I cried with her. Offering her a shoulder and hugs. I said that I would pray for him, and I meant it. It was so hard seeing her like that. I was floating all day between 3 different wings. I met new people it was nice. Now, 2 more days left of clinical. I'm bummed. I will miss every one of their faces. I'm officially attached and my heartstrings have been pulled.

[rn-aimes]

Best quote from my confused patient tonight

Me: “sir, can you tell me what year it is?” Patient: “who the hell even cares?”

[freshrn]

When I turn my patient by myself

[myscrublife]

Clinicals (Day 6)

My 6th day was technically yesterday (Thursday). It was uneventful at the most. In the mornings we walk on the floor and finish up with breakfast, and sometimes we have to feed the residents who cannot feed themselves. Most of the time, we will also take vitals on certain residents. Next, we are getting them up and dressed, or at least dressed if they wish to stay in their beds. It’s alot of hard work, and sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming with the amount of duties CNAs are required to do but when I am there, I finally feel my sense of purpose. Yeah, CNAs have the dirty job, and they are probably at the very bottom of the totem pole of healthcare providers but this is a small step I must go through to get where I want to be. This hands on experience is only going to help me for the better.

There are many tasks that CNA’s have to be responsible for, especially cleaning up after bowel movements (BM) or Urinary incontinance...you name it, we will have to clean it. Call me crazy, but I enjoy every aspect of CNA work. Down to the dirtiest job, I feel like this is part of my purpose. I am not here to judge, I am not here to look down upon. I am here to give care, and compassion to the elderly, the sick, the dying, the confused. Who am I to judge what these precious people are going through? 

There was a meme going around online that listed the top 9 “HOE JOBS,” Cna’s and nurses being #1. This kind of infuriated me. Who are these people to judge what kinds of people CNA’s and Nurses are? They are taking care of your sick grandmother or your sick family member because you don’t have the cajones to step up and do it yourself. It is our job to care and some of us do a damn good job. I just had to bring that up because it was completely ridiculous. I think the author may have tripped on his head and possibly had never worked a hard day in their life.

Sorry, got a little off topic. Day 6. I actually had a great time, I was able to give some pedicures, some massages and I held the hand of a lovely elderly woman who was missing her family. I have to admit, she looked very miserable and she is pretty depressed. She told me that life is just not worth living anymore. That just about broke my heart. What do I say to that? Well, all I could say that I was glad I met her and when I feel down, I try to stay positive which is hard to do sometimes. I told her she had me to talk to whenever she was feeling that way. 

I gave her a manicure, and I promised I would bring some nail polish so I can paint her nails next time I was in. She asked if I could hold her hand and I did so whole-heartedly. Sadly, I am a student so I have these extra moments to pamper some of these residents. When I thought about being an employee, I was sad at the thought because I know I will have less time with these residents. 

I also felt sad at the thought of losing that one-on-one contact as I move up the healthcare ladder. I long to be someone that touches lives, and makes someone feel better, I am worried I’ll turn into those busy CNA’s that are just trying to get their tasks done...I understand the work must be done but I hope that I can make time in my day to listen. That is all they want sometimes, is an ear to listen.

[doctordconline-blog]

Keep Calm , and keep Motivated Always…..#hospitallife

#Doctor #hospital #patient #medicine #Medstudent #medlife #mbbs #md #doctordconline #usmle #usmlestep1 #usmlestep2 #nhs #nurse #nursing #inspiration #motivation @doctordconline

[23pairofchromosomes]

Cardiac cycle

[myscrublife]

Worst school ever.

I am a college graduate, continuing my education, so when I needed to find a CNA program, I had to find one quick. My local adult school offers them about 3 times a year but it’s been an experience. Some of the girls in the class are beyond annoying and immature yet they want to become nurses. They make dumb comments when someone has a question to ask (grow up bitches), and the teachers, oh my gosh. This is probably the most unprofessional staff. The other instructors are always trying to throw my clinical instructor under the bus.

I feel like I’m in high school all over again… I should have done this at my local college.

Just 2 more weeks then state Board exams…this is going to be a long 2 weeks…

Once I am done with this I can submit my RN application next month. Thank God almighty.

[myscrublife]

CNA clinicals (day 2)

Yesterday counted for my second day of clinical in the CNA program. I’ve had much education even beyond this CNA class, but I don’t think anything can really prepare you for the real life experience.

Luckily for me, I’ve helped take care of my sick mother and I have had to do many things I didn’t imagine doing such as toileting, cleaning after toileting, or cleaning after incontinence just to name a couple. I am grateful for those experiences and for that, I didn’t have to go into my clinical blindly.

Although it’s only been 2 days, I am in love! I know, I am going to have some difficult days and I’ll be alone when I am actually working as a CNA but I quickly fell in love with the Resident-CNA contact, I am a people person and I love that I get to interact with the residents!

CNA’s do the tedious, and sometimes (or most of the time) the dirty work. We are in contact with the Residents or Patients more than anyone else sometimes. My first days of clinical were an amazing experience. I got to hold the hand of the elderly who were confused, I got to hold the hand and console a new admitted resident, who you can imagine is going through quite a huge change.

Our jobs are to make these residents and patients as comfortable as we can while maintaining their dignity. This is a big responsibility, but I am up for the challenge. I see my mother or my grandmother every time I look at these residents and my heart fills with love and compassion for these wonderful people. We have to remember that they are going through huge changes and they are no longer able to do the independent things that they were once used to. 

My first two days consisted of toileting, clean up after toileting, re-positioning residents who are not able to move on their own, dressing residents with an affected side, feed lunch to a wonderful lady whom I was able to make laugh, and so much more. 

It is hard work, and it takes a special person. I am a Nursing Major and continuing my education, I am hoping to enter an RN program by next Spring and I have told myself, if I did not like my CNA experience, I’d have to really re-evaluate my educational decisions. I am pleased to say that I am in love with my CNA experience so far. There will be hard days, and there will be easy days but we must maintain a positive connection with our teams and continue to work hard for these residents or patients, they need us and sometimes we are all they have.

[myscrublife]

Introductions

Hi, my name is Antanette and I am a student in the process of applying to nursing programs. This summer I am currently taking a fast paced CNA program through my local adult school in order to gain my experience and to boost my RN application as well. I knew getting into nursing, that it would take a special kind of person and I told myself that if I didn’t like my CNA class, and the hands on experience it provides, I would have to make some serious changes. This blog is specifically for my educational journey and to share my experiences within my clincials and CNA position. My prerequisites are complete, I’ve taken all necessary courses and I am now here. Soon to be CNA, future Student Nurse. Come along for the ride.