Dec 7, 2017
First placement!
So, I finally got told where my first placement as a student mental health nurse would be, and it's made me a lot less nervous. I'm so happy, and it's on a ward which is good to build up my knowledge!
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seen from United States
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First placement!
So, I finally got told where my first placement as a student mental health nurse would be, and it's made me a lot less nervous. I'm so happy, and it's on a ward which is good to build up my knowledge!
Sleep deprived already....
He's not even here yet and I can't seem to get my mind to slow down enough to get more than 3 hours of sleep..... Thankfully I pick him up in 13-14 hours... Can't wait to get this party started!
On our way
On our way to go pick up the baby and meet the family about an hour away from our apartment. My husband says, "This is nothing like they said it was going to be!"
More waiting
Just sitting by the phone, waiting to see if they're going to drop a baby off today. Not sure if they'll call our home number or my cell phone. It dawned on me that I never set up the voice mail on our home phone. I can add that to my to-do list, along with clean-the-heck out of my apartment and sterilize the bottles.
My first placement
So my first placement is a community placement and I finally got the confirmed information through a couple of weeks ago! Everybody else had found out the details of their first placement weeks before I did, but I feel like its a small punishment for my MI5 behaviour. I found the link to the placements system and logged in before they released the details for us to see and I saw my placements info right up until the end of the first year, so naturally I leaked it to everyone and everyone got their details several weeks early ha! They've now blocked it so we can only see 12 weeks in advance but we got a nice sneak peek of our second placements because I found the placement database link on the uni website... they must think we can't read ;)
My community placement is in a community hospital and my main role is going to be district nursing - going out to patients homes who are housebound or need treatment at home rather than coming in to a clinic. However, there are many aspects to the community hospital that aren't district nursing that I am hoping I'll be allowed to experience in order to get an idea of how all these services work together and what a place like that offers in all its departments. I've only got about 3 weeks to wait now and I am so excited! I'm hoping to be able to contact my mentor at some stage this week to talk to them, see if I can arrange a visit prior to my start and get any information I'll need.
Any first placement stories or tips I'd be glad to hear and I'll keep you updated as I go along!!
last day/first day
My last day in the 3/4 SDC class was on Friday. It was pajama day, and we celebrated Read Across America, so heck yes..it was a good day. In honor of Read Across America, I had my mom and sister come in to be the 'guest readers.' Let's just say that the kids were acting like they were some sort of celebrities when they realized I had a mom AND a sister, and we all had the same last name. Too good. They also had a small 'farewell and good luck!' party for me and the students each took turns coming up and giving me their hand-made cards...seriously?! I could not have asked for a better first placement. Such a wonderfully open teacher, who creates this environment in her classroom that is warm and feels like home. I will start on Monday in the 1/2 grade SDC at the same school, and I couldn't be more excited. Of course, sad to leave my little 3rd and 4th kiddos, but I promised I would pop my head in from time to time.
Half way through student teaching and then I'm a credentialed special education teacher..woah!
Boom
Got a little boy at my house. He charged in like a little linebacker and has showed almost no fear in or outside. He's two. Most things are narrated by him with a 'boom!' or 'bang!', so that's where his blog name was born.
Was surprised at house insane the placement process was. I got a call Thursday, asking if I could take this little dude, then 24 hrs and a few million calls later (each from a different DSS/agency person) DSS called to ask me when I could pick him up. I gave them a time, and they said the case worker would get back to me about an address (out of town). He didn't call, and didn't call, and didn't call, and then finally he called to say that he thought someone else was supposed to get back with me. Glad I got a sub for my students...
So, after an impromptu trip to the agency, where they gave me a car seat to use while Boom is with me, I drove out of town to meet/pick him up at another foster home. Met a DSS caseworker there, and he introduced me to the respite couple. Then he got in his car and left while the rest of us put Boom's bags in my car and figured out how to install and adjust the car seat so he would fit correctly. Then just like that, Boom was in my car heading back to my home.
In all the pandemonium I realized I forgot to get almost any information on Boom, and zero paperwork. I feel like I should have some paperwork. The only way I figured out his last name was because it was listed on some of his prescription meds (that I was informed about as I was pulling out of the driveway). Just strong diaper cream, but still. I don't have a birthdate, medical info or insurance card, and I'm just piecing together his background. This is insane.
Finally got to say "yes"
Just got a call about a two month-old boy. The agency is waiting to hear back from another family they left a message with first, but I said yes, absolutely I'd take him. I really hope this one works.