Pediatrics- 4 weeks

Daily Schedule: Lecture on Mon. and Tues. from 8am - 2pm
                           Wards on Weds., Thurs., and Fri. from 6:30-2:30

Actual Daily Schedule:  No real change from what is posted above.

What to wear: Scrubs.  It's good to have an extra shirt if you happen to be the recipient of any projectiles

What's in my pockets: Brains ( a tool to organize your day- the one in your head is good to have too), Assessment and medication sheet, pens, band-aids, granola bar.

Patient notes you'll be asked to write:  assessments and safety notes.

What to study:  I have been spending most of my time on the pulmonary unit.  I've been reading a lot about pediatric respiratory issues, pediatric interventions in a kid-friendly way.  Of course, all systems.

A few unforgettables along the way:  sitting in on a cranial reconstruction, seeing a patient with right lung agenesis (born with only one lung)

Curious things other students do:  1. text messaging- which I find is unprofessional. 2. talking to patients like they are adults. 3

I am tired exhausted of school.  The amount of information that is thrown at us is ridiculous.  I am so over this.

Row your Boat

After getting moved in to the new house, battling bronchitis, keeping up with patients on the ward and studying I was more than ready to call it quits.  Instead,  this past weekend a I dragged a friend with me and we went to the reservoir for National Learn How To Row Day.  The day was humid, steamy, and rainy.  After being briefed on the parts of a boat and some practice on the ergs we hit the water.   First on the barge and then on an eight-seater.  I was loving the latter until my seat came of the track and I couldn't do anything but just sit there.  Both times I was port side and I'm already comfortable with it. 
I must have done well enough.  I received an e-mail applauding my "Olympic-caliber" rowing.  I'm sure everyone got that e-mail though.  Who knows, I'm still young enough to go for Gold. 
An in effort to preserve what little sanity I have left I joined a running club that meets early in the morning on the weekends.  It is a 16 week program so it will take me into the better part of the fall semester.  I am looking forward to changes and seeing what is in store for me as these days go by.

OB- 4 weeks

I haven't finished this rotation yet but I'd thought I'd share what it's been like so far.


daily schedule:
M,T,F- 0700-1530 on wards
W,R-0900-1430 lecture
Exams weekly covering between 5-10 chapters.

actual daily schedule:
same as the daily schedule.

what to wear:
issued scrubs while on the wards and street clothes on lecture days

what's in my pockets:
small notebook, pens, pocket size OB clinical guide, stethoscope

patient notes you'll be asked to write:
depending on whether you're on L& D or postpartum there will be a lot of newborn and maternal assessments, pain control, and family, educational, and psychosocial assessments

what to study:
newborn assessments, postpartum assessments, comfort measures, pain meds

a few unforgettables along the way:
palpating the fundus.  seeing Goldenhar Syndrome.  examining the placenta. witnessing birth of new life.

curious things other students do:
text messaging.  be professional and turn your phone off.  i'm sure your ex-boyfriend's sister can wait.

little suckers

i need a break. last night i had a dream that leeches were on me.  you know the critters that were used in medieval times. i wasn't grossed out by it, more annoyed that they were on me.  getting them off was a challenge because of their little suckers having such a grip on my skin.  i know its disgusting.  Evidently, seeing leeches in a dream refers to something in your life that is draining the energy and vigor out of you.  The dream may refer to people, habits, or negative emotions that are sucking you out of your vitality.  I'd say school fits in well with this description.  if you have any secrets to replenish vigor and energy feel free to share.

Video

Nurses have loads of compassion...it's just that we don't waste it on family members.

Leaving Comfort for Courage

This is a great article by Jeanne Stevens.  I thought I would share it.




LEAVING COMFORT FOR COURAGE

By Jeanne Stevens | Soul City Church

Courage will always require an element of leaving. Leaving is just plain hard. When My 3 year old knows I’m about to leave he will often squeeze as hard as he can around my neck to lovingly manipulate me into staying one more minute.

I know how he feels—because leaving comfort for courage makes me want to wrap my arms around every ounce of safety in my life—hoping if I hold on tight enough that I won’t have to taste the pain of the leaving what I know is inevitable.

Leaving comfort and safety looks and sounds alluring and attractive - butthe attraction fades quickly—in fact I have never felt so vulnerable, small, and needy…. words that are not known for their alluring appeal.

Moving from comfort to courage will…
cause you to question your decision.
It will cause you to look around for the safety bars, seatbelt, and any kind of security button.

Moving from comfort to courage will…
cause you to try to make something happen.
Scheme, make phone calls, send out hail mary e-mails—anything to distract from sitting in the fear.

Moving from comfort to courage will…
cause you to doubt your abilities.
You will look at everything that you have failed at in the past … failed relationships, failed financial decisions, failed leadership calls—and you will wonder will you repeat those patterns and are they indicators to go out and look for comfort again.

Moving from comfort to courage will…
cause you to doubt the author of the calling on your life.
Thinking that God is too busy to take care of your little fear

Moving from comfort to courage will…
cause you to be jealous of your neighbors.
—who seem to be perfectly content with their lives. You will wonder if you are some sort of crazy person that has a unhealthy propensity to live on the edge.

Moving from comfort to courage will…
cause you to look for the easy way out.

Moving from comfort to courage will…
cause you to pray like never before.
Wonder if you know any scripture to cast out the inner demon of doubt.

Moving from comfort to courage will…
cause you to white knuckle yourself around anything that feels secure and semi safe.
—even though you know earthly security and safety is a mirage and the place where Jesus is, is most where you want to be.

Moving from comfort to courage will…
cause you to feel weak in the knees.
—a good indicator that you should stop standing up and get ON your knees.

Moving from comfort to courage will…
cause others to question you.
Especially those that have found security to be a bedrock to build their lives on. You will be misunderstood, questioned, and perhaps even seen as foolish.

So today, God, I feel every one of these fears. I am terrified… straight up terrified. I am calling out to you to be a voice of truth and freedom. Tell me to settle down, to trust you and to release every one of these fears into your arms of faith. I know it is impossible to invite others into a life of obedience if I am unable to live it myself—so today I am re-upping my commitment to obey and be faithful.

Jeanne Stevens serves as one of the lead pastors at Soul City Church in Chicago, IL. Jeanne is the author of Soul School and the soon to be released book, What Lies Beneath.