tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208474012011-11-06T11:18:04.150-05:00kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.comBlogger701100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1156955928943641192006-08-30T12:37:00.000-04:002007-03-28T23:09:12.503-04:00

Ernesto is bearing down on us Central Floridians. I have 2 days off from nursing school. To warm my brain up, I started playing with the design of my blog, so here are the results.What do you think?

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1156769331033795102006-08-28T08:06:00.000-04:002006-08-28T08:50:01.273-04:00

This is a shed. No, really.No, it's a glass studio. No, not at the moment. It is now my study/library. Well, sometimes. It also poses as a laundry and a meditation area. Here's a peek inside: I have a little couch. I find studying much easier on a couch, laying down all the time. And, that bookcase over there houses ALL nursing, paramedic, and my "special" books...those which I might read while

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1156330701726658012006-08-23T06:48:00.000-04:002006-08-23T06:58:21.740-04:00

I intend to lose 10 more lbs on my Nutrisystem dietI intend to read all lecture readings prior to lecture, like I am supposed to.I intend to return to meditation every day and honor myself as well with the study of dharma.I intend to become more mindful and spread more compassion.I intend to look for a new job at a new place-maybe something that starts very soon!I intend to study more intently

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1156157854681269342006-08-21T06:42:00.000-04:002006-08-26T21:36:55.943-04:00

1st week of advanced med-surg!This vacation was some of the best days ever for me. You know when you are really thirsty, and you savor something so much, it actually tastes different? This was my vacation. It is not that anything spectacular happened. But, I must say that at time not looking at my watch was an amazing feeling! I am centered once again, which I have missed in myself..And, like a

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1155555281672475242006-08-14T07:29:00.000-04:002006-08-15T14:03:51.613-04:00

ED weekend theme: Overdose (and no one goes home...our entire ICU holds just OD's from us this weekend. Count=4 Friday, 3 Saturday, 2 Sunday)I "fell of the Nutrisystem Wagon," so to speak....gaining back 2lbs, eating a bit of a donut Saturday, and having a beer Sat night and a glass of wine Sun.Knee pain all weekend from partial staining of my deck. A project incomplete, awaiting time and lack of

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1155293739218621912006-08-11T06:47:00.000-04:002006-08-11T06:55:39.250-04:00

Dad,Still miss you.Eighteen years. So hard to believe this amount of time has passed. From young girl to wife, from one career to the next. There is not one day that passes which I don’t think of you. Most days, no tears, but I still have moments. So many things I have shared with you, even now there are days I feel your energy with me in presence. I will forever be connected to you: from Vespas

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1155053239516887402006-08-08T11:50:00.000-04:002006-08-18T16:52:04.606-04:00

On my vacation, I am doing such things I have had no time for in the past few months, including staff meetings at "Hospital A" where I work.This morning I also met with our department head, who cannot give me her verbal agreement in writing. She said she would "consider" me for an RN position in the ED when I graduate, even though she is vehemently opposed to new grads in the ED. She would prefer

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1154737530809771822006-08-04T20:10:00.000-04:002006-08-04T20:25:30.833-04:00

Thanks for the emails regarding the latest , well, I really don't know what to call it. I am recovering from being relatively upset about the whole ordeal.There is so little to compete in as a (forced-into-retirement)professional bowler, and that being a full time SN an paramedic working 24 hours a week. The one "Big Tournament" ealrier this year I had to (once again) miss due to my school

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1154644300799680012006-08-03T18:29:00.000-04:002006-08-03T18:31:40.820-04:00

So, I go to my online school resource to check my OB grade again. Seems as though I wanted to stare at a train wreck a bit more and lament. And, there it was. an "86". So, my calculations were ALL off! So, how is it I got a 100% on my dosage calculation final?!

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1154627567710715432006-08-03T13:45:00.000-04:002006-08-03T13:52:47.733-04:00

Of Freedom!!!So, I took the dreaded OB final today. Walked out like I did test one. "For sure I definitely got a B, but maybe an A." Grades just posted a few hours later, and I got a 79 on the final. Quick! figure out the weighted test grades, projects, etc.....and...I got a 77 in the class=C. Bummer. This is my lowest grade in a while. I think the lowest of my most recent foray into college. But

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1154516069223252802006-08-02T06:42:00.000-04:002006-08-02T06:54:29.236-04:00

Studying OB for my final tomorrow.Fetal circulation. heart defects in infants. Acyanotic vs. cyanotic. On and On. Did I mention OB is not my favorite, nor my specialty?One more day. One more day. Then it is yardwork, organization (just in time for Chris to blow it all around, I am sure,) a little bit 'o beer, sleeping past 0600, make some glass beads in my studio, play with the new cell phone(

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1154391252851279382006-07-31T20:08:00.000-04:002006-07-31T20:14:12.866-04:00

Pharm theory final today...I did not stay for the review to try and figure out my grade, I just got out of there, headed home, and tried to divert my attention onto more important things...R&R! So, tomorrow I should know. I think I got an 'A", but we will see.New updates: ANOTHER scholarship dropped into my lap, this time through school. It will cover my tuition, books & uniform for the rest of

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1154103316908599462006-07-28T12:09:00.000-04:002006-07-31T09:31:12.856-04:00

Oh Floyd. You are innocent until proven guilty with me. I also stood by Tyler until the very end, too. But, look where that landed him..We are in a strange world: some sports have no drug testing whatsoever (bowling and others.) In a perfect world the press leaves your mom alone. I saw her on the news this morning. It is very sad, very sad indeed to involve your family in this, a sorry,

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1153912312650605792006-07-26T06:55:00.000-04:002006-07-27T21:43:03.753-04:00

I had my final OB clinical yesterday. The early morning before I arrived there was a fetal demise. I am not going to get into to many (HIPAA hippo) details, but the situation is not good for anyone. The chart is a mess, and the hospital and its players may face some stiff penalties.In front of my clinical instructor, the NM states to another,"We may have to call those involved back in to add late

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1153783985718473392006-07-24T19:27:00.000-04:002006-07-26T10:43:47.476-04:00

See July 20 post below for the nuts & bolts to this story, but here's the update...So, I got "The Call" today, and just as I expected....full scholarship w/strings. Up to $4000 per year for 2 years. Amazing. Got the contract in hand; faxed to me this afternoon. Now, I am still on the fence, so I can use some more opinions out there on this one. No news from any other scholarships yet. I think

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1153737032364498432006-07-24T06:23:00.000-04:002006-07-24T06:30:32.376-04:00

2 weeks: 5 tests, including 3 finals, 1 group project.The, 16 days ....of FREEDOM!!!!!!! Minus four days in there of work days =12 whole days of whatever I want! Not much of a Summer vacation compared to you 4-year SN's, but, hey, oh well.I will charge ahead like, like....Floyd in Stage 19 at the time trial. OMG, hard this weekend at work with that one. They don't have OLN TV on that cable system

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1153562977767341952006-07-22T05:58:00.000-04:002006-07-22T06:09:37.800-04:00

My husband & I are of the irregular crowd. We don't watch football, don't have a fav baseball or basketball team. Come July 1st each year, or at least the past seven years, we have holed up in our home, shut the telephone off, accepted no visitors until the end of July. It's the TDF. Thank God for Tivo because we can now some type of semblance of a life and can fast forward through all

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1153421997884963342006-07-20T14:43:00.000-04:002006-07-30T17:29:07.473-04:00

Ok, before I off to my little hole to study for my OB test, which is Monday. I must ask for some help and thoughtful opinions from Blog-Land:I interviewed at Hospital "A" this afternoon for a scholarship I applied for. It pays for my full tuition (nursing school time only, so 4 semesters since I was in the transition program from paramedic,) all my books, uniforms, etc. It is not need-based,

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1153261698393261012006-07-18T18:20:00.000-04:002006-07-19T12:24:34.256-04:00

One word: unexpected.I visited the County Health Department and shadowed a community health nurse for a few hours. I have seen a certain amount of nursing, but I guess I have been missing a part of it. My ED where I work has some pretty amazing nurses, don't get me wrong, but the objective of patient advocate can easily be lost when you are within the process of sheer numbers of patients, "

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1152821044502497772006-07-13T15:55:00.000-04:002006-07-14T14:49:00.570-04:00

I just have been off this week.I did not so good on my first OB test Monday.1st OB clinical Tuesday. This went well, but I was exhausted, and then a 2 hour staff meeting 30 miles north of where I was. Home by 9:00pm.Wednesday. Studying, but not organized and retaining anything. OB is just plain hard for me, and I am looking toward doing anything ELSE rather than study right now.Today, school in

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1152528156955559482006-07-10T06:34:00.000-04:002006-07-10T06:42:36.956-04:00

So, here's my little story on how strange my world is.Please, read the morning post BELOW. Then proceed with this entry.So, I am exhausted, on my way home from work. I just want to get my gas, my DH's beer, and soak my sore feet in a nice warm bathtub.I fill the tank and go inside. I bring only my credit card...No one will card me, I think. I must look like h*ll from my busy day. I get the beer,

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1152527591642092942006-07-10T06:15:00.000-04:002006-07-10T06:33:11.666-04:00

The life of an Emergency Department Tech this weekend:linen and supply restocking of rooms, 0700-0900. Takes longer than normal because housekeeping short on flat stretcher sheets, all dirty laundry bags and various pickup from last shift not completed, ergo "trickle down effect" which is a busy night, tech can't finish work, it gets passed onto me, then I cannot keep up, then I pass it on (or,

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1152275477434446032006-07-07T08:26:00.000-04:002006-07-10T06:09:47.296-04:00

There is an issue I hope to share online at some point that arose with our nursing class regarding academic dishonesty. For the moment, though, I must refrain from commenting any more on it. But, some questions to pose in the "out there" land of lurkers:Do you thinking nursing students, as a whole, may be dishonest academically? If so, why?I would think that dishonesty would be more prevalent

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1152018246210967802006-07-04T08:35:00.000-04:002006-07-04T09:04:06.286-04:00

OB/GYN started for Summer B Class. I am not a baby person. I have held only a handful of infants, let alone newborns! I have seen one birth, and she was rushed to emergency surgery. I have seen 2 C-Sections. All 3 births occurred in clinicals, so none were family. So this is all new territory for me. I have no children, and we are thinking late in this game (I am 38) that we might adopt if we

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1151008492840515072006-06-22T16:29:00.000-04:002006-06-25T03:28:30.916-04:00

104 on my Psych Final today, making my final grade for Summer A in Psych a 98-BAM!92 on my theory Pharmacology midterm today. I got a 96 on dosage calc for Pharm last week! I am SSOOOOOOOOO HAAAAPY!We start OB/GYN Monday. Not much of a break. Well, no break. I had 1 1/2 hours this afternoon to rewrite respiratory notes in Pharm this afternoon. You see, we had that lecture immediately following

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1150887854212424392006-06-21T06:48:00.000-04:002006-06-21T07:04:14.226-04:00

Happy SS, on this longest day of the year!I already celebrated our first day of summer by stepping outside into the arriving light by feeding the cat-my, our FL morning is HUMID! I am destined to spend my day indoors anyway...Good thing for the length of the day-I finish stuffing my brain with facts from Psych and Pharmacology: Psych Final and Pharm Midterm for a weighty 24% of our final grade.

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1150714999540720372006-06-19T06:59:00.000-04:002006-06-19T07:03:19.566-04:00

The dread.Midterm meltdown is upon me.After last week, preparing to bowl and then bowling in Reno, and then returning with some serious jetlag, I am "back to reality" again to face the school music. Fortunately, my airplane capitivity allowed me to get some much-needed studying done for Pharmacology. There is no easy way around memorization in a thoughtful way. I try to apply the meds to real

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1149767525090207952006-06-08T07:35:00.000-04:002006-07-31T14:29:51.650-04:00

In psych lab the other day I took the stressor test.Not to be competitive, but I was high number in the class.The average number was around 200. I was over 500. A high 500.Yes, I am an A-Type personality, and most of my life I have been under more stress than the average person (so I have a higher tolerance.) But, here is a summary of some things that have happened to me in the past year, and my

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1149201268695016332006-06-01T18:27:00.000-04:002006-06-08T03:08:25.906-04:00

.....When you have your psych lectures and clinicals.Hadn't thought about this in years, so here goes.This person was my first HUGE crush.....Shaun Cassidy.Sunday nights. "Disney" on ABC (because we only HAD 5 stations on the TV). OMG! I hope it is a "Hardy Boys" night, and not a "Nancy Drew" night. Nobody could tear me away from that 9" B&W television! Got all the records, all the Tiger Beats...

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1148895886066684022006-05-29T05:31:00.000-04:002006-05-30T19:58:21.633-04:00

Zen Haiku by Natsume Soseki:Crazy butterflyFlirting with flowersHonoring the dead_________________________________________ My body is very sore this morning. We worked a code yesterday in ICU for over 30 minutes. The compression team consisted of me and one little girl from respiratory (who weighs all of about 110lbs). Nobody else offered to jump in. So here we were, doing our best with the new

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1148080607466575352006-05-19T19:02:00.000-04:002006-05-31T10:46:36.460-04:00

I happened to stumble into a favorite movie of mine (which I haven't seen in a while) this afternoon..."The Doctor" starring William Hurt (1991.)The last time I watched it was well before nursing school was in my mind. Medicine, for that matter. It touches on the main point of finding compassion in medicine-well worth the two hours. I had thought early on that nurses would be less immune to this

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1147780005093884462006-05-16T07:37:00.000-04:002006-05-19T10:24:50.203-04:00

So, we are off.I have Psych in Summer A, OB/GYN Summer B, and Pharmacology and Statistics the entire Summer semester. I also am in the midst of attempting to get back into the gym and practice for my upcoming USBC National Bowling Championships in Reno June 14-15. Once again, too much on my plate.Our Psych instructor is wonderful. "PI" as I will call her for confidentiality, has explained to us

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1147261712332206352006-05-10T07:43:00.000-04:002006-05-10T07:48:32.346-04:00

Monday May 8: Student Nurse's Day=final exam, semester 1. One down, 3 to go... Party at Brandi's House...Tuesday May 9: Wake up late (for me 7:30am), organize away semester 1 notes, bowling lesson, work calls me so I go in for 4 hours (stupid me.)Today, May 10: What to do? Landscaping, scholarship applications, play with new-found scanner, maybe watch "Memories of a Geisha" or some movie the DH

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1146739509058800512006-05-04T06:24:00.000-04:002006-05-04T06:45:09.073-04:00

September 11th, 2001There is more to this story, which I will save for another time.Here is a quote from an article in USA Today about Shanksville, PA, the Flight 93 Memorial site:"When you stand on the memorial's hilltop and listen to the flags snapping inthe wind, you can't help but have a sense of that horrible day and how ithit small-town America," says Vadhan, of Long Island, N.Y. And at the

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1146587191537940582006-05-02T12:12:00.000-04:002006-05-06T14:54:42.940-04:00

How can anyone think of studying for a nursing final when it is 75 and not a cloud in the sky? The birds are chirping...aaah.This is where I WANT to be...on my pink Vespa GT200, cruising down Indian River Drive, onto old Downtown Cocoa, where I would eat a flatbread at Ossorios, buy a little eclectic outfit at Mango's, drink cappucino, maybe check out the latest beads at Tatanka Beads, then

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1146177148629406902006-04-27T18:20:00.000-04:002006-04-27T18:32:28.646-04:00

I do not recommend this for the "normal" nursing student.I am currently knee-deep in the memorization of lab values. The important ones. For a test on Monday.How to commit them to memory? It seems as though in key moments in the semester, I have had to put some personalization on my studying. Chest tubes/pre-op/post-op care=my husband (earlier in the semester). CHF (mother in Law's symptoms.)Now

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1145926893829202302006-04-24T20:08:00.000-04:002006-04-24T21:01:33.886-04:00

I am studying for my final practical skills test tomorrow, and I am pretty comfortable, so it is an early night for me to be able to relax and do some more "fun" things...Podcast updates, emails, purchase my Psych book for Summer A. My husband is currently in the other room shootenemup XBox 360-style. This after a day where I was stressed over 2005 Taxes. yes, I turned in my tax info to my

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1145492587591839722006-04-19T20:10:00.000-04:002006-04-19T23:30:56.213-04:00

Finished this semester's clinicals yesterday, and spent the morning putting the finishing touches on the MOST AWESOME CARE PLANS this side of the Mississippi!So, I now venture onto this week's topic for Monday's theory...taa daa... reproduction. Acid Base was this week, and I actually have a firm grasp on it, seeing as we spent endless hours on it in Paramedic school (and our instructors were

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1145095377080973702006-04-15T05:59:00.000-04:002006-04-15T06:02:57.106-04:00

My very first "Press."Yes, that is me, ala 1972, getting her, um, heart checked out on a field trip to the local hospital.Check out the digs on that nurse!

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1144944033775055842006-04-13T11:42:00.000-04:002006-04-13T12:00:33.793-04:00

I am not one to open and read newspapers on a regular basis. The past week or 2 I have been, and I am not sure why. Maybe it is to become more connected with my own community.Ringo Starr tickets go on sale tomorrow. One of my life goals: to see remaining Beatles in concert, so I am interested. Anyone interested in standing in line in Melbourne, FL tomorrow morning while I am at work?LOL! I saw

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1144855710731559122006-04-12T11:11:00.000-04:002006-07-12T22:19:21.956-04:00

I spent the morning yesterday with a hospice house, taking care of four patients in various stages of death.For their privacy and mine, I will not speak of the name of the hospice. In our county, it is one of a kind, fashioned as a a real home with a large, exteneded family of workers, or "angels." This is why it is kind of unfortunate to NOT give you the name, because they accept donations and

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1144668639091715462006-04-10T06:58:00.000-04:002006-04-10T07:30:39.140-04:00

There is nothing worse than the "cry" the family has when they realize they have lost a loved one. I have personally experienced it with the loss of my dad when I was 20.Yesterday we in the ED witnessed it with the case of a very young boy who was run over by a vehicle. We usually don't get these type of cases, based upon our level of trauma center, but here we were..trauma code. We worked it

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1144577177077706402006-04-09T06:04:00.000-04:002006-04-09T06:06:17.106-04:00

Since Brevard County Florida has gotten rain. A awake this a.m. to the sounds of thunder, lightening is in the air, and this strange liquid stuff drops from the air. It is a new FL state record of no rain. So, on the 41st day, it rains.It will be a good day...

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1144239568123759342006-04-05T08:04:00.000-04:002006-04-05T08:19:28.136-04:00

Do you remember your dreams? I have been lately. I guess I haven't been getting very restful sleep if this is the case. Early in my life, I was told to write down my dreams when I awoke. Crazy people-there is no way I am turning on a light, waking myself up that much to write out my dreams! So, here are some tidbits and my interpretation of them. Maybe you can comment with your own

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1143767288016104802006-03-30T19:40:00.000-05:002006-03-30T20:08:08.043-05:00

Can't you hear the Go Go's now?This is the end of my Spring Break week (4 days), but aah, what a lovely fours days it has been! I go back to work tomorrow for 3 days, so I don't count it in. I managed to catch up on only things I wanted to catch up on....I have been "tagged" by Student Nurse Jack" to play, so here goes (and it couldn't come at a better time.....tiiiime, is on my side, yes it is..

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1143284860509151012006-03-25T05:57:00.000-05:002006-07-14T02:48:31.263-04:00

I heard on NPR the other day that in Florida a study was conducted, and the information discovered was that in 25% of the cases of a patient's death in a hospital could be directly attributed to nursing shortages. The ANA was in Tallahassee lobbying for new guidelines (or, at least, a new awareness) regarding this topic of shortages. ( I hear this little voice in my head..."c'mon, jump in....the

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1143110560536695552006-03-23T05:28:00.000-05:002006-03-23T05:42:40.553-05:00

I am up at 3:45 this morning. I can't sleep, and here I am. I awoke thinking about how my rings barely fit and I need to lose weight. There are people that know me from 3 years ago that if they saw me wouldn't believe it WAS me. This has been my little secret now for about a year or two. Dark circles, roots that need lightening. All of me. Good thing I am hangin' with a new crowd that

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1143034236098144572006-03-22T07:42:00.000-05:002006-03-22T08:30:36.590-05:00

Wiping a**???!!!I had a split clinical today: OR and ICU. These are really two areas I am interested in after graduation, so I was very excited about the experience.Surgery was wonderful! Everyone friendly, saw a Colectomy and a hernia repair. The surgeon was even accommodating....I had some other type of student there (not SN) observing, and he started quizzing us. I apparently had a moment of

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1142253474190823392006-03-13T07:16:00.000-05:002006-03-13T07:37:54.280-05:00

The sun is shining, it is warming up, and:The kids are getting onto the trampolines.The adults are getting onto the trampolines.The kids are getting into the water.Kids are getting onto the scooters they got for Christmas.Every biker is heading home from Bike Week Daytona.Gardeners are pulling weeds.Men are tuning up the chain saws.Do you see where I am going with this?So, please please please:

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1142075667672229482006-03-11T05:59:00.000-05:002006-03-11T06:14:27.693-05:00

Theme at work today for me in the ED: code brownTheme at work today/department: OverdoseI spent the better part of my day yesterday breathing through my mouth. Why, you say? It is my technique, passed down from my husband Tommy and others well skilled in the art of dealing with liquids they are not wanting to smell too much of... "Code Brown" is a delicate word for the type of liquid I am talking

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1141826368243615902006-03-08T08:50:00.000-05:002006-03-08T08:59:28.260-05:00

I experienced my first floor nursing clinical yesterday at the hospital. What an experience! The patient I want to share with you wasn't my patient, but another student's. He was 44, a lifelong smoker with Buerger's Disease. Here is a link to an explaination of what exactly it is. But, in basic terms, it is a vascular disease that slowly involves the amputation of your extremities. This man was

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1141557818924947272006-03-05T06:11:00.000-05:002006-03-05T06:23:38.936-05:00

When everyone gets out their Harleys and heads 50 miles North from here to Daytona for Bike Week with their Haaaawwgs.Here's my version of 2 wheels of fun...AKA the "Barbie Scooter." I do get "the wave" from unsuspecting motorcyclists going the other way. I then get an additional smile or double take. It's pink. Not Mary Kay Pink, Barbie Pink with a metallic sparkly lustre you can't see in the

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1140831629402854622006-02-24T20:31:00.000-05:002006-02-24T20:40:29.416-05:00

I have a little personal celebrating to do tonight.My husband doesn't have cancer.Since I really have no shared this blog with him yet (shame on me,) I will leave it at this. Some things shall stay personal.We both love Bluegrass. We both love AKUS. For those who do not have an idea of what this is: This is a photo of AKUS. Allison Krauss and Union Station. The purest sound we believe in music

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1140650149264959832006-02-22T18:11:00.000-05:002006-02-22T18:15:49.280-05:00

"Somewhere in time the truth shines through And the spirit knows what it has to do Somewhere in you there's a power with no name It can rise to meet the moment and burn like a flame And you can be stronger than anything you know Hold on to what you see Don't let it go "Performed by Steve Winwood Lyrics byJames Horner, Cynthia Weil, & Barry Mann. From the movie "Balto"Trials in my lifetime passes,

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1140463557254347272006-02-20T14:12:00.000-05:002006-02-20T14:25:57.286-05:00

I sit next to a fellow student in class today. We found out through our clinical instructor that my student's patient at the rehab facility (nursing home) has gone to the hospital, apparently not doing too well. Tears well up in her eyes. She turns to me and says "I thought about Mr. G all weekend, too." I feel for her. But, I also say, "Girl, you gotta get some skin." She agrees. She's a

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1140258894060109462006-02-18T05:20:00.000-05:002006-02-18T05:34:54.426-05:00

Worked 12 hours yesterday. Another high day in the counts: my guess it was over the whopping 148 we had last Friday.It is snowbird season, if you are not from Florida. This means the elusive (well, not so much) snowbird with silver white plumes and a lifetime mate makes their way in RV's (vehicle of choice) to Central FL to spend the winter. Snowbirds do not like cold, and they don't like

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1139831091013029112006-02-13T06:31:00.000-05:002006-02-13T06:44:52.113-05:00

...or almost-full moon.Conversation between me and a patient checking in yesterday.Patient registering into triage hands me the check-in sheet with the chief complaint.Kimberly (me) reads the sheet:K: "So. You got bit my a monkey."P: "Yes." (nothing more said.)K: " You are sure it was a monkey."P: "Oh..yes."K: (not sure where to go with this.) "Was it your monkey" (she really doesn't look

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1139656630192606422006-02-11T06:01:00.000-05:002006-02-11T06:17:10.323-05:00

First off, read me bio. I can relate.Never make any huge, life-changing decisions, good or bad, when you are in the midst of reinventing yourself. You will think things are fine, you are strong. It will fool you sometimes. You will have great days..."This is is, this is what I want. This is the new direciton I search for." Then, it will pass. It will take time.You will be depressed. Whatever form

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1139394853856975612006-02-08T05:31:00.000-05:002006-02-08T05:35:32.550-05:00

This from a study done on nursing students regarding their clinical experiences:"ResultsFour themes emerged from the focus group data. From the students' point of view," initial clinical anxiety", "theory-practice gap"," clinical supervision", professional role", were considered as important factors in clinical experience.ConclusionThe result of this study showed that nursing students were not

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1139137173171405862006-02-05T05:47:00.000-05:002006-02-05T05:59:36.156-05:00

Weekends are not "special" for me as they are for many. I do not awake on a Sunday morning, walk to the curb to get the paper in my robe and slippers. Sip my coffee while the cat intertwines in my legs, begging for his a.m. feeding.The alarm (perfectly-named. it "alarms" my system) jolts me awake at 0450. If I do not arise in the next 30 seconds, I am apt to fall back to sleep. Especially day 3:3

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1138904713685880492006-02-02T13:04:00.000-05:002006-02-02T13:25:13.783-05:00

(To protect patient privacy, I will always change names of the innocent...)Today pretty much went the way I thought it would:0645: pt report. Wait, I don't know who my RN giving report is!0703: Find nurse. Missed report.0708: Find LPN. She's already been in my pt's room to DC his nightly tube feeding.0712: Meet my patient.0722: Meet my SN buddy for the day's pt in the next bed.0728-0745: Attempt

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1138624457138132872006-01-30T07:16:00.000-05:002006-01-30T07:36:55.436-05:00

They are just starting to do IV's around here during clinicals? Someone please help me to understand this..We had a fourth year with us this weekend in our Emergency Department. I am an ED tech (as a paramedic.) As a tech, I routinely do things such as IV's, Foleys, dressings, OCL splinting, and various scutwork. She, as an experience nursing student, was well-versed in the five phases of nursing

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1138286486341827522006-01-26T09:35:00.000-05:002006-01-26T09:44:21.000-05:00

What I am afraid of as clinicals begin next week. It is not the Foley Catheters. It's not the stool. It's the politics(to some degree) and the fitting-in process........

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1138208710389852922006-01-25T11:57:00.000-05:002006-01-25T12:05:10.390-05:00

Just wanted you to see how stylish our school is-this is our uniform: Don't they look happy? They must be done with nursing school. There is a correction here. We wear a white polo with a navy "univest" and the white pants. I guess it is not so bad. I hear other schools have a much worse color or stripe combination.

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1138036060469870752006-01-23T11:56:00.000-05:002006-01-23T12:07:40.526-05:00

I am sure this will not be the only time I speak of this during this semester. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I work 12 hour shifts at the hospital-7am to 7pm. Fiction. I really start work with the drive into work at 6:15am, punch out at 7:23pm, home by 8:00pm. Fact."I will be able to study at night when I get home from work, no problem. I have got an hour at least."...Fiction. I arrive home from

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1137675245038592202006-01-19T07:30:00.000-05:002006-01-19T07:54:05.073-05:00

We have been asked in class to recall why it is exactly we want to become nurses. I believe it is to act as a touchstone during the hell moments that are to come for us!I have my own story, but another memory surfaced during this process, and it had to do with Clara Barton. 1976, there was a giant 4th of July Parade in my town. I was 9, and it was our "job" as children of the town to walk in the

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1137631123529437992006-01-18T19:23:00.000-05:002006-01-18T19:38:43.610-05:00

It is still all so new to me. But, somehow, I believe looking at a patient with something like this affords me to thank god I am healthy. And it will not ever get old. We spent some time in lab yesterday with our "butt models" with varying stages of pressure sores. Here's a fine photo I found to add some color to my illustration: And, this is just a tiny one, just to give you the idea (even

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1137409901810443592006-01-16T06:00:00.000-05:002006-01-16T06:11:41.823-05:00

I will enthusiastically state today is the day I finish both last week's and this week's reading (and maybe get some of next week reading done as well! Amazing amount of pages and chapters the next few weeks.A small diversion: here is one of my favorite things: My Christmas newly-painted Vespa GT.....aah to be on the open road without any reading to do (FOCUS WOMAN!)

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1137078680909853952006-01-12T10:02:00.000-05:002006-01-12T10:11:20.920-05:00

Need to bring books to class. Mammoth books. Do I need them all, all of the time? Oh my god, I hope not!Current book status: 18" in thickness of just required texts, piled high next the already-full bookcase in the living room weight of books: (yes, I did this, just for you,) 58lbs. Cost

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20847401.post-1137027517228669772006-01-11T19:30:00.000-05:002006-01-11T20:00:14.466-05:00

Welcome! My Name is Kimberly. I am a recovering professional athlete making it in the real world now as a full time RN student, full time ED Tech/Paramedic, full time wife of my wonderful husband of 10 years Tommy (who is also a paramedic.)We live in Cocoa Florida. Space coast. Home of sun, space shuttles,Ron Jon's, and 2 stop lights from Disney. Well, actually I am in the RN transition program

kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868998632114357894noreply@blogger.com0