Spring 2011

Nursing school starts up again next week. I am excited to be one step closer to graduating but so scared for this semester! I am taking on 18 credit hours with two clinical days. I will be counting down the days to May..when I am finished with this semester. My nursing girls and I did a movie/dinner date night at the end of Fall 2010 semester. Here are some pics of the up and coming Belmont Nursing graduates!

sorry about my begin/begans

HAHA just realized that most of my post headings have begin and began in them......SORRY my avid blog followers!

Oh where do I begin?

School has me on a roller coaster ride of emotions, fears and I don't even know what else to say, hmm maybe stress. I have been at the hospital for 2 weeks now and have to say this is my favorite part of nursing school but know for sure that I don't want to be on a post op floor when practicing. I do not know how many people I can wipe or how many people I just want to hold on to and grief with. I am thinking I need more action, like emergency. I do not think I want to form a personal relationship with the people I am helping and this is for my own good. I don't not want to bring work home and I know I would if I formed personal relationships with my patients.

So far in the hospital the most exciting/crazy thing I have seen is a my patient that had Jaundice. To see a person the color of an orange is very eye opening. I look forward to this week at the hospital and learning new skills.

As far as book work, eh its OK. I have did OK on all my test so far. I have definitely dropped my standards from straights A's to whatever is passing! I came to conclusion that if I pass I will be happy and know one will know when I graduate if I was a straight A student or a just passing student, but for now, I'm doing good!

Ill keep you all posted on my progress and will post pictures soon. We learn injections tommorow! I am excited!

New Friends

First Hospital Clinical Day

I am at Southern Hills Medical Center on the 5th floor     Surgical/Orthopedic unit!


Yesterday was my first time at the hospital as a student nurse and I loved it! I thought I would just be shadowing a nurse but I actually got to help out. I gave a full bath and changed beds. Helped this little old man order the correct food for lunch according to his calorie restrictions. I flushed an IV, watched medications being pulled/administered. I also took four patients vital signs, which I was very proud of because it is stressful your first time. I feel so much better about my clinicals and have a better understanding on how that process goes!

Some information about my first Clinical Hospital:
Southern Hills Medical Center:

• Dynamic 120-bed hospital

• Established reputation for excellent care with a personal touch

• Small enough to feel like a family

• Large enough to provide the full spectrum of medicine

• Meets the CMS standards for evidence-based medicine, providing patient care at a level achieved by only the top ten percent of U.S. hospitals.

Nashville is a thriving metropolitan city with a population of approximately 600,000 and is repeatedly recognized as one of the country’s top cities for business and future growth with many national accolades!

• “Best Places to Begin a Career” – in July 2009, Forbes ranked Nashville #13 out of 350 of the country’s MSA’s

• “America’s Fastest Recovering Cities” – in December 2009, Forbes ranked Nashville #19 based on diversified industries and relatively stable housing that gave residents a measure of economic security

• “America’s Friendliest City” – in October 2009, Travel & Leisure ranked Nashville #1 “Friendliest City”! This ranking is based on culture, shopping, restaurants, nightlife and more.

• Sports enthusiasts find plenty to keep them interested since Nashville is home to several sporting teams including the Tennessee Titans NFL team, the Nashville Sounds baseball team and the NHL’s Nashville Predators - not to mention our Super Speedway!

• For those who are interested in what Nashville is most famous for – country music - the Country Music Hall of Fame, Grand Old Opry, Bluebird Café, and Ryman Auditorium provide a great starting point to explore Music City!

....and it has began

 I have made it through the first week of nursing school! I am a little overwhelmed and I am still trying to get in routine of studying. So far in lab I have learned how to take vital signs, assess a patient, make a hospital bed, give a patient bath, administer oxygen, restrain a patient, help transfer and assist patients. I also took a stool hemoccult in lab yesterday, it was chocolate pudding! :) Next week I have my first lab check off on head to toe assessments and I am learning how to do foley catheters! 

Hard to get in Routine

It has been very hard for me to get in the routine of studying. I feel like I have so much to do and do not even know where to begin. I tried to read a bit but then start thinking about the puppies or laundry or dishes. I really need to get on top of it. Hopefully week 2 I will get in nursing school routine. I was excited to find out that im going to Southern Hills Hospital for my clinicals this semester. I should get plenty of experience there!