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Classes started off with a bang this month - they really throw you back into the mix! Pathophysiology is always an eye opener, and SUPER interesting for A&P nerds like myself (Plus, Dr. Laura Taylor really makes the class extra interesting with comments about sangria, UTI's and little snippets about life as a transplant nurse); Pharmacology is dense and difficult, and whatever we learn in class is applied immediately in clinical - it's really great to learn in depth about drugs that our patients are on and learn how to care for them better whlie on these (sometimes intense) pharmacologic agents! I also started my psychology class and clinical. We had the choice this semester of starting with psych or OB, and I went for the one that made me more nervous! I felt it was necessary to get over this fear of working with people with mental illness and really learn how I can better care for this population and so far it has been really wonderful! I work on an inpatient unit where they have three groups of patients suffering from mental illness: a young adult group, affective/mood disorders, and eating disorders. It has been really great to work with these nurses and patients, and it has definitely made me feel more comfortable working with this patient population! Two other courses I'm taking are electives, and have been very valuable! The first, Forensic Nursing, is taught by Dr. Dan Sheridan on Monday evenings for three hours... it is the day I have (literally) 9 hours of in-class time (for a total of 11 hours at the school of nursing with my small breaks) and his class is my last - yet I find myself wide awake and laughing most of the time! Dr. Sheridan really brings in his experience and expertise to the class, and finds ways to make some of the most depressing material I've seen be engaging, interesting, and fun! I have a list of possible fields of nursing that I want to look into for my future and Forensic Nursing has made it on there due to this course and Dr. Sheridan's passion. I'll be sure to give more updates on this course as the semester rolls on! The second elective course I am taking is called Community Outreach to Underserved Communities in Urban Baltimore (or as we refer to it: Communities class!). This course has given me a small glimpse into various community organizations, agencies, and resources for Baltimore city. It has also allowed me to apply for the Community Outreach Program at the School of Nursing (SON COP) - and here is the exciting news (and my segway into my Community Nursing part of this blog)... I applied for the somewhat competetive HIV Counseling and Testing Program and found out this past week THAT I GOT IT!! WHOO HOO!!! I have been very interested in this program since I started applying to Hopkins last year, and am very grateful for the opportunity to work in the community and learn to be an HIV counselor and patient advocate. I know that this experience will help me both as a nurse and as a community participant. Since coming to Baltimore I have realized just how much this city is both amazing and gritty, and how competent and "community savvy" nurses are much needed. I am excited to continue my life here in Baltimore, and for my career in community nursing to begin so soon with this program. I start training next weekend, and I'll let you know how it goes once I start! So, I think I'll leave it at that for now. We have a Pharmacology exam next week that I should be studying for, and my last few weeks of psych clinical to prepare for (including another exam!). -Caitlin :)
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...Yes, I sometimes feel like I am in the land of Oz (i.e. a long and difficult journey through nursing school to reach Emerald City, or in my case, CAPE COD! But more on that later...) It hit me last week that I have one year to go. ONE YEAR!?! Yes, 12 months from this past Friday I will be looking at my name in a booklet for graduation and thinking "Holy cow, did I really just do this?" The accelerated 2009-ers just graduated (CONGRATS YOU GUYS!), and it makes me feel like it is all really possible. Looking at how much I've learned in just this summer is astounding - I really do not think I've ever had this much to memorize, repeat, be tested on, and apply in an actual setting ever! And in two shorts weeks I can say that I am 1/4 of the way done... but I have to make through the next two weeks ;) One more week of class, one week of finals. A test a day seems a bit intimidating (how did I do this in undergrad?), but the light at the end of the tunnel is break - and we will get there. In celebration of one year to go and a birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEG!) we decided to go tubing this weekend. I know, I know - you are thinking, "tubing? when you have SOOO much work to do?" Well, yes, nursing students need a break, too (and as I always remind myself - being able to get away from it all will make you concentrate more efficiently when you return). So, a group of us went to West Virignia (just across the border) to go whitewater tubing down the Potomac River. And as one of my friends kindly pointed out it looked like "dorks day out" because of our SUPER cool lack-of-tan because we spend all day in class... haha. But, we had a great time lazing down the river and getting sunburned. If it hadn't been for me falling out of the bus on the way back (with a nice step-shaped scrape/bruise to show for it) it would have been perfect... but, it was just what I needed to get back into school mode and buckle down to study (or write this blog.. haha!). Then break. AHHHH break. I won't spoil it too much, but I am heading back to the midwest (where I went to undergrad) to say goodbye to a good friend who is leaving for China, then to CAPE COD! WHOO HOO to work on my non-tan and explore the area, and finally some Baltimore-time, because summertime here is really wonderful. Three whole weeks of friends, sun, and sleeping in past 6am (WHOO HOO). Well, off to study - we have a skit tomorrow about communication and two sets of sign-off this week. Talk to you in August :) -Caitlin
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A few days ago it hit me - we are 1/2 way through semester #1 (of four)... WHOO HOO! So, semester-wise we are 1/8th done (just not calendar-wise because the summer semesters are shorter and jam-packed!) A lot has happened in the past five weeks, and I have learned so much. Reflecting on my first half of my first semester makes me feel incredibly proud to have made it so far, and also humbling to realize just how much I have left. My clinical faculty today made the comment that even she (yes, she - who I look up to, listen to, believe every word...) is continuing to learn and has to ask questions. She gets things wrong sometimes, and that walking into a hospital unit, clinic, or someone's home does not automatically mean that she will know just what to do and when... ... and neither will I. Part of being a nursing student (and eventually an RN) is understanding that your judgement and thinking abilities are really what will take you far. You can memorize each body system, know the cranial nerves in and out, but if you cannot think on your feet or connect the dots/lines, etc. then you will just be stuck in the hallway with your textsbooks while the rest of us help with a code. The point of this is just to remember that nursing truely is multidisciplinary - you put so many things you've learned over the years in experience, in another degree (if you're in a second degree program), or another career into this job. I have only been a nursing student for FIVE WEEKS! I have the rest of my life to learn, and right now what is important is getting a foundation, asking many (oh-so-very-many) questions of those nurses with experience, and DOING IT MYSELF. Practice doesn't make perfect, but it does make better students and eventually will be the reason we are good nurses. Take what you can from class, ask the important questions, don't get stuck in the details, and throw yourself into every new learning situation (even if you aren't sure). Until next time :) Caitlin
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June is hoppin' here in Baltimore! Orioles beat the Braves (okay, the Braves beat them first - but who cares! GO Os!), Hon-fest rocked Hampen (think: Hairspray, Hon- although I've never seen it, and cannot call myself a Baltimorian until I do), there is a Rock 'N' Roll wine festival with live music and tasting coming up, and the first day of summer was gorgeous and I spent it on the Patapsco River on a water taxi zooming around to see the sights (including the American Visionary Arts Museum which is my favorite museum in Baltimore!). Plus, the outdoor free film festival in Little Italy is about to start! WHOO HOO! Having to pick and choose the events to attend is a difficult task - midterms are looming, and there are so many exciting things to do in this area! Having only moved here about a month ago I am trying to pack in as many toursity sites/experiences as possible before I am no longer a "newcomer" to town (and therefore, it would not be appropriate to ride the Duck Boats, get very excited to see the street performers in the Inner Harbor, and order crab cakes at EVERY RESTAURANT POSSIBLE). Mainly, I want to emphasize to my fellow classmates and anyone ambitious and crazy enough to go to JHUSON's accelerated BSN program that it is important to take time out and enjoy the city and life. Studying for the Health Assessment and Issues in Aging Exams this week is definitely my priority - but so was volunteering at the Esperanza Community Center doing education about high blood pressure and TB. Take the time to do what is important for you, whether it be exercise, laying in the sun, volunteering, or riding in the duck boat with a crab hat on your head. Talk to you soon :)
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