http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/ en-us Copyright 2009 Fri, 01 May 2009 15:53:53 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss ]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/05/ready_for_pinning.html http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/05/ready_for_pinning.html Fri, 01 May 2009 15:53:53 -0500 This was an intense week!! Glad I made it through it! until next time =) bre knapic knapic]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/04/i_passed_d_1.html http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/04/i_passed_d_1.html Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:34:57 -0500 This was a nice short week because of Easter break. On Monday, I had an appointment with my esthetician and then I spent the evening getting caught up on homework and studying. Next week is my last full week of school!! (and it is going to be a rough one)! I cannot wait! The pinning ceremony for nursing graduates is Friday, May 1st. I only had one day of clinical this week because of Easter break and it went okay. I had 2 patients, their diagnosis’ were post pacemaker insertion and sepsis. On Wednesday, we took a quiz on HIV/AIDS and in Transition to Nursing we had an exam. Both of those went really well. Today, we had an ATI exam in Transition, and we also reviewed and discussed the paperwork involved in getting your temporary practice license and registering to take the NCLEX exam! It is so hard to believe that I am going to be taking my state boards in about a month! I have a lot of studying to do. I got a new camera just in time for graduation (my last one broke =(). So, I am excited to take pictures at pinning and of me in my cap and gown! until next time =) bre knapic http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/04/and_couting.html http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/04/and_couting.html Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:56:24 -0500 HAPPY EASTER!!!! It is hard to believe that the semester is almost over. We have a long weekend for Easter, which is very much needed for me at this point. There are only 4 more days of clinicals, and 2 exams in Nursing before the final! I attended a seminar on campus today about the HIV/AIDS pandemic, specifically focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa. The speaker was Sr. Margaret Farley, RSM, Emerita Professor of Christian Ethics at Yale University. Sr. Margaret is co-founder of the All Africa Conference: Sister to Sister project. The purpose of the Sister to Sister project is to empower African women to confront the cultural, religious and patriarchal norms operative in that continent in order to tackle the pandemic of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Sr. Margaret has traveled to various parts of Africa over the last few years and spoken to many people impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. In Nursing this week, we took the musculoskeletal exam. I think it went well. In clinical, I had 2 patients, one with a history of metastasizing cancer and current sepsis, and the other was just in because his pacemaker fired because of an arrhythmia. Only one day of clinical next week because of Easter break! until next time =) bre knapic ]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/04/happy_easter.html http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/04/happy_easter.html Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:24:31 -0500 It's April!!!! I only need to make it 28 more days!! But, there is an extremely busy 4 weeks ahead. I was the clinical manager this week at clinical. That job involves making lunch assignments, getting reports on all the student patients, making patient rounds and recording reports. It was a difficult job, but it was nice to be able to help the other students with each of their patients. We had the neurological exam this week also. I am curious to see what my grade will be. We started the student teaching projects in the nursing transition class today. The first group talked about alternative therapies that could be used by patients, aromatherapies, herbal supplements and reflexology. It was really interesting!! It is really important to know the side effects and actions of any "natural" supplements; they can cause severe problems like hypertension or liver failure. Even though they are not prescription drugs, some of their actions can be more severe. I definitely recommend that people try alternative therapies, as well as listening to the advice of medical professionals. 28 days! I can make it! until next time =) bre knapic http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/04/almost_alumni.html http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/04/almost_alumni.html Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:46:05 -0500 This week was so stressing. As it gets closer to the end, instructors are trying to get every little thing in that they possibly can before you leave, and the students are counting down the days until the end. This was our first week on the new clinical floor. I had two patients this week. The one was experiencing some symptoms that got increasingly worse throughout the day and we were unable to find a cause. Later that night, they realized that it was a GI bleed. The nurses were trying to get a consult and something done for this patient, but were unable to get a doctor to pay attention until late the next morning when I was there. I am glad this week is over! I was glad I finally made it one day without tears. There is also a lot of pressure for me to get my resume and application in at different hospitals. A lot of places have already hired for the beginning of the summer. Our nursing graduation pictures were this week. It should be interesting to see how those turn out! We also picked up our caps and gowns this week! Graduation cannot come fast enough!!! until next time =) bre knapic http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/03/wake_up_screaming_and_realize.html http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/03/wake_up_screaming_and_realize.html Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:44:44 -0500 Things may come to those who wait...but only the things left by those who hustle.” -Abraham Lincoln Last week was the respiratory exam, and I studied a lot for it and thankfully, I did really well =). I had two patients in clinical this week. I did a case study on one of those patients. She was diagnosed with cancer that had metastized to multiple organs and a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) that has migrated to a PE (pulmonary embolism). For my case study, I tried to focus on the correlation between cancer and DVT/PE. I was surprised to find that cancer is a very larger contributor to DVT/PE. People with cancer often have a higher number of platelets and clotting factors in their blood. Platelets clump together to form a plug to stop bleeding and give out chemicals to help the blood clot. Cells also release substances that increase clotting when killed by chemotherapy. Surgery and chemo damage the vessel walls, also increasing risk. Only a few weeks until graduation! until next time =) bre knapic ]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/03/cancer_dvtpe_1.html http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/03/cancer_dvtpe_1.html Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:55:04 -0500 Spring Break is over and there is only half a semester left! Break went really fast, and I can not wait for graduation! Classes are becoming very overwhelming and I was very thankful for the break. I wish there was another break coming up soon, because it’s starting to get exhausting again. Waking up @ 4:30 a.m. is not my favorite thing to do. Last week in clinical, I was able to spend the day in the OR (operating room). I was able to see two hysterectomies and a C-section. The first hysterectomy was done with a scope and no incision was made. The second began as a laparoscopic hysterectomy where three incisions were made in the abdomen and scopes and tools are inserted and the surgeon uses a camera to cut the uterus out and remove it. Unfortunately, in this surgery, the surgeon was unable to separate the uterus because of scar tissue and fibroids causing a significant size increase, so it became an open abdomen hysterectomy. The C-section was a little more exciting because, of course, there was a baby involved! It was a planned C-section and the mother and baby boy were both fine. It was basically the exact same in real life as you see on TV, a lot more blood, but that is basically the only difference. It was exciting to get to be a part of that special day for that family. until next time =) bre knapic http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/03/surgery_fun_1.html http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/03/surgery_fun_1.html Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:22:58 -0500 Last week in clinical, I was the "medication nurse,�? so my job was to give the medications for the patients that students had. While that may sound like a very easy job, I was expected to look up EVERY medication that I was giving and be able to explain to the patient what the medication was for. I had over 50 medications to do. It took me almost the entire clinical day. As soon as I finished the 0800 and 0900 meds, I had to start the lunch time meds. I was able to give 3 injections, which was exciting!! I was also able to insert a foley on a patient, the hardest patient possible, but it went really well! Last week, we also had the cardiac test *insert scary music here.* Let's just say it was not pretty, and that is all I want to say about that. My little brother's senior night for basketball was last week too! He is growing up so fast! His team is at the state tournament this weekend. I'm excited for them!! *Good luck Panthers!!!* It was nice to see people from high school, I miss it so much!! And.... the snow is finally melting!!! until next time =) bre knapic http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/02/new_experiences.html http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/02/new_experiences.html Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:35:39 -0500 Only 2 weeks until Spring Break!! This week was very draining. In clinical, I only had one patient, but he was very time-consuming. He had a trach, J-tube (that was almost pulled out when I got there Monday morning), 5 wounds that needed dressing changes, a huge incision with staples, a colostomy, a foley, and I’m sure some other things I am forgetting. I was excited I got to see the resident stuff the jtube back in and stitch it to the pts abdomen. Monday and Tuesday were longgg days. I can barely remember Wednesday and today we had the "math test." I don't know how it went yet, but I have a good feeling about it. Next week is the Cardio test and everyone has been freaking out about that for weeks, so it should be interesting. I have A LOT of studying to do this weekend, along with a basketball game, hockey game, and Valentines Day party! And then it starts all over again next week. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!! until next time =) bre knapic http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/02/could_there_really_be_anything.html http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/02/could_there_really_be_anything.html Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:23:59 -0500 On Monday, instead of going to my normal clinical, I came to campus to participate in a research project. I had a packet of papers that followed a patient from the pre-op phase to post-op recovery. I had to look up information on a computer program. It was set-up like a nurse’s station, and I could click on the chart, Kardex, or MARS and get information on my patient. My patient was one of the simulated mannequins. While I was on the computer getting my pt information, it was lying there breathing and blinking. It was really creepy, but it was fun to get to use it. The research project is to compare students who learn the subject using the simulated mannequins, versus students who just do book/computer learning. Tuesday, my clinical went well. I had 2 "easier" patients, so I got more experience with the computerized charting and hospital policies. I had an exam this week in every class possible. I did really well on my Transition to Nursing exam, and I did not do as well as I wanted, but still okay, on the NSG exam. And, of course, there is another NSG exam to look forward to this week. until next time =) bre knapic http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/02/on_monday_instead_of_going.html http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/02/on_monday_instead_of_going.html Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:28:29 -0500 I made it through another week. I stated clinical this week. Waking up @ 4:30 a.m. is definitely NOT an ideal beginning to my week, but so far they are going well. Monday morning, we learned about the computer charting system at the hospital. I do not really like computer charting, but it seems to be the newest and greatest thing that most hospitals will have in the very near future, so I guess I need to get used to it. We took a tour of the floor we will be working on and we went down to the cafeteria for lunch. I lovvvvve hospital food! Lunch time is always the highlight of my day. We also choose the patients that we were going to have on Tuesday. I already had some new experiences my first day with a patient. He had a PEG tube (a tube going directly into the abdomen) supplying him with tube feedings, and he had a leaking foley cath (tube going through the urethra into the bladder to drain urine) that I got to remove later in the morning. I had a busy day! We had one exam this week, and the other exam we were supposed to have got moved because of a 2-hour delay! The only time I like snow is the first snow of the year, Christmas and when school is canceled because of it! until next time =) bre knapic http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/01/early_mornings_and_snow_days.html http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/01/early_mornings_and_snow_days.html Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:13:46 -0500 I made it through the first two nursing exams of the semester this week! There are another two this week, and this week also begins the off-campus clinicals. I am always really nervous when clinicals start, because everything is new to you. You start with a new instructor, a new hospital, new hospital staff, a new student group, new assignments, and, of course, new patients. And while there have been new challenges each semester, I have really enjoyed each of my clinical experiences so far, and I am excited to see what this semester's clincials are going to bring. I am only upset that I have to leave my house @ 5:30AM!!! But, after this semester, I can get a job working whatever shift I want...hopefully. This semester is going to be difficult, because it is the time when you get out of the mind-set of a student and begin your role as a professional RN. I already have people ask me medical advice and I haven't even graduated yet! This week's exams are on pancreatitis, gastric bypass, and intraoperative care, so I should be able to answer those questions at least. until next time =) bre knapic http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/01/and_its_only_the_beginning.html http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/01/and_its_only_the_beginning.html Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:23:18 -0500 The first week of 4th level is over! 14 weeks to go! I have 2 exams next week already. This is going to be a rough semester, but I am definitely looking forward to new experiences and challenges. Today, in seminar, we talked about cardiac arrhythmias. I thought it was going to be really confusing and boring, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was really, really interesting. We learned how to read the normal heart rate on a telemetry monitor, and then we learned how to see the differences caused by heart arrhythmias. This is going to be a crazy semester!! We also talked about the NCLEX, what to expect and about the test in general. I cannot believe that I am going to be taking the NCLEX soon! I have a lot of practice questions to do between now and graduation. until next time =) bre knapic http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/01/the_beginning_of_the_end.html http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2009/01/the_beginning_of_the_end.html Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:20:15 -0500 It is December already!!! It’s impossible to predict the future, as much as we sometimes think we can or as much as we wish we could. Sometimes unexpected things happen when we are completely unprepared, but we have to deal with them. It is nice to just pretend things didn’t happen, but then you have to face reality and deal with it. Sometimes things like that happen to you, and more often than not, that is usually the reality your patients are facing, but whether it’s you or someone around you, make the best of every moment. Tomorrow is my last clinical of third level! It’s almost sad because this has been a really good clinical semester, but I am thrilled that I am one step closer to graduation. My instructor has been amazing, and the staff at the hospital has been extremely nice and helpful. Wednesday is the nursing 260 final *play scary music here*. I am nervous, but I am studying a lot and I think it is going to be okay. Friday is the mental health nursing final. I do not even have time to think about that final yet. By Friday afternoon this semester will be over! Then… Christmas!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! until next time =) bre knapic http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2008/12/final_days_of_the_semester.html http://blogs.targetx.com/mtaloy/BreKnapic/2008/12/final_days_of_the_semester.html Mon, 08 Dec 2008 23:07:08 -0500