As if all our weeks in nursing school AREN'T busy... yeah right.
So last week I didn't do so hot on my first Pharmacology II exam for the semester. I made an 80. But I should feel lucky. I was one of a few (4 out of 20) to pass the darn thing.
Our cool NEW instructor must have realized that making 25% of the test 'fill-in-the-blank' questions wasn't such a hot idea after all... lol. I would have had a 92 had there been no fill in the blanks... YUCK! She gave us a chapter quiz... I think out of guilt.
This week went much better test wise. I made a 95 on the Pharm II quiz and a 90 on my first Med-Surg exam. Yeah. It feels good.
That Med-Surg exam had me sweating bullets. This is the 'big-deal' class this semester since the material covered makes up a huge percentage of the NCLEX. I studied my butt off for that exam and although a 'B' is nice... I'm shooting for an 'A' for the semester. I never make my best score on my first exam of the semester so I'm feeling confident.
Oh... did I mention this is an accelerated program? Most of us have B.S. degrees in other fields. We've been going since Fall 2005, we go straight through without any Summer break, and (God willing) we will graduate in Spring 2007. This Summer session is really a challenge since we have fewer weeks than a normal semester and the same material to cover.
No clinicals this week. So I'm a little bummed. My OB clinical instructor has been out of town unexpectedly helping a sick relative and my hilarious Med-Surg clinical instructor is in Florida this week. I guess any accelerated program has to be more flexible than most since there are fewer breaks for even the faculty to take care of personal business. I can't fault them for that.
Don't hate me for being honest. OB is a wonderful specialty and I applaud the nurses that want to go into this specialty... most of us might not be here if it weren't for an OB nurse! Being a guy (and a big guy at that) I know there is no practical need for me work in OB. And I can't blame the patient that says "NO! I do not want a male nurse." So this is the biggest reason why I signed up for OB this Summer. Its required and so why not take it during the shortest semester of the program.
My other option was Pediatrics. I can see myself as a PNP someday so that is the reason why I decided to take it in the Fall. I'll have more time to absorb the information and enjoy the clinical experience.
The Deal About Nothing
6 years ago
Posts
Good for you on the tests. I am curious, is it purely a lack of interest that would keep you from OB or how a patient would feel with you as her nurse?
ReplyDeleteI don't know how anyone does the accelerated programs straight through, my cousin is in one right now and they sound gruelling. Good on you. Lucky for me none of the programs in my area offered accelerated.
I finished up our maternity and peds last semester. I didn't like it. In fact, today I had to fill out my paper for which area I want to work in for my final semester, and I actually put NO MATERNITY.
ReplyDeleteI start neuro and burn unit on Monday.
Congratulations on your tests! Sounds like you are doing great!
Thanks for your post earlier :) I think you seem like such a wonderful and thoughtful man. I am sure you are going to be a GREAT nurse!!
I finished up our maternity and peds last semester. I didn't like it. In fact, today I had to fill out my paper for which area I want to work in for my final semester, and I actually put NO MATERNITY.
ReplyDeleteI start neuro and burn unit on Monday.
Congratulations on your tests! Sounds like you are doing great!
Thanks for your post earlier :) I think you seem like such a wonderful and thoughtful man. I am sure you are going to be a GREAT nurse!!
Hi! I just found you via Nurse Betty's blog...
ReplyDelete:)
I am planning on Labor & Delivery--or midwifery beyond my RN...but I know we could use some great male Peds nurses since OB isn't your thing.
Hh
Hey - I found you on Kim's Emergiblog listing. Sounds like we're going through a similar phase at the same time. I'm in an accelerated pre-RN portion of a direct-entry MSN program, and we all have BA or BS degrees already, too. I'm currently taking Obstetrics and Pediatrics.
ReplyDeleteOut of curiosity - was your Med-Surg clinical instructor in Florida to attend a SimMan training conference? Because my Med-Surg instructors were in Florida during the same week and that's what they were doing.
Yeah. Our programs do sound similar. The BSN program I attend is closely based on the first half of a very well known direct entry MSN program at Vanderbilt.
ReplyDeleteI checked with my instructor and she was at the Sim-Man conference.
Small world.