This is my journey from S.N to R.N

Yesterday was a full day of clinicals. Got out at three and worked on my paperwork and then gave my brother-in-law a ride home. I got home finally a little before six and studied until Ishaq got off of work.
We had a lovely dinner date at PF Changs and then went home to watch a movie. I had to type up one more thing before Friday at 11, so I decided to do it before dinner.
Ishaq was on the computer so I rested my head against his shoulder for just a moment.
And…

BAM!

I was knocked out cold. He kept trying to wake me up so I could do my homework and would say “Do you want me to wake you up in an hour?”
Sure, I mumbled.
An hour passed and he tried to wake me up again.
“Hey, you’ve got to do your homework now sweetie.”
“But, he doesn’t have any respirations,” I replied.
“What?” Ishaq asked me befuzzled.
“I just don’t know.”
“Well,” he tried again, “do you want to get up yet?”
“No, no he doesn’t have any respirations. I’ll set my alarm for the morning.”

I’m not one of those people who can remember dreams, but I so wish I were. It sounds like an interesting one.

Ugh, sometimes it feels we can’t catch a break. As soon as we get ahead in one way, something else comes up. Typical.

But it doesn’t matter. I’m happy! I’ve got a wonderful husband and a job that pays the bills. That’s what matters, right?

I can’t believe that it’s already been a year since school started. I feel like I’ve learned so much…too much. I see changes in myself too. I had a conversation about it with my mom last night actually. I’m less timid and can speak in front of large groups of people without having increased respirations or a rapid pulse like before. I can hold my own in argument with more confidence when I know I’m right.
I’ve stopped caring about kids my age thinking I’m lame cause I’d rather stay in and watch a TV marathon or play Halo all night instead of going out to the club. And the drama at school? No, thank you. I’ve also gotten better at saying ‘no’. Not an easy thing to do usually. I don’t want to go out to a bar and drink and get hit on by guys (or girls) because my husband is at home and I miss him. I’d rather drink with a few close friends at home. My mom used to say I was 14 going on 40. Mreh, that’s how I like it. I don’t like ginormous parties where you don’t know anyone and its awkward introductions. I like my couch. Or my bed. Scratch that. I like my couch, I LOVE my bed. It’s uber-comfy.
Oh, and my spare time. I’ve learned how to cherish it.
No, I don’t want to go to the mall and spend money I don’t have on my day off. I want to stay in and sleep and eat lots of food that requires the belt to be taken off. I even want to read a little bit so that I don’t fall behind. If nothing else, I can think of one thing that everyone in my class agrees on:
Friends and family who have never been nor plan on going, truly do not understand how hellacious nursing school is.
You can tell stories about what you learned and the dreaded phrase “skills check-off”, but it doesn’t hold the same weight as when you talk to another nurse/student.
I told my nurse manager the other day that I needed to come off of my hours b/c I had just attended clinical orientation. She stopped me mid-sentence and said “I understand, nursing school still gives me nightmares 20 years later”. You see?!!?!?

I love you nursing school, but I hate you. Longest year and a half to go ever.

PS- I realize this post is a rambling mess. Kinda like me. Blargh.

It really is a shame when girls go back to people who beat them. I don’t understand it. I hate it. It angers me.
Even outside of physical beatings, it’s a shame when people go back to people or things that are damaging.
Modern-day example? Rihanna and Chris Brown.
He beats her to the Nth degree and she begs the judge to not prohibit her boyfriend from seeing her or having contact with her. She wants to continue being close to and in a relationship with the boy who beat her.
It wasn’t even a little scuffle they had. It was a full on beat-down.
Here’s the search warrant and affadavit that describes what happens.

Note: Robyn F. is Rihanna’s real name.

“Brown was driving a vehicle with Robyn F. as the front passenger on an unknown street in Los Angeles. Robyn F. picked up Brown’s cellular phone and observed a three-page text message from a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with.

“A verbal argument ensued and Brown pulled the vehicle over on an unknown street, reached over Robyn F. with his right hand, opened the car door and attempted to force her out. Brown was unable to force Robyn F. out of the vehicle because she was wearing a seat belt. When he could not force her to exit, he took his right hand and shoved her head against he passenger window of the vehicle, causing an approximate one-inch raised circular contusion.

“Robyn F. turned to face Brown and he punched her in the left eye with his right hand. He then drove away in the vehicle and continued to punch her in the face with his right hand while steering the vehicle with his left hand. The assault caused Robyn F.’s mouth to fill with blood and blood to splatter all over her clothing and the interior of the vehicle.

“Brown looked at Robyn F. and stated, ‘I’m going to beat the s–t out of you when we get home! You wait and see!’ ”

The detective said “Robyn F.” then used her cell phone to call her personal assistant Jennifer Rosales, who did not answer.

“Robyn F. pretended to talk to her and stated, ‘I’m on my way home. Make sure the police are there when I get there.’

“After Robyn F. faked the call, Brown looked at her and stated, ‘You just did the stupidest thing ever! Now I’m really going to kill you!’

“Brown resumed punching Robyn F. and she interlocked her fingers behind her head and brought her elbows forward to protect her face. She then bent over at the waist, placing her elbows and face near her lap in [an] attempt to protect her face and head from the barrage of punches being levied upon her by Brown.

“Brown continued to punch Robyn F. on her left arm and hand, causing her to suffer a contusion on her left triceps (sic) that was approximately two inches in diameter and numerous contusions on her left hand.

“Robyn F. then attempted to send a text message to her other personal assistant, Melissa Ford. Brown snatched the cellular telephone out of her hand and threw it out of the window onto an unknown street.

“Brown continued driving and Robyn F. observed his cellular telephone sitting in his lap. She picked up the cellular telephone with her left hand and before she could make a call he placed her in a head lock with his right hand and continued to drive the vehicle with his left hand.

“Brown pulled Robyn F. close to him and bit her on her left ear. She was able to feel the vehicle swerving from right to left as Brown sped away. He stopped the vehicle in front of 333 North June Street and Robyn F. turned off the car, removed the key from the ignition and sat on it.

“Brown did not know what she did with the key and began punching her in the face and arms. He then placed her in a head lock positioning the front of her throat between his bicep and forearm. Brown began applying pressure to Robyn F.’s left and right carotid arteries, causing her to be unable to breathe and she began to lose consciousness.

“She reached up with her left hand and began attempting to gouge his eyes in an attempt to free herself. Brown bit her left ring and middle fingers and then released her. While Brown continued to punch her, she turned around and placed her back against the passenger door. She brought her knees to her chest, placed her feet against Brown’s body and began pushing him away. Brown continued to punch her on the legs and feet, causing several contusions.

“Robyn F. began screaming for help and Brown exited the vehicle and walked away. A resident in the neighborhood heard Robyn F.’s plea for help and called 911, causing a police response. An investigation was conducted and Robyn F. was issued a Domestic Violence Emergency Protective Order.”
It’s okay though. He apologized via text message over a week later.
So it’s alright for them to date again.

You can see a picture here:

http://www.tmz.com/2009/02/22/rihanna-photo-face-beating/

Ishaq brought up a point. This stuff happens everyday and girls everywhere continue to go back.

This is ridiculous. Seriously.

It’s just been a hectic week per usual!

I’ll be sure to update this weekend at work.

Stay tuned for my first experience with a clinical patient, the real drama that goes on in nursing school, and my one-year anniversary (today!!!), and a possible photo-op idea.

Thanks for sticking around guys, seriously.

I was in Target yesterday, doing my grocery shopping after catching my husband on his lunch break. That’s when I heard the scream and the thump of a body falling to the floor.
Everyone on the end caps began walkign faster, looking into the aisles trying to find out where the sound came from.
A well dressed man took one look inside the aisle and took off running to get help. I raced inside the aisle past a few onlookers who hardly budged to the side.

At first glance, it looked like he was having a heart attack. His brow was sweaty and his eyes closed, hand clutched over his chest.

My adrenaline started rushing as I started running through the list of things to initiate CPR if need be.

But then, I realized the wife was too calm for it to be a heart attack. Now, my mom taught me that you have to be able to assess your patient in thirty seconds or less. I took a head to toe sweep and noticed his eyes were opening and his leg was bent weird. He was breathing fast and steady and his coloring was fine.

After looking at his wife and asking if he collapsed or his knee gave out, I was told that his leg only gave out. The man propped himself up on his elbows and proceeded to tell me that he had a torn ligament and that this happened often. I asked if he could bend it, which he could.

I called Isaac, who was working, so that he coul;d do whatever paperwork he would have to.

While I am relieved I didn’t have to use my new CPR skills just yet, I realized I am so ready for nursing school. I can totally handle this.

It starts tomorrow.