It’s finally summer!

After a long school year, I am finished all the assignments, exams and such – yes, it’s official – I’m 1/2 a nurse.  Now I just need to wait and see how I did.  But that probably won’t happen until closer to the September.

Now it’s time to enjoy the summer sun, train for the sprint triathlon I signed up for, and work out some part-time employment hours.  Mostly I just wish that I get to spend tons of time with M because I’ve been really missing out on quality time with him because of school.  It will be like we’re dating each other again. 

When I stop to think about it – I really can’t believe all the crazy changes going to school has brought to my life – new friends, new skills, all sorts of things.  I’ve gotten a chance to see a myriad of different hospital facilities around the city, which is also pretty cool.  It gives me a much better idea of where I want to go after I’m done.  I’ve seen some truly amazing nurses in action.  Really – there are so many people who really go the extra mile to make someone’s hospital stay the best it can be.    On the other hand, it also made me realize that there are still tons of improvements that need to be done in some facilities before they can boast they are giving excellent care  Not huge things, just small things – the things that really count, like preserving dignity and such.  That’s why I’m so excited because I get to work towards improving those things when I finally start my career.  Cool.

Anyway, enough contemplation.  It’s summer – time to have fun! Woot!

The misfit has returned

So, I’m working my way back to blogging. Apparently people do read what I write, and they are yearning for more. Ok, more like asking “what’s the deal, misfit?”. You see, I expect people like Dave to ask me why I haven’t been writing, but not my mother. When she asks, you know I’ve been seriously lacking on my updates. So, Mum, here’s one!

I’m back to class after a reading week, following my paediatrics rotation at SickKids. Loved it! Still really want to work there, but really bummed I didn’t even get an interview for a summer position there. But I’ve moved on, I’m embracing my new challenge – working at the surgical oncology unit at Sunnybrook. Should be intense, but my friend who were there last time loved it! I’m looking forward to a busy and rewarding time there. Keeps me on my toes, and keeps me learning for sure.

We’re starting in to wedding season this weekend. M and I have totaled it up – we’re looking at about 6 weddings between May and June. NUTS! Last year we had 8 from January to November (including our own). Instead of getting stressed about how expensive wedding gifts can be, we’re getting original. We’re hooking up some awesome creative ideas for our good friends that will be cost effective for us, but rich on love for them. I’m excited. I’ll try and post some of the creativity once it’s set to go (and they have been given – no sense in ruining the surprise, right?)

Anyway, it’s time for me to leave for class – this post is a start – I’ll try to get more up as soon as I can. And Mum – I love you!

Getting involved

On a bit of a whim, I decided to run to be on the “student council”, aka Nursing Undergraduate Society. Well, I guess things worked out because myself, and everyone else who ran we acclaimed to our positions. I’ll be chilling out with some of my friends and have direct input on events and stuff that we do as a nursing faculty. Cool!

Next year should be pretty good – we’ll be more spread out as a class, but I’m thinking I’d like to see more group activities happen during the year that really encourage people to come out for next to no money – I mean, who doesn’t want to have fun for free?

Apparently I take on my new role near to the end of the month – I’m looking forward to it! I’ll keep you posted.

Annoyance

I just wrote my HUGE exam this morning.  I’ve been studying for it for a good part of three days, and I’m glad it’s over.  I feel like it was pretty decent, can’t complain.  Generally very fair.

But then after the exam, I went to pick up a paper for another class, and I didn’t get nearly as great a mark as I was hoping for and I didn’t agree with some of the comments.  I’ve set up an appointment to talk with a T.A. about it, but it’s left me in a funk, so I don’t really feel motivated to review this afternoon for my practical exam tomorrow.  Seriously.

That’s just annoying.

It’s that time of the year

No, I’m not talking about Christmas music, parties or presents.  I’m talking about another season that is upon us: Exam time.

It’s a terrible and frustrating time for so many students.  Assignments and exams are creeping forward.  You can’t go out.  You can’t do anything but prepare.  But every fiber of you being is waiting for the holidays, so you’re mind won’t concentrate.  The only time is does is when you’re asleep and dreaming about equations or facts about whatever you’re studying.  Me, I dream about health assessments.

But alas, the pain will soon be over – come December 11th, I will be free of the strongholds of school, at least until next semeser (which is harder and busier).

I’ll survive, but I don’t want to.

Breastfeeding 101

Next week I’m heading in to my clinical placement, and we’re having to get used to learning tons of information, really quickly, and then act like we know what we’re talking about.  (Not an easy thing to balance when you’re nervous!)

Today was great though – we had a very experience clinical coach and breastfeeding expert come and talk to us about the whole process and how to explain it to new mothers.  There are so many little details to remember, so I can see it being an intimidating process, but it’s also a fairly intuitive one – there are lots of little “natural hints” that are occuring to let you know what you should be looking for – you just need to know the signs.  It was really cool to see how God really put the whole process together in an amazing way. 

I’m really starting to feel a little bit excited about what it will all be like! 

Long case of the Mondays

Sheesh.

It’s almost over.  I’ve been up since 6:15 after a not so nice night of “sleep” and I’m ready to hit my pillow really soon.

You see, Mondays are for some reason the longest lecture day in our schedules.  The rest of the week, we average about 3 hrs a day, but today we had 6.  Then of top of that I had to stay late to watch some videos for my clinical skills lab.  By the time I hopped on my bike, rode home and sat on the couch it was almost 6:00.  Yikes.

Then if was reading, reading and more reading.

I think I deserve a rest, don’t you?

Getting prepared

Tomorrow I’ve got school for the first time in about 4 years. It’s crazy. I’m trying to be as prepared as possible. I’ve got paper, pens, a shoulder bag, new sneakers. Seriously, it’s like I’m starting grade school again (without as much shopping).

Otherwise, it’s been a pretty chill weekend. I slept in yesterday, picked up my super heavy books from campus, and then enjoyed eating dairy and bread for the first time in what seems like ages.

I really hope that all this stress and work will pay off when it comes to school. It feels like my life has gone through some serious changes in the last year. Some changes have been easy, others really hard. I just really hope I can throw myself into this course and excel at it!

Officially a student

So, yesterday was day one of being a U of T nursing student.  We had orientation in the morning.  I’m one of 160 students, about 20 of which are guys, which is cool.  I’m not the oldest person, but I’m one of the few married people.  It’s cool.  I’ve made a few new friends, but we’ll have to see what sticks during the year.

It feels so strange to actually be at this moment.  I mean, I’ve been talking about going back to school for so long, and now I’m just a little nervous about getting started.  It’s going to be lots of work, but it will be only two years.  I guess I’m just ready to start trying it.  We’ll see how it goes.  It’s all about taking it one day at a time.  Classes start on Monday.  I’ll be launching in to clinical skills pretty fast too.  I’m excited about that.

Unfortunately, readers, I don’t know if I’ll be able to maintain writing every day, but I’ll write as often as I can.  I can’t let you down!

Certified awesomeness

Friday night was pretty chill – Marty and I decided to have a quick dinner and head to see the early show of The Dark Knight at the Beaches Cinema.  Totally worth it.  I’ve head lots of hype about this movie, but it’s truly a good one.  Heath Ledger is fantastic at the Joker.  He’s strange, twisted, and malicious, yet you’re totally enthralled with him.  Aaron Eckhart is also really good as Harvey Dent.  I really enjoy him as a lead-type guy, and there always seems to be something genuine about him.  These gents definitely steal the show, and although I do enjoy both Michael Caine and Christian Bale too, I’ve gotta say they didn’t stand out nearly as much.  The plot of the movie is also fantastic.  Seriously – go see this movie!

Saturday and Sunday were taking up with doing a First Aid/CPR course with the St John’s Ambulance crew.  There were about 20 of us in the class – interestingly even on guy named Jeff who went to Grebel with M.  It was good – the information has been update quite a bit since I last did my training (with JetsGo in 2005).  The instructor, Will, was awesome and really made it fun.  In the end, I got my certificate – yet one other step needed for school!

I’m getting there.