Becoming a Nurse

Click to Play Update on the latest twists and turns in my nursing career.  My new company is great.  I love it there. I am pursuing my Wound Care Nurse certification from the WOCNA.  Things are looking up.  Formats available: Quicktime (.mov)Tags: nursing, wound care nursing, wocnThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

Click to Play This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

Click to Play An update on my transition into nursing. Thoughts on community nursing, homecare.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

OK, this is so old these guys have probably graduated by now! It's brilliant, cute and hilariously funny. I just could not resist.

Click To Play Quicktime VideoClick To Play Flash Video The other night, Leeloo, our parrot, decided to take in a look around the neighborhood. Somehow, she hitched a ride out on an unsuspecting/distracted shoulder. This caused us one of the most frightening nights we have had. Seeing that the temperature was to drop below 40, we were sure our little tropical girl would have a tough night. So we put out our posters out around the neighborhood and went to bed fearing the worst. The next morning brought the best possible news. Leeloo foun her way onto the terrace of a family nearby. They found our "lost"posters while preparing to put their "found" posters out and called us right away. A miracle we are very grateful for!Welcome home, Leeloo!

Click To Play QuicktimeClick To Play Flash Ok, it's a little long. Getting back into the videoblogging groove. I have seen pigeons around town do this flying sun dance before and have always wanted to catch it. While running some errands on a beautiful day yesterday, I finally did. Also some random driving footage on a glorious fall day. Pink Floyd, "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" from the Ummagumma album provides the perfect spacey soundtrack.

Click To Play Quicktime Click To Play Flash Reflections on my first year. Still a work in progress. Feeling much more confident now, though. Still no regrets on my chosen path. Funny how my last two reflections posts echo each other. Variations on a theme. I did not notice this until after I made the post and looked back at my last one.

Click To Play Quicktime version Click To Play Flash Version I have been missing in action for several months. This post is the first post reflecting on a very difficult time in my transition to life as a new nurse. I realized after I looked at this video that one might construe my comments to be critical of my preceptor. This is not the case for me. My preceptor was a lovely and talented nurse who did everything she could to nurture me. The mismatch for me had more to do with the facility itself and the pace there. I am just aware that some other nurses in my class had issues with their preceptors or coworkers.

Watch the videoReflections on transitioning into nursing and New Years wishes.

Click To Play QuicktimeClick To Play Flash I am beginning to understand that nursing school is just the tip of the iceberg. Becoming a nurse is a transition that goes deeper than the knowledge and is an ongoing process. There are practical changes. Then there are the deeper changes in perspective. It's more than a change of career. It's a change of heart.

Click To Play Quicktime Version Click To Play Flash Version Reflections on my first real nursing week. Three 12 hour shifts in a row. I am loving it... the hospital, the patients, the coworkers, all of it. Of course, I only have two patients right now. Let's see how I sound when I ramp up to seven. (Leeloo makes an amusing guest appearance)

Click for Quicktime VersionClick for Flash version Another new beginning. Reflecting on my first two and a half weeks as a gainfully employed nurse. I am so gratefull and excited to be beginning my new career as an oncology nurse. I just finished orientation and tomorrow is my first day on the Ortho-Neuro unit working as a nurse.

click here to download Quicktime versionclick here to download Flash versionIt's amazing how a simple piece of paper can make you feel.

click here to download QuickTimeclick here to download Flash VideoPre-graduation reflections. OK, this got posted a couple of days after the fact! But it was made two days before I took the HESI (exit exam). More to come! Don't worry "Becoming A Nurse" is still a work in process and will not fade into the woodwork. Many, many thanks to all the wonderful supportive folks out there. Sorry for not posting more in the last few weeks. Things just got kind of intense.

Click here or on picture to see Quicktime version Click here to see Flash versionJust a quick post about my experience observing in the Operating Room. Brain surgery, no less. Wow. Amazing stuff.

click here to download Quicktime versionclick here to download Flash VersionLast week I had the priviledge of spending a clinical day in the Emergency Department. It was an amazing, eye-opening experience. Hats off to ER nurses - you are a special breed. When the s@%t hits the fan, these folks are the embodiment of TEAMWORK. It was amazing to see what can be accomplished when a commited group of people band together for a greater purpose - the preservation of a human life.