One down, two to go

I finished my first semester of the nursing program today. Whew, what a ride it's been! In the end we lost a total of 7 people:

• 1 to another program
• 4 after background checks
• 1 due to anxiety
• 1 due to grades. Everyone was shocked because Mr. Man had lied and said he was an A student.

I ended up acing Anatomy & Physiology with an A, thank goodness. And I somehow pulled up a barely-passing grade to a B in Nursing. I am not sure how. I did learn the value of group study this semester. Actually, I learned the value of plain old studying. Never had to do that before!

I am very impressed with the way the class is working past our social boundaries. We had four girls who were dangerously close to failing. They had to make a certain grade on the final exam in order to return next semester. This afternoon, we all waited around to find out our grades. Several of us made sure those girls got in line near the front.

The first girl walked out in absolute tears and there was a hush over the 20-something of us. I began to ask, "Did you..." in a horrified voice. And then she sobbed and said, "tears of joy!" and even the most hard-hearted of us began to cry. The next girl, who is quite the cynic and therefore one of my new friends, came out beaming and allowed everyone to hug her. Made it by .5! Then another girl came out in tears and hugged the first crying girl and when she said she passed, the entire hall erupted into applause.

The fourth girl is a different story and perhaps an entry will be forthcoming on the ethical dilemma I have faced lately. For now, some celebratory sleep!

Nursing School Survivor

So. There's a lot of updating to be had with my account of the Nursing Program. I think I'll go ahead and do that while taking a break from Abbreviation craziness.

• I led a resistance against the popular girls for Class Officers. I am happy to report that not a one of them won. I'm not trying to be mean-spirited, but you can't just EXPECT to have something.
• As the stress in the class continues, I have had the opportunity to get to know a few people well. I have heard heartbreaks and happiness, and I am honored to share in their lives. I can only hope this continues, because there are still some people I can't stand, and I want to move past that and get to know the people inside.
• The "Most obnoxious" woman and I hang out a lot now. After I told her I reserved the right to tell her she's obnoxious (and gave her the same right), we're perfect. She has been humbled by this program, as have I. It's a good spot to be in.
• Nursing School Survivor's 1st out was someone I least expected. One of my classmates got accepted into the RN program at a college closer to her house, so of course she's taking it! She's finishing out the semester here and then moving onward in August.
• As of yesterday, besides the woman above, we lost 5 other people. Four people left because of things in their background checks and another left because of stress. That all happened yesterday and several of us are a little saddened by it. It's funny. I know we've all known each other for only two months or so, but it's like Survivor for real. The common experience has drawn us together.
• I started clinicals and dealt with my first patients today. I have a great respect for the nurses and CNA's who bust their butts in the hospital. It is no easy job and I was overwhelmed just with the paperwork for one person! I can't imagine how it will be when we have 5 or 6 or even 10 each!

I guess that's about it. It's time for me to figure out how to remember that PEEP equals "My peeps pressure me positively" which equals "Positive End Expiratory Pressure." Yeah.

peeps out. mwah.