Home Stretch

This semester has really been a wonderful experience for me. I have learned so much valuable information. I really didn't know how I would be able to handle this class and practicum together. I was worried about how I was going to be able to manage my time. Here we are, on the home stretch and I can't believe how fast the time has flown by. Blogging has been therapeutic for me. I have to admit that I didn't realize how blogging would benefit me at the beginning of the semester. It just seemed like it was going to be another task to remember to get done. Boy, was I wrong! I really enjoy reading others thoughts and being able to share my thoughts with them. I think this is a very vital part of this class, especially since we do not have any in-person classes.

Pressure

Life seems to always throw things in your path when you least expect! I am really struggling to get everything done for this class in a timely manner. My daughter has been sick and she won't let me out of her sight! It has been hard for me to do anything. I have to sneak away when she finally gets to sleep to try to get things done. Talk about tired! I have been going to work with red eyes! I am sure that people are wondering what is wrong with me. I am so glad that I have learned how to work under pressure. I know what needs to be done and by whatever means necessary, I have to make it happen.

We are on the final stretch for this class. How time flies by when you are having fun! This has been an awesome learning experience for me. I have learned things that I am sure will be very beneficial to me as I continue to grow in my nursing profession.

Clinical Concerns

This semester is rapidly coming to an end. I have finished all of my hours for the teaching practicum, and now I can focus all of my attention on this course. I spent the other day with five students who needed to make up a clinical day. Two of those students missed a day due to illness, but the other three were repeating a day because they had been sent home previously with a clinical failure. It really boggles my mind that even with these students knowing that this was their final opportunity to redeem themselves, they still were not prepared. Is that insane or what? I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this type of behavior in the clinical setting with students. These students are consistently not coming prepared to take care of their patients. The pre-clinical paperwork is not being completed and they do not know enough about their patients to care for them in a safe, effective manner.

This concerns me a great deal, especially since these students will be graduating soon and entering into clinical settings. There needs to be a way to set higher standards and expectations. Hospital orientations are not meant to teach basic nursing skills that are expected to have been learned in school. Unfortunately, these are the nurses who are more susceptible to making errors that are potentially harmful or even fatal to patients.

Entry # 12

Last week I assisted with monitoring the classroom during the third exam in the Chronic Course. After the exam was completed, I observed as the tests were scored. I also assisted in reviewing the test items. Out of 65 questions, there was only one that would allow for the accceptance of two answers. I enjoyed the process of scoring the exams and reviewing the statistical data. I wonder if there is a class on ParTest/ParScore. If so, I would love to develop a deeper understanding of that process.

As a whole the students in the class are not doing very well on their exams. The scores seem to be consistent across the board. There are only 2 A's and very few B's. The majority of the grades are C's, D's, and even a couple of F's. It is very concerning when students are not successful in the classroom or in the clinical setting, and that is what I am consistently seeing this semester.

Progress

I have been trying to get caught up on all of my assignments. I got sick this week, so that has slowed down my progress a little. But, there is no time for sickness! I only have 10 more clinical hours to complete for the Teaching Practicum. I will be so happy to put that behind me. That will definitely free up my schedule.

I am trying to complete all of the necessary assignments for this course as well. I had to make a checklist for myself so that I won't forget anything. With so much going on between home, school, and work it is easy for me to forget things. I have found that the checklist keeps me on track!

Almost there!

This has really been an overwhelming time in my life. I knew that it would be busy, but I didn't know that it would be this busy. I wish that I had a little fairy that could clean my house, cook, and do homework with the kids! Wishful thinking, huh?

Well the semester is almost over. I won't be able to breathe until then! It is really hard to try to work, complete practicum hours, and complete assignments all at the same time but somehow I am managing.(Even though I suffer from tired, red eyes from time to time !) I am still trying to get a hang of the wiki page. I am sure that it is really easy, but maybe I need to take wiki 101: a course for the technically challenged student! I have added some information for the group project on the page with a little assistance from my group members. I keep reminding myself that we are almost there!!

This weekend I had the opportunity to attend a pediatric conference. I have been speaking on the issues that I have been having with students in the clinical setting, but this time I would like to discuss a situation with a seasoned nurse. I went to this conference of course to gain insightful knowledge, but I also wanted to observe different teaching styles. One speaker stood out to me. Her presentation was on the empowerment of nurses. At the beginning of her presentation, she made it known that she had to catch a flight as soon as she was finished. She talked so fast throughout her presentation, and I could not tell if she was rushing because she had to leave for another engagement.

During this presentation on empowering nurses, the speaker made several references to her abusive father, abused mother, and alcoholic brother-in-law. She also made a comment that charge nurses are simply "adult babysitter" and that she would never function in that role. All of this was done in a room full of nurses! She even used two curse words! Needless to say, there were a lot of offended people in the audience, and she never really talked about how nurses could empower themselves! This speaker was an advanced practice nurse and author who has been in this profession for over 30 years.

I have learned that different teaching styles and techniques work differently for different people and situations. The most important thing is to keep your audience in mind because you want to be sure that someone walks away with having learned something new. It is very important to meet the needs of your audience.