Hmph.

I have decided since it has been so sorely long since I last published anything here that it was about time I wrote again. That and I feel hypocritical scolding others for not blogging when I have not been blogging either. So here we are, I'm writing another post, even though it feels rather pointless since the only people who read this blog are my mom and other assorted family members who know all about the latest developments in my life anyway.

I have recently been considering the oddness of my life. Somehow I have ended up spending my summer working as a home health care CNA, something that I never could have envisioned myself doing just 4 months ago, something, in fact, that I had vowed never to do. Now, as I prepare to move back to school (I have two days of work left and one week till I move) I find myself planning to get another home health care job back at school. This job (while occasionally frustrating) has turned out to be really a rather good job for me. It's experience in health care, granted at most homes I'm little more than the maid, but still. The hours are flexible (which will make it perfect for working into my school schedule). This job, and the variety of people I've encountered has provided some very interesting and educational experiences; I've had patients with mental/emotional problems (one locked me out of the house), patients with dementia, patients with a matter of days to live, and patients who are just unpleasant. This job hasn't been terribly helpful with practicing my nursing skills (except butt-wiping and bed-making) but it has been good experience as far as simply dealing with different sorts of people. This certainly is not something I want to continue doing for the rest of my life, but as far as a job for the summer and for the remainder of my time in school goes, it's not too bad. I'm not really sure how I ended up here, but somehow God got me to this point and it's pretty good.

As for other news, I'm heading back to school in a week and moving into a very nice house that I'm renting with three other girls. Basically, life is pretty awesome.

Huzzah!

My first thought upon typing the title of this blog was,"ah! that's the kind of word that's spelled the same backwards as forwards!" But upon closer inspection it turns out that it is not. If you type it backwards you get hazzuh. Huh. Kinda of awkward. Not as great as huzzah. But whether you prefer huzzah or hazzuh, the point is, today I passed my first semester of clinical! I still have two final exams next week, but I've finished my first clinical.

It's been an awesome semester. I've enjoyed clinical (at least most of the time). For those of you who don't know, I've been in the hospital 1 day a week for 8 hours caring for two patients at a time. I'd be responsible for my patient's primary care (hygiene, making the bed, helping them get up) as well as vitals signs, assessments of the pt.'s condition, wound care, catheter care, and medications. I like working with patients and I'm still sure that this is what I want to do.

I'm now looking for a job for the summer as a CNA so be praying that I find something.

Semester Update

Hey all! I thought it was about time I blessed you all with an update on the life of Amy.

The last half a semester (dear goodness, has it already been half a semester?) has been awesome. We've been in the hospital twice. These were just half days and all we were doing was CNA work (basic stuff: take vital signs, make beds, give bed baths) just to get used to working with actual patients. It was kind of intimidating the first morning but I was surprised just how not-awkward it felt, even almost natural. I really enjoyed working with the patients. I am quite sure now that i've chosen the right career. I just passed skills check-off, which means I am now qualified to administer oral, subQ, and intramuscular medications; do a sterile dressing change, and insert a foley catheter (among other skills). Next week we're back in the hospital. We're going to be in the hospital every Wednesday from 0645 (yes that's morning) to about 1600 (that's 4 pm). We'll be getting our own patients (just one to start with then two toward the end of the semester) which means we'll each be doing our patient's care (at least the skills we're qualified to do). Each night before clinical we have to go in and look at our patient's chart and prepare a care plan to prove that we understand the patient's condition and treatment and can safely care for that patient the following day. It's really exciting! REally intimidating, but really exciting!

I'm looking for a house to rent with three other girls for next semester. We're all really excited the idea of having a house, and it would cost me a lot less to rent a house with them than to continue living on campus. We've found a couple that look really nice and are really close to campus and we're going to try to tour them soon. Be praying for us.

Lets' see, what else? I've already covered the really big things. Otherwise life consists of lots of little adventures; dancing, and going to Old C's happy hour, and cooking. Oh, on that note, my roommate and I made a brilliant discovery- don't use dish soap in place of dish detergent! They seem interchangeable, they're not. Bubbles, lots of bubbles. That was a fun day. Several weeks ago some friends and I went to the Victorian Ball. We got all dressed up in Victorian clothing and learned various dances from the era, and ate delicious food. Lots of fun. Last weekend I spent with a couple freinds going to a school musical and the art museum. Generally, life is pretty awesome.