I Will Always Remember Being A Student Nurse

I have learned a lot about being a preceptor these past few weeks. I was chosen to act as a preceptor for a nursing student for their preceptorship.
The preceptorship is a stretch where the RN student works one-on-one with another RN, slowly assimilating into the RN role. This is the final step before graduating. They can perform any task that an RN can perform, as long as the preceptor is with them. I well remember my preceptorship… I did it on a med/surg floor at Brantford General.

As a preceptor, you have to be able to teach, but listen as well. The student has a body of knowledge, and needs to use it, so you have to coach, and make them think… Its harder than it sounds. You also need to be able to teach, without destroying confidence.

Another challenge is walking the line between protecting the patient, and supporting the student. An example was an evening where my student had the challenge of working with a suicidal patient who suffered from flashbacks from past trauma and this particular evening she had stong intentions of killing herself.

It’s also hard to watch them do something much slower than you would do, when you know how much work is waiting for you… There is a reason patience is a virtue, and it’s a virtue I don’t always have a lot of.

During her last few shifts of preceptorship with me, I let her have the reins, and run with the assignment… I was there to watch, and answer questions, but she needed to do the work which I knew she was fully capable. It's full time employment after this. It’s exciting to be helping “deliver” a new, baby nurse!

In a way, precepting has been good for me. It has helped me to realize how much I do know, and how far I have come in my development as a nurse. I am amazed by my efficiency, speed, and attention to detail.

Lyndsays Favorite Music At This Moment

Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne
Flavor of the week by American Hi-Fi
Better Than Me by Hinder
Crazy Beautiful by Ashley Parker Angel
Settlin' by Sugerland
I Don't Care by Ricki Martin
San Dimas High School Football Rules by The Ataris

Come on people tell me what 7 songs you are loving at the moment.

When I Grow Up........

Every once in awhile when I am getting ready for work one of my daughters will annouce, "When I grow up I think I want to be a nurse like you."
I have feelings of ambivalence about this........for the most part I love my job and love the art of nursing. I chose to work in mental health because I feel a need to protect the vulnerable and the weak and I want to make a difference.

Then there are the days where I feel like throwing in the towel for so many varied reasons. Should I remind them of............
how many holidays I missed spending with them or of how I'm addicted to caffeine or about the last time I was left feeling belittled be a physician, or that you will wash your hands so often they will be left feeling raw.
Should I tell them about how often I almost fell asleep driving home from nightshift and almost died.
Should I tell them how many times I do someone elses job because they didn't and as a nurse I am expected to or that it is so difficult to feel compassion after 4 shifts or at the end of a night.
Should I thell them how it feels to be assaulted and have the hospital tell me not to charge the patient.

Scientists Are Developing Drugs That Could Eliminate Traumatic Events From Our Memories

Scientists are doing research to see if Propranolol is an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. When I first heard of this it raised many ethical concerns for me such as who decides what is horrific enough to be worthy of this treatment regime.

Music Tag

Instructions: List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what they are. They must be songs you are presently enjoying. Then ask other people to respond to
see what they’re listening to. So fess up people.......tell me what you are listening to.

Phanton Limb - The Shins
Fidelity - Regina Spektor
Rehab - Amy Winehouse
Whistle For The Choir -Fratellis
When You Were Young-The Killers
Grace Kelly - Mika
Constellations – Jack Johnson

Skating During The March Break

Movie Review: Bridge To Terabithia

As it is the March Break, Garth and I decided to take the girls to see a matinee. I knew this was a must see film for our family the minute I saw the trailer. What the novel, "The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe was to me.....this novel was to Garth. He has always suggested our daughter read it but she has yet to do so.
Unlike, The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe, this movie stayed true to the novel. It is interesting to note the author, Katherine Paterson, based her book on a similar incident in her then young son’s life. And now, thirty years later, that son, David Paterson, is a screenwriter and producer of this film.

The wonderful thing about this flick is they kept computer graphics to a minimum and instead focus on emotional relationship between two childhood friends, Jess and Leslie as they struggle through class, family and social issues.
The story delivers a positive message about seeing the troubled person behind the bully and the importance of keeping an open mind. It does pack an emotional punch at the end and left me feeling nostalgic for the days when kids developed their friendship not on IM or on MySpace but in those hours between school letting out and dinner when they would let their imaginations create their own adventures. Do you remember? I know I do.

Birthday Celebrations

Today we celebrated Alexandras 7th birthday at Nebs Fun World. A great time was had by all.

Happy 7th Birthday Alley

Seven years ago today, she was born at Oshawa General Hospital, the same place her older sister was born. She is a very fun daughter to have, and brings life and laughter to our home. She bounces down the steps in the mornings, usually before anyone else and is always ready to take on the world. She is my most sensitive child. Things that may seem small to the rest of us can very easily send her into tears but because of this, she is very empathetic towards others. She always tries to be good and do the right things, and to be kind to others. (I have learned a thing or two from her.) She is very quick to share, and very loving. She loves to give hugs and draw pictures for others. She is also is very nurturing. She takes good care of her dolls and stuffed animals. She is very artistic and has a great imagination. She is a smart girl and works very hard in school. She loves to learn, and often wants to learn about things ahead of where they are in school. They are working on writing letters at school, and she is already trying to teach herself how to write in cursive. She also likes to look through the nonfiction books at the library and pick something she wants to "study or do a project on." She is a great helper and likes to help Mommy or Daddy dust, sweep or prepare dinner. I love your silliness and your tenderness. Have a great day Alley!!!