Growth

I really can't believe that this is our last week of classes then next week is finals. You can see by my lack of posts that it has been crazy. (posts Aug-6, Sep-5, then downhill from there). :) And today is the first of Dec!!!

So its really nerve-wracking because in ALL 3 classes of my classes I am in between an A and B, so no slacking off but going balls to the wall for these last 2 weeks. I mean, I guess since I'm in grad school it doesn't really matter if I get an A or B, but just for myself it is so close that I want all As. I have my last test tomorrow in Adult Health and my skills performance also on Wed, then I will be done with that class. I have my final eval with my clinical prof on Friday - hopefully I did okay in that class. I then have the patho final next Wed. I cant believe that is in a week. Its a comprehensive final, so literally its like learn the whole body and what a nurse does with every disorder. WHAT?! :) I then have the mental health final which is also comprehensive. I feel like I havent had a comprehensive final in forever. Coffee and tea here I come!!

I have learned so much this semester its ridiculous. I look back and think, wow I have come a long way. This semester flew by, but also felt like I started it such a long time ago - since so many things have happened between now and then. I have become a more open-minded person and really take the time to care for people. I have always done that, but being in the position of a nurse, you really get the opportunity to create a bond with the pts (not all of the time). I had this one pt yesterday and she said, "You are going to make an excellent nurse. I know you will succeed and be great at it. I can just tell." I love being able to help the people, listen to them, talk with them, take care of them, etc. I might not like getting up at 5am, but when I am with the pts it makes it worth it.

I have really learned the most though in mental health. It has challenged me beyond what I am used to. I think a lot of this has to do with the professor pushing us to be better people and putting us sometimes in situations that we arent comfortable in so that we can learn through that.

I don’t know if you have ever heard of or read the website PostSecret (you should check it out if you haven’t), but one of the postcards on there today made me think about this semester. It said, “The first time I never sat alone was in the psych ward.” Just sitting there with the clients, listening to them, talking with them, playing games, whatever it might be really does make a difference. It might feel small sometimes, but to them it might have really helped. That is one of the reasons we were there. I am glad that what seems like a small thing at the time can really help and mean a lot. My prof said that one of the most important therapeutic tools is yourself. I have learned a lot about the power of this this semester.

As for now, I guess I better go study for my test tomorrow. Thanks to all of you who support me and also read my blog. :)