It's in the Bag!

"Always come prepared and ready to work..."

This was stated and restated (aaannnnd restated) by one of my favorite clinical professors :) I always listened to what she had to say because she was the closest thing I had to a mentor and she was molding me in to the best nurse that she could!

Whenever I came to clinical I would arrive with my purple gym bag on my shoulder- every time, on time! 

People would always ask what was in it? Why did I need such a big bag? 

The bag was my way of coming to clinical prepared.  Here is a list of thing I found vital in my "packing" efforts- mind you, I only really packed this thing once and just left it alone!

The obvious: Medications book, steth (yes mine was pretty pink!), portfolio with an up-to-date resume as well as my background check and drug screen, Pad of paper for notes, pens black pens out the WAZOO, a watch, and of course my lunch and some snacks

The curve balls: I would pack a tiny make-up bag with over the counter medications that I might need during the day.  Advil, Pepto, chap stick, cough drops, ladies unmentionables, travel sized saline solution and contact holder- just incase something got in my eye- and a few other fun things that mattered to me.  

The first time I was found out about my "Mary Poppins'" bag because it was a little heavy that day, a girl scoffed and said "why do you need ALL of that?! I was a little hurt by her comment- but I was ok in the fact that I was prepared- AND by the end of the day she shuffled over to me and asked for an Advil because she had a bad headache.... 

It took every fiber of my being not say dance and sing "I told ya so- Told ya so! Who is prepared? NOT YOU NOT YOU!"  and while I did in my head, I spared her and handed over some Advil so that she could comfortably finish her clinical. 

She never really made fun of my "duffle of trouble" ever again after that- BOOO YAHHH! 

Moral of the story is to stay prepared- when you are employed at a hospital you will have your own locker to keep your items safely stored, so there will be less worry about tampering in the locker rooms ;) 

A new fad that I have been seeing in hospitals is nurses bringing their own K-Cups for Keurig machines - so I might have to add that to my bag once I get a job!! :) 

Does anyone bring anything to clinical or work that has become their life saver, go-to item, etc.? I'm interested to know! 

Study Strategies - NERDS

It's Nice to be a Nerd! 

All through out high school I was a laid back student- good grades just came my way and I never really had to apply myself. I was apart of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and I took a class called IB BIOLOGY....

It was with this class and the compassion of a really great teacher that I learned how to study and make the grades (and deserve them!) It was the very first time I ever had to study late into the night, read a textbook, take notes, draw diagrams, etc. I was working around the clock to make the grade for this ONE CLASS. 

This was the birth of me becoming a NERD :) 

I wasn't ashamed- I even started helping people in the class who were having a difficult time.  I was really lucky because I would not have been so prepared for my college classes at George Mason University as a freshman with out that class and that teacher.  

Some tricks of the trade I learned for years of studying that work for me I am happy to share with you and I hope they work for you as well!

• Smells are a big part of memory- for example the smell of mint or cinnamon can help with your ability to store information.  While I study I burn mint smelling candles and drink herbal mint (or cinnamon) tea-  not only does it calm you and help you focus, it can help you remember! ( I didn't believe it when I learned this information either- because I'm sure you're scoffing at this idea- but give it a try before you dismiss it!)
• I chew gum while I am studying and while I am taking tests- this helps me concentrate! I don't know why- Don't ask, it just does! 
• I like highlighters, but there is such a thing as OVER highlighting- not everything is important in what you are reading.  I like to pretend that I am writing a nursing school test and work that way with my major studying points
• I learned the Kaplan Decision Tree- even if you aren't sure of the answer to a test question this can help you eliminate answers that will seem like ridiculousness after you learn this technique!  (I remember during my NCLEX actually thinking "HA! Almost had me with that one!")
• I create a study schedule... Yes, I am THAT anal.  This way it breaks down the material and I do not become overwhelmed with what seems like ENDLESS reading from textbooks! 
• There are SO many resources available to you throughout the websites that you use which can create word searches, fill in the blanks, etc.  USE THEM!
• Books such as "... Reviews and Rationales" have AWESOME test-like questions in them- you will see them again, after all they are NCLEX approved questions!!!! 

I remember thinking that certainly these test questions that they give us during nursing school are ridiculously hard- who can do great on these types of questions? But to be honest, they really prepare you well for the NCLEX!

Some things I've learned NOT to do while studying (just for laughs- Yes, its ok to lighten up!)

• Do NOT attempt to study extra hard just to compete with your peers- they may need more study time than you, and Yes, you might just be THAT awesome! 
• Do NOT sit in front of the television while you are attempting to study- I KNOW I KNOW, Grey's Anatomy makes you feel like a genius since you know what all of those medical terms mean now! But, that is technically NOT studying!
• Do NOT let your cat help you! Turns out she knows NOTHING about cardiac tamponade! ;) 
• Do NOT review your lab material about catheter insertions at a public library- the mean lady whose NOISY kid will report you to the librarian even though you were facing away from people and in complete seclusion- Brat! 

What is the best techniques you use for studying? I bet you aren't the only one- it helps others to try new things just in case their mode of studying doesn't seem to be working for them! Let's share! 

I am hoping that we will soon be able to do free give aways soon! As long as I get participation on this page it will remain a possibility!!! *Fingers Crossed*

Nail Polish is Necessary

Nursing School Nail Polish Blues

When I was in nursing school I was super bummed that nail polish was against the dress code in clinical.  Not that you couldn't ever get them done- but what is the point in paying for a manicure when you have to keep your nails trimmed and plain? 

I remember wearing nail polish to clinical one day to see if any one would notice. They did. Luckily it was a crappy polish and I could chip it away because there was talk of sending me home from clinical!! YIKES!  Never again did I make that mistake, that's for sure! 

I thought my creative nail genius was going to be hampered forever- especially since it seemed to hit smack dab in the middle of the nail art craze!  To my surprise, I noticed some of the seasoned nurses at the clinical sites I attended were, in fact, wearing nail polish! The first time I noticed it was on a friend of the family who happened to work in the NICU I was working in for the day. Purple nail polish!!! So cute! 

I. Was. So. Relieved. 

I remember two days before I took the FINAL final exam of nursing school, I treated myself to a study break at my near by nail salon.  I got a full set of  acrylics and it seemed to lift my mood for our final exam! I did great and I have the confidence boost from my fancy nails to thank! (and endless hours of studying under my belt)  :) 

Here are some nails that I was especially fond of this winter- I love knowing the possibilities are endless! Isn't it funny how something so simple can make someone so happy?! 

Jibber Jabber... 

What is something you love that you had to give up for nursing school? 

Test taking in Nursing School

Multiple Choice MADNESS! 

When I started nursing school, I figured the test would be just the same as they were in my previous college classes. Oh no, I couldn't have been more wrong!

Our professors (and the people who write NCLEX q's) have this horrid brainy idea that they should include more than one correct answer within the answer choices.  I HATED hearing "this one is correct, but answer C is MORE correct" - More correct?! Are you KIDDING ME?

After I had passed nursing school and moved on to prepare for my NCLEX, I took a Kaplan class to do so.  Kaplan's big selling point for me was the "Decision Tree".  It is a system they have devised for students to better evaluate answers to test questions- what else do us nurses do better than evaluate? ;)

When I was learning the Decision Tree I thought to myself "Why did no one mention this while I was IN nursing school?" It would have made a HUGE difference in my test scores! 

While I am not here in any way to let you know what tests will be hard (assume they are all hard and KNOW the information!- Reading is easy!) I will let you in on a tip about test taking: the Decision Tree from Kaplan was life changing! It takes a bit of practice to learn the steps, but once you do, you will see such a difference.  

I am NOT saying that you no longer need to know the information being taught- but rather, if you know the information and have the Decision Tree in your arsenal you will be able to weed out the "trick" answers.  

On Kaplan's website they give you a demo of the Decision Tree at www.kaplannursing.com 

Some people in my class could not get the hang of it- in order for me to master it I made a cheat sheet to carry around with me to memorize the steps. Once I did it was on!!! I passed the NCLEX with the minimum number of questions you have to answer and I was so relieved! 

I hope this not only helps you with the NCLEX, but also with regular unit tests in school! Good luck everyone!

Chatty Cathy's....

Did you look at the Decision Tree? What did you think? Would you use it for test taking in the future? I'm listening! :) 

Welcome everyone!!

WELCOME to my blog! 

I am so glad you stopped by.  I would like to take a moment to introduce myself and my blog. 

My name is Casey and I recently graduated from nursing school in Virginia.  For the past several years my life has been consumed by nursing school and all that entails, simply put, I had no life out side of my studies :) 

I have taken ACED my NCLEX and I am officially an RN!! I am very proud of my accomplishments (if you couldn't tell) and I am waiting to find a job in the nursing field.

WHAT?! Why am I waiting? I'm so glad you asked! I have had a series of unfortunate events happen since my graduation and I am weathering an unplanned storm until I get back on my feet! GO ME!

First things first- I did NOT plan on any of these things happening after my graduation, but I am miserable taking it with a grain of salt and learning from everything that has happened.  What has happened?  I've kept you in suspense for long enough- here it is: 

After graduation I took a Kaplan class to prepare for the NCLEX, so even after graduation I felt the pressure of studying STILL! I took the test and PASSED! I was in 7th Heaven and extremely proud of myself.  In an attempt to spread the joy I went to purchase my (at that time) fiancé some concert tickets.  On my way to the venue my car was rear ended by a HUGE SUV! My car was demolished, and my body didn't come out so good either.  I was taken to the ER with the neck brace/backboard combo.  After the accident it was a while before I could function again- I had terrible whiplash and tears in my tendons along my spine.  All in all, if you saw my car, I was VERY lucky!

So now you're probably wondering why I am thankful for this event. Simple!  I now have the TERRIBLE first hand knowledge on what it is like to be the patient in an emergency situation.  It. Plain. Sucks!  I feel like this experience will help me be more empathetic to patients in the future.  The worst part of the accident was that it was 6 days prior to my bridal shower and 2 weeks before my wedding! 

After my wedding and honeymoon (some fun in the middle of some stinky situations!) I had to have surgery (WOMP WOMP!).  The recovery from the surgery has taken WAY longer than planned and I am coping with some excess pain.  And yet again, I am learning what it is like to be on the patients' end of the stethoscope rather than the nurses end!  

Ok- so that's my sob story.  While I am sitting here healing, I thought I would make use of my time!  Which brings me to the conclusion of this post but the introduction of my blog!  This blog will be reminiscent of nursing school and (hopefully) follow my journey to find employment my DREAM JOB!

I am hoping that by sharing my stories about nursing school, unemployment, and life in general, I will inspire someone to have the strength to finish nursing school or give seasoned nurses and my fellow nursing peers some laughs about the memories of nursing school and finding a job :) Join me on my journey to employment!! 

Chit chat... 

Now that you know me a little let me get to know you some.  Are you a nurse? Still in school? I'm listening :)