Heatherbear

i loved my med/surg!!! i am just finishing up this semester and for the first time i truly started to feel like a real nurse. you get to see the whole picture of a patient and then you move on to another whole different pt, with a whole new picture, its exhausting, for sure, but so cool. i saw a whole lot of stuff this semester and i loved every minute of it....

Hey, Lisa The patch is supposed to be on the front breast area. It has been there for as long as I have been in the program, so do not worry about it. Isnt is lovely?? It is the most unflattering but it could be worse, it used to be worse....white smocks!! Heather

I KNEW you loved me.....

Those were really great memories, but where do I rate??? I thought that I would at least be in the top 5!! But, all kidding aside, You will make a GREAT ob nurse. It is really awesome to see a new life come into thise world. I got to see a C-section-it was truly an amazing moment-Carmella Valentina, she was a doll!! Heather:redbeathe

Ok, I had this great reply going and it was along one. Those of you who know me, know that I do not do long replies, just laziness. But, I lost it :no:some how..ahhh!, so now its gonna be short and sweet! My shoes have alitte pink on them, color is not a problem as long as it is not primarily color. But, if you are worried you can bring them in and ask your instructor. My steth was bright pink at first (no problem)until I got my ultrascope-now the head has a sunset scene or something...Its pretty. I agree with Colleen and Didera, I love :heartbeatmy rolling backpack and my Palm. :redbeatheThose are the two things I would HIGHLY recommend. Another thing is get a good group of people around you. They will help pick you up when things get rough, and they do. They help keep you motivated, when you feel like you are not up to par, and you do.....They are the most important think that you need. I do not know what I would do without my girls, Colleen, Diedra, Lori,and Boni. :redbeathe:redbeathe We just know that someone has our backs...Husbands, boyfriends, moms and families are great but they just do not know what you are going through and it is hard to juggle sometimes, but you can do it. Lisa, and Dawn it sounds like you are in the same class, and you both sound motivated, you should really connect and form your own little group that will be with you through these next two years. Ok, thats my two cent worth:twocents: Heather

I know, I don't wanna either. I have been running errands all morning long. I drove out to Kenosha Hospital to see it. It is so cool, right by the lake. I cannot wait until Friday.....after the test. Heather

Hi girls, You can get your scrubs at Tri-county unifoms. It is in Libertyville on Peterson Rd, right across from the DMV. As far as your steth goes, it just depends on how much you want to spend. My first semester, I got one from the bookstore at CLC,that came with a blood pressure cuff, to practice with and that was fine for me the first semester. Now, I have an ultrascope, duo. It has interchangeable heads, so I have an adult and a peds head. I love it. It was like $140. or so. I guess its probably middle of the road as far as prices go, you can get into some serious money on steths. You can go to www.ultrascope.com to look at the ultrascopes. I hope this helps. Heather PS. I guess I should read the other posts before mine, instead of just relying on my notices on my email....I should have know Colleen would have answered before me!!! She is so prompt and ontop of everything.

speaking of ebo's, i just finished mine for this week, so diedra you should be getting them soon. whew!! hi everyone, i haven't had time to revisit this,since, well its been awhile. colleen, boni, and lori, i don't know how you find the time. i know you have work to be doing ! :) it is great that so many are posting, new and old. i guess i don't have much to add at the moment, just wanted to touch bases with everyone and say hi!!:wlcmghrt::wlcmghrt: heather

Hi! I also was a frequent visitor to this site before the winter semester began and I was lucky enough to meet alot of the people I was chattin' with on this site. We formed our own study group and continue to talk and post with each other on a different site. I do try to check in here now and then to see whats goin' on. We all have made it on to 172 and are truly loving it, and so excited to move on to the next stage. We also found the "upperclassmen" invaluable and alot of them were super helpful. Now, that the semester is over we are just thinking ahead to next semester, cannot wait to get the next modules and start reading....kinda a repeat of last semester.

Boni- I think you should be ok. I don't know for sure, but I will keep my fingers crossed!! See you all tomorrow!! I will be the one with the really big coffee....:smilecoffeecup::smilecoffeecup: Heather

Hey, thanks to all of you who are letting us borrow the CPR books. Two, things, huh, well, I guess the first one is I am an army brat and graduated and spent 4 years in Germany. As a result I joined the army reserves in 1992, I am no longer in but it was great fun. Two, because it is the 4th, and my son Ryans 8th anniversary, that is the anniversary of his death. He was born with Hydrocephalus, nurses, look it up...He was born in 98 and passed on Jan 4th of 2000. He is my inspiration, in everything I do. He was a little angel here on earth now he is in no pain, in Heaven. Didn't mean to be a downer, good things came from Ryan.... Heather

Not a problem.

So, to all who took the BLS for healthcare how does the class work? Is it all just listening to lecture, do you need a notebook? Is there a written test too? I just get worried when I don't have the books they stay I need. Maybe if its the same book I could borrow it from Diedra,if you can find it. Let me know if you do. Thanks so much, gals Heather

Hey all. My binders are all 2 inches I like it to have room. I bought those flex binders for last semester so if it doesn't work out with the binders being to bulky-I can always try the 5 star flex thing, whatever it is called. I bought the med-surg and maternal newborn books on line at amazon.com under used, like new and I got the newborn one and It is beautiful, brand new with the cd. ALOT Cheaper. I have been reading today, oh my god, I knew the reading was alot, but I guess you don't understand until you do it. Some of the chapters are so long. I started at the first module AA and looked at some of the reading on that and started there, some of the books I don't have and are on the list as optional, so I don't know if I will ever have them, so I just read the chapter in Potter and Perry. I love reading about this stuff, I just hope it all comes together in the classes. It is hard to imagine doing some of this stuff and understanding, really understanding it, until we talk it through and do it. Class is still 2 weeks away and its already started. Did any of you who signed up for the BLS for Healthcare class on the 12th get that book yet? When I went it was unavailiable. Lori--My daugher is also acting up...wouldn't it figure. Maybe we need to have a little co op babysitting for each other- to let the other get some reading done, while the other has play time. My daughter is 4 years old and loves to play. Heather

I just got a heavy duty reference 3 ring binder- It it tough enough for lots of use but also has pockets on the inside. I also bought dividers with pockets for in between each individual module. I only had to buy 4 of these binders this way, they can be pricey, so to have to only buy 4 for now was nice. Good luck, I love going to walmart,I always leave with more than I wanted Heather

Hey, I love tatoos I have two of them and I am thinking of getting another one soon. I just got one one year ago this month and I want another one already....the butterfly one sounds great. It really helps if it is meaningful to you, you really have to be ok with this, you will have it forever. So, be sure you want it. It is painful, but nothing you cannot handle. The rule of thumb, the more fat on the area the less it will hurt, it hurts alittle bit more on bone. I have had both and it is true. I am so jealous. My husband doesn't really like them, but he figures if this is my only real vice, as long as I am not one big tattoo. You wouldn't even know I had mine unless I showed you. I bought the bundle, and I ordered the rest of required on amazon. I just want them, I quess I figured they are required and the more info I have the better. If any one doesn't want to purchase them and if it is just a chapter or two that we need them for-I can make copies. I do not mind doing that. Who really knows if we need the whole book, or just a chapter here and there. We should be able to find that out at orientation. I am looking at the books now, and now I am getting scared....I am going to be responsible for other peoples health and well being. That is scary. I will definately be reading the books.

Hey all!! I went to pay tuition and get the bundle, Diedra you are right what a load. It was very ackward to carry, but I had to have it also, I just want to start reading. I think we will be good friends, I am a total nerd also. I ordered most all else required on amazon, it was cheaper. I will have to check out those program from Skyscape, I got one program that was on our list as optional, one of the drug refrences, though it would be good to have handy. I look at different drugs each time I see a commercial or something, I am a way bigger nerd!!! I am all for meeting up at the wonderful coffee cart....I am one of their best customers, before the orientation. We could all wear something red or something or just grab a table and make a sign that reads friends of Allnurses. Diedra, what is a SD card you were referring too? Is it a memory card thing? Well, off to make dinner Thanks all Heather

Hi all!! I will be at CLC tomorrow to purchase the "bundle" probably after 12 though, I have to take my mom to an appointment tomorrow morning. I have only met Colleen, I cannot wait to put faces with names, or usernames, some of you I only know by username. I have been sick the last week or so, so time has really flown by for me. About the discussion about doubting ourselves. I think we all go through the scary stage, when we start something new and big...this is big ladies, we are really going to learn to have peoples health and well being in our hands. We all have proven, though, through our really high NLN scores that we all deserve to be here. And whatever people say about us personally, we earned our spots, and it wasn't easy, and those people who say you are "stupid" can eat their words.....You all should be so proud of yourselves, I am proud of myself,even when I doubt myself. If we all just help each other and put all of the petty crap that can happen behind us we will be ok.... I cannot wait to meet all of you really smart ladies. Heather

Yes, I three hole punched them...works out well. I got four heavy duty binders and just put all A modules in one B modules in one, C modules in one and so on, and separated them with a pocket divider, so I would have pockets for any handouts for that module. I really need to find time to work out also, I have had three children and gained lots of weight with them and never really lost it. I am hoping now that I won't be home alot, (to snack) that it will help me out also. We'll see. Thanks, I almost forgot about the $ for the drug test. See you on the 7th. Heather

Yea!!!Its over...I think I love when christmas is over more than christmas itself. Just so much work for one day!! But, I did finally get my bag, my pda, and money!!!! It was all perfect, I love my bag and I have just been playing with my pda. I have also been to Office Max and I have my modules all neatly in their appropriate binders. I know that some of you have been in the nesting phase, and I just wasn't there yet, well, now I feel the nesting settling in. First, I just need to dig out of the holiday mess first to get the house back to a normal state. I can't wait to see you all on the 7th. Hey, do any of you know if we get a lunch break, do we need to bring lunch? Lunch date anyone, in the cafeteria...will it be open? Heather

:holly3:merry christmas and happy holidays to all of you. :holly3: heather :snowman1:

No, I am having the same problem. I was hoping it wasn't just me. I am alittle upset, though. Even if we cannot buy we should be able to see the book list. They don't want us to know, they want us to buy from them and not look around for cheaper. The longer they withhold the book list, the less time we have,with shipping, to get our books on time, hence, we have to buy from them. This is my own theory. I really would like the book list, also. Heather

Colleen-My you are up early on your day off....my husband has always wanted to try to fry a turkey. He has yet to try. Good luck, Diedra. See ya, Heather

thanks didera!!! i know-i'm just trying to get through xmas. did anyone read the handbook?? did you see the listing of books? i cannot pull up the book list for class anymore, and just wanted to know if these are the same books listed on line....i thought i would start looking on amazon for the ones that look like they are required for 171. also, do we get to wear white t-shirts under our gorgeous blue tops? does anyone know...any old timers? have a great holiday, ladies heather

Diedra-Yes, I think it was about that time. I know there were a few people in there as I was leaving. Were you one of them? It is so strange to talk to you all, here, but have no idea what anyone looks like. I cannot wait to meet all of you. I was reading through the student handbook and stuff..... I am more confused that ever. Hopefully, the orientation will clarify things for me. Heather