Well, it's been quite a while since I last posted and I successfully completed my first class. I am sad to report that we lost the "crazy aunt" and a few others who weren't able to move on with us. She definitely added another level to our class time with her "out-there" stories and bedazzled bedroom shoes.
I can also report that I have been mistaken for an instructor on several occasions. I'd like to think it's because I portray a certain trustworthiness and level of confidence, but more likely it's because I'm a little older than the average student (plus trustworthy and confident). So far I've been honest and haven't used that little bit of mistaken identity for my own gratification. Although I was very tempted to accept the staff parking pass offered to me by Security. For just a moment I thought about how great it would be to have VIP parking on rainy days, cold days, hot days, windy days, perfect days....
The world of part time employment has been interesting as well. Turns out Publix decided I might be an asset and offered me a position in the bakery. Nope, not baking, just slicing, bagging and tagging bread. But it's all good and I've made a few friends there. One of my very young co-workers even paid me a compliment by saying she would love to see a picture of me in my 20's because she's certain I was very hot back then. That was a compliment, right? Right???
That brings me to the class I'm wrapping up this week, #2 of 16. I picked up a lot of new skills: how to take vital signs, assess a patient for various conditions, empty (and measure) a cath bag, perform a tube feeding, provide a bed bath or a shower, change sheets with someone still in the bed (a good skill to have had when I had a teen at home), and so on. Turns out "Class #2" was very appropriate as we talked about poo. A lot. What's normal, what's not, how to assess it for various conditions, and so on. I discovered I can eat lunch and discuss poo at the same time with my fellow students, much to the dismay of nearby diners.
We had clinicals for this class too! Our clinicals took place at an assisted living center and I had the privilege of working with some wonderful elderly people. Because of HIPAA, there's not a lot I can talk about here. But I can say it was a positive experience. Sometimes sad, sometimes funny, always interesting. The elderly have a lot to teach if you are willing to listen.
I realize I have so very much to learn, but I'm already thinking differently about things. Sometimes it amuses me. Like when I came across a stray dog in my neighborhood who didn't see or hear me until I was upon him. Here's my assessment if he were my patient: he seemed to have a sensory deficit, and was not oriented to his surroundings as he wasn't sure where to go when I startled him. He did, however, seem to have adequate output as he was peeing on every bush and tree he passed. Well hydrated, I noted. Which then made me think of the Far Side cartoon of dog preparing for a night on the town with the pack by tanking up from the water hose. That made me smile!
And so I think the life of a full time student has been pretty great so far!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
First Day of School (again)
I woke up in anticipation of a great day on Monday morning. The first day of school loomed before me with promise of a brand new direction, and the knowledge my classmates would be attending the same classes with me for the next two years. No doubt I will likely make some lifelong friends among this group. And the thought of being unemployed for the first time since I was 15 was weighing heavily on me.
Class started at 1 pm, leaving me an entire morning to take care of errands. I stopped by the bookstore to purchase one last textbook and a kit of medical supplies. That took less than an hour. I filled the remainder of the morning with pursuit of part time employment to assuage my earlier concerns.
I found myself at Publix in front of the employment kiosk by the exit door. I completed an application while customers exited behind me with their purchases. Upon finishing,the screen declared me to be a "Preferred Applicant" and suggested I report to the customer service desk. I did, my name and number was taken, and I was assured it would be passed to the store manager. And yes, the young girl behind the counter told me they were hiring as their college students had gone back to school. Ironic, I too am a college student!
On to Starbucks to introduce myself to the manager. They were hiring as well (same situation) and had several positions open. As a matter of fact, they called after I left to schedule an interview - so excited!
I headed to campus for my first class: Introduction to Nursing. I heard students become like family after spending so much time together. I was pleased to find not everyone was a recent high school grad and there appeared to be quite a range of ages. And much to my surprise, one seemed to be in her early 60s and promised to be the "crazy aunt" of our little family. The three instructors seemed very welcoming and friendly, and genuinely excited to have us. We had a lot of material to cover, and orientation filled the entire three hours. I left with a load of reading to accomplish, and a lot to think about.
All in all, a very successful first day of school.
Class started at 1 pm, leaving me an entire morning to take care of errands. I stopped by the bookstore to purchase one last textbook and a kit of medical supplies. That took less than an hour. I filled the remainder of the morning with pursuit of part time employment to assuage my earlier concerns.
I found myself at Publix in front of the employment kiosk by the exit door. I completed an application while customers exited behind me with their purchases. Upon finishing,the screen declared me to be a "Preferred Applicant" and suggested I report to the customer service desk. I did, my name and number was taken, and I was assured it would be passed to the store manager. And yes, the young girl behind the counter told me they were hiring as their college students had gone back to school. Ironic, I too am a college student!
On to Starbucks to introduce myself to the manager. They were hiring as well (same situation) and had several positions open. As a matter of fact, they called after I left to schedule an interview - so excited!
I headed to campus for my first class: Introduction to Nursing. I heard students become like family after spending so much time together. I was pleased to find not everyone was a recent high school grad and there appeared to be quite a range of ages. And much to my surprise, one seemed to be in her early 60s and promised to be the "crazy aunt" of our little family. The three instructors seemed very welcoming and friendly, and genuinely excited to have us. We had a lot of material to cover, and orientation filled the entire three hours. I left with a load of reading to accomplish, and a lot to think about.
All in all, a very successful first day of school.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Imagining Your Future
In my early twenties I imagined my future: successful businesswoman, happily married, world traveler, no kids..... Things don't always turn out like you imagine. Luckily for me they turned out way better!
Am I crazy to leave a good job in this economy? Many would say yes. Part of me is terrified to leave the security and benefits that employment offers, and part is pretty excited to be stepping out into a new endeavor. But, as they say "nothing ventured, nothing gained".
I'm sure I can count on it to be challenging, and hopefully a lot of fun as well! I thought a blog would be a great way to document my journey and provide a little insight to what it's like to be an "older student".
- Happily married? Check! I was fortunate to have a wonderful partner in Scott Whitmire for seven happy years.
- Successful businesswoman? Not exactly what I imagined, but I had an exciting 25 year career at a software company where I was privileged to make some great friends and had multiple opportunites to learn and grow in different jobs.
- World traveler? Hmmm. Been to Mexico, Germany and Turks and Caicos Islands so I say that definitely counts as a start.
- No kids? Was I ever wrong there, definitely changed my mind and Scott and I had a handsome, sweet son named Kyle.
Am I crazy to leave a good job in this economy? Many would say yes. Part of me is terrified to leave the security and benefits that employment offers, and part is pretty excited to be stepping out into a new endeavor. But, as they say "nothing ventured, nothing gained".
I'm sure I can count on it to be challenging, and hopefully a lot of fun as well! I thought a blog would be a great way to document my journey and provide a little insight to what it's like to be an "older student".
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