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!
