Check!

Tuesday was my second day of clinical. To say the least, it was a learning curve! We started out with bed baths. It's one thing doing it on a manikin, and another doing it on an actual person! Even though I was painfully slow, the patient was very understanding and not upset at all.
First bed bath? Check!
After I gave the bed bath (with the help of my wonderful partner who has been a health care aide, and guided me through the process:)...) my IA said that she wanted someone to help her give a different patient a shower. Since my partner has done that (because she's been a HCA) she said that I should go do it. So, I went with my IA and this patient to the shower room. My IA then proceeded to say, "Okay, so I'll get you set up and then I'll be back in a little while." Whoa! So, I then gave a shower. Just a note - we did NOT practice that in lab...that was a learning experience!
First shower given? Check!
Today I baked an apple pie. Yes, I finally did it! I haven't tried it yet, so I'm not exactly sure how it tastes, but I'm thinking it should be okay. I might have put a tad much sugar in, but I guess we'll find out. Better sweet than sour, right? It didn't even boil over on to my other pan, so I am quite happy about that! Even though I haven't tried it, I am bringing it to my friend's house for supper, and we WILL enjoy it:)
First apple pie made? Check!
Thanks you to all of you who kindly left a comment after my last post. I liked that. And it kept me smiling all week! Hope that this week has been good for all of you. Wanna keep me smiling some more?
Comments kept me smiling all week? Check!

Firsts

Well, I have had all of my classes once, and today was our first day at Brandon General Health Centre (BGHC). We didn't provide any care today, but instead got a huge tour of the entire hospital. It was pretty cool, but I was a little lost too. It's a pretty big place, but it was nice to see all the different areas of the hospital as a student. Things are explained in greater detail than if you're just general public. I like it:)
We were also given a more in depth orientation of our floor, A2, as I mentioned in the last post. I am very excited to be placed there. Our Instructional Associates (IAs) told us that A2 is one of the best parts of the hospital to be placed in for the first clinical. Yay! It seems like the majority of the floor is elderly people, so that will be fun! We've also been told that the nurses and patients on the floor are generally really open to having students around, and I'm definitely glad about that. The last thing I want is trying to help people that don't want help from me!
Anyways, good first week back at school. I have learned that there is a TON of reading to do. Seriously a ton. Oh my goodness. Yesterday I went to bed earlyish (yes, I'm making that a word now) because I was tired from reading. Not tired of reading (although kind of that too...) but tired from reading. That didn't really happen so much last year. I mean, I was supposed to read last year, but I didn't really read a whole lot...sorry mom;) This year though, reading is more expected, so I'm trying to keep up from the beginning instead of fall behind right at the beginning. Being proactive. Yay me.
Because of all this reading, I have not yet been able to make the apple pie that I so want to make! I was going to on Monday, but then I read. I was going to today, but then I read. Tomorrow I might have time, but I might read. And then in the evening, I am going out and having fun:) Tomorrow is my dear friend Jessica's birthday, so we are going to Montana's for supper to celebrate. I don't know if there is post-Montana's celebrating happening, so I don't know if reading will happen after that. Then it's Thursday, and Thursday's a bit of a busy day, so I won't be able to make my apple pie then. Then it's FRIDAY!!!! WEEKEND!!!! So I won't make my pie then!
Next week maybe?!
One last comment. If you read my blog, comment! I like getting comments. They make me smile:) So, please keep me smiling all week long!

Back to School!

I have had my first two days back at school, and I am excited:) Today we received our clinical groups and also were told which wards we'll be going to...starting on TUESDAY! I am going to be on A2 which is part of the Assiniboine Centre, attached to the hospital. It is an orthopedic surgery rehab as well as medical rehab unit. I think that this will be a great place to start, and I'm so happy.
So far we haven't had any classes that are going to require papers, so that is also a reason for excitement! We have been introduced to our lab, and it looks like fun too! I do know, though, that although all of this looks like so much fun, it will be a lot of work. Our instructors have told us it will be a lot of work, and a LOT of reading, but in the end it will be worth it.
Our apartment is absolutely lovely! What an improvement from last year! Oh my goodness. This year we are living in an apartment block that is about 5 years old. The appliances are wonderful, we have a great living room, a nice bathroom, and no mice:) The best part? It's cheaper than last year. Yup, it really is! What a blessing!!!
Sorry I don't have any pictures this time - maybe next time.
Have a good one!