Monday, March 3, 2014

The test of all TESTS the NCLEX

Man these 2 years of nursing school has gone by soooo fast. I haven't even had a chance to  really reflect. Right now I am studying for the NCLEX exam and man all I keep thinking to myself is "what did I even learn for the past two years". I am using the Kaplan study system and it is working well for me so far. It is really a good way to organize my studying. I do the question trainers, and 50 qbank questions a day. I am really struggling on the pharm when I found this awesome resource:


Aplus Compendium Pharma


Hope this helps! Good luck studying! Now I gotta get back -__- ( i don't wannnnaaaaaaaaa!!!!)


Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Taking Flight


I recently got into the show Pan Am and I have fallen in LOVE! I have always loved traveling. I remember when I was younger I wanted to be an air hostess. Anyways, in the last episode they had a man on the plane who had a heart attack, there was no one on board who could help him so they had to do an emergency landing to find a doctor. After watching this episode the question arose why are there no medical personnel flying on the planes. It didn't make sense to me because medical emergencies happen all the time and the conditions while flying put the prone at a greater risk. So I Googled. There had to be some position that put flying and medicine together. And what I found was... drumroll please...... the position of a FLIGHT NURSE! Imagine my excitement when I found out about this position. I would combine my childhood dream with my current goals and I would be in the air saving lives. (Let me tell you I fantasized about it for a while). Here is the job description:


Description
FLIGHT NURSES – Making A Difference!
IMAGINE ...
  • Having real autonomy both as an individual and as part of a team.
  • Working for a company that continuously helps you improve your skills.
  • Being part of a team that cares about you and supports you.

We invite you to Come Fly with Us and become a part of a growing and dynamic company! The REACH Team of professionals awaits your contribution to excellence.
Help us to make a difference every day!
REACH is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Requirements
Qualifications:
  • Graduate of an accredited school of Nursing.
  • Current California RN license.
  • Minimum of 3 yrs critical care experience (>1 yr of adult ICU experience preferred).
  • Current AHA ACLS, BCLS, PALS and NRP provider.
  • CEN, CCRN and MICN recommended for entry-level position.
  • Must maintain a "duty" weight of less than 210 lbs (body weight plus uniform and equipment); 205 lbs in street clothes/shoes.

This is just for CA but I am sure other states have similar positions. This is link writes about airline nursing in more detail if you want to know more (Learn More) What do you think of this position? Comment Below!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Animated!!



In my previous post I told you about the Nightingale Pledge. Well I just started watching this anime series called "Itazura na Kiss" and in Episode 20 it showed the ceremony. WOW!!! If you are into animes this one is REALLY CUTE!!! I love romance animes and this one has become my new favorite!!! Comment below if you have watched this anime and what other romance animes are you favorites!!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Something To Look Forward To...


So, why did I do all that research on Florance Nightingale? Well, once one has successfully completed schooling to become a nurse, you are then able to recite the Nightingale Pledge (similar to the Hippocratic Oath, but for nurses). The pledge is as follows:

"I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician, in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care."

How exciting!! Someday soon I will be able to say this pledge and devote myself to the service of others! I am truly honored to be a part of this field.

Love that Nursing Lamp!! I want one of my own =)

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Florance Nightingale


So I was just doing a little research on nursing and the history of nurses and Florance Nightingale showed up on Wikipedia. So I decided to look into her story.

Florance Nightingale was born into a rich family, upper class, British family in Florance, Italy. She was born on May 12, 1820 (the same date that International Nurses Day is celebrated). In 1844 she decided to enter nursing. Her family was against it, but she wanted to join claiming it was a calling from God that she could not refuse. She worked hard as many factors were against her. She was courted many times but refused due to her intense dedication to her work.

Her biggest contribution was in the time of the Crimean War. There were a shortage of medical staff so Nightingale instructed 38 volunteer nurses. When she got to the temporary barracks hospital in Scutari (Istanbul) she saw that the soldiers where being poorly cared for and the conditions in which they were, were unsanitary and caused an increased death rate. Nightingale took it upon herself to improve these conditions she improved the sanitation conditions of herself and called upon the Sanitary Commission. By doing so she was able to reduce the death rate from 42% to 2%. Six months into her time Scutari (Istanbul) the death rate took a turn for the worst and soldiers were dying from typhus, typhoid, cholera and dysentery. The Sanitary Commission stepped in and found that due to the overcrowding of the hospital the sewers were dysfunctional and ventilation was poor. Improving these conditions decreased the death rates dramatically. Through this experience Nightingale found that sanitation was a big part of recovery and health, so later in her career she emphasized and promoted the importance of sanitation. She created sanitary standards and designs for hospitals.

She is known for her title as "Lady with the Lamp", she was so dedicated to her work that she went from bedside to bedside throughout the night carrying her Lamp with her.

In 1883 she was rewarded the Royal Red Cross by Queen Victoria. She died in 1910, even though she is long gone her legacy lives on. She is a very inspiring person and devoted her entire life to nursing. Her efforts in sanitation revolutionized the medical field. Her book Notes on Nursing explained simple health practices, and this book was used in the eduction of nurses, creating a stronger and more efficient workforce.

Her dedication was such that her whole life was devoted to this occupation. So much so that a syndrome was named after her. The Florance Nightingale Syndrome is when a caregiver, typically a doctor or nurse, develops and emotional attachment to a vulnerable patient in their care. May progress into a sexual attraction. Ring any bells? Grey's Anatomy usually showcased a plot similar to this in the season.

If I could be half the nurse she was I think that would be amazing!! Do you know of any nurses who contributed to the medical field in such an amazing way or do you know a nurse who is simply just AMAZING (in my opinion I feel like all nurses are amazing!!)

Hello Kitty Hospital!!!


This is the cutest hospital ever!!! Located in Taipei, Taiwan the owner of this hospital approached Sanrio to create their maternity ward. This would seriously be the CUTEST place to work at. Look at the nurses outfit. Its a bubblegum pink long sleeve with a Hello Kitty apron. The babies are decked out in Hello Kitty gear as well, how precious! I would love to work here after I graduate. Already have my bags packed. Want to know more about the hospital here is the full story (click here).

Saturday, May 21, 2011

TEAS V - What?!


So get this.. I had to retake the TEAS! Let me just tell you the last time I picked up a math book was in high school and that was 6 years ago! I received an email from the Chancellor of the school stating:

"The Ohlone nursing program has received news from the State of California and approved by the Chancellor’s office that only those students who took the TEAS 4 between June 2010 and December 2010 and earned an adjusted individual total score of 67% can use the results if they are entering the nursing program in fall 2011. Those who enter the nursing program during spring 2012 must take the TEAS 5 and earn an adjusted individual total score of 62%. No other TEAS versions can be used at all such as version 2 or 3."

I see this and I FREAK out! I already took the TEAS 2 why do I have to take this test again??? With spring classes ending I had to prepare for this?! So I pulled together all the resources I could find. It was too late to order the TEAS book (but if you can order it then do so!) So to the internet I went. I found that I was looking at a lot of high school prep sites which actually helped a lot. (I will post the sites at the bottom). After a day of studying and cramming I was fortunate enough to get an 80% adj on the exam good enough to secure my spot! Seriously done by the GRACE of GOD!

So the TEAS is broken down into 4 parts with its respective subsections:

1. TEAS READING (1 hr)
- Paragraph & Passage Comprehension
- Informational Source Comprehension

2. TEAS MATH (50 min)
- Numbers and Operations
- Algebraic Applications
- Data Interpretation
- Measurement

3. TEAS SCIENCE (1 hr)
- Human Body Science
- Life Science
- Earth and Physical Science
- Scientific Reasoning

4. TEAS ENGLISH & LANGUAGE USAGE (30 min)
- Grammar and Word Meanings in Context
- Spelling and Punctuation
- Structure

If you have time to prepare for the exam I highly recommend getting the TEAS V Prep Book it has everything you need to know on and about the test, and I heard it is similar to the actual exam. If you don't have time to buy the book then here are some sites that I found helped me a LOT!

TEAS READING & TEAS ENGLISH & LANGUAGE USAGE: This should be pretty standard unless you grew up outside of the US school system. Just read the passage carefully and read what they are asking for. The majority of this exam, I feel, is based on how well you follow directions. Here are the websites:
- Flash Cards: English Review (click "study" at the top to start)
- Flash Cards: Reading (click "study" at the top to start)
- Practice Test: Reading Comprehension
- Practice Test: Main Idea
- Practice Test: Advanced Reading Comprehension
- Practice Test: Vocabulary
- Practice Test: Vocabulary Bonus 1
- Practice Test: Vocabulary Bonus 2

TEAS SCIENCE: This was the section I was most worried about (along with math). I found some really good sites that should help review some topics. If I didn't know one of the topics discussed I looked it up and reviewed it further.
- Flash Cards: Life Science (click "study" at the top to start)
- Flash Cards: Scientific Reasoning (click "study" at the top to start)
- Flash Cards: Chemical & Physical Science (click "study" at the top to start)
- Flash Cards: Human Body Science (click "study" at the top to start)
- Bio Review: Covers important topics! Worth looking at!
- Practice Test: Science 1
- Practice Test: Science 2
- Practice Test: Science 3

TEAS MATH: Remember the SAT the word problems are very similar. Use the answers link below to give you a step by step on how the answers are solved. Use the test questions.
- Flash Cards: Math Terms
- Flash Cards: Math Terms Bonus
- Flash Cards: Conversions
- Flash Cards: Roman Numerals
- Practice Test: Basic Math
- Practice Test: Advanced Math
- Practice Test: Basic Algebra
- Practice Test: Advanced Algebra
- Answers Explained (copy & paste your question in the Google search bar and it will give you a detailed answer)

Full List of TEAS Flash Cards & TEAS Practice Modules.

Best of Luck in your Exam!! Comment below if these sites were useful!
If you find any other useful links post it below: