It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Hello followers!


Yes, it's true... it's the most wonderful time of the year... but only after FINALS WEEK ends. Today marked the commencement of the day which all graduate nursing students dread. This can only mean 2 things: 1)I have caffeine running through my body at all times and 2) I'm praying that I don't form a deep vein thrombosis in my legs from complete inactivity as I study my brains off for the next nine days. 


Before I can watch "Elf" a copious number of times, gorge myself with my favorite holiday foods, and hibernate for the next month, I must first tackle 1 more paper, 1 more clinical day, 3 more written finals, and a lab practical. Now, I suppose I should give some helpful tips on "how to adopt healthy habits during this time so you can stay focused and increase your chances of getting straight A's"... however, the honest truth is to sit your butt down and get reading. Pull out all your notes that your professors mentioned in class, and disregard the saying "this will not be on the test", because 9 out of 10 times IT WILL. From my experiences this semester, the nitty gritty details will most likely be somewhere tucked in the exam questions. Why? Because  Regis wants to make sure you graduate not as an "okay" nurse, but as a nurse that will provide exceptional care and beyond. (...and I'm sure we'll thank them when it comes time to take the NCLEX!)


So while I'm sure I'm grown 7-10 gray hairs on my head this semester, studying for finals has made me realize that I'm glad I've had my butt kicked this semester. I've learned so many critical components of nursing in only four months, that I can only imagine what will be thrown my way next semester. Until then, one of my lab professors gave us this sentimental "thought for the day" to end the semester. Since I loved it I'll share with you all:


Our Thoughts for the Day -- 
Respect
   Professional Behavior
      Professional attire
         Creativity
           Perseverance
             Study Skills
               Guidance
                 Resources
                    Nursing is a gift


December 15th cannot come soon enough!
Enjoy your holiday season everyone!


Katie Tavares

Someone is going to trust me with a syringe?!

Hellooo again everyone,


This week I am posting to you just a few moments before I am free to head back home for THANKSGIVING BREAK! Therefore, I thought I'd take the time to share with you some of the things that I am thankful for throughout this past semester: Here it goes:


5) I am thankful for No. 2 pencils, because without them I would not have been able to fill out the many Scantron exams that I have completed this semester
4) I am thankful for coffee because it has enabled me to stay up many late nights to complete work
3) I am thankful for petfinder.com, which has given me the chance to procrastinate when I feel work overloaddd
2) I am thankful for those little dove chocolates with the nice sayings on the wrapper -- "Smile at yourself in the mirror" OK I WILL
1) I am thankful for hand sanitizer and the patients that have allowed me to practice on them (yes, I know scary!)


REALLY #1: gloves which have allowed me to handle blood, guts, and yes, occassionally some poo.


Now onto one of my nursing stories...
As of November I have learned a variety of nursing skills including: how to perform an entire health assessment, how to assess a pressure ulcer, how to hang IV fluids, how to provide culturally sensitive care, measuring input and output of fluids, how to check blood glucose levels and much much more! However, the one thing that I had been waiting for as a student nurse was the day that I would be able to practice giving an injection. In lab we have these awesome injection pads that simulate the way it feels to give an actual injection. However, much to my surprise giving an injection isn't just "stick and go" (fun fact: they make it look so much easier on TV!) You first have to learn the different size needle gauges, the different types of medications to administer, the appropriate injection sites on the body and most importantly the fact that you cannot full on attack a patient's gluteus maximus with your syringe. 


So I'm sitting in lab eager to pick up a needle and start jabbing my simulation pad, when my professor looks at me like "this girl has got to me kidding me?" In other words, I'm pretty much dangerous with a needle in hand. My professor went on to explain to us how to properly pull the syringe cap off "with authority!", and then how to draw up the right amount of fluid without fumbling the vial in your hand. Apparently, my hand/eye coordination needs some work as do my eyes, because I could not see the numbers on the side of the needle for the life of me! More so, some medications only come in ampules made of glass (this means you have to say a quick prayer that glass shards won't cut your fingers off when snapping the ampule open).


From this story, I am merely trying to explain to you that some nursing skills will come more easily to you than others. At Regis College, the professors are more than happy to assist you with any difficulties you may be experiencing in class or lab. As mentioned in my previous post, the close relationship between students and faculty was a major deciding factor in choosing this nursing graduate school. I never feel awkward or nervous to ask my professors for help with any techniques I may not succeed at right away.


Until next time: If you ever need your foley bag drained I'm your girl, however, I'll be practicing my injection techniques some more over these next few weeks with my professor... In the wise words of my good friend at Regis:  "BE KIND TO ME, I MAY SOMEDAY BE YOUR NURSE!"   especially if someone is going to trust me with a syringe one day :)


- Katie Tavares

Just the beginning...

Hello Everyone!

Let me introduce myself. My name is Katie Tavares and I am a first year student in the Accelerated BS/MS in Nursing program at Regis College. I received my B.S. in Biology from Assumption College in 2011, and knew after graduating that I wanted to further my education. I always essentially knew that I wanted a career that involved caring for others, and it was my sister who actually recommended the Nurse Practitioner profession for me. After researching and attending a variety of graduate school programs, I knew automatically that Regis College was where I wanted to study. The small class size, experienced faculty, high NCLEX pass rate, and close location to some of the best hospitals in our nation all made my decision even easier. I can still remember receiving my acceptance letter in the mail, and jumping for joy that I had gotten into my first choice school! (Not to mention it was a GREAT reason to indulge in some celebratory chocolate cake!)

As with any new experience, the first week of classes seemed like a whirlwind of information, handouts and fear upon everyone’s faces. I just kept on reminding myself that everyone was in the same boat, and that we were going to make it out alive! The courses you will take in your first semester of the Accelerated BS program includes: Professional Nursing with Lab, Health Assessment with Lab, Clinical Pharmacology, and a clinical rotation. During these first few classes, we focused a ton on the importance of hand washing and maintaining standard precautions. I tell you, I was washing my hands after EVERYTHING I touched after learning the importance of hand hygiene in the nursing field! In the first weeks of school I also made some of the most amazing friends who came from a variety of different backgrounds and were all different ages. Making friends is super important in this program, because you will be spending a ton of time with them. They actually become like your second family!

My clinical rotation this semester is at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. I was extremely excited to be placed here, because it is one of America’s best hospitals. I am in a group with three other girls observing the 10AB medical/surgical unit. Over these past few weeks, I have seen, learned, and heard some of the most amazing things. My instructor has stood by me each step of the way ensuring that I know how to properly care for my patients. It is an awesome and accomplishing feeling when you can take the skills you learn during lab and actually put them to good use during clinical! By building upon the skills you learn each week, you somehow go from hand washing and taking vital signs to administering medications in no time at all! Your professors most definitely instill the confidence in you throughout your classes to proceed with confidence during patient care. One week, I was even allowed to observe a laproscopic surgery in the operating room, and learn about the role of the operating room nurse. Working at “the Brigham” has been nothing short of a positive experience.

Thus far, I can say that this program has been extremely time demanding but also rewarding. In the beginning, I felt like I would never be able to handle all the work, and remember all the different techniques but somehow you manage to! It really comes down to time management, studying until your eyes fall out, and having a few good friends to support you during the harder times!

Until next time… SEE YA!

- Katie 

Keep an eye out for my next blog!