Time Management aka The Black Hole of Nursing School

 If I hear or see the words TIME MANAGEMENT again especially in regards to Nursing School, I cannot be held accountable for my actions.

My clinical instructor has written this on my daily paperwork and it irks me to no end. She is the instructor and may do things her way BUT she is not doing things other instructors have done.

ONCE I have not finished my paperwork and that was due to taking care of my patient correctly and helping other student nurses. I was not dawdling or standing around idly.


Our clinical days are scheduled 7-3 every Tuesday and Wednesday this semester. Our instructor asked us to come in at 630 and we would be dismissed at  230. Out of 6 clinical days, we have left on time ONCE. We have stayed over an hour every other day. We get no credit for these extra hours and it is cutting into study time, babysitters, work, etc. I find it highly hypocritical to chastise students for time management when we are not dismissed on time.



It is very hard to get time under control when you have a 4 month semester crammed into 10 weeks. We have a test every other week and half our tests are on days outside of class parameters.





Here is an idea of what my schedule
looks like. Friday, Saturday, Sunday,
and Monday, I work double shifts which can be up to 11 hours long. Basically I work 11am-9/930pm.

I have clinicals Tuesday and Wednesday 630- at least 330. See above comment.

Then I have lecture 830-130 on Thursday.

As you see, I do not have a day off.

Due to shortness of semester, we must also watch video lectures on our own time.
Each week there can be upwards of 8 hours of lectures.
We also have a clinical assignment each week that is due on Tuesday.

I must also fit eating, sleeping( which has now been cut down to 5 hrs on average), dishes,showering, and laundry into this time frame.

Oh and with summer comes yardwork. I am trying to hire someone to cut my grass but until then, I must do it.

I have given up on cleaning my house until this semester is over.
I had no choice.

I also have no personal life. I really do not have the time or energy for one but I do miss going out to dinner, going to a movie, or just talking to an adult about things besides work and school.

With some notice, I MIGHT be able to take a night off work but for me spontaneity is out.

If anyone can seriously tell me a way to manage my time better, I am all ears but
in meantime stop criticising me. I am doing the best I can.

Frankly My Dear I Do Give a Damn

Scarlett O'Hara "baby girl" Doss flew into this world on January 25th 2005. And I mean flew. Dixie, her mom, had already had 3 puppies and we thought Dixie was through. She was only 8 months old and weighed 10 pounds. Alex was excited and talking to her Dad on the phone when all of a sudden one more puppy literally shot out of Dixie, through the air about 3 feet, and landed on edge of blanket. We all shrieked and Alex dropped the phone. Well Scarlett was our last puppy and only girl. As you can see, she has always been curly.

 Scarlett hold a special place in my heart since I actually witnessed her birth and because she is Dixie's puppy.

You can below how tiny Dixie was and one of her other puppies.

                Below is a picture of Max, her Daddy, and Hershey, her uncle. Max is on the right. Scarlett got her hair and temperament from Max.

Scarlett has always been laid back and very gentle. Unless you crowded her personal space. Here she is letting Peanut sit on her  and not making a sound.

She never really liked me cutting her hair but it had to be done. She looks like a totally different dog with her hair cut.

Scarlett has brought so much joy to my life. She is playful, energetic, loving, and a Mama's girl. She always loves sitting in my lap and sleeping next to me.She gets excited and loves to play. She always loves to cuddle.

Many of you know Scarlett had been sick in January and was very ill. Well she became ill again the last two days and I had to make the hardest decision as a pet owner. I did not want my beautiful sweet girl to be in pain anymore. She was crying because she was in so much pain.  As much as it hurts me, I decided to let her go. I am crying as a write this. This is the first time I have ever been with a pet their entire life. I was with her when she was born and I held her as she died. She will always hold a special place in my heart. Scarlett my beautiful baby girl I love you.

New Year's Revolutions and Resolutions

Many of us make resolutions each year and may try our best to stick with them but eventually our best wishes fall by the wayside. It is very hard at times to stick with things. If it were easy, then a big deal would not be made about New Year's resolutions.

I am going to touch on a few I made last year and the results.

Even though I have not graduated yet, my resolution this past year was to survive two semesters of Nursing School and I did. I have learned so much and grateful for my fellow students and professors. And now that it is the New Year, I can say I graduate THIS year!

For several years I have put a wall up to avoid being hurt. I was not hurt but I also did not allow anyone close to me. Without that closeness, you can keep out hurt but you also keep out love. After wise words from someone, I decided to let my wall down.

Even though this relationship ended badly and I was hurt deeply, I know in time I will love someone again. I will not allow my hurt and pain to put a wall up again.

I also know I did everything in my power to make this relationship work. I was open and honest and told him things very few people know. It was his dishonesty and deceit that allowed things to unravel.

The important thing is I opened up and  will not allow this to stop me from feeling love again. I know there is someone out there for me. Someone who will love, cherish, and respect me. Things every person should have in a successful relationship.

Every year like many women, I resolve to lose weight, blah, blah, blah. Well this year I resolved to be healthier. I have managed to do that and in doing so have lost weight. Maybe not as much as I would have liked but it is a work in progress.

I cut my beloved Mt Dew out of my life. I make sure I eat at least two fruits and two vegetables every day. I eat little to no bread or starches. I try to limit my snacks to one 100 calorie snack pack a day. I have increased my water to 40 oz minimum a day. I also managed to exercise every day until this past semester. No excuses but working, Nursing school, and clinicals take a lot of my time and energy.

Yes there are days I go off the wagon to speak but I do not beat myself up and just get back on the wagon. I know this has to be a lifelong change and not a "diet."

These changes have helped me be healthier and lose weight. I have gone down one dress size, one pant/jean size, two shirt sizes, and one size in panties.

I feel so much healthier and my self esteem is higher. I can breathe a little easier. I can climb the stairs now. I can park farther from the door and walk.

My goals for this year are to continue with last years resolutions: to remain open to new things, to continue and improve upon a healthier lifestyle, and to graduate from nursing school.