I spent the last 2 weeks trying to cram in 2 years' worth of nursing knowledge, as I was scheduled to take my boards on Aug. 14. It was not without the occasional feeling of uncertainty, fear, and nausea! How does one memorize all of these diseases, their signs/symptoms, diagnostic testing, nursing interventions, and medications? Along with knowing the meds, one has to know what teaching goes along with it-do you take it with/without food, do you protect yourself from the sun, and the ever-present "rise slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension!"
That's not so bad until you try memorizing the therapeutic/toxic ranges for the medications. Not to mention lab values-CBC's, CMP's, UA's, PT, PTT, INR, ABG's-I almost developed strabismus (which means cross-eyed, by the way).Now that it's all over, I wonder if it was worth all the trouble, and the answer is YES! I wouldn't have it any other way-except for perhaps an MD, but not right now! I find no greater satisfaction than helping a fellow human being and seeing how a little bit of attention and caring can make them flourish!
It reminds me of the words of one of my favorite songs:
Make me a servant
Humble and meek
Lord, let me lift up those who are weak
And may the prayer of my heart always be
Make me a servant today
My wish as I begin my career as an RN is to bring hope and that others may see our Lord through my actions.
That's not so bad until you try memorizing the therapeutic/toxic ranges for the medications. Not to mention lab values-CBC's, CMP's, UA's, PT, PTT, INR, ABG's-I almost developed strabismus (which means cross-eyed, by the way).Now that it's all over, I wonder if it was worth all the trouble, and the answer is YES! I wouldn't have it any other way-except for perhaps an MD, but not right now! I find no greater satisfaction than helping a fellow human being and seeing how a little bit of attention and caring can make them flourish!
It reminds me of the words of one of my favorite songs:
Make me a servant
Humble and meek
Lord, let me lift up those who are weak
And may the prayer of my heart always be
Make me a servant today
My wish as I begin my career as an RN is to bring hope and that others may see our Lord through my actions.
By Maria Ramirez
Picture: Maria and her son Tristan
Picture: Maria and her son Tristan
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