NIAW

It is National Infertility Awareness Week!! NIAW starts this Saturday (the 25th) and runs to the next Saturday (the 2nd), though there are also unrelated yet in-the-same-vein activities happening on the Web or in the face-to-face world up until May 10th.

So find someone that could use someone to talk to, and let's make infertility less of a taboo. Perhaps that will help insurance companies realize that infertility is a quality of life issue, and not just an elective treatment!

A new beginning??

This summer looks as though it is going to be rather packed with activity. I just accepted a full-time job at rock Canyon Care Center, and I will also be taking 18 credit hours from Weber State. I am looking forward to it, yet dreading it at the same time. I feel like some great change is just around the corner, yet I have no idea what it might be. At least it will be an adventure, right?

Clinicals

Wow...what to say about my first clinical? It was easier than I had anticipated and harder at the same time. I ran the gauntlet emotionally through out the day as I went from nervous and excited, to terrified, to feeling so bad for the residents in the nursing facility. There were four residents in particular that just tugged at my heart strings. One kept asking for his wife and was so confused, another went from threatening to cut off all my hair to telling me that I'm a sweet girl. The third just laid in bed and moaned (I just wanted to sit by her side and make it better...she loved holding my hand, and being told it was all alright.). The fourth one didn't tug on my heart strings due to her condition, but rather to want she represented to me. My great-grandmother died when I was about 6 and she and I were really close...and this lady could have been her twin as far as my memory serves.
The day was spent with showers (oh my, that first one was SOOO awkward, I'm glad that she was not quite lucid), brief changes, hair brushing and helping people get dressed. The work was relatively easy for the most part. I am nervous about transfers still, and I am still not entirely comfortable changing briefs...it still just feels very awkward still.
As to whether or not I can keep doing this long term...I don't know. This first day was either the best or the worst work experience I have ever had. I'm not sure which. I think I need to wear my heart a little less out in the open if I am going to make a go of this. Despite this indecision, I am excited to go back this coming Friday.

CNA

Well, I have officially finished the first week of my CNA class and my first clincals are tomorrow. I am a bit nervous, because I feel really unprepared, especially because about the only real "skill" we have learned so far is taking blood pressure (which we are not allowed to do during clinicals!). I'm sure everything will be great. I have my new scrubs in the wash and the alarm set for 4:45 am, and just need to go pack a lunch. Good night everyone! Wish me luck!