Drugs & Advice

I am just about done with summer. Sadly, school will be back with more homework and less time with friends. It was great while it lasted. I am excited to get back into the hospital to be in contact with people. This term will be mental health. I am really nervous about this division of Nursing. I have heard horror stories, but I am going into it with a positive attitude and I know I will have Jesus to get me through it. Who knows? I may like it.

I finished my summer term of Pharmacology just about 6 weeks ago. So I had about half a summer. There are so many drugs it is so overwhelming. I passed the class nearly 100% but still feel unprepared with drug compatibilities and adverse effects. It's so much information. Luckily, they tell you that you won't have to know everything because you will learn most of it on the job. Makes me feel a little better knowing I will have resources at the nursing station to help me :)

One thing that I have noticed this summer is the attraction of people needing advice from me as a student nurse. Because I am still in training, I am afraid I will give away false information. I want to be licensed before I give advice. The little things I feel more confident about like the use of over-the-counter medications, hot and cold compresses, simple wound care, and nutrition. Especially the drugs; my dad has been having back pain and has been taking "drug cocktails" as he calls it. Oxycodone (Percocet), Ibuprofen (Advil), and Valium. Talk about put you to sleep. My dad is a pretty big guy so he can handle higher dosages. I have been closely monitoring that according to his Doctor's orders. Every now and then I tell him to ease off the drugs to see if the pain level has gone down. He is just on 4 Advil a day now. Thank the Lord! :) My friends all come to me for drugs too. Because I get Migraines, I have pills in my purse all the time. I'm like a walking medicine cabinet and drug book. I love it!! I got to tell you, it does make me feel good inside that my friends come to me for advice. :) It's like I have already begun my nursing practice! Yay for knowledge! :)

Now off to Mental Health term :) Until then.....