Week Eight of CCNC

This week I was in the SICU Mon - Wed. It has been pretty low-key for the learning opportunities we as students want. It is great for the patients as they are not really that sick, but it is difficult for us as we want to learn from the really sick patients. It is going to be interesting to see what happens in the next six weeks.

Thursday and Friday we had our Continuing Education (CE) presentations. Each student picked a topic to present the completed the requirements to be able to provide CE's for those in attendance. Being that I love the heart, I chose to present on the Left Ventricular Assist Device (just google it). I was really nervous before I started speaking, but once I got going I was able to go for the required 45 minutes without turning red or speaking with a quivering voice. My two main instructors who were grading the presentations loved it. I have been given an open invitation to return after I complete the course as a guest lecturer. Pretty cool huh?!? I do encourage you to do a little reading on the LVAD as there are people walking around out there with these and we need to know what to do if something happens to them.

Week Seven of CCNC

The week started with the whole class takinc ACLS. Most of us were already certified but there were a few that had not yet taken the class. We made it fun. Lost of joking around.

The last three days of the week were spent in clinical. I was assigned to the Medical ICU. I had some good preceptors to learn from and some really nice patients with really cool family members. We spend 8 hours in clinical then spend 4-5 hours at home prepping for the next day. There are some long days but it will be worth it when we are all done!

Week Six of CCNC

This week was nuts! A test on Monday, three days of lecture, clinical Thursday and Friday, and our final written exam on Friday. I am glad this week is over!

Thursday and Friday I was in SICU. We chose which patient we will care for each day and I am trying to challenge myself with each patient. I have met some great people both patients and family members. I am sure there is more to share but I can't think of anything super exciting that happened this week.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

Sixth Test Results

Our final written exam is complete! And even better WE ALL PASSED!!! We do not yet know how we did but just knowing that we all passed is a huge relief. This test was the Neuro and Endocrine (for those that know me know that I am not strong with either of those topics).

Fifth Test Results

Once again we all passed. I did redeam myself with this test grade compared to the last one. Our next one comes early as we are now moving into the clincal part of the course. So start your prayers a little early as our last test is this Friday.

Happy Birthday!

Friday was out lecture on the Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump. We had a guest lecturer from the DataScope company. Towards the end of the lecture we were divided up into two groups to get some "hands-on" time with the machine. While my group was practicing with the Pump my lead instructor entered the room looking directly at me saying "LT Hultgren, I need you to stand at attention." Holy heck did my heart skip a beat. Usually when you hearr that order it is not a good thing. I dropped what was in my hands and locked up. As I locked up other instructors entered the room one of whom was holding a large bouquet of rose, twenty-seven roses to be exact, while singing Happy Birthday. No matter where I am my Dad has sent me a rose for every year of my life for my birthday.

My study group surpirsed me on Saturday with a birthday cake. Once we finished studying the candles were lit, the happy birthdy song was sung, and the candles were then blown out! A great surprise!

I woke up on my actual Birthday moning to happy birthday balloons covering the downstairs floor and a beautiful cheesecake in the fridge. I have a pretty good roomie!

This afternoon for a study break I am going out to a birthday lunch with a fellow APU grad and now LT Amy Wilson.

The real partying will begin when I finish the ICU course in August nd head back to CA for a vacation! Hope CA will be ready for me!!!

Flower Delivery

My special delivery with my Critical Care Class

Fourth Test Results

Not so good this time. I passed, but just barely. It is frustrating as I feel comfortable with the information but just could not reproduce it on this test. Oh well, passing is still passing. Just have to work harder for the last two.

Week Four of CCNC

This week's lecture was all over the place. From the immune response, to the kidney, to the liver, to shock. . .we were all over the place. Some lectures were well done while many of us struggled through some of the other ones. Study group was good on Saturday. There are five of us that get together to hit the books and the notes. This week we started studying at 1200 and then finished at 2200. I am so blessed with my study group. We definitely keep each other sane.

Many of the evenings have had some amazing weather and I have been trying to take advantage of them. Many a evening I can be found studying at my fire pit or in my hammock. There are times I have to run inside when the thunder storms blow through, but they don't last very long and then I am back to my studies.