Oops!

I vowed it wouldn't happen and it did! I let 11 days go by without a blog post. Bad bad, Rachel. And while I could go on and on, giving excuses as to why I let my blog duties fall by the wayside, I will instead let you in on what the last week and a half has looked like for me by telling about 3 experiences of the last 11 days:

1) Midterm (dun dun dun)

Well, first accomplishment of the last 11 days... I SURVIVED AND PASSED MY MIDTERM EXAM! Haha, I know I know, dramatic again. But really, I was so nervous! It's crazy how 7 years after beginning my post-secondary education I still get nervous picking up that #2 pencil, double checking everything: did I put my name on? Did I spell my name right? Did I skip any numbers? What if I mismark one question, thus throwing off the entire exam? What if my pencil isn't a #2 and the scantron machine doesn't accept my test? What if my pencil runs out of lead? HAHA. Don't lie to yourself and say you never ask yourselves the same questions :)

The exam was challenging, some questions more than others, but as is the case with nursing school in general, I truly believe you get the results of the work you put in. Although I didn't do as well as I hoped, being the OCD student I am, I am happy to report I did well and can breath a (brief) sigh of relief until the next test!

The midterm covered components of the well adult, well child, respiratory disorders (asthma, COPD and pneumonia), the well woman and normal pregnancy. Unlike nursing, where the questions focus on assessment and nursing interventions, advanced nursing focuses more on patient management through medication, education, and follow up interventions. It is a lot more to think about: based on someone's age, gender, family history, medications, allergies, social history, symptoms...ALL OF IT...you base someone's plan of care. It is a lot to have on one's shoulders, but also really rewarding and challening!

2) The Massachusetts Association of Registered Nurses Conference (MARN)

As a part of my graduate assistantship in the graduate admissions office, I am usually asked in addition to composing this blog and helping with mailings to attend graduate information sessions, speaking about my experiences at Regis, Regis nursing programs, etc. However, this past weekend, I was asked to represent Regis at the MARN conference! I was so excited at the opportunity to attend my first professional conference, network and represent Regis to the greater Boston community. The conference was nothing less than what I expected. I met so many people that have been so influential in the nursing arena and nursing education, women and men from the ANA, Curry College, Emmanuel College, Boston College, Mass General, the Brigham,  Beth Israel...it didn't end! It was so amazing to be able to talk with other fellow nurses about nursing practice, policy and the future of the profession.

The keynote speaker, a highly accomplished and respected nurse, spoke to us about the 2nd ballot initiative that we will be voting on next month when we go to the polls: the "Death with Dignity" act, or, also known as "Physician Assisted Suicide". I had entered the conference feeling very strongly that I would be voting for the initiative without question. After learning more about physician assisted suicide and what the initiative proposes by listening to the experiences/viewpoints of people in the field (palliative care nurses and physicians, a chaplain, a lawyer, etc.) I was forced to really challenge my preconceived notions and think about it differently. Although I still plan on voting for the initiative, it was amazing to be challenged intellectually in such ways. I think this is really the way in which we grow as people and health care providers: pushing the boundaries of comfort, and really asking yourselves the tough questions.
With that said, I will take this opportunity to inform you that today is the last day to register to vote next month in the state of MA. Your voice is vital. It is not only your right, but your responsibility to vote and have a say in your society. SO GO OUT AND VOTE* okay, back on track :)

3) GRENADA!

So, for those of you who don't know, each spring Regis College sends 5-6 nurse practitioner students to the island of Grenada to provide care to the people there. I feel so incredibly honored and blessed to have been chosen to go to Grenada! Not to mention, some of my very closest friends were selected as well, so it is even more special. Since I heard about the trip last year, I have wanted to go! It really is like a dream come true for me. I have always wanted to go abroad to do service work, and simply never have had the chance to/always was to scared to go alone. Now, I can go with people there to support me and experience it with! The only issue is that I don't know if I can afford it. I am sure many of you can relate when I say money is SO tight right now. Unfortunately, we are each responsible for funding our portion of the trip, and although we don't yet know how much it will cost for each of us, I have a feeling regardless it is over my budget.

Luckilly, Regis has a new grant program, and I will be helping to compose our application, so hopefully we will get approved and get some funding! With that said, if any of you know if any scholarship/grant/funding opportunities we can utilize to help us go to Grenada this spring, PLEASE do not hesitate to email it to me. We need all the help we can get! :)


In other news, for those of you who were wondering (as I'm sure you all were DYING to know, ha) Bella is doing fantastic since her ACL surgery last month! She is starting to put weight on her leg, and we are now able to walk her twice a day for 10 minutes at a time!  You don't realize how much you miss walking your dog until you can do it again. God, I love that little mush.

Well folks, I'm here at Health Services ready to precept for the day! Remember, you can email me any and all questions/comments at RFran430@regiscollege.edu and I will be thrilled to share them on my blog next week!

Until then, keep on trucking, keep warm and have a great week!

Intellectual. Smart. Classy. Bulldog.