Semester One in Review!

With just 2 more days of class and 3 more exams I am so happy for the semester to be completed. Although there is still a lot more studying to do in the next 2 weeks, I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. As I do a quick recap of the semester, overall I believe that it went very well and was really enjoyable. I didn’t anticipate that I would have so many papers to write but in the end I realized that’s what it is like being a University student. In the last three months I have met many great friends that have helped me along my journey. Another key point that I want to make about the beginning of my nursing career is how much my perception of nursing has changed. Coming into the program I thought nursing only consisted of the physical aspect of caring. Now I know that it is a holistic approach on caring where the nurse must meet the patient’s physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs. Overall, I believe this semester was a good introduction into nursing and I am looking forward to clinical next semester. This will give me a chance to put everything I have worked hard to learn this semester into action on a real patient. But before I tackle that challenge I need a nice relaxing Christmas break under the Cuban sun!

11 more days and counting! Happy Holidays everyone.

The Benefits of Technology in Healthcare!

During the 21^st century technology has significantly improved, making it easier to perform many tasks. I believe that technology is helping to overcome the communication barriers in healthcare by making the communication between nurses, physicians and patients easier. One way this is done is by allowing all documentation to be recorded electronically. This saves time instead of having to record findings using pen and paper. It also makes it easier for health care professionals to communicate as they are able to locate their patient’s information around the world. Telehealth is another way that technology is improving communication between nurses and patients. This allows nurses to give medical advice over the phone instead of in person. Overall I believe technology is overcoming communication barriers and this will only improve with time!

My Thoughts about Nursing!

Many of my assignments have been completed and I am taking a break for a few days before I start preparing for my exams. During this time, I have been able to think about nursing and the reasons why I decided to enter into the field. I have always wanted to have a profession in the healthcare field but I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to become a nurse or enter medical school and become a doctor. The reason why I decided to choose nursing instead of health science was because I realized nursing is a more hands on career as opposed to being a doctor. I wanted to be able to develop a therapeutic relationship with my patients. I wanted the opportunity to be able to know the patient as a human being instead of just a disease. I also chose the nursing program because I believe it is a very rewarding career where you are faced with new challenges every day. I think that nursing is a career for me as it reflects many of my personal values and characteristics. I am a person who always thinks about others before myself and is one who genuinely wishes good upon others and wants to help in any way I can.

In my Development of Self class the other week we watched a video that made me realize exactly why I want to become a nurse as soon as I can. It demonstrated the shortage of nurses Canada is going through. Thinking about the idea that patients will not be able to get proper care due to the fact that there is not enough nurses makes me sick to my stomach. Below I have posted the video for all of you to appreciate the importance of nurses in today’s society.

One more month of first semester!

Hello again fellow readers!
I know that it has been quite a while since my last post. This is due to the fact that I have been so busy. I can't believe how much time has flown by this semester. I feel like it has just begun but it is already November; just one more month! As I said the last two months have been pretty crazy and at times stressful. It started out with a lot of readings and assignments right off the bat. At the beginning I felt very overwhelmed as it was so different from high school. Within a month I got well adjusted to the university life when all of a sudden midterms were sprung on me. I wasn’t too concerned about my anatomy and physiology and health and healing midterms as I knew studying would get me a good mark. However, I was a little nervous for my SPOT test. What is a SPOT test you may ask? Well it is a simulated person observation test where you have to perform a specific task while your instructor watches your every move. The task for this SPOT test was vital signs. I had to check for temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure; and the tricky part is I had to get the same results as the instructor. I didn’t know how well I would do as I have never experienced anything like it. Surprisingly, during my test I felt a lot calmer than expected and passed! After all my midterm marks were returned I was very relieved they were done and I could have a bit of a break. But who was I kidding now it is time to do more assignments and start getting prepared for finals!
Stay tuned to hear how my last month of first semester unfolds.

Welcome everyone!

Hello, my name is Kylie Bracken and I am a first year nursing student at UOIT. I have chosen to further my studies in the nursing field as it will give me an opportunity to be in the healthcare setting on a more hands on level. I am very energetic and positive person and some of my other interests include sports, shopping and hanging out with friends and family. I have started this blog as part of an assignment and am really looking forward to keeping it updated. I believe that this blog will be a great way to keep all of you posted on my daily adventures as I go through the stressful life of a nursing student!