Mad Scribblings From the Life of a Middle-Aged New Nurse
I always knew the end of Nursing School would come eventually, but I certainly never thought it would end in the middle of an international plague. I am four days from the final exam finding myself thinking back to simpler times. Just a few short months ago, I thought that at this point, I'd be... Continue Reading →
Some things about getting older are fun. Knowing more than "kids these days" is always an interesting tunnel to go into. Like when they hear about what life was like before Google -- you had to go to the library and look things up in a card catalogue! OOH! Or they listen in amazement when... Continue Reading →
After much debate with the administration, it has been decided that my nursing class will graduate a week early. It's not much, but it's something. All our classes have been moved up to accommodate NY's request to get fresh nurselings out there to relieve the overworked and overstressed nurses on the front lines. How much... Continue Reading →
There is an interesting phenomenon emerging from this COVID-19 crisis. Nurses and healthcare workers are actually being FURLOUGHED. Laid off. Fired. I had heard rumblings about this a few days ago. Entire ER and ICU staff being sent home. That's crazy. Now why would this be? A couple of reasons. First, those who treat non-emergent... Continue Reading →
For those wondering, I am fine. Whatever was going on with me a few days ago, I appear to have no further issues. Probably just overtired. I haven't been tested for coronavirus, but even if I chose to be, there are no tests left around here anyway. They closed all the drive-thru testing facilities. Fun.... Continue Reading →
This article was supposed to be about my new job as a Nurse Tech at the hospital. They called me last week after Governor Cuomo asked all hospitals to beef up staff with whoever wasn't tied down. Nursing students, such as myself, were invited to start work early. I accepted -- with hesitance -- but... Continue Reading →
In less than a week, life has changed for every American. Many of us are out of work. We have found our 401Ks disappearing before our eyes. We watch as our city's shops and cafes close -- many small business owners rightly worry that this will be the death knell for their companies. And that... Continue Reading →
So as part and parcel of my getting my act together to qualify for my nursing license, I'm trying to straighten out my messy traffic ticket history. About two years ago, I was promoted at my shitty thrift store job to night manager. The proviso was, I had to have a car so I could... Continue Reading →
The news report in the link below could have come out of my hometown. Our nursing program retention is at an all-time low -- 45%. That's abysmal. But students flock to it -- fight to get in. This is happening everywhere. Why? Low tuition. Check. 96% Board Pass Rate. Check. Virtual guarantee of a decent-paying... Continue Reading →
Once again, I have failed the first exam of the semester, and once again, not by much (failed by 3 points translating to two questions). This, despite efforts to gain ground by pre-studying before the semester began, trying a new note-taking technique, and drilling questions for days on end. Still failed the damn test by... Continue Reading →
Mad Margaret Diaries 