Semester 2, Week 1 - done!

Since I'll be a nurse in less than a year, it seems very reasonable that things are getting a bit intense on the school front.

This semester I have just three classes, two with clinical components. I've got school 5 days a week, but my Friday afternoon class only meets in-person once more so I'll still have an early start to the weekend. My classes will definitely be tough, but since I'll be seeing patients and feeling more like an almost-nurse I'm feeling pretty confident:

• Community Health -- This class goes over school nursing, home healthcare nursing, healthcare law and lots more. We have a handy course packet and our professor is terrific. She's taught the course for years and since it's an extension from last semester's community class it's not all-new. The clinical component for Community is also wonderful. I'll be seeing a child with asthma at her home on the north side. We work in groups so I'll see another little one with asthma as well as an older man.
• Med-Surg/Adult Health -- This is a biggie. The lab component for Adult Health is on a real floor of a real hospital (Northwestern Memorial for me) with real patients. There's a lot of hard work ahead for this course, but it's the nitty-gritty of nursing and I'm excited for it. Plus there are about 40 little writing assignments -- hooray for a little thinking and writing!
• Pharmacology -- I should love this since my grandpa is a pharmacist! We learn about pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug interactions, all sorts of crazy chemistry, as it applies to patients. I've got to keep up with the readings, use the study guide and figure out some smart drug-learning techniques too. But I will get to learn why insulin has to stay in the fridge, so that's exciting.

This weekend B and I are hunkering down at home with public television food shows, home cooked food, studying, laundry and wine. Hey January, we've figured you out!