Survival...SRNA style

We survived our EKG exam in basics!  I don't think I could have fit in one more minute of studying on tuesday.  I've stayed up late studying before, but I don't think I have ever gone to bed late and gotten back up at 4am to cram during the last few hours before an exam (after studying for 15 hours during the day).  I am amazed at the stamina God has provided me and my fellow classmates.  It didn't seem possible to study that much information that quickly and do well on an exam, but it happened!  God can do all things!
Now that the basics exam is over, it's time to get back to studying pharmacology.  T-minus 6 days until the exam and even more importantly, SPRING BREAK!  I'm looking forward to going home and spending time with family and friends.  My husband and I won't be doing anything too exciting, which is going to hopefully give me plenty of time to catch up on school work and get extra studying in.  At the end of spring break, my husband and I will be running a half marathon with my mom and some of our friends.  It's going to be such a fun weekend!
My research group was able to complete our abstract and we are applying for the symposium.  Sometimes I can't believe I'm actually in a DNP graduate program.  It seems like yesterday I was starting nursing school.  I am learning more and more everyday, and I am constantly amazed at how quickly healthcare is advancing.  As DNP students, we must be up to date on the latest evidence based research.  We are going to be expected to be "experts" in the latest research and best practices for anesthesia.  I am still muddling through DNP project ideas.  There are so many details involved in anesthesia, it is difficult to narrow it down to a specific idea or topic.  I am hoping to make a decision for an idea soon.
Going through this program has taught me a great deal, and we are only half way through the second semester.  I would apply the knowledge I have gained very differently if I were to go back to being a bedside nurse.  I'm constantly amazed of how much I don't know, and I've started questioning, "how have I never killed anyone?!?"  Nurse anesthesia school is teaching me not only how to be a CRNA, but also how to be a better nurse and use those skills for a greater purpose.

Maybe I can beat Emory in the half marathon this year...

We are a little competitive

Snow Week

It was definitely a fun and exciting week with all of the snow!  My husband and I were like a couple of five year olds playing out in the snow.  We attempted making a pitiful snowman, made "snow cream", and had a snowball fight on campus.

Having a few extra days off from attending classes, gave me the opportunity to really focus on assignments for my online classes.  Wednesday my research group was able to get together and we finished up working on our abstract.  Thanks to everyone's input we were able to get it turned in early.  We are doing our project on the comparison of regular hand washing (correctly for 3 min) and alcohol hand rub related to decreasing surgical site infections.  After conducting limited research, we've found that hand washing and alcohol rub result in about the same incidence of infections, but compliance is a major factor since many health care providers do not wash correctly for 3 minutes.  It will be interesting to find more research on the effectiveness of the two methods.

Technological transformations has been an interesting class so far.  We are required to design an online portfolio, similar to an online resume.  I hated the idea at first, but now that I've worked on it, I think it will be a great tool for networking in the future.  I have also designed my business cards, who knew I would ever have those!  It will be easier to network in the future with potential employers.  This class has been different than I expected, but I think I will greatly benefit from everything I am learning.
I'm still trying to come up with an idea for a DNP project.  We do not have to have anything finalized, but I need to start thinking of something related to anesthesia.  Hopefully I'll decided on something soon!
This semester is teaching me more and more everyday how much I need to rely on God to survive this program.  With challenges outside of school threatening the precious time I have to study for each class, and constantly feeling overwhelmed, God is teaching me to take time to be still.  I seem to always struggle with running from task to task, but God has been calling me to STOP, be still, and listen to Him.  What wonderful lives we have in Him!