Category: NSG353

Knowledge and Judgment

In this module I learned a few different things. I first learned that urinary retention is an adverse side affect of morphine. It also reiterated that using q.d isn’t allowed anymore. It’s helpful because it’s something we still see so it’s a useful reminder to not do it. I also learned that dimpling of the skin on the breasts could be a sign of cancer. This module got me excited for my future classes as I have so much to learn.

Priority Setting

In this module it really ingrained into my head what I can do on my own as a nurse verse what I can do with an order as a nurse. I found myself often wanting to chose the answer that I would expect to be the outcome, but had to realize I couldn’t do that without an additional step prior. So using that thinking helped me to determine what could actually be done first by me as a nurse. This module also made me realize how important it is to initiate those first steps and their role in how the scenario will play out. I also learned what the word malaise means.

Hello!

My name is Madison DeRosa and I’m an accelerated Nursing student at the University of New England. I will be graduating in May of 2022 in hopes of pursuing a career in maternal health. My first degree was in Medical Biology and I earned this at UNE as well. During this time I got to study abroad in Morocco and I got to shadow a nurse at a local clinic and this is where I found my passion for nursing.

Since high school I’ve known the medical field is where I wanted to be. I’ve also always had an interest in maternal/ child health. Having clinical on an L&D unit solidified that this was my passion and this is where I want to be.

When I’m not in school, I enjoy spending my time outdoors, crafting, or hanging with my friends. I look forward to entering the nursing field and pursuing my dreams. I love how diverse every nursing career is and how there is so much opportunity to grow.

Goal 1: Get back in an exercising routine by getting active at least 3 days a week. 

Strategies for attaining goal 1.

I’m going to bring my workout clothing to school with me and use my large gaps between classes to get active. Activities can be running, walking, or going to the gym. I want to take advantage of this location and utilize the gym, and public paths (such as back bay). 

Going to measure this just by keeping track of how many days a week I am active.

Goal 2: Make sure I’m getting adequate nutrition by eating at least 2 meals a day + snacks, or 3 meals (minimum). 

Strategies for attaining goal 2.

Making my lunches for the week over the weekend will help with time management for packing lunches. Planning a head will also allow me to always have a healthier meal option than fast food. Also, packing snacks the night before will help me rush less in the morning and ensure I will have food throughout the day. I also want to hold myself accountable and make sure I eat dinner with my family every night. Lastly, I’m the worst when it comes to eating breakfast due to time and sometimes I’m just not hungry when I wake up. By bringing a light snack such as a piece of fruit or granola bar with me on my drive down I can make sure I start my day with some food. 

Going to measure this by keeping track of my food intake. 

When I began to think about how nursing is an art, the first thing I thought about was how it’s always changing and how we, as nurses, can remold ourselves as nurses multiple times throughout our career. I wanted to pick something that is also always changing. So, I decided to pick a picture of the ocean. The ocean can be cold, warm, calm, crazy, no waves, small waves, and changes colors by day or season. The nursing field is like the ocean because every unit, shift, and nurse themselves are different. Living in Maine, we often see the ocean change in seasons. As nurses, we can reinvent ourselves every few years if we wanted to. Nursing as a field is always changing as well. Although we hold some of the same values that Nightingale put in place a few hundred years ago, how nurses practice changes very often. Right now I have no idea as to what field I want to go into but it’s comforting knowing how flexible this career is. Like the ocean, as a nurse, I can experience many changes.

Testing and Remediation (Beginners Test)

For this module I received a 45% my first attempt. I think this just goes to show how much there is for me to learn. It’s also showed me that I should probably be reviewing some content before taking these exams to better prepare myself. I think these exams will help me work towards being comfortable with this style of testing. The multiple choice/ applicable questions will better prepare me for the NCLEX next year.

Nursing Concepts (Beginners Test)

This exam was a boost of confidence in that I know more than I think I do even though we are at the beginning of this program. I received a 65% on my first attempt but the questions that I got right it was because I used context clues within the question to help eliminate wrong answers and narrow down a right one. This exam once again just goes to show how much there is to learn in this course this semester.