Embarrassing Moments

It was in our first year during the winter.  I'll describe the environment. There was tons of snow out there. The steam heat was pouring out. The windows were all frozen over. It was as hot as you know what in the room. Both of the patients were smoking cigars. My patient had a recent colostomy surgery.  The stench in the room was unbelievable.   All not a good environment, especially for a first year student. I remember stating to get dizzy. Instead of sitting down, which we probably weren't allowed to do in those days, I started for the door. I came to on the floor. Marion Wacek came in with a wheelchair, one of the big old wooden ones, and took me away. I think those old chair backs went almost flat, like a gurney.  The next thing I remember was being in bed in the dorm, being observed for a concussion.  I was so embarrassed I was going to quit. Well I managed to swallow my embarrassment and with Marion's encouragement, stayed at St. A's.

In my senior year a doctor was showing for several of us students. He had us gathered around the bed. The patient apparently had a huge abdominal abscess.  There was a small opening in his incision.  the doctor had a huge, to me, pair of nursing scissors. Looking at a ruler, I would guess, 9-10 inches.  At the bend in the scissors, it  had to be several inches wide.  He inserted the scissors into the separation and twirled the scissors around to show how big the abscess was. I managed to get to the hallway, where I slide down the wall to the floor. I didn't get hurt.  But it could be said, I fainted my way through school.

We all have to have funny stories to share.  Please tell us your story.

Why I Became A Nurse

From my earliest recollections I wanted to be a Baby Nurse. Its all I really ever wanted to do. Of course when I graduated from high school, my father gave me three options: be a nurse, be a teacher, or be a secretary. And then I had to pay for it. I was the oldest of five and we weren't rich. I started working at a Woolworth store at sixteen years old. Then went to a Rexall Drug Store.  I worked there every Sunday the first year of training.  I picked St. A's because it was close to home and it was cheap. I tell every one I got my RN for $250/$300.  I think we paid $250 on admission and $50 for Mercyville. I took the work for a year scholarship at St. A's and that was it. I remember someone from training stated that they hoped I liked OB as much as I thought I would.  I spent my entire career in OB as you will see in DiAnn's booklet she is putting together.

I included something that showed up on Face book today.  It actually predates us. Thank the Heavens we didn't have long sleeves but it looks like the heavy duty weight starched cotton.  We also had a Navy blue blazer but I sure wish we had a cape. They were so cool. Didn't we have a yellow stripe till we were a Rn's. Were we capped at the end of the first year?  I know we didn't have hats when we first got our uniforms.

Boy, this is a learning curve.I   spent hours today figuring out how to download the picture.  Then I lost the post.  Gave up and went to take a nap.  A friend called and we went to dinner. I re watched  a
You Tube set up video and found my post.  I spent $60 on blogging books and am reading them most of the time.  I'm also using You Tube videos and joined Pro Blogger.  I haven't had this much fun since I got my degree.  I love to learn new things.

Beginning to Reminisce