Party like a Nurse

My BSN Graduation Party was one to remember! I made the theme “Nursing” with lots of fun props from admission wrist bands to emesis rotel dip! Take a look and let me know what you think and comment for any additional details regarding any of the items mentioned:

 My Graduation Scrub Cake!! It looked so pretty I didn't want to eat it but it tasted DELISH when I finally decided to cut it haha!!














 My Hydration station!! I used Sprite as "Normal saline" (left side) and Minute maid lemonade as my "Urine sample" (right side). They were served in pee cups (clean of course).

 My pill vials made from scratch! The description reads "Enjoy these sweet capsules PRN until satisfied. Thank you for coming, you were just what the doctor ordered!" I got the description idea from another blog but I printed out the RX and added my own label and taped it with mask tape to add a more realistic "look".

 Blooooooood! lol--sike! It's really an energy juice. Never tasted it though so I can't tell you how it taste but it does look cool hanging around at your party.

 Now this one here was my own idea! Draw your own personalized mouth and take a "Surgical selfie" at the admission table :-) These were a hit......you're welcome!!

 My band aid sign in!! A surprise gift from my sissy! Definitely a great way to capture memories in a "cute"way. I saw it on pintrest but never thought to do it myself so I owe all props to her and pintrest of course!

Hospital sign: This was posted on my mailbox, the same way you would post a
Admission Form: I used this as a way for my guests to write words of success for me in the form of an RX slip. Idea was not originally mine though props to pintrest!
Admission wrist bands: Now these were my idea! I made the name of my fake hospital the same as my SON and admitted all my part guests as patients upon entering.
Urine sample cup: As mentioned above, these were used as the cups for the hydration station.
Jello shots: Another hit!! Filled with strawberry jell-O with a little "kick".
Surgical selfie mask, pill vials: mentioned above

 Compilations
Kisses for your boo boos: Idea from Pintrest! Nothing fancy just little Hershey kisses in a holder with a sign and skittles in vial cups.

 My bed pan brownies with caramel infused and emesis holder. These were my idea and were also pretty popular!!

 "Keep Calm and Pass the NCLEX" signs of course! These are from Google images haha!

There are also "cotton balls" (Marshmellows) to the far right in the jar I purchased from Target.















(Disclaimer: The items above are all personal property of sicunurse.blogspot.com. No part, section, picture of any of the post above may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the owner (sicunurse.blogspot.com).

There is LIGHT at the end of the tunnel!

On December 13, 2014 I graduated with my BSN! I would like to share 10 KEY tips and tricks to help nursing students survive and make it to the END:

1.      Get organized & QUICK! Purchase a planner! Even if you’ve never used one in your life—these things can help TONS! Set aside study time each day and form a habit. Always get started on whatever it is that needs to be done before it’s too late! I know, easier said than done? But I must say it anyway.

2.      Form a study group! With 2-3 people at most. Usually, the more people in the group, the less likely you are to focus. Study groups aren’t for everyone though and you will know if you are that person almost instantly.

3.      Always be professional, especially when in uniform. This includes wearing little to no make-up and avoiding heavy fragrances and jewelry.

4.      Think of your clinical as an 8 or 12 hour interview. You never know who is watching you at your clinical site ((besides your instructor)). This can be very good or very bad so always be on your best behavior because you never know, this place could be your workplace one day.

5.      Respect thy neighbor! Be nice to each other! Yes there will always be that person who “has something to say” in lecture or always shares that story about “Auntie who has that disease” but—it’s ok! If you don’t have anything nice to say, just don’t say anything.

6.      Be accountable! We are human and yes surprisingly enough we all make mistakes. Don’t be afraid to step forward and admit you did something wrong especially if it involves a patient. We are honest and we are advocates! Learn from mistakes!

7.      Try to avoid arguing with your professor or “correcting” them. They have been doing this much longer than you. No—I am not saying they can’t make mistakes but if so, approach it with rationale that can be referenced so they can address it directly. If you correct them expect this face:

8.      Bs & Cs get degrees! No—I’m not saying don’t try your best but what I am saying is that it’s ok if you don’t get those straight As you dreamed of prior to starting the program. What IS important is that you learn how to think critically and safely! Life goes on!

"My first B!"

9.      Make time for yourself! Yes--I said it and you must do it! Have fun every once in a while! Nursing School is SUPER stressful and requires a balancing of the beam in order for you to keep your sanity.

10.   You can do THIS! No it will not be easy.. but it is completely worth it! Yes you will cry some nights and that is OK. Keep pushing and fighting til the end because your hardwork and dedication will SOON pay off! There is light at the end of the tunnel!

 (Disclaimer: I, surgicalnurse.blogspot.com, do not own, nor did I create any of the animations above. I did create the captions written above and below them, customizing them to my experiences along with learning tips I have found helpful in my practice. Everything I mention is my personal opinion and is not factual).

The beginning. . .

I remember like it was yesterday.. receiving my letter in the mail from the School of Nursing I wanted to attend that would determine my fate for the next 2 years ((Ahhh!)). I was afraid to open it--why? Because I was afraid of being rejected ((AGAIN))... Let me rewind back to the time when I applied to 3 different nursing schools the year prior to applying to this one.. did not get into ONE.. talk about discouragement..disappointment.. frustration... ugh, the struggle was REAL ok? Initially, my entrance ATI TEAS score wasn't competitive--well wasn't considered 'competitive enough for nursing school' thus leading my struggle.. BUT if at first you don't succeed?--WORK + HARDER= RESULTS -->retested & my score immediately increased 10pts ((yess!)) applied again--never gave up! which brings me back to the story...so I finally open this letter in the mail.. at first glance I couldn't believe what I was reading "Congratulations! You have been accepted into...School of Nursing".. Yessss finally!! ..I was filled with excitement, fear and shock ALL at once.. but little did I know.. this was only...the beginning. . .

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to 'Bringing Life to the ICU'! On this blog I am going to discuss many different topics & stories on my journey to becoming a new ICU nurse. I am certain several of you can relate!! These topics & stories can range from many different aspects of my life, from being a pre-nursing student to starting as a nurse resident in a critical care new graduate  program at a large teaching hospital. Some stories may bring sadness while others bring joy! I will be as transparent as possible BUT I will not break HIPAA with any of my postings. I just want to inform future nurses, nursing students, OR medical professionals because when I was a pre-nursing student it was hard to stay encouraged with so many obstacles along the way. No matter what checkpoint you are at on your journey.. I hope to give you some insight and remind you that you are NOT alone. You CAN do it too and to never give up! Please subscribe and feel free to comment and share your own experiences!

 

(Disclaimer: I,  surgicalnurse.blogspot.com, do not own, nor did I create the picture above)