Life....it's so short

My 12 hour shift in the Surgical ICU had me thinking a lot about how short life really is. I started out the day with two patients as is usually the case. By 9:30am we were emergently intubating (inserting a breathing tube) my patient, performing CPR, shocking her, putting her on tons of IV medication to help her heart beat and waiting for the family to arrive. By the end of the day, I was putting that same patient into a body bag. Sad, I know.

I'm now reflecting on my own life and have drawn a few conclusions. Life is short. Make the best of it. I know people say that a lot, but when you actually work in a place that deals with death on such an intimate level, you're really forced to deal with the reality of death and it's inevitability. It really sucks sometimes.

Under Pressure

I didn't think life would get this busy so quickly. The worse part of this whole situation is that I don't see an end in sight until the end of the semester. If going back to school and being a mom to a 2 yr old and a 9 month old wasn't enough, why not have a husband who is going back to school too. Yeah, that's a great idea. Alright, to set the record straight, he started first and I just had to follow.

Both J and I have assignments and exams within the next two weeks. I just completed the patho homework and it was a total killer. My first exam is next week and I'm already stressing about how I'm going to find enough time to study. I could seriously study 8 hrs/day for the next week and still feel unprepared. I'm thinking about waking up at 4 tomorrow to get some studying in before the girls wake up. Crazy sounding, but when you're a morning person, that actually sounds pretty reasonable. I better get to sleep.

Will you teach my Micro Class?

So, the conversation went something like this:

Prof. Davis: Sophia, I have a huge favor to ask.
Me: Yeah, what is it?
Prof. Davis: Well, my microbiology class begins next Monday and I've been selected to present some of my research at a conference so I won't be there and I'm wondering if you'd be interested in teaching the class.
Me: What? Uh, yeah, like this is the coolest thing someone has asked me to do in a long time. Are you sure you're talking to the right person? Are you sure you want me to do it?
Prof. Davis: Yes, I think you'd be great. You'll lecture for a total of 4 hours because there are two sections of the class that meet right after one other.
Me: (lecture on microbiology for 4 hours, what? that's crazy) Gosh, that sounds awesome. (did i really just say that?)
Prof. Davis: Great. I'm so excited you're willing to lecture this class. I'll email you the powerpoint presentation and the specifics.

Today was my teaching debut. Well, not really, just a substitute for a day and....I loved it. I got my groove on during the 2nd section and rocked the house. I think.

Of course I started out pretty rusty. I wanted to get to the classroom at least 20 minutes early to troubleshoot the audiovisual equipment, but I googled the college campus that was closer to my house rather than the actual campus I was to teach the course which was about another 30 minutes away. I also managed to lose the piece of paper that had the classroom location and parked as far away from the building as possible. I ran to the classroom as fast as I could in heels, (carrying a box with 150 copies of the syllabus and the powerpoint presentation) fearing the students would just walk out it they noticed the absence of their teacher. Luckily, everyone was still there and we simply started 15 minutes late. Not bad. I was a bit rusty in the beginning, but soon felt comfortable in front of an audience of 70 students. It was nice to be the teacher instead of the student for once in my life. I could get used to this. Academia...here I come. Maybe.

Back to school fashion

Let's just say that when it comes to fashion I'm a bit behind. It was pouring rain on Friday and when I got to campus, I realized I'd worn the wrong shoes. My new balance running shoes were not fit for the wet occasion, I'd forgotten my designer rain boots at home. Gosh, I hate it when that happens. Looks like I need to add rain boots to my list and in a few months I'll have to spend at least $150 on a pair of trendy
Uggs. Going back to school is getting more and more expensive with each passing day.

Underestimating Pathophysiology

Anyone care for a crash course in biochemistry and molecular biology? Well, that's exactly what I got today as I sat in the pathophophysiology class listening to a four hour lecture. After receiving a 100 page packet of biochemistry class notes, it was obvious that I've underestimated the content of this course. Should I just walk out now ? No, that would be too easy and that's not my style. Plus, how hard can this really be? Good thing I decided to stay because I was really into the lecture. DNA and RNA replication is pretty cool. Really. I always thought that the courses in my nursing undergrad program were sugar coated science classes mixed with a lot of nursing theory followed by a lot of care plans. I'll take biochemistry over nursing care plans any day. I'm liking this program more and more.

Research Methods and Design

I thought this class was going to be dry and a bit boring. Tonight as I sat there for three hours listening to the professor lecture, I was interested in what he said and actually excited about the class assignments and projects. It was obvious that this professor is passionate about research and what's even more interesting is that he is not a nurse. Instead, he is a kinesiologist, specializing in research that affects the human heart. Penn's School of Nursing works to bring professors from other disciplines within the university to teach certain classes. I think this is a brilliant idea. Don't get me wrong, I think nursing is great, but there is also value in taking a class from someone who has a slightly different point of view. I do have an interest in nursing research and look forward with excitement about what I'll learn in NURS 637.

Going into debt

For the first time in my life, I'm going into debt to fund my education. Navigating through the school loan process can be a bit overwhelming but the nursing school's financial aid office has made this process simple. Because I'm going to school part time, the funding I am eligible to receive is limited to stafford loans and any other scholarships I receive. Also, because I'm an employee of the Univ. of Penn Health System every fourth class is paid for by the nursing school. Not bad.
I'm a bit uneasy about going into debt, but of all the things I could go into debt for, an education is worth it.