GWU’s Grad Finale

The Office of Alumni Relations hosted the GWU Grad Finale this past Tuesday in Fireside Lounge. It was an event for this year’s graduates to come and get prepared for graduation and all that comes with it. There were different booths set up from various campus organizations like Career Services, Alumini Relations, Campus Shop, Goal Admissions (Bachelor’s and Masters Programs) and the Senior Class Booth. Jostens was also there taking orders for class rings, graduation announcements and nursing pins.

Even though I’m not technically a senior, I am graduating from Nursing School, so I’m considered a graduate. I ordered my nursing pin while I was there and visited all of the tables, getting information and signing up for things. At the Senior Class Booth, there was a huge banner that graduates could sign which will be hung up at Graduation. The Senior Class President was also there getting the word out about the Senior Class gift. The gift will be a bronze bulldog statue, which will be put in the brick circle outside of the LYCC (basketball stadium) on the parking lot side. Seniors who donate $20 or more will get their name engraved on the back of the bulldog’s 4ft tall stone stand. I thought it was a great idea, and a really cool way to leave your mark on the GWU campus. I definitely plan on making a donation!

After walking through all the booths, you could register to win one of the many prizes they were raffling away. I put my information in, but didn’t expect to actually get anything. But later that day I got a call saying I had won a $25 gift card from Old Navy!! I was so surprised, because I normally don’t win raffle items. I guess now I have an excuse to go shopping…..yay! All in all the Grad finale was a great event, and something that I hope they continue to offer for graduating GWU Seniors.

Taking A Break

After the big Cardiac test in Nursing 209 on Tuesday, some friends and I decided to go out and do something fun to take a break. So yesterday, after lab Tiffani, Jessica, Rachel, and I went to the movies in Shelby. We went and saw the movie “He’s Just Not That Into You” which ended up being pretty good. Afterwards, we went back to Jessica and Tiffani’s campus apartment and cooked dinner. Our meal included some organic, gluten free pasta, special sauce, and chicken; then, chocolate chip cookies for dessert. It was different, but not that bad. Although, we decided that next time we would nix the “special sauce” and just have the chicken and noodles. It was nice to get out and do something fun and relaxing. And we didn’t crack a book or look at notes the whole night!! We are always doing homework and studying – we deserved a break. I think that going out and doing something fun after every test will be our tradition from now until Graduation, which is in only 3 months away……….wow.

New Preceptor-Better Experience

After all the trouble I had trying to get my first preceptor to get back in touch with me about changes in the schedule, I finally went and talked to my faculty advisers about the situation. I explained that my preceptor was not returning my phone calls about schedule changes or volunteering information to further my learning experience at clinical. I also explained that due to the schedule changing I had only done 2 of my required 8, 12-hour shifts that must be completed by the first week in March. They were very receptive to my dilemma and began working on getting me a new preceptor.

I soon received her contact information and schedule. I gave her a call and planned to work with her for the first time this past Friday on the Ortho/Neuro floor. I arrived before my new preceptor did, so I put my belongings in the break room and took a seat out at the front desk with the night nurses. When she came to the front desk and saw me she asked “Are you Bethany?” I said yes, and she then introduced herself as Cindy and made me feel welcome. I was surprised that she had remembered my name and we had only talked on the phone once!

After getting report, she took be around and oriented me to the unit. She showed me where all the supplies were and told me the codes to locked doors. She also sat down with me and explained their paper charting system. Throughout the day, she allowed me to take assessments on patients, and give medications. If I have a question she would answer it thoroughly or if she didn’t know the answer she would go and find it out. She also got me a copy of her schedule for the next work period so that I could start planning my work schedule. At the end of that fist day, I knew that my preceptor experience was going to be much better with my new preceptor, Cindy. I thanked her for being so welcoming and doing such a good job of accommodating me on my first day with her. She told me that she had enjoyed working with me. When I woke up the following Sunday to go for my next preceptor day, I realized that I actually looked forward to it, which is a very good thing.