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Hey Everyone,
Another week down of Nursing School Woohoo!! I think I only have about 4 weeks left (excluding the week of finals) I don’t really consider that a week of school because I just show up and take a test & leave. Even though four weeks sounds great, I have a million of things to do. Ask any college student, especially a nursing student, when the semester starts to wind down you get bombarded with back to back tests and lots of projects/presentations are due. You start to fill the crunch. However, all I can say is that I am psyched it’s almost over and next semester will be here before I know it.
This week was pretty easy for a change. Monday I had class from 8-4. The day consisted of lectures. In my care of adult class we are learning about EKG strips and how to analyze them. At first it was hard to understand but its like riding a bike once you figure it out you will never forget. I suppose I better know EKG strips backwards and forwards since I want to be a cardiac nurse. We are just learning the basics….how to recognize atrial flutter. a-fib, v-tach, v-fib, PVCS, and Normal sinus rhythm (ex: tachycardia (fast heart beat) or bradycardia (slow heart beat)….counting PR Interval, QRS Interval, QT segment. It sounds very daunting but it is actually not. Here are some EKG strips to give you an idea of what they look like.
Normal Sinus Rhythm (you want to have this)
Atrial Fibrillation aka A-fib (not good increase your chances of stroking)
Ventricular Fibrillation aka V-fib ( TERRIBLE hurry up and start some CPR & shock em’ and push some drugs)
Ventricular Tachycardia aka V-tach (TERRIBLE Start CPR/Shock em’ and push some drugs)
Atrial Flutter (don’t want this either)
Asystole aka pt is DEAD…not good at all!! 
Those are the main ones I have to know. I have a quiz on Monday so wish me luck!! I think the main thing I have problems with is the counting part because each tiny little square represents 0.04 seconds. For instance the PR interval can be 0.12 with QRS interval of 0.08 and the thing is some people start counting at different points so your number may be off compared to whatever the other person got. However, our teacher said she will take it if it is close to her number.
Friday I have a test in my older adults class. It’s over strokes, skin diseases, COPD, Parkinson’s…etc. Well I am going to go and study. I hope everyone has an awesome weekend!! P.S. I still haven’t heard anything about the job yet but we will see if I do something next week. I looked at the status of my application online and it still says being reviewed by the manager. If they don’t want to hire you it usually says “application filed not hired”…so it doesn’t say that…sheeew!
Until next time,
Sarah 
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Posted under Clinicals in Nursing School, Cool & Interesting Stuff, Daily Ramblings, Nursing School
This post was written by Sarah on November 1, 2008
woooo, looks like you are having fun with the cardiac strips! i studied some yesterday for the quiz, and i have been spending today on studying for the test in care of older adults. i hope that the quiz and the test aren’t too bad.
Yazz,
I know I am such a nerd!! Actually writing this post helped me study lol. No I don’t think it will be that hard, especially the cardiac quiz. Today I have been studying Older Adults too…I have mostly been studying Stroke & Parkinson’s Disease (a total blast). Be good Pringles!!
Sarah
I loved reading your EKG post! Even when I was in college for Accounting, I remember the end of term crunch. When you get the syllabus, you don’t think about all those end of term projects and what not, and then all of a sudden they pop up on you! That’s one thing I do not miss about college and one thing I’m not looking forward to returning to!
Virginia,
Thank you so much! Oh yeah it is definitely crunch time! I am ready for Christmas break. I can’t believe you studied Accounting. Ben did that too…he actually has two more semesters to complete to get the degree but he hated it and quit. I couldn’t see him as an accountant anyways. I can’t wait to hear about your nursing adventures
Sarah