03.15.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 8:00 pm by livies
Last Sunday I was slightly depressed because of my week ahead. I went to bed at about 8pm that night because I was tired just thinking about it. This week, i’m the opposite. I have St. Patricks day off, and I won’t owe them the hours back. I’m also only working 3 days on the ward, and it’s my last 3 days. I think last week (and many placements before that) gave me a bit of an insight into what it’s like working in a job you hate. It affects me way too much. I lose interest in everything outside sleeping/internet and eating. I go to bed ridiculously early because i’m exhausted all the time and I become even more disorganised. It truly is depressing.
When people ask me what i’m going to do when I finish midwifery I always tell them i’m hoping to do medicine. 99% of the time it’s followed by ‘why would you want to do that??’, ‘Medicine is really difficult’ or some other highly negative comment. I’ve learnt to just smile and not give in to their negativity. Which i’m only really learning to do now. I have a few friends who are encouraging me to actually do what I want. I think this placement is allowing me to see the benefits of actually liking your job. I don’t see why i’m mad to do a few more years in college and actually end up in a career I like. I’m even willing to repeat my leaving cert if that’s what it takes.
I’m starting this week off on a positive note. It’s very hard to do that when you feel like you’re wasting college years finishing a degree you won’t use to a large extent. Yes, it’s relavent in the long run. But the more beds I make and jugs of water I get the more irritated I get at it. But with a year to go i’m not going to quit now. Being a midwife might well be what I need to get me through 5 more years of college. The thought of thursday is what’s going to get me through the week. The end of the first half of placement, and the start of two weeks holidays. Can’t wait 
Permalink
03.10.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 10:55 pm by livies
It’s been 6 weeks of midwifery placement so far. And as of 5 minutes ago i’ve passed both my competencies for this year. I’ve also gotten my deliveries up to 15. Hopefully i’ll be on 20 before the year is out Miss labour ward already. But i ‘ll be returning to work with the Domino Midwives in Waterfordl in April so i’ll get to do similar work there, all going well.
Currently in the general hospital. Hating it with a passion. I’ve made more beds than I want to remember. And actually got bored enough to help a care assistant put up a new curtain today. Too many people have told me that general nursing ‘is’ medicine… I’m sorry, but i’ve never seen a doctor doing anything remotely similar to what they do. Except maybe blood pressures and injections It’s just a completely invalid point. Its really reminding me how much responsibility I have in the maternity. Today, they had to get a Registrar up to listen to a fetal heart (something I do quite a lot each day in the maternity). A registrar is one of the more senior doctors, closest on the way to the title ‘Consultant’.
Overall, this experience is confirming I definitely picked the right course to get the most hands on experience. Granted i’m not experiencing the most interesting wards in the general hospital, but I think I’m being reasonable when I make this decision based on two months there.
To get back to my title. Each evening when I get home, I collapse on my bed and watch 2 or 3 episodes of Gilmore Girls. I seem to have built up a bit of a routine. I’ve just finished season 4, which I got a week ago for my birthday. Waiting for 5 to arrive now I’m not a total recluse yet though. I let the odd distraction drag me away from it some evenings. Next week is the annual Clubs and Societies Ball. I’ll be going with a group from Skynet so that will be a very welcome distraction.
Random bits of news :
-2 weeks holidays approaching once I complete my last week and a bit of my general placement. Hopefully going to fit some more Dublin trips into those weeks.
- I count this year as the nicest birthday morning i’ve experienced in a long time. I woke up at 7am to a blanket of snow covering everything outside. It was still falling heavily aswell
- Some of the bad aspects of life have drastically improved.
- I’ve stayed away from chocolate since lent
Permalink