Only In Nursing School

Nursing Lab.

A Time to Practice Nursing Skills.

Injections.

Wound Cleaning.

Removing Sutures/Staples.

Crushing Pills.

Catheters.

Let's back up to that last one...catheters...on plastic mannequins with removable parts.

One word: Interesting.

But don't worry! We have lots of practice! This last week, we even got to take our work home with us. With catheter pass-off's just around the corner, the teacher's thought it would be a good idea if we were able to practice this particular skill as often as we like, in the comfort of our home.

Solution: Our own catheter kit.

The teacher's just had a couple of rules with this: 

1. {to the married folks} If you practice on your husband or wife, we do not want to hear about it.

uhmmmm...ya....gross. And since I don't have to worry about that little rule, I chose to stick with a tomato. Gabby wanted to use a different fruit {hint hint} but she has a mind of a 12 year old boy. 

 the tomato was chosen. 

And so it began....

{Love my roommate....photographer...best friend}

Love Nursing School. Thank You for giving me such wonderful experiences!

Gobble Gobble

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I have so much to be thankful for this year...

*My amazing parents- Dad and Mom thank you so much for all you do for me. I couldn't as for better parents. Thanks for always answering the phone when I call (my million times a day!)

*Wonderful siblings-my best friends

*Friends- you know who you are

*BYU- thank you Nursing Program (even though sometimes I want to kill you)

*Nordstrom- my most favorite favorite job of all time

*Armed Forces- thank you for giving your lives so that I can live mine

*Snow (some times)- so beautiful and peaceful

...and so on...and so forth

oh

and Thanksgiving Dinner!

To my family that I don't get to see this Thanksgiving Day...all my love is bursting through the miles that separate us. Luckily, we live Thanksgiving Daily. Always thankful, always grateful.

Now, go eat some grub!

All my love. 

p.s Good Luck Miranda Mekel Bailey- my amazing little sister has a big soccer tournament (Surf Cup) in Southern California. Wishing you the best of luck sista!

{All What I am Thankful For}

ONE MONTH

HURRY UP TIME

In exactly one month I will

1.Boarding a plane

2. Flying to L.A.

3.  Family

4. Dad, Mom, Mackenzie, Brandon, Miranda, Macey, 2 Aunts, 2 Uncles, 3 Cousins, Nonnie and Papa

5. Getting on our Cruise Ship

6. Swimming with the dolphins in Cabo

7. Zip-lining in Puerto Vallarta

8. ATV's in Acapulco

9. Merry Christmas

10. Life is Good

One month...I can do it. All I have to do is get through finals (easier said than done), Christmas at Nordstrom (my first holiday in retail...this should be fun), and present shopping

THEN IT'S GOODBYE SNOW, HELLO SUNSHINE

Happy 21st Birthday Lauren

Taylor Hall...Freshman Year...Pre-Nursing...Aerobics Class

Happy 21st Birthday

Miss Lauren Deaver

We met in aerobics class Freshman year both of us dancing to Miley Cyrus and Michael Jackson.

 From that class on we were inseparable. Glued at the hip. We finish each other's sentences, know exactly what the other one is thinking, and anticipate what the other is going to do next. 

We tell each other our secrets, obsess over Gossip Girl,  laugh until we cry, sing the whole car ride, and dance even when there is no music

Here's to you Lauren, my best friend

I love you

Happy 21st 

Once in a Lifetime

10:15pm- get dressed for the occasion...running spandex, over the knee socks, sweats, 2 running spandex shirts, sweatshirt, ugg boots

{We may be smiling...but it was FREEZING!}

10:30pm-pack a bag of essentials- snowboarding coat, scarf, gloves, beanie, food, ipod, one tree hill season 6, dvd player, change of clothes, pathophysiology hw (who I am kidding)

11:00pm- lauren picked me up and we were on our way!

11:45pm- arrived at Costco in Sandy and laid out our blankets and sat in line amongst the other 100+ people...and waited.

1:00am-still waiting

3:00am- still waiting

6:00am- some more waiting

{loved LOVED watching One Tree Hill}

7:00am-and waiting

8:00am- WRISTBANDS! #158 and #159

10:00am- waiting

           {So many people}

{This was our buddy right by us...we called him BED BOY. That's the way to spend 14 hours waiting! With a blow up mattress}

12:00pm-still waiting

1:00pm- MET PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH

{Pictures of President Bush credited to the Salt Lake Tribune-no cameras allowed}

Wednesday evening I find out that President Bush will be making a visit to the Costco in Sandy, UT on his way back home to Texas. Lauren and I decided to join the other 1200 people and go and  meet him. Both of us didn't have work (it was meant to be) and so we get ready for the cold and the best day ever. Let's just say it was worth the freezing weather, the hard cement, the hunger and the day-old makeup. When we got our wristbands, it seemed so much more real! We had to pass through secret service which was so cool! It was just like the movies...walkie-talkie watches and all! Then, the time came! We walked into the room, and there he was, PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH!!! He was amazing. So genuine, so sweet and down to earth. I was just BEAMING. Ha ha I go and shake his hand and just ramble about how much I love him and appreciate all that he has done (with a smile that was about 6 miles long) He laughed and thanked me for everything and then kissed my hand! I couldn't believe it. Such an amazing man, so humble with such a love for his country. It was a day I will never forget. So many veterans were there from WWII who just love President Bush. It was a great way to pass the hours by listening to their stories. Thank You for giving me the life that I have now. Thank You for protecting our country. I left with 2 books signed, and a memory that will last a lifetime.  

Holiday Look Book

Standing in front of my closet this morning, I realized how much I absolutely love this time of year! Winter clothes are my favorite because there is so much you can do with your outfit. From boots to coats and everything in between (scarfs, sweaters, hats, gloves, etc.) you can look just so darn cute! (and stay warm in this cold weather) Anywhoo, don't worry, this blog isn't going to turn into a "you should wear this" blog. Its just....I love winter clothes. 

{Thank you Anthropologie for your gorgeous outfits}

Have fun with your outfits! 

Layering is so easy to do, and so fun (and keeps you warm.....bonus). Tights are amazing for any outfit because it adds just that "extra something" to your look, and you have so many options in textures, colors, and prints! 

As for me..its all about BOOTS BOOTS and MORE BOOTS! My favorite pair this winter? Sam Edelman's Over the Knee Boots! 

                  But remember...

{BE A WOMAN THAT EXUDES THE CONFIDENCE TO WEAR WHATEVER SHE WANTS DESPITE WHATEVER TREND IS IN SEASON - AUDREY HEPBURN}

SO WEAR WHAT YOU LOVE!

p.s. this entire day nothing but the new Rascal Flatts has been playing from my ipod and computer! It is simply amazing. Everyone go get their new cd 

    Nothing Like This. 

You can never go wrong with these boys. 

My favoriteS: Track 9-Summer Young

                   Track 12-Easy

Pile of Books

I am currently sitting in my apartment reading my Nursing Perry and Potter Book, learning all there is to learn about 

inserting catheters, urinary tract infections, characteristics of urine, and so on and so forth (can you tell that this week we are learning about urinary elimination!) 

Anywhoo, sitting here trying to read, but looking out the window thinking to myself,

 "Geeze, I hope this wind doesn't send a tree crashing down on my car outside. Good ol' Henry would not like that." 

But seriously, it is getting crazy outside! Needless to say, I LOVE FALL. The colors, the crisp cool air...makes for a perfect perfect run (which is exactly what I will be doing when I am done typing this)

 Back to my reading and all my scattered thoughts. I look at my desk and see the accumulation of books that I actually want to read. 

I think it's my own fault really. I buy all these books with the intention of reading them, but in reality I should realize that being a nursing student I should plan on only reading books that have to do with bodily functions, the different phases of pressure ulcers, how to deal with old people (Gero class), and vital signs. 

But I can't help myself.

I love books.

One day, I plan on reading all of them. That's what vacations are for right! Book reading. So that's my plan. I will keep buying books that I want because someday I will get to them. 

Talking to my darling mother on the phone she told me how she is excited to catch up on her own reading on the cruise. Perfect idea mom! I will do the same. So for now its bowel elimination, medication administration and oxygenation, but come December it will be...romance, mystery, and politics!

Madison's Book List (bought and ready to read!)

1. Finish reading Spoken from the Heart by Laura Bush

2. Decision Points by President George W. Bush

3. Look Again by Lisa Scottoline

4. The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins

5. The Rescue by Nicholas Spark

6 Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

7. A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Spark

8. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

9. The Host by Stephanie Myer

{So I may not get to them all, but it's a start!}

{Best place to buy books? Costco of course! I know, I am kind of obsessed with the place}

The Countdown Begins

We have all read the books

We have all seen the movies

We have fallen in love with both (especially the wonderful British accents!)

We have all practiced our spells..."...expelliarmus, expecto patronum, psuedomonas aeruginosa ..."

We all wished we went to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry 

NOW

IT'S 

TIME

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

I don't think I can be more excited. 

But seriously.

So excited.

You can believe I got my ticket! 12:02am Friday 

LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!!

{HP Boxset DVD's 1-6 at Costco for $32.99. Love Costco}

Roommates. Best Friends.

I am just the luckiest girl ever to have the most amazing roommates. I mean who wouldn't want to share a room with a Pyro. yes. Gabby aka Gobby the House Elf won't put the dang lighter down. I am waiting for her to light the apartment on fire. I can see it now. She also informed me that I am very lucky to have her as a roommate because she is (in her words) "i'm just trying to protect you." Before hopping into bed she will do a run-through of the apt, making sure all the doors and windows are locked.  Lucky. I know. Thank you Gabby for your OCD ways. Much appreciated..I'm still safe and sound.

What we do when it is 11:59pm on a Thursday night?

{Yes, we like to sing to Justin Beiber. What can I say...Beiber Fever}

Just simple college girls. 

Oldies but Goodies

Dear Police Man-

I wish you hadn't given me that parking ticket. Ok, yes. I may have been parked in a No Parking Zone, but it was only for 10 minutes while I was running into my apt to change. I even told you this when I saw you pull up. But you still proceeded to give me a ticket. And you were rude. 

on a happy note...

...Yesterday

LAST DAY OF NURSING CLINICAL!

no more...waking up at 4am to start rounds at 5:45, taking endless and endless vitals, changing soiled linens, changing briefs, giving shots (granted, thats fun), smelling like old people all day.


A Day in the Life of a Geriatrics Nursing Student
1. Wake up at 4 am (which includes setting a couple of alarms, just in case my "alarm doesn't go off..aka snooze too many times)
2. Drive to Salt Lake
3. Split off into our floors (thank goodness I had Miss Meliss on my floor)

(It was her 20th bday so I made cupcakes!)

4. 6am...it begins! Go into patients room, wake them up to take their vitals (they weren't very happy to wake up that early)
5. Get patients up and shower time!
6. Change the clothes and the briefs
7. Assessment!
8. Breakfast (for the patients)
9. Meliss and I looking at the clock...it is only 8am


...and the day continues...

But hey, it was fun while it lasted. I grew an appreciation for older adults. They have so much knowledge and life history. Can't complain. Next semester...hospital! 

Medical Surgical.

(Two of my favorite girls! love them. Melissa and Paige)

Mi Familia

Where to start, where to start...that is the question on my mind. My new favorite line: "...maybe I will blog about it!" As I go throughout my day I think to myself, "yes, I could blog about this..." Crazy I know, but lemme tell ya, blogging kinda takes over you once you start. It's that fun. Anyway, I realized maybe I should start with the basics, which of course would be 

  The Bailey Gang.

 My parents are the greatest people in the entire world. Him: Chiropractor. Her: Taxi Driver, Chef, Referee, Nurse, Shopper, Runner (and on and on and on). Honestly, the two most caring, wonderful, amazing, fantastic parents alive! (okay, okay, I may be a little bias..but still!)

Along with the parentals, I got my 3 sisters and my brother. Mackenzie (21) is the cowgirl in the family. Give her a ranch and some horses and her life is perfect. 

Miranda (16) is probably the cutest thing on this earth. Miss Fashionista with AMAZING soccer skills. My fellow gossip girl obsessor

  Macey (13) is the youngest (and of course the most spoiled by the lovely parentals) My little mini-me in looks. Entrepreneur, actress, singer, she has the world at her feet.

Then we have the brother. Oh how I love him. The studly man (Brandon: 18) is the most precious brother. Always looking out for his sisters.

 I am so lucky to have such an awesome family.

    They are my silver lining in life.

Here Goes Nothing

Sitting in Pathophysiology today I look down the row of my most favorite lovely nursing friends and find them all to be...blogging. Yes. Amongst our usual activities (none of which usually includes paying attention) 
blogging has been on the top of the "I don't want to pay attention to another 2 hour of lecture" past time activity. 

(How we feel about a little thing called Pathophysiology)


So I thought to myself. How fun would it be. To join the party. ME? Blogging! I know sounds crazy. What would I even blog about? I'm not even married! But decided what the heck. I'll give it a go.

I'm not the funniest person but hey, I can blog about my life. I mean I love to talk, so why not blog. Sounds like a plan. So here it goes. My first blog post.