Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Test Day Anxieties

Today was the day for my state certification test.... I had to drive 210 miles round trip to1 of 2 test sites available here in the UP. The oddity is that the west end of Michigan's upper peninsula is on central time, not eastern time like we are. I got my head around that and started the trip with a Yahoo map into unknown territory. I've never been west of Bergland before so it was a true adventure.

I arrive, test anxiety-ed and a tad weird with the drive to find out I'm to work on a live person, not a manniquin as originally told. OK, (it's all an adventure, right?). The crux of the test is for the proctor to evaluate your patient skills, patient privacy and infection control... she's to follow me through my every move and motion... (did I say I was ready for anything?)

I'm given my 3 tasks to do and the first one is.... Range of Motion ( Oh, they NEVER give anyone that task to do) OK, so glad I studied that one no matter what I was told by my instructers. 3 repetitions, flex and extend... done...... Second task, dressing a patient suffering right sided weakness from a stroke... Plugging right along here... duh... guess what... I did it backwards.... caught myself halfway through, started again.. Whew, done... (You can start over, but if you say you're done, there's no going back)..... Third and final task, empty a urine bag attached to catheter... (easy, done it a few dozen times) all supplies prepared, flip back the clip on the clamp... the whole clip falls off, pee ( lemon water) is all over me and floor.. I'm doomed but recovered and continued with task.

I was never so happy to be done with anything in my life... Now the waiting game.. if I didn't pass this part, I couldn't proceed with the knowledge part. Now true waiting anxiety as the proctor computerizes results.... everything I know I did wrong flashing like this giant beacon....Passed!

The worst was over after that one.....

And I knew I was walking out with my certifcation... Hooray...


Or should I say Hoop and Holler... the name of this watering hole on Lake Gogebic where I changed out of my scrubs into my shorts .

In the little town of Ewen, I'd passed a little quilt store on the way. My reward for passing the test ( if I did) was to stop on the way home. It was a tiny store but of course I hunted down the threads and also found some pretty green ric rac by Moda. How I love rewards!


I'd left at 7:30 and was home by 4 so pretty good day all in all. Dan even had BLT's ready when I got here. For now I'm "pooped", not to be confused with "pissed" of which I literally was earlier.... so thanks everybody for the luck and support with this latest step forward. Now I'm headed to the screen house.

Till the next time,

Jane

10 comments:

Cheryl said...

Congratulations are in order! What a giant step to have behind you. You are the only one I know in the U.P that celebrates with fabric and trims. Everyone else I know has a beer...

Teresa said...

Congratulations!!!!

paulahewitt said...

Hooray! at least it wasnt real wee. i did laugh but only becuase I knew you'd pass. you showed great restraint in the quilt shop. did you have a glass of lemon water in the screen house to celebrate?

Toni said...

Congrats...Hope you are enjoying our great weather..toni

gocrazywithme said...

Hooray for Jane! You did it! And had a baptism by faux pee thrown in for good measure! Sorry, but I had to laugh. Do you think they booby-trapped the clip just to see how you'd react under pressure... and pee?

sparkle jars said...

Congratulations on your passing scores! :-)My youngest has been busy with some of the fabric you sent. I'll share the blocks soon.
Take Care-Gayle

Magpie Sue said...

Woohoo! Congratulations! And how smart to reward yourself on the way home ;- )

It's so nice to see pictures of the lakes...

Cathy K said...

Congratulations! You passed THREE tests, the third being the Shopping for Goodies test, LOL. Flying colors all the way around (pun intended!). Hugs, Cathy

Meg in Albuquerque said...

I need to add my congrads to the chorus. I love rewards myself, and I'm going to reward myself after I catch up on my blogging and email!

CJ Stitching and Blooms said...

Hello Jane, Congratulation on passing your written and practical exams. VBG I thought your weee treat to yourself was perfect too. Hugs Judy