Summer (ha!) Hols :)

What a summer holiday, raining yet again and trapped inside the house with a three and an eight year old who have a severe case of cabin fever! We live near the lake district and were hoping to go camping this weekend and squeeze in some hikes and walks, but looking at the forecast we have more rain, thunder and lightening to look forward too, so thats looking at being called off. This means I will have no excuse to avoid looking at the study I should of already started. But when the sun makes a rare appearance and I have three boys gnashing at my heels, reading up on a&p and normal ranges, drugs and conditions to prepare me for the branch programme doesnt seem so appealing. I will make a promise to myself that I WILL do the study this weekend and set myself a timetable for the next four weeks, or face the prospect of looking like an utter tool on my next placement where Ill be expected to have more know how. A&P shouldnt be too bad, I have all of my old books from the access course I did the year before last, so hopefully itll be case of brushing up, and normal ranges for obs Im fine with. I have learnt a lot of common drugs and dosages for different conditions on placements, but I still need do some more work on this. Also got my timetable for the next two years this morning. Its really full on, four weeks to clear the first module, which we must keep fresh in our minds as we have an exam on it next May.Then we're out on placement on acute care until christmas. We dont break up until christmas eve, so that will be fun. I havent told the family this yet though because I know itll go down like a cup of cold sick, but its tough luck for all of us and at least I get some time off over christmas, when a lot of people, (including me in two years time) have to work. I then have two community placements which I cant wait for and a medical and surgical placement which should be interesting, especially medical which I love with a passion. Alongside this we have four modules, which include pharmacology and a&p, pain management in acute care, disease and palliative care. We also have a practical assessment which we have to pass to move onto year 3 where we have to keep a computerised mannequin called i-Stan alive. This frightens me at this point but I just keep breathing and thinking "by the time it comes round you'll have had the theory and you'll know what your doing" (I hope.....) And then to top off a full on year we will also be covering defibrillation and refreshing on basic life support, manuel handling, health and saftey, COSHH and ANTT, which we also will be re-assessed on. Phew, I need a nap now just thinking about it all. Also would love some advice if anyone could help with a dilemma Im having. We get white uniforms, possibly the silliest colour ever to give a someone working in the healthcare profession to wear, when you consider the nature of the job!. They have all gone a charming off white/grey colour. Im nervous to do anything with them, so does anyone know how I could safely get my whites whiter than white again??? Greatly appreciate any tips as clothes washing is not area of expertise.




Life over the next few weeks will be fuelled by books and dougnuts, courtesy of husband, if the weather continues!