I absolutely love the school. There are roughly 15,000 undergrads, and to me that is the perfect number. I see new faces on main street and around campus every day, but I have the close knit group of nursing students in my major that I recognize. I could probably tell you if someone was in my classes, even if I didn't know their name. I like how I have that little group outside of all the other students. After freshman year, most people choose to live off campus, and I live in a house within walking distance. It is really great and all of my best friends are on the same street. I wish I could tell you more about campus, but I rarely venture outside of McDowell hall (no really..every one of my classes is in there).
UD is definitely a place where the student body prides itself on being able to pull good grades and have a great time. The bar scene is huge (but only if you are 21), and day-drinks and tailgates are a big event as well. A lot of my friend's parents come up for every home game and tailgate, and it's fun to hang around and eat home cooked food with all of my friends and their families. The picture above is from my first tailgate freshman year.
Overall, I tried to sit down at the beginning of each week and write about my experiences that week or what notable challenges or assignments I had due. My weekly class schedule went like this: Monday - weekly medsurg lab. Tuesday - 8-10 am, Pediatric (Peds) class. 3:30-4:45, Medsurg. Wednesday: 9-11 am, Maternity. 4-10 pm, work. Thursday: 3:30-4:45, Medsurg. 5-10:30 work. Friday, Saturday, Sunday: STUDY . In addition to all of that, there were on average 2-4 extra labs for all of those classes, most notably "scenarios" for peds and maternity. For these labs you are expected to know which drugs to give, how to give them, and everything about the condition the client has. If you are not prepared, you will not pass the scenario. (this can be even more stressful than an exam).
Fall 2013 COURSE LIST
NURS 352: Adult Health Nursing (Medsurg): This was probably one of the toughest classes of my nursing career. It focused on the assessment of, indications for, preoperative preparation for, postoperative management of, and knowledge of surgical procedures. Not only was all of the latter information included, but it really was a tough refresher course for the underlying pathophysiology of all these diseases. All the questions on the exams were NCLEX style as well. The first exam was a shock - you couldn't skate by with just memorizing the powerpoints anymore. Heck, even if you memorized the powerpoints, all the text, and everything the professor said in the class there were still questions that you simply couldn't study for, and were going to get wrong. Even though it was the toughest class, I honestly learned the most and it was probably one of my favorites simply because of what I'm taking away from it.
NURS 356: Care of Children and Families (Peds): This was a really tough class for me - and not only because it was an introduction to a whole new way of nursing. Unfortunately, the class was slightly disorganized, and we had to go to class and take notes on lectures from one professor - and then watch online lectures from the professor last year. Then, the exams were the ones from last year, and we had online NCLEX style tests to take that really didn't match up well with the course topics. The main professor is one of my favorites though, she is so sweet and so helpful, and that is probably what got me through the class. Pediatrics is not only about the different parameters and indications of care for children, but a huge aspect of it is care of the family because they are every bit involved in the process as the patient is.
Nurs 358: Women's Health Nursing (Maternity): This was probably my least favorite course, but that is only because of my personal preference to this area of nursing. The class was organized, and we had a lot of labs that helped us practice a hands on approach. For some reason, I just wasn't comfortable in the delivery setting and the birthing process really isn't an interest of mine. I have nothing but respect for the nurses that are in the labor and delivery field, because they are so supportive and are so knowledgeable. It is such a tough role, and they really are the ones that directly help the woman through one of the most important life processes.
LABS: There were labs for medsurg, peds, and maternity every week over the semester. We had a weekly medsurg lab, four different peds scenarios total, and around 3 maternity labs a week. That's quite a bit of scheduling to work into an already tight week. Each lab was set up like a scenario: we were given a patient and their background, what they were diagnosed with, and different meds we were expected to give. We were expected to watch videos for any procedure we may have to perform (i.e. primary and secondary IVS, medication administration, wound care, ostomy care, delivery etc), and research all the indications and information about all the medications to be given. Then, in groups of around 5, we went in and cared for a real patient (theater student). It was very interactive, and interesting to be able to apply your knowledge to a real scenario and act on it. It was stressful at first, because everyone felt pretty awkward - but after awhile you got more comfortable talking to the patient and your peers, and it was really a constructive learning experience. The instructors were so hands on - and made you feel comfortable asking questions. The only tough part about it was that each lab required extra prep time, and with about 4 a week that was a lot.
EDUC 485: Multimedia Literacy (Online): My online class that I decided to make this website for :) it was so nice that we didn't have lectures to keep up with every week, and that I could turn things in on my own time. It was very helpful that it was so flexible, so I could really fit it in wherever I needed to in my busy week. I felt like there were so many good resources on the site, and I learned a lot more than I expected!
NURS 390: Clinical Work Experiences: Between the end of sophomore year and prior to the start of clinicals, we are expected to complete 160 hours total of work experience. 80 hours may be hands off, where you are involved some way in the nursing profession but don't need to have direct patient contact. However, at least 80 hours must be hands on with patient care. For my first 80 of hands off, I worked full time as a float receptionist and scheduler at a pediatric clinic back in my hometown. I'm excited because I'm going back over my winter session, or J-term, to work more. I'm expecting to assist with some Medical Assistant duties. Next semester, I get the opportunity for an internship at A.I. DuPont Children's Hospital. I'm very excited, and this will count as the remainder of my hours. I can't wait to get the opportunity to work with children in a hospital setting. For each experience, there are certain papers and requirements you have to turn in, and that is the only tedious thing about this course.
SPRING 2014 COURSE LIST
NURS 354 - Psychosocial Nursing,NURS 362 - Research Concepts in Healthcare, NURS 372 Adult Health Nursing (Medsurg 2),NURS 382 Communities & Health Policy, NURS 390 - Clinical Work Experiences.