Word of the Day –

Nursing School Edition #2

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Hypercarbia

Hypercarbia is defined as the increase of carbon dioxide within the bloodstream. Another name that might be used instead is Hypercapnia. This can be caused due to hyperventilation or not being able to breathe properly.

Some of the symptoms that might be seen are:

• Drowsiness or the inability to focus
• Flushed looking skin
• Headaches and feeling disoriented
• Feeling short of breath or fatigued

If feeling abnormal seek medical treatment or consult your physician.

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Reference

• Abdo, W. F., & Heunks, L. M. A. (2012). Oxygen-induced hypercapnia in COPD: myths and facts. Critical Care, 16(5), 323
  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3682248/

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Word of the Day:

Nursing School edition #1

This week we have been focusing on the circulatory system of the body. One thing that was talked about multiple times was the MAP. What is the MAP you might ask? It is an acronym that stand for Mean Arterial Pressure. Now what does that exactly mean? Its the average arterial pressure through one cardiac cycle, systole, and diastole.

This Youtube video is a great example of how to calculate the MAP.

Resource:

DeMers D, Wachs D. Physiology, Mean Arterial Pressure. [Updated 2022 Apr 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan

Late night studying.

Late night studying.

New Things in Store for Me…

Nursing School

I have some big and exciting news to start off 2022. I was accepted into Nursing School and am starting my first semester. This has been a long time coming and it has definitely been a journey along the way. I first started looking into Nursing programs when I graduated high school in 2011. Due to the budget crisis in California way back in the day, the program I was looking at was cut and almost all nursing programs were turned into lottery based systems. So now fast forward about 10 years and I am officially in Nursing school. I am beyond excited, nervous and definitely stressed. Sometimes I think that it isn’t real, but it is. There is so much to learn and I am excited to learn and soak in all this knowledge.

Goals:

Some goals that I will be continuing to work on are my studying techniques and organizational skills. This semester I am doing a big personal change with how I organize. When I was going to school for my Associates in Fire Technology I wrote EVERY single down in a notebook or a planner. I also had assignments and due dates randomly tacked up to my board or laying on a counter top. I decided this time I can’t do that because that was so hectic, even though it worked. I bought a few new items for studying and organizing, one of them being the new Ipad Pro. This thing is amazing so far, I’m still learning as I go because it is a steep learning curve for me. One of the things that I love about it is the Digital Planner aspect. Instead of carrying around a paper planner (which I kind of miss because I love them), the digital planner is much more efficient and accessible. When I go to work I only have to carry around a small notebook, my Ipad and my Apple Pencil. It’s convenient, not bulky and works great off of wifi.

Another goal that I gave myself is: not to set myself up with too many goals. Everybody is different and I know how I work. If I give myself too many goals I will stress myself out and over worry. That is something I don’t want. Lastly my end goal is I want to pass school. Easier said than done.

“You treat a disease: you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you win—no matter the outcome.”

—Robin Williams in Patch Adams

January 27th 2021

Started another spring semester for school. One step closer to starting my Nursing program, fingers crossed. This semester I am taking Medical Terminology. This not only helps me in the future but it will help me grow in my EMS career now.

” If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”

– Albert Einstein

Happy New Year

Goodbye 2020, Hello 2021?

This year has been a whirlwind of emotions for myself and I’m pretty sure the same for a lot of people. This year was filled uncertainty, fear, loss but also with love and determination to get through it. It was tough and filled with many ups and downs. From the happy times of graduating Navy Corpsman school, getting a new EMT job, being able to visit Chris a few times, being overly excited about becoming an Auntie to my friends having babies, finally finishing up my Associates in Fire Technology all while still being able to celebrate holidays with family and keeping our health including Rex. Some of the heartbreaking times of this year for me was losing my beloved Monkee after 15 years, seeing the world become sick and dying. It has been a year of stress, no doubt. I have grown and and I will continue to grow in 2021. Another year to love and learn.

Some goals for next year:

• Keep positive even in trying times.
• Continue to learn
• Be accepted into Nursing school
• Keep getting healthier
• Work more and be more dedicated to my blog
• Get back into streaming video games
• Still continue to keep myself and my family’s health a priority
• Go hiking and adventuring more

Today on New Years Eve, I will be sitting back doing a movie marathon with Chris and the family all while ringing in the new year quietly and safely with dinner and champagne. What are some of your goals or resolutions for the New Year? Happy New Year’s everyone! May you stay safe and positive. See you in 2021!

💚 Kat

“I hope you realize that every day is a fresh start for you. That every sunrise is a new chapter in your life waiting to be written.”

– Juansen Dizon