I discovered a new hairdo!!!!!

Hi everyone!!

It's been ages, I know, but I'm finally on holidays :-) for a little while until early December when I go back to the hospital for 2 weeks fulltime!!!

Anywho, you all would have seen those perfect hairbuns around and wondered how on earth people manage to do them - I have, anyway. Well I met up with one of my friends, Renee the apprentice hairdresser :-) (this post's for you :-)) who helped me find the equipment and explained how to do it.

Here's the results!!!

Nice, huh? If I think of it (and if I'm clever enough :-)) I'll do a tutorial!

On a different note, our beloved cat, Duchess, passed away recently. Check your animals for ticks, people. Even if they normally hide all the time, check anyway. You never know. Pooky never went outside and yet she caught one which killed her. She is honoured, though - the first of the family pets with a special burial place in the backyard.

Hopefully more posts soon!

Charlotte T.

First Day of Prac!!!

Hey everyone!

Just a quick one - I start prac today!

'Prac' is clinical placement, so actual work in the hospital *gulps* I've scored a night shift, so I don't finish until 11pm, but I'm a bit of a night owl, so should be OK!

Got some pictures from the CSSD tour 10 of us went on at the Mater Private. Amazing - the stuff they do to keep things sterile! Saw some blood 'n' bone too  *X-)* We also got to tour an operating theatre and had to get dressed in scrubs...

Here they are!!

That's Renee and Sharon there :-)

Rosalie :-)

And the eight girls (the two guys had a separate dressing room) :-)
From the left: Renee, Sharon, Ashleigh, Alannah, Rosalie, Paula, Karen & moi... yikes...

Well must go. Have to do some things for tomorrow's classes as I won't have time tonight!

Charlotte T.

Hey Everyone...

Long time no write (on my part :-))

Sorry about the tardiness of this post - have been incredibly busy either working or studying! I'm in my 5th week now and very much enjoying it. Finally got my uniform - looks very professional :-) The moment people see you with it on they seem to assume you know everything! Made some new friends too - very exciting - and the teachers are great. Also get to to use my ID card/swipe/proximity card to get into the building of a morning - so cool!!

Should be working on assignments now - more soon!

Charlotte T.

It's sooo close now....

Counting down the days until my course starts... so excited!

We finally got the orientation email from the Mater - full of goodies and details and more excitement (my favourite word at this very moment :-)). They are providing breakfast, morning tea and lunch on the first day *my chin hits the ground*; the CEO of Mater Health Services, the Head of Nursing & Midwifery and the Head of Mater Private Hospital all give a short speech or presentation (I'll be rubbing shoulders, as Mum says :-)); we get organised into student groups (maybe new friends *yay*); the Mater Volunteer Service is going to give us a tour of the hospital (whether that means the entire complex or just the Private I'm not sure); and there's going to be a scavenger hunt on the second day. Is this going to be fun or what!!!

I have a timetable too (so very official :-)) and I'm even getting to know the bus numbers and routes - the train is OK as I've taken it many times but I've never been on a bus. Weird, but true...

Really looking forward to this!

Charlotte T.

Diploma of Nursing - More News!!

Hi everyone,

Now, I'm sure you all thought that the news regarding the nursing bits and bobs was over until I actually started the course.

I am pleased to say that that is not the way of things here (haha) and that you are indeed incorrect (another hehe).

You will, I'm sure, remember my mentioning the Mater hospitals as my next interview. Well, I had the interview and...

THEY ACCEPTED ME TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! *jumps around room in joy*

We are all sooo thrilled! Mum and I had a small squealing match after I got the phone call - which actually came half an hour before I was supposed to start work (talk about great timing :-)) - and madly rang everyone I could think of to tell them the news. Everyone has been so kind! My grandparents are so pleased they took me out to lunch yesterday and bought a special keyring (Thanks Gran :-) Pa even sang a song on the phone to me. Little dear :-)). My best friend and her family gave me a lovely pink nurses watch (thanks Jess :-)) right before we went to the movies (this is another post entirely. If you have not had the utmost privilege to see The Avengers, you are missing out on the best movie ever!!!) All the paperwork, contracts and hoo-rah has come through, so I am now officially a Mater Student Enrolled Nurse! We are all looking forward to seeing my ID card (with special access, swipe points and everything - why are ID cards so cool :-))

One eeny, weeny downer... I have to have a blood test to make sure I'm immune to various diseases - the traditional measles, mumps and rubella; Hep A (never had that so there's one needle :-() and B; whooping cough, chicken pox (I actually had this one before the vaccine came out. And as you can only catch it once...) and the wunnerful annual flu vaccination. Yes, I know nurses are supposed to be OK with needles, but it's one thing to give them, it's another to have them! Last time I had a blood test, I cried like a baby (yikes) so hopefully I won't this time! If you could all pray that I don't chicken out or cause a fuss that would be very much appreciated. Also that the blood test would not show what I don't want to know too... A personal request, this one is :-).

Must go, gotta get ready for work.

Watch out for the post on Saturdays' movie trip. IT WAS EPIC!!!!

Charlotte T.