April 8, 2013

7 weeks on: tying up non-clinical ends and working on my health

I found out that the next testing date for the CARN (Certified Addictions Registered Nurse) is in October.  Registration deadline is September.  I need 30 addiction-related CEUs...I already have some thanks to all of the grunt work needed for both the ANCC certification and to keep the CA BON happy.  The problem is that addictions-related CEUs aren't easily found, and if they are found they aren't free.  So I have to stalk them.  Fortunately, my psych journals will give me a few leads, and the Journal of Addictions Nursing is full of them.  But to help mitigate the costs of all of these CEUs, I'm trying to find an inservice or seminar where I can get a batch of them (6-10 units) at one go.

Oh well, it is what it is.

I'm also trying to find out what I need to do to finish this BSN.  I have two more nursing classes to complete before I can take Capstone.  Both of these nursing classes are offered in May, so the options are:

a.  Take both classes at once, then Capstone in July.
b.  Take one class in May, one in July (if they offer it, that is!) and Capstone in September.

I'm trying to see if they offer either of the nursing courses in July...if they do, I may take option B.  If they don't, I think I'll suck it up and take option A.  I really don't want to drag out this BSN any longer...it's been nearly four fecking years.

Fortunately, I am on maternity leave until June 15th, so having to juggle work will not be an issue should I decide on option A.  However, the two classes are both (so the rumor mill says) tough ones, and taking them together may be insane.  Then again, it couldn't be as bad as having to take U.S. History with any class while working full-time.  I'm still recovering from THAT experience.

We'll see.

I followed up with my PCP re my HTN.  Blood pressure is beautiful, at least at the office:  110/76.  I have also been monitoring it at home and those numbers haven't been as beautiful...not scary, but not beautiful.  The weight is down a few pounds since last month, which isn't bad considering it's mostly been diet changes and cutting out the salt.  The PCP and I reviewed all the numbers and decided to stick with the current labetalol dose and follow up in two months.  I'm still to work on the weight loss...this week I go for my 6 week post-partum follow-up and I should be cleared for exercising.

He also ordered an ECG, X-ray and lab work just so we have a baseline.  ECG done (sinus rhythm and normal).  Blood drawn and urine donated (results in a week).   I have to go back later for the X-ray.

In other news, little one #2 is good.  He's much more alert.  He's put on weight like a champ.  He's gotten the breastfeeding bit down perfectly.  He's also lost most of his hair.

I'm incredibly lucky in that he has no problems going to sleep at night:  I put him in his bassinet, tell him it's bedtime, and he entertains himself to sleep.  He wakes 2-4 times a night to nurse, but that's cool:  I just accept that I will not be getting a full night's sleep for the next two years.

We are not as lucky when it comes to daytime napping, however.  But I'm told that takes some time.

In the next week, we're going to try introducing a bottle.  No, I'm not giving up on breastfeeding--I don't plan to do that until he's two.   But if I go back to work my breasts have to go with me while little one #2 can't...so enter the breast pump and bottle.  My sister warned me not to wait too long on introducing the occasional bottle of pumped milk.  She didn't offer it to her younger son until he was 6 months old.  He's now 11 months old and only now is finally willing to take it...sometimes.