This is Kevin, a nurse in the ED. Apparently, we look just enough alike for both patients and coworkers to have called me Kevin on numerous occasions. I doubt he has been called Matt yet because I don't think anyone knows who the hell I am.

This statue of either Asclepius or Hippocrates stands in front of the hospital. It always makes me laugh seeing the head of his snake-friend peeking above the column on his right.

During our lunch break, we met with the new class. It was after their first Pathophysiology test, so they were a little surly, but overall seemed like a good group. Last year, the class ahead of us took the time to meet with us, talk about what was in store, and tell us that everything would be okay. They really put my mind at ease; I hope we did the same for the new kids.

Today Debbie and I had lunch/dinner with a friend of hers in the Radiology Department. It was nice to get out of the ED for a little while.

We spent the last four hours of the shift in Triage 2, where patients get EKGs, IVs, and blood drawn. I clumsily, but successfully, drew blood from three people. It was awesome.

I attended a talk today on the potential use of parathyroid hormone to reduce organ rejection in transplant patients. Pretty interesting.

We are responsible for fifty hours of independent learning/leadership activities this semester. One down, forty-nine to go.

Katy and I conducted an information session tonight for prospective students. With the approaching application deadline, we have been getting a lot of people, each with about a thousand questions.

Two weeks ago there was a guy who was a doctor in another country, and wanted to be a nurse here in the U.S. He kept telling me that since he was already a doctor, he should be exempt from all of the pre-requisites for nursing. Then he went on to ask if he could just take a test and become a nurse. When I answered "No" to both of his ridiculous questions, he disgustedly started explaining again why he thought he should be able to do this. I cut him off, and politely told him to make an appointment to see me if he wanted to discuss the differences between doctors and nurses, and exactly what he needed to do to become the latter. His attitude toward the profession and the process to get there was totally insulting; it took everything in my power not to call him an asshole and ask him to leave.

Somebody took Debbie's lunch from the fridge today. It is amazing to me that people have the audacity to steal other people's food, and that it is a common crime in public refrigerators across the country. Northtown had a similar food thief that targeted the same person every day. I don't think we ever figured out whether it was a long term passive-aggressive manifestation of hatred, or just a matter of someone sharing similar tastes with an amoral coworker.

Last night on my way home from the hospital, I got on the last car of the Pink Line at Polk. As I was walking down the train car, a college kid came running up to me in a panic and said, "I just got robbed. They had a gun." As the doors closed and the train started pulling away, he pointed out the two guys on the platform. I called 911, then hit the button to contact the train operator. The train stopped at Ashland, and I stayed with him while he waited for the police. I told him he was lucky, and he did the right thing by handing over his iPhone, cash, and debit cards. The police showed up, and he started crying as what happened hit him. We parted ways, and I got back on a train.

Luckily, I have never been the victim of a crime greater than a hit and run, and in general, I feel safe. I think I am sufficiently vigilant, and try not to put myself in precarious situations. Last night is a reminder that bad things happen quickly, and to make sure never to get caught alone on my midnight commute back to Rogers Park. And to buy a machete.

Today I learned how to do a 12-lead EKG, a common test performed in the ED. I don't think M.E.O.W. is an official acronym for Mobile EKG On Wheels, probably just an EMT having a little fun.

For some reason this car and its snow toupe really irritated me.

Me after my first 12 hour shift. That's going to be hard to get used to.

Julie talked me into getting acupuncture with her. I didn't really have a specific complaint, so I chose headaches because I get them somewhat frequently. I am pretty skeptical when it comes to complementary therapies, but open enough to try them as long as they aren't totally weird and painful.

Dear Man Without Hat or Gloves Waiting for Train,

During today's commute, you loudly proclaimed to no one in particular, "It's not that cold. This is Chicago!" You are an idiot; I'll see you in the ER when your ears turn black and fall off.

Sincerely, Matt

A year ago I was sitting in the lounge, sweating over being tested on basic nursing skills, worried that I wouldn't be able to make a bed properly or empty a catheter bag.

The new class of former lawyers, social workers, salespeople, and teachers started this week. I wonder if they'll be as awesome as we are.

In an effort to kickstart this blog again, I'm going to skip the last few weeks of my break for the time being, 1) because nobody except maybe my mom really cares how I idled away my vacation, and 2) if I don't start to catch up now, I'll be behind the rest of the semester. So here we go.

I'm in the final semester of the pre-RN portion of my program, which means I've been in school for a year now. Crazy. For my last clinical placement I am in the Emergency Department with a dedicated preceptor. I'll be working in the ED 16 hours a week until May, then I take the NCLEX exam, and then, pending success on the test, I'll hopefully be working by July or August.

I met my preceptor today, and she's great. I am very excited about the next few months.