Backpack woes...

I like to be prepared. I also like to read during breaks or whenever I get the chance. This calls for a lot of books. A lot of books call for bookbags. I also need to tote whatever I may need from my normal purse. And lunch. I like to eat, and I like to do it every couple of hours if I can't eat continuously. During 12 hour days this calls for a larger lunch bag than the one I purchased. Clinical supplies also need to be brought to class. Not to mention office supplies, notebooks, tape recorder, phone, headphones, and on and on and on......



Anyway, most days I bring 2 rolling cases, a lunch bag, purse, and tote. I leave one case in the trunk to switch out during lunch, but carry my lunch because it will boil in the trunk and as I said......I like to eat continuously. This is seriously too much to carry. I added my bandage bag for clinical and now it is just a disorganized mess. This started my search for the perfect rolling bag solution.



One of my classmates uses a rolling "milk crate" (for lack of a better term). It folds flat, and holds a ton of stuff (lunch cooler on top). Unfortunately he already broke it. So that was not going to be an option for me. I started searching for tackle boxes, tool boxes, coolers, anything with compartments that will also hold food. I told everyone that when I designed the perfect bag I would make a billion dollars selling it to students and then would probably quit nursing school to run the business. No need to be so hasty because I think I found the perfect bag.



It is from zuca.com. It is pretty much a rolling softsided locker. You can sit on the top because it has a super cool metal seat that will hold 300 lbs. "Ah ha," I thought, "I can put a pretty big lunch cooler on that baby!" As I was searching through the accessories I found that zuca already made a lunch bag that will attach to the handles, or will fit inside. YES!!!! But wait, there's more....



There is a backpack/organizer thing that will attach to the handles also. So I can fit supplies in there and because it attaches I still don't have to carry anything. There is a ton of pockets so I can throw my phone and wallet inside. But wait, there's more...



There are 2 rows of wheels so you can pull this baby upstairs instead of taking the elevator. There are all kinds of neat colors and combinations, I love it. My only problem is that I would like the pro version because of the packing inserts. (I can organize my clinical supplies inside.) But the pro version does not come with the same wheels and little pockets like the sport version. I emailed the company to see if I could order the inserts separately, and am eagerly awaiting their reply. The next down fall is the price. It is super pricey, especially if I order the cooler, backpack, and inserts.



Thinking ahead I can always use a zuca for travelling, presentations, sporting events, beach trips, visiting nursing supplies and a whole bunch of other stuff. When I do well on this exam I may just treat myself!

***Update to this post...the inserts are not sold separately, but they may make some for the sport case in the future. I passed process 2, but I still have not bought the bag yet. It seems to be an awful lot of money and I am just a poor student, lol. It is something to think about; conveniece vs price.***

Return Demo Days

I wonder if the instructors go out to Quarterdeck after return demo's and laugh at all of us while they have a few cold ones! I would if I were them.



I will say that I was slightly nervous, but no more than regular stage fright. I knew my stuff ( or thought I did). When it came time to draw up meds from a vial my hands were shaking so bad I am surprised that everything didn't fly off the table. Where did that come from? I just laughed it off and said, "I hope I don't do this in front of a patient!" Luckily the professor said we will be doing this in the med room. Whew! lol.



One of my questions had to do with getting mcg's to mL. Ok, I thought I missed something. I could not find that conversion factor anywhere. So when I got home I looked it up on our conversion sheet....it wasn't there. I don't know if it was mentioned in class and I missed it, or if I missed it in my reading or what. One more thing to pack into my overstuffed brain. What else am I missing?