Let Me Tell You About Courage!

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it…” ~Nelson Mandela

Hellooooo EVERYBODYYYYY!!! I’m in an extremely good…NO…. A WONDERFUL, MAGNIFICENT, MARVELOUS, FANTASTIC mood today. Why? You ask?  Because all my hard work is finally paying off!  Nelson Mandela once said, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” In the past few days, I have done several things to recognize what facing your fears is really about!

“I want to challenge you today to get out of your comfort zone. You have so much incredible potential on the inside. God has put gifts and talents in you that you probably don’t know anything about.” ~Joel Osteen

I started training in a new job on Monday, April 3, 2017. I went outside my comfort zone, and I applied for a job that I only sort of know about. So far, this job has really given me several small anxiety attacks. I’ll be honest with you and let you know that, LOL. I have never EVER done ANYTHING in the medical field; however, a Residential Direct Support Professional needs to be CPR and First Aid certified.

Guess what? I passed all that on Tuesday!!! Yaaaaay!!!

“As for accomplishments, I just did what I had to do as things came along.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt

I also am taking QMAP courses during my two week training period.

What is QMAP?

Well, for those who don’t know, QMAP stands for Qualified medication administration personnel. For this, I needed to pass a written test of 90% or above in order to qualify for the nurse practicum. Then, I needed to take a verbal test to demonstrate how the medication is administered to the individuals who need it. The individuals in assisted living can’t take medicine from anyone who is not a QMAP. It’s very nerve racking because you MUST get each step to pass.

The Steps…

The steps include identifying the medication. Then, comparing the container/label, order & medical assistance record, to the five rights. The five rights are the right person, right time, right route, right dose, and right medication. Then, you go about preparing the medication. Then, comparing everything again. Administering the medication. Comparing it all again. Last, documenting everything.

But that’s not all…

The demonstration shows the nurse all the sanitary steps you must take to give the different medications. This is for 8 different types of medication. So, for example, I will be giving oral medication to Mary. I identified the medication. I washed my hands and put on gloves. Then, I compared the container/label, order, and MAR, to the five rights.

I prepared the medication by putting it into the medication cup. I washed my hands and put gloves on. I compared the information again. I washed my hands and put on gloves. I informed Mary that she needed to take her medicine, and I administered the medication. Mary swallowed the medicine. I washed my hands and applied the gloves again. The information was once again compared to everything needed. I locked the medication up and put it away. Last, I washed my hands and gloved up one more time and documented the information.

Lots of hand washing!!

“We all have those things that even in the midst of stress and disarray, they energize us and give us renewed strength and purpose. These are our passions.” ~ Adam Braun

Later…

Next week, I will also have to observe three individuals taking their meds by a person already certified. Then, I will have to perform the medication pass to three different individuals on two different days. So, that’s a total of 6 different people I have to follow medical protocol on.

I just proved something to myself even though I have been nervous about this…

After three nights of studying and one full day of EXHAUSTING training…I PASSED THE FIRST PART OF THE QMAP CLASS!!!

That’s what I’ve been busy doing the past four days. The written test consisted of 100 questions. I got 99 right…yay!!! I passed the practicum!! Woot!

“It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” ~Leonardo da Vinci

I just wanted to share that with you because I wanted you to know that even when you feel afraid to do something if you work hard, you will succeed. Like I probably stated in previous posts, I am managing PTSD and anxiety from years of abuse. So, the reason I am sharing this with you is to prove to you that facing your fears, no matter how difficult it is, really can pay off.

I wish you all the best in your endeavors, and I hope you take this little victory of mine and transform it into your own triumph!

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along’.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt

“Be excellent to each other and party on, dudes!” ~Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure

–Carrie Pottberg–MoveOverOptimist– @allurasybilbrites