I forgot just how much I love days off. I forgot because for the last several months, my days off have been spent writing papers and studying urology. The last couple days I have instead been watching my second favorite all-time show on DVD. I recevied the first two seasons of Northern Exposure for Christmas, and yesterday I bought season three.

This second clip will give you a clue as to what I think is the all-time best television show EVER! What’s with the video quality though? I expect much better from youtube.com!

*laugh*

I have also been studying for the Canadian Registered Nurse Exam. I know, so much for that whole thing about not studying on days off that I just mentioned. For those that don’t know, this exam is the Canadian equivalent of the NCLEX that the United States has.

This test is nothing but a giant headache for me (And today, it has literally caused a headache). They changed the format a couple years ago from all multiple choice to half multiple choice and half short answer. This means several horrible things. First and foremost, the test is harder. Second is that the text now takes several months to mark and return, rather than days because they have to hire people to sit in a room and mark thes short answer questions (oh how I envy the fact that in the U.S. you get your results a couple days later and can call yourself an RN). Finally, because of all this extra time and expensive manpower, the test now costs approximately $500 rather than the previous $200 (ish).

I find the above to be wrong on so many levels. And the more I think about it, the more I feel that a bachelor’s degree from a university nursing program accredited by the Canadian Nurses Association (yes…they create the exam every year) should be proof enough that I am qualified to work as a nurse. Think of all the time and money it would save if they simply decided to stop administering the exam.

However, that is extremely unlikely to happen. You know….tradition…and stuff.

So, today I have been going through and answering question after question about nursing. Now, one HUGE difference between the Canadian test and the U.S. test is that the Canadian test is focused on psychosocial issues, rather than biological. The U.S. test may ask you what an appropriate hemoglobin result is, but the Canadian test will ask you how you should respond to the patients feelings regarding their low hemoglobin results.

Uhm…barf

The test is extremely focused on therapeutic communication. I think they assume that we will learn the science of nursing while practicing, but the “fluffy” aspects of nursing must be taught in school. I actually believe the opposite.

What can I say though. This enormous test is just one more obstacle, and I’m getting quite used to dealing with obstacles. I think I’m just a little jealous of the NCLEX and wish our test was a similar format and style. Those preparing for the NCLEX may disagree.

*shrug*