Role of Technology (#10)

After working in the hospital, I realize the importance of technology, but I also experienced the frustration of working it! With that said, I still am convinced that technology has greatly influenced the realm of healthcare. For example, medications are better managed between the pharmacy and the nurse through the medication administration record (MAR). Another example is that through the technology of scanning a patient and scanning their meds, the billing department is able to keep a better record of what to charge the patient for. And to an even greater extent, what about all the machines for screening and performing all the much needed invasive procedures? It takes education and training to operate the devices seen in the health system. However once it's learned, they benefit greatly in regards to time and ease...hopefully. =) And in regards to education, what would we do without our laptops and powerpoint presentations during class. Furthermore, one can take online classes, allowing for a degree to be obtained at home! Oh technology. What would we do without it? How did people live without it?? With that said, I have really enjoyed the opportunity to blog and read about my fellow classmates' experiences. I feel like I am a part of everyone's clinical group as a result. =)

Happy Studying (#7)

Oh my goodness! Has this semester seriously almost come to an end? I cannot believe it! I think about how we only have four more days of class and then come finals! Finals, finals, FINALS! Stress, stress, STRESS?! But honestly, all in all, what would have come of this semester without it? I would not have pushed myself so much. This is what I have learned as a result of my first semester in nursing school:

*I can literally do anything I put my mind to.
*This is truly what God wants me to do.
*Good sleep is more beneficial that staying up late to study when I cannot retain anything.
*Stress can be a very good thing.
*Caring for people is more than just fulfilling their physical needs. It is about caring for the whole individual (holistic healthcare).
*I feel like a nerd when I speak medical jargon in front of people who have no idea what I am talking about.
*I have learned the importance of classmates: People who will colaborate with you, help and encourage you, and people who lighten the mood, making the day seem a little less chaotic.
*The importance of wearing gloves before a blood glucose stick. ;)
*Professor Haldeman is the best clinical instructor. Haha - extra points??? =) But seriously, she has been GREAT to learn under.

The list can go on and on but those were the first ones that came to mind. I have enjoyed my journey thus far. A lot of events have gone on outside of the classroom setting that have made it hard to "do" school. However, God has helped me through. He has held my hand, instructed my heart, and deepened my mind so that I can accomplish the things that I have this semester. I am so excited for the next couple of years. I wish that we all make it to the next semester.

Well, here I go...Happy Studying!

Thanksgiving!!

Soo...tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I have really been loving my time off today even though I am sick. It is nice to not have to worry about homework today. After Eric got back from school, we went to buy a few Christmas presents and then he took me to Spazzos Italian Grill in Redmond. After that, we walked around the outside mall and adored the GINORMOUS Christmas tree in the center of it! By that time, my nose was so stuffy I could hardly breathe and we decided we should just go home and relax. And since then, we have! It's been the absolute best! Normally we, as nursing students would be at the hospital at about this time picking out our patients for the next day. But not today! Instead, we can anticipate the yummy eating for tomorrow and even the next day! And for some of us...shopping! Ha - I have no money, who am I kidding??

I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!!
=)

Good Sarcasm (#6)

I had the most interesing patient during this last couple of days. She was referred to me by one of the doctors the Wednesday before when I had to go "pick out" a patient. He said that she would be great for charting and that I would have a lot to do. Ha - boy he could not have been more right. I walked in Thursday morning to this demanding, impulsive woman who had not slept well and just needed everything at that moment. I was listening to the nurse's shift change report, yet was becoming distracted by this woman's anger and apparent need of attention. I said to myself, "What am I getting myself into?" I was scared to death to even go take her vital signs with fear of her scolding me.

After the nurse report, the nurse I was working with asked if I needed help. I just kind of stood there, staring at this woman pondering what she had just asked me. Noticing my silence, the nurse offered to do the physical assessment with me. Boy, was I relieved! We did it together and my patient was actually pretty cooperative. She was giving me a hard time for being a student nurse, just teasing me really. But quickly assessing her personality, I gave some of it right back to her. We started forming this strange bond simply because of our sarcastic attitudes back and forth. We were not being mean, I really cannot be mean if I tried. I suppose that's a gift?

Throughout the day, I began really warming up to this patient. We had a little one and one chat as I was asking her questions about her family, current health, and values. When she had that one on one conversation, she transformed to be this really sweet lady. She just wanted someone to talk to. Someone who looked like they cared.

The next day (Friday) was even better. Because she had known me from the day before, she teased me even more (I am convinced this is her love language..haha), and I gave it right back to her none the less. I was careful though with what I said and people in the room just started laughing every time. I was very happy that I had received the opportunity to take care of her the last couple of days. God just assured me that he loved her just as much as me and that she just needed someone to show her that she still has value.

Later that night, I had the chance to go see Eric play in a jazz concert. The best drummer ever right there! =) Not much homework done, but it was a very rewarding day.

My New Angel Friend (#5)

The Seattle Missions trip was a success! I absolutely LOVED all of the individuals at the retirement home. I would have to say that they loved all of us college kids as well. This home was the most beautiful retirement home I had ever been in! It was gorgeous! I have worked in quite a few of them and this one was by far the most interesting! When we first got there, there were several of the residents sitting in the lobby, anxiously waiting for one of us to go talk to them. I went to talk to the first lady that I layed eyes on. I am convinced that this woman is an angel...here is why...

Not even 5 minutes into our conversation, I learned that this woman was a retired nurse. We will call her Ms. M. Ms. M told me that she had been a nurse for 50 years and married for about 45 years. I was immediately drawn to her and knew that I was going to have to ask her soo many questions! After all, she had done what I am working so hard to accomplish: become a nurse! I asked her a lot of questions, but I did not do all the talking, don't worry. She in turn, gave me so much advice and words of encouragement. She said all of the right things; everything that I had been going through right now, she spoke into my life about, without even knowing my situation and place in life. She opened my eyes to the career or nursing. Why? Because as she talked about it, she did not simply talk about schooling and how stressful it was and how she dreaded it. She talked about all of the good that had happened during her career and how it was so rewarding for her as an individual. This lady was absolutely amazing! My husband, Eric was there as well and she even had advice to give him as a future youth pastor. We enjoyed her soo much and were so blessed by her words. We even got a chance to pray with her after finding out that she was a Christian as well....

Seriously...an angel, right? I am convinced that she was not a resident, but a gift straight from God just for me on that day. And after two hours of conversation with Ms. M, she gave us some breath mints that a group of students had given to her the week prior. We took those breath mints and were so thankful for her gift. I thought it was because she just didn't like them. Haha but it was because she wanted to give us something that had value to her.

It was a wonderful time. Then afterwards, we went to go watch BSU kick some butt in football. =) A good day!

A NURSE'S PRAYER

A Nurse's Prayer

Give me strength and wisdom,

When others need my touch;

A soothing word to speak to them,

Their hearts yearn for so much.

Give me joy and laughter,

To lift a weary soul;

Pour in me compassion,

To make the broken whole.

Give me gentle, healing hands,

For those left in my care;

A blessing to those who need me,

This is a Nurse's prayer.

Seattle Missions Trip!

So I have the priviledge of leading a group to a retirement home in Seattle this Saturday. It is a part of the Seattle Missions trip that we, as a university are doing. My husband is heading it up and asked if I wouldn't mind being one of the leaders. I immediately said yes because I have been enjoying my time in the long term care setting. I feel like I could lead the group with some good experience under my belt. I did not only take care of the residents in the clinical setting, but I was also able to attend activities with them and socialize with them. I enjoyed the conversation and so am excited to do that this Saturday! For anyone that wants to come, let me know! It's from 2-4 pm. Not a big time commitment. Just some volunteering and allowing God to use you! =) I hope to post up pictures when I get them.