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.

My first "patient" (Resident) (#4)

So, I had to say goodbye on Friday to my resident because she is being discharged on Tuesday. I was surprised when I found that out because even as independent as she was, I personally felt like she was not ready to go home. However as I took care of her throughout the day, I found that she had come a long way since our very first day together. She was able to get and sit back down without my assistance. She poured herself a glass of milk without my help. She even started buttoning her buttons! I feel as if I am writing about a little child or even an infant. However this is an individual who has lived a full life, who was married, had beautiful children, and could never be more proud of her grandchildren. She loves to talk about her new boyfriend and I think about how weird it is for the "older folk" to have a boyfriend. I wonder what they do. =) Haha...umm - ok so to get back on track. My resident is still in a lot of pain, and she was even able to admit something to the nursing staff. I could even see it in her eyes what she was about to say. As excited as she was to live at home, she was very afraid. I think that she is nervous about not being able to have someone take care of her 24/7 like they were able to do at the long term care. She will be living with her boyfriend though. She is a strong woman and has been through a lot. I believe that she will do great.

But as I approached her to say good-bye, I felt kind of sad. I did not even think I would feel that way. I was not on the verge of crying, nor were any tears going to flow. But in my heart, I knew I would probably never see her again. I told her that she had no idea how thankful I was for allowing me to take care of her. She was able to teach me a lot of good things both for nursing care and life in general. I prayed for her that day. I prayed that God would take away her pain and that she would have many more years to live to be with her boyfriend and enjoy her kids and grandchildren. =)

I will be getting a new resident this Thursday. It should be another tough first day of getting used to their routine. But I thank God for every individual that I come into contact with. I believe that they are strategically put into my life for one reason or another.

First day of clinicals! (#3)

I definately am more comfortable in the clinical setting than I am in the classroom. I absolutely loved the past couple of days. I enjoyed the independence and being able to feel confident enough to do things on my own. I was a little weary going into it because I had not had the best experiences in the long term care. However, I had never had more fun. That may sound weird, but I find it rewarding and therapeutic just to care of other people.

During the first day, there was a woman who had been sitting by herself in her room and since I really had nothing to do, I went to go talk to her for a bit. I introduced myself and explained that I was a student from Northwest University and that I was studying to become a nurse. She spoke "Spanglish." =) She spoke English very well but added in a little bit of Espanol here and there. I asked her how her day had been going and she said that her favorite part of her day was getting to do communion with a priest that came into the nursing home. She then asked me what I was. I told her I was a Christian. Immediately she responded, "One God for everyone. We all serve the same God." Her statement got me thinking and reminded me that although many forms of Christianity exist, they are just different in doctrine. However, doctrine is not what gets us into Heaven. The simple fact that we all believe in Jesus Christ as our risen Savior is what gets us into Heaven. We are all under and serve the same God no matter how our little beliefs may differ. The only "belief" that matters is the one in which we are saved by. The woman I was talking to just loved the Lord. I was very encouraged by her words.

I enjoyed walking around getting to know the patients. When it came time to pick a patient to take care of I felt like I was choosing something from a menu. Haha if that even makes sense. But I am very happy with the individual that I am taking care of. I got to meet her the first day and then really interacted with her today. I helped her with her daily activities and just talked to her. The elderly absolutely love just having someone listen to them and their stories. And I, in turn, found what they had to say so interesting. A lot of them have such good senses of humor when you let them open up a little. One lady today was making fun of everyone around her being so old. And this woman is in her 90s. She then said, "Oh heck, I'm older than they are" and started laughing. =) I loved to see that.

Overall, I have no complaints as of yet. The nurse I worked with was extremely helpful and she is a believer herself. I definately look forward to going back next week!

Let's consecrate! (#2)

Consecration...To be honest, I was not that excited about it. People were talking it up and in my heart, I just did not understand the big deal. When I got there at 5 to practice for worship, I began to become really excited. I realized that this service was about more than just myself. It was about dedicating our lives for the sole purpose of serving people and serving God. I realized that this is where He wants me and that I am to live up every moment including the waking up early for clinicals and the crazy studying schedule.

When the service started, I became aware of the unity that was going to exist within our class as a result of consecration night. We were all embarking on a brand new journey not as individuals, but as a class. I was also impressed with the way our class planned this program and put things together. And oh my gosh - the musical talent in our cohort! I loved everything that everyone did. Ti, Sonya, Janell, Alicia, Katie...you guys blew me away! I loved it!

As I was sitting in the front row listening to Mr. Peck, I noticed my mind starting to wander. I began to think about how I finally made it into the program and that I was so privileged to be a part of the service that night. I also began to fast forward my life and saw myself as a senior sitting within the same spot and saying to myself, "I did it." And really, I saw that for our entire class. I believe that God has each of us in here and that we are meant to make it as long as we do the hard work. However my favorite part of the night was definately the free cookies! =) The whole night was a success. I love my little white Bible and my yellow flower is still blooming on my table. I hope to have more pictures of consecration up soon.

Ready GO!! (#1)

So, here I go. My first post as a nursing student. The last four weeks have been absolutely insane! I have never been exposed to so much homework in my life. However, it is not the kind of homework that you are dreading. I have noticed more than ever before that I am doing all the reading, all of the writing, and all of the thinking to prepare for my career as a nurse. I no longer am doing prerequesites to prepare for the nursing program. I am finally in! This is it! I made it! And now, I have never felt so much pressure to maintain acceptable grades so that I do not get kicked out.

When I would tell people that I was planning to be a nurse they would say things like, "Glad you are signing your life away" or, "Cool, well we only have a couple years to spend with you because after that...we will never see you again." I did not even believe these people. But after the first month of school, I have noticed that they have never been more right. Haha Honestly, all I ever do is homework. I spend at least four hours a day on homework hoping that I did it to the best of my ability. Why? Honestly, I do not want to get kicked out! =) But also, everything I do from here on out not only is preparing me for the NCLEX, but it also dictates how I will be as a nurse as soon as I graduate. This is the first time in my life that I have done homework not only for my teacher and not only for the grade, but for the single fact that I want to be the best nurse that I can be and perhaps even one of the best in my field.

So, to sum up the first month of nursing school, it has stretched and motivated me, it has brought a lot of trial, but it has also been incredible. I am starting to make stronger friendships. You kind of have to. I mean, we are going to be together everyday, all day for the next two years. =)

Ahh...the weekend is finally here. And so the catching up begins...

P.S. I would love this....