Peppy Gliding

Must be something in the air, but I swear everyone was clicking their call light this morning at work.  One person kept asking me for the silliest things, like “can you hand me my cell phone?”, or “can you find where I put my tissue?”  Clearly these things aren’t my first priorities especially when said person was in isolation but never the less I continued caring for this individual and all my patients today with a happy pep in my step and a little glide to my slide, knowing I wasn’t battling the 100+ degree heat outdoors.

Via

Scheduling Posts??

Does anyone know how to schedule a post to be submitted on a certain date and time?  I tried to write a few posts and send them out on scheduled dates but it didn't work.  Humm I wonder what I'm doing wrong. Any help would be appreciated.

Fancy Free and Footloose

As many of you know I’ve not been writing much this summer, primarily because I’m not sure what to write about.  I don’t want to just write about my great chicken dinner I ate last night (although it was tasty) because I want to also include you readers on what makes me thrilled and excited in life.  I’ve been really holding my tongue lately on what I write about regarding the anonymity of the patients I take care of.  However after careful review, I’ve decided that I’m going to continue writing about the things that inspire, motivate, impress, excite, arouse, spark, and basically take my breath away whether good, bad, or ugly.    Since this blog relates to nursing and my journey, I will enfold the healthcare field right along with my favorite recipes, hairdos, kid and hubby news or anything else I want to talk about.  Nonetheless I will be more conscience of what I say, how much I say, and who I talk about. 

I’ve been feeling really drained and chained to my phone updates regarding Facebook, I now can say I appreciate the time I’m deactivated my account during my school semester because of how unproductive I really am when I’m constantly looking at updates.  I’d much rather close my bedroom door and “zone out” reading my favorite blog posts of some of the most amazing writers on my blog list.  I’d also love to take the time and explain how I’ve been lately and my struggles or triumphs during my week.

Via

So here goes, this past week God really blessed me with a wonderful week at work.  I worked (2) 12 hour shifts on the med/surg. floor and an 8 hour shift in OB.  My hang-up with both of these areas at the beginning of summer was being reallocated to another unit forcing to get your work done in an area you’ve never worked before.  That’s another story told here, but since that dreadful night I’ve not experienced another shift like it and actually I’ve learned to appreciate my job as a CNA a little more with all the shifts I have been working.  Much is said of working with a great team of CNAs/RNs who work to better the patient and get the job done!  I love being able to get to work and not worry about picking up the slack of someone else, instead I start my own work-list and actually enjoy getting to know my patients for the little bit of time I’m actually in their lives.  Ultimately I had a wonderful Monday-Wednesday work week and was thrilled to have the next four days off, so I spent my time enjoying my time.

I’ve been able to sleep in like the kids get to each day, I watched my kids play their sports (volleyball/softball), I tackled the job of organizing/cleaning the hallway closet (which will be saved for another post), I’ve been slowly trying to acclimate myself with more heat by sitting outside more this summer (for the transition when we move to Texas next summer), my hubby and I take walks outdoors and chat, the four of us have been training for a few races this summer, overall I’ve been learning the fine art of working full-time and enjoying my family on my days off.  I think I’ll be ready for when I graduate next May and move into the world of Nursing, at least this part of it.

4th of July = Independence Day

As I sit and wait for the fireworks to start I’m struck by two things:

1)     1)     I’m grateful to those fighting for my freedom as I write this post.  My dad is a Vietnam veteran and recently I’ve been noticing how few people are as grateful as I am for our freedom.  More and more I’m seeing how people are grateful for the day off from work or if they’re working the extra holiday pay rather than the reason behind the holiday.  According to Merriam-Webster the definition of Independence Day is a civil holiday for the celebration of the anniversary of the beginnings of national independence; specifically : July 4 observed as a legal holiday in the United States in commemoration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Thank you to our brave men and women fighting hard for everyone’s freedom in America!

2)      2)     The second thing that I’m struck by is the fact that the local hardware store that’s been placing flags in our neighborhood yards for years has somehow missed our house this year.  Unfortunately we don’t have any American flags to put in our yard BUT we do have our yellow and black flag from our trip to Dallas at the Medieval Times restaurant.  That’ll have to do this year, go America!

Wimpiness or Anxiousness?

I’m 25% of the way done with my Alcohol and Drug online class and I think I’m doing well.  I took my first of four quizzes and only got three wrong, not bad without reading much more than the first chapter of the textbook.  My discussions are going well so far and I actually have been learning a lot from this class. 

As far as my full-time work schedule has been going I’ve never felt this busy before.  Today will be day 3 of 5 and I’ve been working the 1430-2230 shift on the med/surg. Unit.  Earlier last week I had a shift on another orthopedic med/surg. Unit that I was reallocated for and because I hadn’t ever worked on this floor before I ended up having a very annoying and difficult evening, so much so that I nearly wanted to walk right out halfway during my shift.

At one point in my evening I got talked to sternly from one of the seasoned nurses because I didn’t answer my phone in an isolated room, she went on to say that on their floor they’re being told to answer their phones while in isolation.  Bull-ONY is what I say!!!  I’m not coming in contact with my phone or trying to find a special way to answer my phone while I’m in isolation that would be putting my patient or other patients in a compromised situation by passing along MRSA/C-DIFF germs.  NOT COOL seasoned nurse, NOT COOL! 

After this one evening I was convinced that the rest of my shifts were going to be terrible and I started feeling anxious about going to work again, to the point that I was physically ill to my stomach.  After I prayed a lot and asked my prayer warriors aka my family to keep me in their prayers, God answered and I have had a much better experience the past two nights at work.  Such a huge improvement keeps me less anxious and more tolerable towards my co-workers.  I wonder if these anxious feelings ever go away or if maybe I should see my doctor?

Lazy Summer Fun

This summer has been a blast so far!  My hubby and I went to a Twins game on Father's Day weekend in Minneapolis.  This was my first time at the new Target Field stadium and it was fantastically beautiful.  Just look at the view of downtown.

 My hubby's friend works for the Twins and got us special permission to walk in designated areas where most of the public cannot go.  Unfortunately I missed the photo-op of the glorious Twins World Series trophy's from 1987 and 1991 wins.  Instead I took a picture of the field below.

 Prior to leaving I had to schedule some "me" time and respectively got a pedicure.  My toes have to look good in my sandals!

Can't forget the awesome lunch with my mother at Champs Restaruant, we both are wearing our new bracelets.

 Last but not least my son learned how to play chess, and here we are together trying hard to play (keep in mind I have no idea how to play, too many rules).

 

Here's hoping all of your summer plans are fun memories you're making.

Summer Update

Sorry I’ve been absent from my writing lately, but I’ve been full-time busy with work.  I don’t have a set schedule so some days I’m working 12 hour shifts from 0630-1830, and other times I’m working overnights from 1830-0630.  Some weeks I’m working three days in a row and other weeks I’m working every other day.  Either way I’m feeling overwhelmed and slightly worried for when I become a nurse in less than a year, will I be able to handle a schedule like the one I’ve been working?  There are times I walk off my unit at the hospital and feel like I can’t take another step just to get to my car.  The job is so physically demanding and my back, feet, and shoulders kill me by the end of each day.  Not to forget to mention that I feel slightly incoherent after my shift because I think I’ve used all of my brain cells.  Hahahaha.

Speaking of brain cells being used up, I’ve started my summer online class last Monday and so far so good.  It’s an Alcohol and Drug class and the first week’s readings covered the history of substance abuse problems in American history.  Very intriguing and when it comes time with posting my comments for our discussions, I have absolutely no problems finding information to draw from with my past.  I’m a little concerned with the four tests we’ll have because they’re timed and most information is coming from the book.  Maybe the trick will be to find the book online and that way it’ll be easier to find answers in a pinch instead of the rigorous amounts of reading that’s expected. 

Nursing classes don’t start up again until September, and I’m enjoying my summer as much as I can, despite my fluctuating schedule.

Scrubs and Shoes

Have you ever asked yourself where you could buy your favorite pair of scrubs on-line?  Yet all the while, knowing they’ll look great because of the well-known brand you always purchase is something you can count on such as Dickies, Koi, Healing Hands, or Cherokee?  Have you also thought it sure would be nice if I could buy work shoes on this same website?  Well I have the answer to both your questions with one easy website www.uniformadvantage.com. 

Recently I was asked to review a pair of nursing shoes from www.uniformadvantage.com, and the type of shoe I chose was a pair of Dansko Professional Black Tooled in size 40 (that’s approximately a US size 8).  I was advised from co-workers to slowly build up my time in these shoes.  I look forward to wearing these Dansko shoes for a long time because of how well they are made.

Like I’m able to trust Dansko shoes to give me the comfort I need, I also trust www.uniformadvantage.com to bring me the best affordable price on scrubs in all the brands I love, with easy on-line ordering and a quick turnaround.

One Down and One To Go

Yesterday I took one of my two finals to end this semester.  So far here's the breakdown on my unofficial grades:
2 credit Clinical = A-
2 credit Expanded Experience in SD = A
2 credit Teaching Apprentice = A
2 credit OB course = B

via

and the only class I have left is my last foundational class and that's scheduled for tomorrow. 
Better get to cracking my books open and get to studying!

Calm Before Finals Storm

Sunday my hubby and I went out to eat in a mine! Well it wasn't really a mine but it sure looked like one. Here are a few pictures.
Once we got into the restaurant, there were hand built rock formations all over the place.  It was a fun setting.

 The interior of the restaurant mimicked the look of this menu cover to the T.

 This looks to be a rust covered mining excavator...perfect photo op.

 One of the hubby with more of the falling down building in the background.

 My lunch consisted of a sandwich called the Miss Piggy that had a blend of four melted cheese on sourdough bread with sliced ham, and a baked potato.  Yum, I even saved leftovers for today.

First Day on the Birth Center

http://www.rch.org.au/blogs/ccch/category/media/

Saturday was my first day on the birth center (BC) and I was simply frightened.  I didn’t know what to expect other than to see babies and mommies.  My shift was from 0630-1830, I met my preceptor and we got report on 8 babies in the nursery 4 of which needed initial baths.  Those same 4 needed hearing checks, and photos. I watched my preceptor with the first bath and then I got to give one.  Man it’s been a long time since I held little ones.  I need to tone up my forearms especially to be able to wash their hair over a sink.   The hearing screening consisted of three sticker probes one on the baby’s forehead, nape of neck, and shoulder, along with plastic cups over each ear.  Sometimes the hearing test goes quickly within 10 minutes and sometimes it takes longer.  It’s best to check their hearing while they’re sleeping yet babies can be so finicky that they may not stay sleeping hence a longer screening.  There is also a photo studio with props and reminds me of Anne Geddes style photos.  There was so much going on; I didn’t sit down until after 1300.

http://curezone.com/ig/i.asp?i=36365

After lunch a mom came and was taken to L&D #1, I didn’t hear how far along she was when she came in, but in about an hour later she was “rimming”.  I’m thinking that’s pretty close because a little while later my preceptor and I were called into the room to help assist the doctor and nurses.  I hung back as far as possible (out of the way), but before I knew I was asked to get different things for the doctor including sutures, a different gauge needle, and other various items.  The mom was so tired and the dad was so supportive and comforting.  In a matter of a few pushes the baby came out without a hitch and I was so thrilled for witnessing another miracle.

All the while we were helping in L&D #1, another mom came in and was put in L&D#2 but was discharged before we got out of #1.  Go figure, she wasn’t ready yet, and because it was the weekend and after 2pm the housecleaning staff wasn’t working anymore, so my preceptor and I cleaned up #2 top to bottom.

Before you know it my time was up, the only two things I know for sure is that I need a different pair of shoes being on my feet that long AND that I love my job.  12 hours flew by and I was so happy I learned so much.  I made the right decision when I accepted this job!

Head-To-Toe Assessment in Less Than 20 Minutes Guide

Tomorrow is the big head-to-toe check off for the sophomore students and I was asked to offer any help that I could to better organize their check lists.  Each student will be given a scenario where a patient is being seen in the hospital for one reason or another and each student is supposed to perform a head-to-toe assessment including focusing on  three areas that are most concerning regarding the patient.  All of this has to happen in less than 20 minutes.

So I scoured the internet looking for resources and I came across this gem:

This is where I found it:  An Easy Guide to Head To Toe Assessment page 5
Of course I recreated the document with a different body in the middle, but you get this gist.
I hope this helps some students just starting out in their programs.

No Motivation

I have no motivation to study for finals and here's my proof:

view from the garage

neighbor's treetops

my hot pink shoes on the gravel driveway

The day is too gorgeous to miss by being inside, so I'll catch up listening to my church's message I missed on Sunday. 

What are you doing today?

Unexpected Greatness: 5K, Hair, and Gold Medal

Last Saturday was a busy one for my family, the day started off with my daughter skedaddling to her State French competition for school where the bus picked her up curb side from our home at 5:30am.  Yikes, I’m glad my daughter was ready to go so that I didn’t have to walk outside and embarrass her friends with my morning beauty.  I told her to have a good time and speak the best French ever.  Then I came back in and went to bed for about 45 minutes only to be woken up by my hubby’s Guns and Roses alarm reminding me that we had a 5K to get ready for.

The morning was raining/sleeting and the temperature was 35 degrees, not the best running weather but after the first mile we were in the woods and out of the direct elements.  As much as I love to run/walk, up until this day I’ve never been able to manage running the entire 3.1 miles before without stopping.  I don’t really know what came over me, besides maybe the blessing God gave me with the new job but I just kept thinking run, run, run, and don’t stop.  So I didn’t and I came across the finish line 8 minutes faster than my usual pace.  I broke my goal for the end of summer in my first race of the year!  Felt good!  My hubby is a machine and finished 7 minutes earlier than me, and was waiting at the finish line to give me a hug!  Our son entered the 1 mile race and we were all happy campers when it was over.

Later that afternoon, my hubby had his annual banquet for work at a local hotel.  I really wanted to look nice with a new outfit and being a poor college student, I headed to the thrift store and picked up this blouse by Sam and Max $3.50, earrings $1.99, and tank top by St. John's Bay $1.50 worn over a black skirt by George $3.50. 

I’ve also been watching a lot of youtube videos on how to style my hair by a brilliant stylist that goes by the name of K8bryan, look her up, she does the best tutorials on hair, you can also visit her blog called the small things blog.  Kate did a tutorial of a “Knotty or Nice” look where you actually wrap your hair in a couple knots and a few bobby pins and this is the result:

I put in two knots and a little bun

After our time together, my hubby went to do his DJ thing while I stayed home watching a movie with my son.  My daughter came home a little later and with great pleasure I’m glad to say she won a gold medal for her outstanding job well done in her state championship competition.  Way to go girl!!

Gold feels good

New Job Announcement

http://www.google.com/imgres

As I said in the past, “as one door closes another door opens” and my other door is leading me, to my area of interest, after I graduate nursing school…aka…the world of Obstetrics.  It was a few months back, where I wrote about my clinical time for a day on the birthing center.  What I didn’t write about, was how I called the nurse manager of the department and told her how impressed I was of their unit and how I’d love to be a part of the birth center’s team.  She was quite surprised and said “no student has ever said that before”.   This made me blush because if there’s anything I’ve learned in my short amount of time on this earth, it is to not waste a good moment, if you like something speak up and declare it!! 

Shortly thereafter I got a call from the scheduling manager and was asked to talk to her regarding a casual position coming open soon.  I headed up to her office and sat for about ½ hour just shooting the breeze and didn’t feel like I was being interviewed.  Instead I just let her know my current work history at the hospital on the med/surg. floor as a CNA and about nursing schooling etc. etc.  She made notes and told me she would call me the minute the job became available in a few weeks, to which, I was doing a happy dance inside my head.

About two weeks ago, guess what??  You guessed it; I got a call from the OB manager for an official interview.  After the interview was over I was told that I’d hear back either way by
"early the following week".  Now “early the following week” to me, means Monday, so when Monday came and went I started freaking out.  But before I could freak out too much, Tuesday morning the HR Rep. called to offer me the position.  I gladly accepted and jumped for joy in my living room!  My wheels started turning about all the exciting things I’ll be able to see and experience.  If the birth center is truly where I want to begin my nursing career after I graduate, then what a great opportunity to get a job there a whole year in advance…right?? 

Speaking of a new job, you wouldn’t possibly think that I could continue both, my other two jobs and continue being a full-time student right?  That’s right; I had to quit one of my other jobs.  Unfortunately I put in my notice to my clinic job that I’ve been at for the past four years.  The most loved job I’ve ever had in my entire life.  The work was exciting and manageable, and my relationship with my co-workers was outstanding, but in order to make new decisions for my future as a nurse, I had to let go of the one job that was a great stepping stone along my path. 




Common theme here people would be food

My clinic job threw me a party with cake (that my boss decorated) and goodies along with some flowers and a card signed by everyone.    The hardest thing is letting go of something I know like the back of my hand with confidence and entering into a world of the unknown with babies and mommies.  I have no doubt I’ll make new friends and learn the job eventually but making grown-up decisions isn’t always easy even for this grown-up.  

Anyone else having to make hard decisions with employment recently?

PHN Summer Intership - Offered and Declined

Some of you may have read in an earlier posting that I was not chosen for a summer internship through the local hospital here in town…bummer!  In that same post I mentioned the opportunity I had to apply for an internship with Public Health Nursing (PHN).  I figured what the heck; this could possibly be a great chance to get my foot in the door and see another side to nursing. 

After an awesome application/essay submitted by yours truly and a few weeks of waiting.  I was offered the slot of Nursing Intern for one of the nearby public health county offices close to where I live.  The offer included a schedule of M-F 0800-1630 for 8 weeks.  The director of the office gave me the break-down of the job duties:  55% strategic planning, 35% beach and well water testing, and 10% job shadowing. 

Here is a description of the job:  With accreditation as a front-burner opportunity within many health departments, the       County Health Department has realized a need to begin the initial step of preparing a comprehensive strategic plan. Under the general direction of the Director and guidance of our Lead Public Health Nurse, this intern will work side by side and, as appropriate, be given a lead role in helping to prepare our plan outline in collaboration with other health department team members and governing board members. Primary objectives will involve: outreaching to other health departments to secure example strategic plan templates, organizing key stakeholders and/or partner organizations, identifying priorities, developing a draft plan outline. As well, it is anticipated that this intern will help with beach and transient non-community well water testing. On an as needed bases, the intern will be given opportunity to craft press releases to raise public awareness and/or work with facilities when well water samples exceed "safe" thresholds. The intern will shadow our Public Health Aide and/or Public Health Nurse and, if skill set allows, be allowed to pull samples by him/herself.

Now don’t get me wrong, I was thrilled as pie to even be considered for this summer internship, but I was a little hesitant as well.  So far all of my time spent in school learning as well as my patient care during clinical has been rooting me in a foundation of floor nursing.  I had a hard time accepting the idea that majority of the time spent in this position would be dealing with paperwork creating a strategic plan.  The job duties state that 10% of my time will be job shadowing, I’ve bolded within the description what that includes.  If you’re following me, that means that my clinical hands-on time with patients would only be 10% of my entire time this summer and that just didn’t sit well for me and I’ll tell you why. 



Before I decided to become a nurse I did office work for many years.  I’m not interested in doing that any time soon.  I've spent the past 2.5 semesters learning how to touch patients and help make them better through my knowledge and ever-sharpening skills.  After having a few long in-depth talks with my hubby I came to the conclusion that PHN isn’t the route for me at this time in my career.  So unapologetically I declined the offer.  Now I know you all must be wondering: WHY DID I APPLY IN THE FIRST PLACE, if I didn’t think this is where I wanted to be. 



Honestly I think I just wanted to be wanted.  I didn’t think so much as my future, nor did I think I would even be extended an offer.  I just wanted what my classmates had and that was a facility that wanted them for a summer internship.  After much prayer I decided that wasn’t a good enough reason to hold someone else from a PHN slot they much rather wanted.



http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://2.bp.blogspot.com



However stay tuned because, when God shuts one door another door opens, and boy did another door open wide for me that I’ll write in another posting soon.

Alert: Headache Prayer Request

I'm asking for a prayer of healing for a nasty headache that I can't seem to shake.

Ever since I returned home from my trip to SD I've had the nastiest, massive headache known to man! I caught a cold last Thursday from a co-student on our trip and I thought it was a sinus issue.

However after reading more about where the pain is located I figured it may have more to do with migraines. The pain comes and goes when it pleases, no amount of pain meds actually get rid of the pain fully, I feel like there is a vice-grip squeezing my head to a pulp, it's solely located on the right side of my brain, sometimes I feel like I'm going to die from the amount of pain or just pass out or cry.

I've never felt this intense pain before, well other than the time I had nerve pain directly related to a tooth that needed a root canal, but even then it didn't last this long.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and thoughts, something’s got to give because I feel like I'm going to die, ahhhhhh!

http://www.wellsphere.com/healthy-eating-article/natural-headache-remedies/648940

Happy Easter

Would you believe this is South Dakota?

Badlands

Expanded Experience Rosebud SD

This past week I was involved with an expanded experience with my school.  I had 3 days of clinical at a hospital on Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota and then 3 days out in the community with Public Health nurses. 

Living room commons area

Day 1: Our group arrived Saturday afternoon and checked out our housing, stuck around long enough to put our things in our rooms and then skedaddled to the grocery store for our week’s supply of food.  After that we had enough time to grab a quick bbq at our instructor’s house as well as a quick smudge (ceremonial burning of Sage for good thoughts and blessings for each of us) before heading over to the hospital to work a quick 1800-2200 shift.  During that time I got to share one patient with another nursing student because the hospital’s census was low.  Together we spent an 1.5 hours learning how to chart handwritten using the S.O.A.P.I.E. method S:subjective data, O:objective data, A:application, P:prevention, I:Intervention, and E:Evaluation.  I’ve been spoiled at my home town’s hospital because we chart by computer and use Exception charting.  Ultimately by the time we were done in the hospital I was getting the hang of it.  Later that night our room assignments were two women to each room and each room had two beds.  My best buddy Farrah and I shared a room next door to a couple of gals we wanted to get to know better CC and Katie during this trip so we stayed up late getting acquainted.  


Day 2: We slept in and had to be ready for church by 1100, visiting a Catholic church on Palm Sunday was incredibly long and I didn’t get much out of the message.  At one point the Priest mentioned that Jesus was a mistake, so after lifting my jaw off the floor I looked over at my new next door roommate CC, and she reminded me that throughout this week we may not agree with everything we see but to respect it anyway.  This was definitely a learning opportunity for me despite whether I agreed or not.  That afternoon we ate baked chicken at our instructor’s house and off to the hospital again 1400-2230.  This time I was stationed in L&D to help with two babies being born within a couple hours apart, one was a vaginal and the other a c-section.  I shed a tear after seeing the vaginal birth because once again I think life is such a miracle and getting to witness a baby being born is pretty darn awesome.  I was soooo excited seeing as though I’m developing such an interest in OB that I couldn’t contain my excitement.  To my surprise some of my classmates were jealous that they didn’t get to have the opportunity to see a birth like I did, but my nurse I was with just reassured me by telling me that I should grab every opportunity that comes my way in nursing school and not to let those “Debby Downers” bother me.  Later that night Farrah and I had girl time in our room with our new next door roommates CC and Katie.  We stayed up way too late bonding, because the clock said 0200 when we finally went to bed and we were expected back to the hospital by 0730.  Not much sleep but well worth the amount of giggles.

Day 3:  0630 rolled around way too early, I kicked myself for not taking a shower the night before.  We headed off to the hospital for our last day in-house, where I was assigned a baby to one of the mothers I helped birth the day before.  I was super thrilled to learn how to do a baby assessment from my nurse (I think this will help for when I apply for a new job soon, but more on that later).  I learned the trick of counting the heartbeat by tapping my finger to match the baby’s hr and watching the second hand on my watch.  I also was advised to gently place my fingertips on the baby’s chest to feel and look for respirations and most importantly to count a full minute because of irregularities.  I was able to give the baby their first bath and I got to lather on the baby lotion.  Yummm I love the smell of baby lotion, it makes me just want to smooch that little baby all day.  I wrapped the little one tightly in their receiving blanket and helped with latching on to mom for feeding.  My heart was soaring inside at such beauty.  Since we were done early that afternoon we headed off the reservation for dinner, lots of laughter filled the restaurant.  Being able to bond with my classmates helped with the slight homesickness that began to bubble up inside me.  That evening I had a heart-to-heart talk with CC regarding a past hurt friendship with Dori that I had been struggling to get over.  I haven’t written much about this friendship but I definitely was grieving over my decision not to be her friend anymore for quite some time.  We started our friendship when we both started college for our gen. eds. but over time I was continually being dealt the short end of the stick in the relationship with a crashing blow to end the friendship.  CC helped me to remember good things about our friendship and then she asked me to tell her something good about our friendship currently.  When I couldn’t think of anything she helped me to know it was okay to let the friendship finally go without guilt or hurt feelings.  CC helped me to find the closure I so desperately needed and helped me to finally be free.  I was so amazed at her wisdom and it felt good to start mending my broken heart for good.  


Day 4: Was my day off, I finished up work on a couple oral presentations that were due the following day and helped 5 other ladies prepare a large dinner for our evening’s guest speaker.  FYI, playing Limbo in the kitchen with too many cooks can be dangerous…dangerously fun that is hahaha!  Once again a late night venting/chit-chat session with the lady roomies was in order.  We commented to each other about how strange it was we were all getting along so well and how we didn’t ever want our friendship to end. 

Day 5:  This was my first day out in the community and I shared my time with the instructor and one other classmate.  We traveled to an elderly housing unit and set up a blood pressure screening.  Now I know this may sound unchallenging just sitting around doing vitals.  But what amazed me was how the instructor made an attractive health screening area out of nothing.  We walked into a room with a rectangle table and a few chairs and in a matter of moments she transformed the room into a professional area with just a few moved pieces of furniture.  My instructor helped assemble a line for the people to stand and wait to be seen.  The Lakota people know her and respect her, one man we passed on the way in said, “here are the nurses that help heal people”.  What an awesome reputation our instructor has out in Rosebud just by living in that area.  That evening we headed over to one of our instructor’s friend’s house to be involved in a Sweat Lodge ( you can read all about it here). This was an opportunity of a lifetime for me even though I didn’t pray to the American Indian Gods while the other tribe members in the hut were doing.  I prayed to God in Heaven that our group would find unity together, that our trip would be blessed with safe travels and that there would be healing with the patients we took care.  Our time in the sweat included passing and smoking a peace pipe that burned sage and tobacco.  Again whenever could I say that I had the opportunity to be handed a peace pipe from a tribal community member?  Um that’s right…the answer is never, so I participated.  Afterwards we came out of the tent dripping wet from sweat but feeling more spiritually connected and at peace.  We all had dinner in the log house near the sweat area for a big meal to include all of us students and tribal members before heading back to our housing for the night.

Day 6:  My last day in the community included 4 hours in the Women’s Health department at the Clinic.  Now originally before ever starting nursing school I thought nurses who worked in the clinic setting were cool and I wouldn’t mind a job like theirs.  However after my time in that area I wasn’t impressed.  One nurse took patients and checked them in by getting vitals and asking their symptoms while the other nurse helped the doctor by preparing the room for what he needed like opening the speculum from its wrapper or getting q-tips ready for catching samples.  BORRRIIINNNGGG!  I was so dog-tired from not being challenged that I thought for sure this wasn’t the place for me anymore despite my original thoughts.  We headed home for our last goodbye supper of lasagna and enjoyed our last night of girl time talking before we hit the hay.

Day 7:  We headed out on the road by 7am for a quick breakfast at our instructors house of pancakes and sausage.  Then we decided that since we were only a couple hours away from the Badlands that we would stop there before heading back home.  I have been to the Badlands one other time in my life when I was a girl, but didn’t remember much other than how massive the formations were.  This time going back as an adult was so very amazing!  I learned how to use the panoramic option on my cell phone camera and was pleased with how the pictures turned out.  I was kind of glad the sun wasn’t brightly shinning or we wouldn’t have been able to keep our eyes open.  We drove straight through on the way back home without stopping for the night and I was able to sleep in my bed last night.  Unfortunately about by day 3 I had developed a cold and now I believe it’s worked its way to my sinus cavity…ouch!  I’ll keep taking Sudafed and maybe see the doc on Monday for meds if I think I need them.


Overall my trip was filled with lots of experience within the clinical setting and out in the community, most importantly I was able to bond with 3 other women who I didn’t intend to love so much!

HESI RE-TAKE

I retook my HESI exam and scored a whopping 1152!  Ow ow that’s right; I’m super smart and sassy!