# 12 Faith in Nursing

I know this is supposed to be about faith and how we integrate our faith in nursing so I have been trying to think of something to tell you all. I'd like to tell you how it took an act of God to get me out of bed this morning, or how I prayed I would not vomit yesterday when I was doing a dressing change but Somehow I think that is not what Professor Haldeman is looking for.
Today is our last day of clinical rotation at our long term care facility. I am sad, I am going to miss my little lady I have been caring for. Miss M says she likes me, I would have never guessed. She does not show her feelings. This was not easy going into a nursing home and working with elderly people who are sick and not going "home". We went in and for a short time we were there to help out where we were needed and we gleaned a ton of information from the nurses and aids. I enjoyed it and will be sad when I say good bye. I know we left a mark on their hearts and minds. We are green and unsure and inquisitive, we are eager to help and learn and probably a lot like they (the staff) were when they first started. Some of them still had a love for their job but others--- it was just a job. One Nursing assistant I worked with schooled me on how time was the governor and emotion played no part. hmmm I'll have to remember that. I for got to use it, though when I met a sweet little lady who syays in bed. It was breakfast time and we were all passing out trays. Nobody wanted to take hers in, sad, i know but what the heck, I went...there she layed, so fragile and small. she was scared when I raised the head of her bed and she did not want breakfast or the curtains opened. Her aid came in and said she would not eat much and then picked up her toast with a fork and offered it to her. Weird, I thought. So I lingered and when the gal left, I began to talk to "R". She was alert and we talked about her life and kids. She was very interesting and funny. What a waste, I thought. She is just tucked away back here in this room, left alone and forgotten, That's sad. God gave me the words I needed and we had a wonderful conversation. She ended up drinking 480cc and ate 50% of her meal. I think that is faith in nursing. I could have just walked away, too but God asked me to stay, He gave me the words I needed, and the whatever it was I used when I used what we learned in the classroom... I was touched.... I hope you all have a wonderful last day.

ADPIE, a bit out of the ordinary...

Hey you guys, I just wanted to let you know WE SUCK (D) all I could think about last night is how WE, me included, left a huge mess in the lounge yesterday. (A)
The seniors are going to leave us a nasty gram. I tossed and turned all night. When we go back Monday, we will probably find there are no dishes left whatsoever. You think it was bad when they started hiding them?? well, they most likely threw them all away yesterday when they saw the mess we left....I usually go back in there and check but with my needle incident---well, what can I say, I guess I was a bit distracted.

So, I have come up with a solution (P)to this mess...If we go back on Monday and we are so lucky that there are dishes left, I think we should start checking each day after class and each of us that use the kitchen could take a turn cleaning up, I will go by today after clinicals and clean it up if they are still there (I) <<< color="#cc6600">(E)evaluate our success next week . tell me what you think??

Skills Practice

I went to skills practice today, all prepared. I read my book book and watched my videos and I was READY... So we grouped together with a professor and we went thru all the steps and and and we began to act out the steps when all of a sudden I felt a quivver in my tummy. I took a deep breath, swallowed and then I started over. Did the 5 rights, checked twice, used the alcohol swab, took out the needle and well, that feeling came back and I dashed out of there quick and to the bathroom I ran. Hmmmm I did not know that I felt that way. I felt so silly. So I collected myself and went back to the lab. I rejoined the group and tried to pick up where I left off when all of a sudden, I stuck myself with the needle--- I hit it hard enough to bend it over!! Oh my gosh, what is up with that?? So then I had to call my doc and tell them what happened and ask if I needed to come in for a tetanus shot... NO, because I just had one in August. So I went BACK to the lab and got on the horse AGAIN. I was not going to give in to this. Everytime I try to stick the needle into the rubber stopper, I just shake. Can you believe that?? It seems like such a small thing and then when I go to give the manequin a shot, I feel like I am going to barf. Mis M and I stayed in the lab today until 1600, and I am happy to say that I can do the 5 rights, find the sweet spot, wash my hands, put on gloves, wipe the bottle top with an alcohol swab, draw up the solution, swab the skin, check for bubbles, do the 5 rights again, walk over, administer the medication and stay around long enough to clean up my mess, say thank you, dismiss myself and feel like I am gonna make it =)

wow, really??

#5 okay so I just have to admit this. I could not figure out where my old blog spot was so I created a new one, then while looking at some of my class mates posts, I came upon one that looked a bit interesting and while reading it I thought it sounded a bit familiar, then I realized it was MINE...maybe I need to go live at one of those LTC facilities!! anyways, here I am and I posted today and hopefully you all can find me.

one thing I want to say is I am praying for all of you. I know what we are doing is not easy and it doesn't help when EVERYONE around us keeps telling us how hard it must be... yes, it is hard but it is do-able. God called us to be nurses and we wouldn't be here if it wasn't what we were born to do.
We also have professors who love us and care about us and pray with us and for us and our class is like a big little family. I am so proud to be a part of this and every night I thank the Lord for this opportunity.
When I came to NU, I was way out of my comfort zone. I felt almost silly, you guys are so much younger than me, ( I have kids your age.) I want to tell you I have been working at this for a long time. I went to class in between having kids and taking them to preschool, boy scouts, football practice, wrestling, band practice...I have written papers while bathing my baby, folding laundry, and cooking dinner...nursing in the middle of the night while practicing a presentation... yes, it has not been easy but it's been a lot of fun and quite interesting and I have learned so much and have met so many fun people.

I have never been happier that I am right now.

I just want to tell you how much you all mean to me and how lucky I feel to know you and be a part of this wonderful cohort.

see you in class

thoughts on the future...

So I have been so busy and caught up in school that it is all I think about. What I do all the time is study and if I am not studying, I am thinking about studying. The other part of my life is being a mom and a wife and well, on Saturdays, I take care of Josie. She is a fully functioning 93 year old little Canadian Lady whom I adore. We have the best times together...we bake cookies, and go for walks, and talk about the news and current events, we read TIME magazine together, she still does dishes and I dry them, we cook dinner together---like I said, fully functioning... she knows that I am in nursing school and we talk about it often. I invited her to our consecration on September 30th and that night really brought things into perspective for her. When I arrived on Saturday, she began to talk about nursing and how school is such an exciting and busy time. Then she got really quiet, and she looked deep into my eyes and asked me what my plans were for the future. She asked me how busy I planned to be...I said, I didn't really know but I assumed I wouldn't be busier than I am right now, during this time of my life. She then said so sweetly, "you know, I don't really need a nurse but I do enjoy your company and I do so hope you will continue to come stay with me on Saturdays" (Whaaaaaaaa) she is just so sweet. I assured her I would continue to come. It was nice to see we feel the same way =) Sometimes I get busy and I feel like I should take that day off so I can study more and then I remember what she said and I realize that I am too busy and I need to slow down and make time for the people I love and who need me.

she smiled...

WOW, I just realized that we are coming to an end of our clinical assignment at our long term facility. You know, at first, I was sooooooooo scared. I just did not want to go at all. I did not know what to expect as a nursing student. I called a fellow classmate and told her how I felt and she prayed with me. I felt the worries just lift off my shoulders. The next day, my professor was very helpful and my fears were eased. I guess I was just worried that we would be turned loose in that place and I was afraid I would make huge unforgivable mistakes. I found out that is so not true. Our professors are here for us and support us and want to see us succeed. These last weeks were a lot of fun and I learned so much. I got to know my resident, which was not easy or much fun. She was a closed book. She has suffered many hurts throughout her life and her trustometer was severly damaged. I worked to gain her trust, she is not willing to just be friendly... so it was not easy. Last Friday, I saw her twinkle at me and I said..."hey, I saw that!" and she smiled at me. It was very nice to see. We talked for a long time last Friday and she told me many things that surprised me. Her life is dismal most of the time and it saddens me to think I am leaving next week and going off to some other place but she is staying there and doesn't have a lot of freedom to do as she pleases.... Freedom is rare in a place like that. The residents are told when to do what at which time and where. So when they decide to refuse a treatment that is actually very good for them, I totally understand why. I am learnig to let them exercise their autonomy.

Nursing School

Nursing school is all I ever hoped for and so much more. I am having so much fun and am so thankful to have this opportunity. I love all of my class mates and am so happy we all get along so well. Today was especailly fun, we had a small group project in Social Issues and it was interesting to see how every one dealt with the assignment so differently. Some of us were so creative. I especially liked the group that used an auto shop for an example. It is so true, we need the right tools and the education behind us to do our job properly. I am so thankful for ll of out teachers. Since clinicals started though, I sure miss some of them. We don't see much of each other, now. But on a good note, the people in my clinical group have grown closer. This is a nice bonus. i have heard other classes before us did not get along so well. We seem to be a good group and we are all happy and fun and cheerful. I am proud to be a part of the BSON 2010

Please, can we elevate your legs??

I have a client who refuses to get out of her wheelchair and has been doing this since June. Last Friday, we talked about this issue and made a plan. She agreed to get into a recliner so she could elevate her legs daily for 1 hour. My part of the deal was to get her back into her wheelchair before I left for the day. Well, She got into the chair and everyone was so surprised... she looked so comfortable and even a bit relaxed. She sat there with her legs elevated while I went to post clinical conferences but when I returned, she was gone...today we talked about fidelity and I feel so guilt- riden. I did not look for her, I should have and I have to go appologize when I go back Thursday and try to regain her trust. It is not going to be fun or easy and I am worried but I do have faith that God will give me the words I need. She semms like she has been let down before and her guard is up so I have to try an break thru that so we can work together.