"There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all
the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with
people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the
good. Love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones
who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling
down is a part of life, getting back up is living."
-- Unknown
7.14.2011
First 12 Hour Shift
I completed my first shift of my preceptorship! This is what I have been looking forward to for the past year and I can't believe its already here. I worked really hard to be able to get the 3 pediatric spots for my preceptorship and I made it! I am in the pediatric float pool which means my nurse who is precepting me and I go to whatever floor she is assigned to for that shift. It is based off need - like if the patient census is high and that floor is short on nurses, we go to that floor. I am really excited about this because I will be able to see alot of different floors and patients to help me decide what type of pediatric nursing I like best!
Yesterday, we were in the Pediatric ICU where the really sick kiddos are. We had two very different patients - one 15mo old and the other 14 years old so it was a nice variety between the two. I was pretty nervous starting out but my preceptor was great and was able to decrease my nerves and taught me alot. She showed me a very good way to get organized for day with my patients and told me alot about the medications we were giving and why we were giving them. The first 7 hours flew by because we never sat down except to chart but then we sent one of our patients to the floor so we were down to only 1 patient. So the next 5 hours passed by a little slower but we did get to help another nurse with a new admission who was very sick and was flown in from an outside hospital. So it was very interesting seeing the process of a new admission who needed a lot of quick attention to figure out what was wrong with him.
I really enjoyed my first day and I am excited for my second shift next week! And I can't believe I am finally in the home stretch! I only have 2 more weeks of classes and 6 tests left until I am down! Let the count down begin!
Yesterday, we were in the Pediatric ICU where the really sick kiddos are. We had two very different patients - one 15mo old and the other 14 years old so it was a nice variety between the two. I was pretty nervous starting out but my preceptor was great and was able to decrease my nerves and taught me alot. She showed me a very good way to get organized for day with my patients and told me alot about the medications we were giving and why we were giving them. The first 7 hours flew by because we never sat down except to chart but then we sent one of our patients to the floor so we were down to only 1 patient. So the next 5 hours passed by a little slower but we did get to help another nurse with a new admission who was very sick and was flown in from an outside hospital. So it was very interesting seeing the process of a new admission who needed a lot of quick attention to figure out what was wrong with him.
I really enjoyed my first day and I am excited for my second shift next week! And I can't believe I am finally in the home stretch! I only have 2 more weeks of classes and 6 tests left until I am down! Let the count down begin!
6.18.2011
Wedding
But the highlight of my night was when Caitlin caught Tina's bouquet! I can hear the wedding bells....
I could not have asked for a better week to help me refuel and finish the rest of my semester which is less than 2 months away!
6.11.2011
My Grandpa Doc
So it has been a long time since I have had a new post but I wanted to share a little bit more about my grandpa. We had his memorial service last weekend and it was beautiful - exactly what he would have wanted. It was a small gathering of family and close friends with a lot of good stories and memories shared. I knew Grandpa Doc had done a lot for the medical field but I didn't he had done so much and I am honored to call him my Grandpa.
"A pioneer in the field of emergency medicine, he was an associated professor for medicine for Washing University and wrong the The Manual of Emergency Out-patient Techniques. Allen was also president of the St. Louis County Medical Society and a charter m ember of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.
He had patents for five inventions including a silver compound for the treatment of burns and a spine board for trauma patients. Allen testified before the U.S. Congress in favor of mandatory installation of automobile seat-belts.
He was the director of emergency medical services for the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County and a member of the National Disaster Medical Assistance Team.
In 2002, Washing University established the Allen P. Kippel Lecture Series in Emergency Medicine in his hone."
One of his residents came to the memorial service and spoke about everything my Grandpa had taught him. It was so nice to hear that he touched the lives of people outside of our family. He also informed us that Grandpa Doc was ahead of his time and lead the way in various medical advancements. So I was so honored when my Grandma gave me his stethoscope to have. Now I have a piece of my Grandpa that I can take with me everyday and a reminder to never let anything stop me. He taught me to push the envelope and be an advocate for my future patients. I am so thankful for the time I had with him and I will work to carry on his message in my nursing career!
"A pioneer in the field of emergency medicine, he was an associated professor for medicine for Washing University and wrong the The Manual of Emergency Out-patient Techniques. Allen was also president of the St. Louis County Medical Society and a charter m ember of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.
He had patents for five inventions including a silver compound for the treatment of burns and a spine board for trauma patients. Allen testified before the U.S. Congress in favor of mandatory installation of automobile seat-belts.
He was the director of emergency medical services for the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County and a member of the National Disaster Medical Assistance Team.
In 2002, Washing University established the Allen P. Kippel Lecture Series in Emergency Medicine in his hone."
One of his residents came to the memorial service and spoke about everything my Grandpa had taught him. It was so nice to hear that he touched the lives of people outside of our family. He also informed us that Grandpa Doc was ahead of his time and lead the way in various medical advancements. So I was so honored when my Grandma gave me his stethoscope to have. Now I have a piece of my Grandpa that I can take with me everyday and a reminder to never let anything stop me. He taught me to push the envelope and be an advocate for my future patients. I am so thankful for the time I had with him and I will work to carry on his message in my nursing career!
4.25.2011
Easter
I am obsessed with little kids Easter outfits! I don't know if it is because my mom planned mine months before Easter to make sure Annie and I were matching and had our easter hats to match the dresses but I had to remind myself multiple times at church why I was there...to pray not to admire all the outfits!
My favorites are the little boys: from seersucker jackets to the shortalls...
My favorites are the little boys: from seersucker jackets to the shortalls...
And of course their shoes to go with their adorable outfits...
As much as I love what the little men are wearing, I do love a little girl in a pretty dress with either an over-sized bow or even an easter hat like my mom required us to wear!
As much as I hated getting dressed for Easter as a little girl, I appreciate that my mom put the effort in because there were some UGLY outfits at church! My future kids better watch out because I have a feeling I will put in as much time or more as my mom did for planning their Easter outfits!
For your enjoyment and laughter...
4.20.2011
Life
Before this year, I was blessed to have never lost someone close to me but that all changed in March. It has been a tough couple of weeks but I have learned a lot especially from the people I have lost.
First, Ryan Hawks, passed away suddenly after a ski accident. Although I didn't know Ryan to much beyond broom ball and as Alicia's brother, he had a bigger impact on my life than I initially realized. Ryan was so full of life and that energy was contagious. I remember there were nights that broom ball was late and I was tired and had work to do but once I got on the ice and saw Ryan sprawled out in the goal or speeding up the ice I forgot about how tired I was and really enjoyed myself! Ryan also had the ability to make everyone in the room laugh and he was always putting a smile on everyone's face. He was always putting other's before him and made sure everyone was having a good time no matter what we were doing. I still remember the Thanksgiving dinner we had at 41 S Willard and how I wished that dinner would never end! Ryan is missed terribly by so many people but in his memory I have been trying to get the most out of life and live everyday fully just like Ryan would! I am working on not taking life so seriously and to truly enjoy every day the best I can.
Secondly, I lost my Grandpa Doc to his fight with Alzheimer's. He was the doctor in the family and had a love for medicine that I am attempting to carry on now in his honor. Even in this last year when his memory was starting to deteriorate, he never let his frustration show. He still came to all the family parties and make an effort to contribute to conversations. In his last days, I went to his house to help my Grandma Joy take care of him. We needed to clean out his mouth and initially would not open his mouth for my grandma so I said I would give it a try...after a little convincing he opened his mouth and let me clean it out. It meant so much to me that he allowed me to clean out his mouth - even though it was a little thing I will remember it for the rest of my life. Before he died, I was able to say my good-bye and it was definitely the hardest good-bye I had to say but I will treasure those last moments with him for ever. Miss and Love you Grandpa Doc!
Thirdly, the Epstein family had to say goodbye to Bobbin. I knew Bobbin very well from all his trips to St. Louis and from all the time I spent with him when he was in town. Bobbin was one of the sweetest and most lovable people I knew and he had the best hug in the world. He also had the ability to get a whole room to laugh. Even though I wasn't related to Bobbin, he seemed like a third Grandpa and he treated me like any of his other grandkids. Caitlin and her siblings could not have asked for a more perfect Grandpa for their family. Bobbin Bobbin will be missed forever and I will never forget his love for his family and friends.
I have also lost my Aunt Donna. My aunt was in a car accident about 15 years ago that she never fully recovered from. It naturally took a big toll on her family and everyone that loved her. But my uncle and cousins handled it so well. She has reminded me how important it is to tell your loved ones you love them because our lives are so fragile and our whole world can change in a matter of seconds. Although my aunt is finally in peace of 15 long and trying years, it is still hard to come to terms with death but I am able to find peace in knowing she is no longer suffering. But I will never forget my many memories of her doing my hair on our annual summer trips.
Lastly, and though this may seem trivial, I lost my first patient I truly grew close too. I know that in my future career death of patients will become a very familiar but I will never forget this first patient. He was a drug addict that had burnt all his bridges with his family and with many healthcare workers. And therefore did not have many people on his side advocating for him, so I decided to take on this role. Although my time with his was limited, I think I was able to make his final days more peaceful by completing the little things. I held his hand while he was suctioned, gave his ice chips when he was not able to eat and made sure he was getting pain medication for pain. This patient taught me how important it is for me as a nurse to show compassion for all my future patients - no matter their history. I will never forget the bond I formed with this patient and thank for everything he taught me.
I am striving to take what I learned for each of these important people and incorporate them into my daily life. Each person meant so much to so many people that I am thankful for the time I was able to spend with them and grateful for everything each person has taught me!
First, Ryan Hawks, passed away suddenly after a ski accident. Although I didn't know Ryan to much beyond broom ball and as Alicia's brother, he had a bigger impact on my life than I initially realized. Ryan was so full of life and that energy was contagious. I remember there were nights that broom ball was late and I was tired and had work to do but once I got on the ice and saw Ryan sprawled out in the goal or speeding up the ice I forgot about how tired I was and really enjoyed myself! Ryan also had the ability to make everyone in the room laugh and he was always putting a smile on everyone's face. He was always putting other's before him and made sure everyone was having a good time no matter what we were doing. I still remember the Thanksgiving dinner we had at 41 S Willard and how I wished that dinner would never end! Ryan is missed terribly by so many people but in his memory I have been trying to get the most out of life and live everyday fully just like Ryan would! I am working on not taking life so seriously and to truly enjoy every day the best I can.
Secondly, I lost my Grandpa Doc to his fight with Alzheimer's. He was the doctor in the family and had a love for medicine that I am attempting to carry on now in his honor. Even in this last year when his memory was starting to deteriorate, he never let his frustration show. He still came to all the family parties and make an effort to contribute to conversations. In his last days, I went to his house to help my Grandma Joy take care of him. We needed to clean out his mouth and initially would not open his mouth for my grandma so I said I would give it a try...after a little convincing he opened his mouth and let me clean it out. It meant so much to me that he allowed me to clean out his mouth - even though it was a little thing I will remember it for the rest of my life. Before he died, I was able to say my good-bye and it was definitely the hardest good-bye I had to say but I will treasure those last moments with him for ever. Miss and Love you Grandpa Doc!
Thirdly, the Epstein family had to say goodbye to Bobbin. I knew Bobbin very well from all his trips to St. Louis and from all the time I spent with him when he was in town. Bobbin was one of the sweetest and most lovable people I knew and he had the best hug in the world. He also had the ability to get a whole room to laugh. Even though I wasn't related to Bobbin, he seemed like a third Grandpa and he treated me like any of his other grandkids. Caitlin and her siblings could not have asked for a more perfect Grandpa for their family. Bobbin Bobbin will be missed forever and I will never forget his love for his family and friends.
I have also lost my Aunt Donna. My aunt was in a car accident about 15 years ago that she never fully recovered from. It naturally took a big toll on her family and everyone that loved her. But my uncle and cousins handled it so well. She has reminded me how important it is to tell your loved ones you love them because our lives are so fragile and our whole world can change in a matter of seconds. Although my aunt is finally in peace of 15 long and trying years, it is still hard to come to terms with death but I am able to find peace in knowing she is no longer suffering. But I will never forget my many memories of her doing my hair on our annual summer trips.
Lastly, and though this may seem trivial, I lost my first patient I truly grew close too. I know that in my future career death of patients will become a very familiar but I will never forget this first patient. He was a drug addict that had burnt all his bridges with his family and with many healthcare workers. And therefore did not have many people on his side advocating for him, so I decided to take on this role. Although my time with his was limited, I think I was able to make his final days more peaceful by completing the little things. I held his hand while he was suctioned, gave his ice chips when he was not able to eat and made sure he was getting pain medication for pain. This patient taught me how important it is for me as a nurse to show compassion for all my future patients - no matter their history. I will never forget the bond I formed with this patient and thank for everything he taught me.
I am striving to take what I learned for each of these important people and incorporate them into my daily life. Each person meant so much to so many people that I am thankful for the time I was able to spend with them and grateful for everything each person has taught me!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)