Ponderings of a nurse

I never thought I would be thinking of a change in my nursing career. . . after all Labor and Delivery was the reason I became a nurse!  L&D was my passion!  I feel honored at every delivery I am present in . . . it is a magnificent event and so life changing.  To give birth to a child is a very intimate and personal time in a person's life and I am able to be a part of it.  The feeling of helping a human being enter this world is incredible! It doesn't seem possible that life could be transferred from two separate people to create a new life . . . it truly is a miracle!

However, I have been doing some thinking lately . . .

Change is important . . . without change life becomes stagnant and robotic.  Change is not easy . . in fact I both crave and hate it!  It stresses me out . . . yet gives me hope.  Nursing is such a career in which stagnation can lead to an uncompassionate and cynical healthcare provider.  As caring for other individuals is the basis of nursing there are few things worse than having a "burnt out" nurse.  In nursing school I witnessed the cruelty of a burnt out nurse first hand.  It was not pretty.  She humiliated her patients that depended upon her for the very most basic needs a human being can have.  I cringed at her inconsiderate words and behavior.  I vowed I would never behave in the way this woman did to any of my patients.

 . . . and thus my current introspection . . .

my current thoughts are leaning towards a career in the Operating Room . . . there is so much to learn and see with a complete different skill set than the one I currently possess.  The human body is an amazing machine.  To be able to see the inner workings of this machine would be "oober cool!" I have also been contemplating medical missions for years . . . I think being an OR nurse would render me a little more valuable in such a mission. 

life is interesting . . . it is unpredictable . . .fluid . . . I want to make sure my life matters. . . that I have provided something valuable to help others lead a better life. 
 

LRMC - my new place of employment

 

My new life here in Germany has begun as I am not settling in to my position as a Labor and Delivery nurse at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.  It has so far been a pretty great place to work!  There are definitely differences between the "civilian" hospital and the "military" hospital. . most being with charting.  I have some great co-workers and the physicians are actually pleasant!!  Imagine that! OB docs that are respectful of their fellow colleagues!  It is truly amazing to work on a unit that you are not constantly belittled by those you are working with.  I still have a lot of adjusting to do and I am sure that will take some time. . . but I am enjoying working my way into the fabric of this new position.  There are some great perks working here as well!  Not only is this the only military facility to include all three branches of military (army, navy and air force) but all wounded warriors from down range and around the world are seen here and LRMC.  It is a great honor to serve these warriors in any way possible!  We also get to meet some pretty cool people!  For the holiday visit this year I was able to meet several celebrities.  Kelly Pickler (one of the contestants in American Idol several years ago and is continuing quite successfully in her music career), Iliza Shlesinger (a comedian that recently was on "the last comic standing"), Ross Detwiler and Craig Stammen (both pitchers for the Washington Nationals), and Matt Hendricks (NHL hockey player from the Washington Capitals).

 

 

Moving. . . a long, LONG, way away . .

Tomorrow we set off on probably the biggest adventure of our short lives. . . we are moving to Landstuhl, Germany.  I know. . super CRAZY, right??  Sometimes I still can't believe it and will call Clayton up just to say "Wow!  We are moving to Germany!"

This great adventure started out with a little girl's dream to one day move to Europe after her 7th grade teacher, Mrs. Wilcox, would tell wondrous stories in history class of castles, gems, romance and wars.  That dream stuck with me my whole life and was reborn when my dear husband stated "Let's move to Europe" early last year.  "Are you serious?" I asked. "Because if you are serious, we will do it."  I immediately started looking for a way to make that possible but it wasn't until I found (with the help of a co-worker) the largest military hospital outside of the United States that the dream started to become a reality.  There were no positions available in the hospital and I had read online that there was a 3 year waiting list for civilians to get in, but I was determined.  I emailed the human resource department of the hospital with my resume and a simple letter stating my interest in any position that my qualifications were sufficient.  I received and e-mail from the director of Labor and Delivery at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center six months later.  I believe God greatly has his hand involved in this whole affair as I never applied for the job, never had an interview, and was offered the position on my first phone call from Germany.

It has been a long process and has not been completely smooth. . . forms, travis air force base, tests, passports, forms, phone calls, headaches, forms. . . did I say forms?? . . . but will be completely worth it I am sure.

Today I sit in my hotel room (as my house has been rented, my car left at the port over two weeks ago bound for Germany, all of my belongings on some European bound cargo ship, my dogs living with my parents) with nothing except for two suitcases and a computer.  I have conflicting emotions. . . excitement, apprehension, tad bit o'fear, joy. . . . my stomach doesn't quite feel right (although that could be from the delish chocolate cake I had for late night snack and breakfast) . . . I am excited and thrilled to see what God has in store for us.  Of course goodbyes are the hardest part. . we will be doing that most of the day, mixed in with some grandma Hammonds' homemade doughnuts :-)  Nothing like leaving the country in a complete sugar coma!  I love all of my family and friends and will miss you all dearly. . . please don't forget us in your prayers. . . I am sure we will need them . . .

New Job

I have finally recieved a job in Labor and Delivery as a Registered Nurse. This was the reason that I had started nursing school!! While L&D has been the goal from the beginning . . . I had a few twists and turns along the way (thanks to my good pal Misha . .hehe). I was forced to recieve some experience in Med/Surg first (which is probably a helpful twist) and have finally found myself excepting a position as a full time Perinatal Nurse. So, So, So excited! I start this monday!

Nurses, Think Twice. . .

Crabby Old Man

What do you see nurses? . . What do you see?
What are you thinking . . . . . when you're looking at me?
A crabby old man, . . . not very wise,
Uncertain of habit . . . . . . . with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food . . . . . . and makes no reply
When you say in a loud voice . . . . . 'I do wish you'd try!'
Who seems not to notice . . . the things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . . . A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not . . . . . . . . . lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . . . . . . . The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking? . . . . Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse . . . . . you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am, . . . . . . . . as I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, . . . . . . as I eat at your will
I'm a small child of Ten . . . . . . . with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters . . . . . . . . who love one another

A young boy of Sixteen . . with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now . . . . . a lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty. . . . . .My heart gives a leap.
Remembering the vows . . . . . . that I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now . . . . . . . . . I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . . And a secure happy home.

A man of Thirty . . . . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . . . . . . With ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons . . have grown and are gone,
But my woman's beside me . . . . . . . to see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, . Babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . . . . My loved one and me .

Dark days are upon me . . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future . . . . . . . . .. . I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing . . . . . . young of their own.
And I think of the years . . . . And the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man . . . . . . and nature is cruel.
Tis jest to make old age. . . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles . . . . . . . . . . grace and vigor, depart.

There is now a stone . . . . . . . where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass . . A young guy still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . . my battered heart swells
I remember the joys . . . . . . . . . . . I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living . . . . . . . . . . . . life over again.
I think of the years . all too few . . . . . gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . . . . . . that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people . . . . . . open and see.. Not a crabby old man . Look closer . . . see . . . . . . . ME!!

~author unknown

The Annual Shot! Do you have it??

The Flu season is here!! Have you received your flu shot yet?? I got mine today while at work. . . I have to admit it was slightly painful and left my arm a little sore, but I figure it will be well worth the inconvenience and pain if it will perhaps protect me from illness and several days of missed work. I, along with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommend that everyone receive a yearly flu vaccination. Here are some interesting facts I compiled from the CDC website:

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.

Every year in the United States, on average:
• 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
• more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications
• about 36,000 people die from flu.

Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Symptoms of flu include:
• fever (usually high)
• headache
• extreme tiredness
• dry cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle aches
• Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

It is recommended that everyone recieve the vaccine, but especially high risk populations such as people over 50 years old, pregnant women, and health care workers.

Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:
• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
• People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
• Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group).
• People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

CDC Flu Website: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

An Employee At Last!!

I am here to inform you all that I am no longer unemployed. I have received an offer of employment and have accepted the said offer to work at Lodi Memorial Hospital in the Medical/Surgical floor. This full time, night shift position was offered to me last Friday and I readily agreed to the conditions. Although I really wanted to work in Labor and Delivery, I feel that this position will allow me to develop as a nurse and provide me with much needed skills for my future. I am excited, yet nervous at the same time. I will start working this week and continue in my orientation to the hospital/floor for about 8 weeks. Lodi Memorial is only about 15 minutes away from home and is expanding to a brand new wing which will have all private rooms (said to be opening late next year). YAY!!!