5 Weeks

Ack! Only 5 more weeks of school to go until I have my BSN!

Yet, I will never stop learning.

We have been discussing the Future of Nursing Report put out by the Institute of Medicine.

One of their recommendations is that nurses receive higher education.

This means that AA prepared nurses get those BSN's.

BSN nurses get their master's.

And more nurses will achieve their doctorates.

We watched this little video tonight in class.

It is interesting to see the changes that have happened within the profession of nursing.

I know that I want to go on for more education at some point but I am ready for a bit of a break.

I can't believe that I am so close to this goal.

Just 5 more weeks!

And on that note ~ I really need to get going on a couple of papers.

I want to finish strong~

Debbie

Future of Nursing recommendations:

As a result of its deliberations, the committee formulated four key messages that structure the discussion and recommendations presented in this report:

1. Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training.
2. Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression.
3. Nurses should be full partners, with physicians and other health professionals, in redesigning health care in the United States.
4. Effective workforce planning and policy making require better data collection and an improved information infrastructure. 

Call the Midwife

Have you seen this new show??

Let me start by saying that I normally do not watch much TV.  I don't have the time, nor do I like to sit around aimlessly watching TV.  I'd much rather read a good book.  And of course right now I always have homework to do.  But even, when I don't have homework...I just am not a TV watcher.  There are so many other things that take priority in my life than watching TV.

With that said...I will tell you that I love the new show, "Call the Midwife".  I actually try to be home on Sunday evenings so that I can watch it.  And if I miss a show I watch later on line at PBS.org

It is on PBS, Sunday nights at 8pm.  Being on PBS there are no commercials!   

The show takes place in the 1950's in London's east side.  It isn't just about birthing though there are many birth scenes in the show.  Dear hubby wonders why I watch something that I do everyday...he is like, "don't you get tired of that?" But there are other nursing stories within the show - such as heart attacks, diabetic ulcers, etc.  The nurses do home visits and they get to those homes on their bicycles.

It is so realistic and shows how the nurses actually cared for the people within their community.  They developed relationships with them, laughed with them, cried with them and cared for them with all that they had.  It is heart warming yet also sad as there are times that the patients do not survive.  Beyond the nursing stories, the show chronicles the nurses persona lives and loves.

If you haven't had a chance to see the show - you should make it a point to watch it!  I love it so much that I even bought the book Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth.  You could say that I am mildly obsessed with this show...today I watched two of the episodes that I had missed.

You can learn more about the show here.

It is one of the best shows out there right now~

For someone that doesn't watch TV...that is a pretty big compliment!

Debbie

Matt & Sasha Get Married

 We went to a lovely wedding yesterday ~

The joining of Matt and Sasha....

Matt is Tim's (Erika's fiance') brother.

We have gotten to know Matt as we have spent time with Tim's family.

It was always apparent to me that Matt had a heart for God.

He wanted to find a woman who also had that same heart.

 Earlier this year he met Sasha.

Sasha was working as a youth pastor.

Matt had found his match.  

They are perfect together.

They both want to serve Christ.

They love each other.

And now they are married.

Their wedding was a true testament of their love as well as their commitment to Jesus.

Erika had the honor of being one of the bridesmaids. 

(She did a great job altering her dress as well as her soon to be sister-in-laws dress....I didn't even know that Erika even knew how to sew.)

Matt's nephew Isaiah announcing the coming bride...

 Here she comes

Doesn't she look radiant?

Sasha's dress was beautiful. 

I loved all of the buttons going down the back.

 Michelle was the official photographer.

Here she is working away.

The vows ~

Tim standing up for his brother as the 'best man'.

The Kiss.

On it went...told you they were in love.

 The happy, happy couple.

I absolutely love Sasha's laugh. It is deep and heart felt.

She just shows her joy in such a tangible way  :)

 Erika and Tim at the reception

 One more shot of the official photographer

I can't wait to see all of her pictures. I know they are way better than mine!!

Erika and Tim's sweet little niece Kate.

I love this baby! 

She is so adorable even if she wouldn't smile for us.

Congratulations Matt and Sasha.

God prepared the two of you for each other and the love you share is so beautiful to see.

May you have years and years of happiness as you serve God as a couple now.

Enjoy your honeymoon!

(this photo by Michelle)

It warms my heart that Erika is going to be a part of this wonderful family.

Debbie

7 weeks

I am on the count down...7 more weeks left of school!
I can hardly stand it.
I am having a hard time staying focused on the homework (though we haven't had much due yet besides reading).
I was able to hang on in my last class and pass with flying colors.
Only one more class to go.
Three major assignments.
NO exams!!
I can do this!
That little piece of paper will soon be mine!

Debbie
ps...I gathered information on MSN programs this week at the benefits fair. Pray for discernment on my part.  I know that I am taking a semester off for sure but I need to figure out the best course for my future ~

Guest Post

Since I haven't had much time for blogging lately, I decided to have a guest post. The post is nursing related so it fits the content of my blog.

The article is written by Melanie L Bowen and she blogs here.   Stop on by and say hello :)

Without further ado...The Benefits of Nursing for Chronically Ill Patients

Patients with chronic diseases such as cancer need effective and compassionate nursing care. Unlike someone who has an acute injury or illness, a patient with cancer develops a long-term relationship with his healthcare providers. Medical care and managing the disease becomes a major part of the patient's life.

Nurses who specialize in the care of these special patients need to have highly developed nursing skills and a deep sense of compassion. Many of the patients are terminal, others with a dire diagnosis such as mesothelioma, are understandably worried or depressed. Working in an oncology unit takes a special type of person, but the work can be very rewarding.

Not only do nurses nurture others, they get to practice cutting edge medicine. According to "Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine," the role of the oncology nurse has changed dramatically within the past ten years. Nurses have taken on more responsibility in the treatment of cancer patients and the management of their symptoms. Some of the duties performed by nurses include patient assessments, family and patient education, and patient care. This includes interpreting lab tests, administering cancer medications, counseling family members, and offering treatment for symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, and depression.

Some cancer patients are treated in an outpatient clinic and are mobile and otherwise healthy. Other patients are bedridden and require extensive care. Some patients participate in cutting edge cancer treatments that offer nurses the opportunity to expand their skills. The rewards for the nurse are many, and they make for a satisfying and challenging career.

The patient also benefits from receiving care from a skilled and compassionate nurse. Receiving a cancer diagnosis is shocking and frightening. The treatment options can be very confusing. Having a qualified medical professional take time to explain the disease and its course of treatment is very beneficial to the patient and his family.

Cancer patients often undergo sophisticated medical tests that require skilled nurses to perform and interpret. Nurses also have to administer chemotherapy drugs that could be very dangerous if not given properly. The patient's recovery lies in the hands of the nurses and doctors who plan and provide his treatment.

Having quick and convenient access to a qualified nurse also makes it possible to manage cancer symptoms better. Rather than having to wait for a doctor to return calls, nurses can immediately advise patients on how to manage the symptoms caused by their cancer treatments.

Nurses still work under the supervision of a physician, but top-level experienced RN’s have an autonomy now that was unheard of twenty years ago, and the patients benefit from it. Make the road to your recovery easier and find a trusted professional who not only cares but can help you both emotionally and physically along the way and keep fighting.

Nurse Movie

I wish that I were at the magnet conference in Los Angeles.

I really wanted to see the premier of this new documentary which is being previewed at the conference,

But I guess that I will have to wait until it is shown nationwide.

Maybe we should make our own movie on our unit ....

Debbie

8 Weeks

oh my gosh - I am down to my last eight weeks of school!!  One more class to go - a leadership / management class.  I am so excited to be so close to being finished.  Then I will finally have that BSN that I have been working on forever~
Now I just need to stay focused so that  can finish strong
Debbie

Long Two Weeks

It is hard to believe that Erika's accident was two weeks ago...it has been a very long two weeks.

Yet, she is doing amazing well.  

She is driving (not on the same freeway yet and she jokes that she will never get in another Versa - EVER!) but she is getting where she needs to go and she is almost completely healed - Praise God!  She has yet to return to running.  She says that since it is such a high impact sport she is taking her time getting back in to it but she has been coaching at her youth job and talked about walking the dogs to the dog park today.  I'm just glad that she doesn't seem to have any residual health issues ~

The insurance adjusted deemed the car, "a total loss".   Duh, I have seen the car...I knew it wasn't something that was repairable.  He went on to say, "That car hit hard, I haven't seen one this bad in a long time.  Is your daughter OK?"   I told him that she actually walked away from the car and he was pretty surprised.  Another reminder of God's protection on my girl.

We are coping with having one less car.  Erika and Michelle are needing to share the one car that they do have.  It is hardest on Michelle because she commutes to Long Beach for school.  Most every place else they can walk or I can take them if need be.  Guess they are learning how to communicate who needs the car most and at what times.

I have been overwhelmed with paperwork, phone calls, documentation, emails, etc.   Not only for the "totaled" car but also for my home re-fi and trying to hang on in my current class.  I was able to get my mid-term turned in a couple of days late and I think that I have kept current on everything else, though my mind definitely hasn't been 'in to' this class.  I keep reminding myself that I only have to pass.  So far I am still doing ok.

I have had to be very purposeful in my activities.  I purposed to stay home and focus on what needed to be taken care of.  I needed to care for Erika and concentrate on stuff at home.  I have chosen to decline lunch invites, extra shifts, meetings and study sessions.  But it is what I needed to do.  I have only answered the emails that needed to be answered.  I have not blogged.  I haven't done any pleasure reading.  I haven't helped Erika with any wedding plans.  I've been purposefully focused.

Today has been the first day that I sort of feel that I am coming out of my self imposed isolation.  I think that I have made good choices and have accomplished much.  It has been a long two weeks......

Debbie