CATCH UP TIME

So, I have two words about why I haven't been able to post for over a week: CARE PLANS!!!!! If you know a nurse or are a nurse (or nursing student) you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. If you are not familiar with the profession of nursing, be glad that you have NO IDEA what I am talking about.

Care plans are something used in the nursing field on a daily basis. However, in the learning environment, teachers go out of their way to make them as painful as possible. We had to complete some of our care plan before clinicals last Tuesday, and we were all under the impression that we had until the next Tuesday to turn them in. Well, Tuesday morning we were informed that we had until Friday afternoon!!! Based on the fact that we had a test Wednesday, we all knew that we definately had our work cut out for us.

The second my test was over on Wednesday, I dashed home and literally worked from about 2:00pm until about 2:00am. I worked on my care plan on Thursday from 9:00am-3:00pm, and then again until about 1:30am. I figured the entire plan took about 30 hours. We turn in preliminary drafts of these once a week on our clinical day. So, since the last time I posted, I have: studied for a test, had a 10 hour clinical day, took a test, wrote a care plan, wrote a 12 page paper for class, and started another care plan. My primary class also had sharing time this week. Did I mention I have 2 active kids at home that the last thing they want to do for summer break is watch their mom do schoolwork?

I have learned so many spiritual lessons from my experiences with nursing already. Tuesday, my clinical was in a senior care center. One of my jobs throughout the day was to go down to the cafeteria and help with lunch. I was instructed to go and help a man with his lunch. I kept trying to feed him. First the mashed potatoes with no luck. Then, the meatloaf with no success. Finally, after I tried to help him eat his blueberry cheesecake, he very sternly stated "no"! O.K. I got the hint. Apparently he wasn't hungry! But judging from the surrounding empty cups and his dry lips, I could tell he was thristy. So I asked him "Are you thirsty? Would you like something else to drink?" He got a very hopeful look on his face, as he excitedly spoke the words, "Apple Juice"! Easy enough of a request. I walked over and got him some apple juice out of the fridge. It probably took me 30 seconds. When I went over to him and handed him the juice, the look of appreciation on his face would lead one to believe that I had just saved him from a crashing airplane. It taught me a tremendous lesson. These older individuals are so thankful for the tender hands that care for them. They are so quick to say thank you for every little thing. I've heard about the old crankies that live in the senior care settings, but I personally haven't ran across any of them. It was a neat & humbling experience for me. The loss of dignity that goes along with old age coupled with severe health issues must be so discouraging!!! Imagine being able to care for everyone, and then reverting back to the point that you can no longer help yourself. Interesting (and sad) to think about!

Also, I am so thankful for my nurse friend Jenn. Jenn & I have been friends for a long time. They lived in our old neighborhood with us the whole time we were there. She started the nursing program right around the time I started my Pre Req's, so she has been done for about 2 years now. Right after Jenn graduated, she had a cute little baby boy, and has been home with this little guy. Well whether Jenn liked it or not, I was so excited to claim her as my mentor. Right after family, Jenn is always the first person I call after I take a test! If it's good, I call with the happy news. If it's bad, I call and ask her what she thinks about the questions that I got wrong (sometimes we all tend to get a little bitter). So, you can imagine how much Jenn & I talked in those couple of days that I was writing my care plan. I called her like every 10 minutes or so. Pretty soon, she was pulling out old care plan books for me, and helping me learn about valid nursing diagnoses. The final time I called on Thursday afternoon, I could tell she was laying down with one of her kids. After that conversation, I kind of beat myself up a little bit over bugging her so much. I kept thinking to myself, "She's already earned her degree! Certainly she does not want another one". Although I had felt like her knowledge and insight had been an answer to my prayers several times, I'd convinced myself that I was being a little too BUGGY!!!!

Friday morning came along, and I was finally printing off my care plan (Well after some technical difficulties. Thanks Dena for your help). I thought it would be fun to call Jenn and let her hear my final paper after I had asked for so much advice. We talked for a bit, and I think we both learned a really great lesson. Jenn started to tell me that I could call her whenever I wanted, and then she started crying. She went on to tell me that for a year, she has been praying that she would not lose the knowledge that she had obtained in school while she was home with her little ones. And she said that Thursday after our final phone conversation that she realized that her prayers had finally been answered. She said that through me asking questions and opinions, that she realized that this was an answer to her prayers. Helping me learn is helping her recall all of the things that she once learned. She said that the biggest thing she learned from this is that Heavenly Father uses other people to answer prayers that we offer to him. I am so thankful for good friends and support systems.

If I don't post again for a week (which is very likely), you can be assured that it was another 30 hour care plan week.