So. I last wrote while I was on a plane heading back to the east coast after a lovely trip (and much-needed break) to Utah and California. Salt Lake was my first stop, only staying a couple nights for job interviews at University Hospital and Intermountain Health. Neither has open positions for New Graduate nurses, but they encouraged me to check back in July (closer to my graduation date) for any updates. So I'm REALLY keeping my fingers crossed. I'll have to get some sort of part-time job to cover all my expenses in the mean time.... I have faith that it will all work out, in one way or another. Then it was on to California for a "surprise" visit for Mother's Day! I was so grateful to be able to spend time with family and friends... definitely gave me a re-charge so that I could have the energy to survive my final weeks of school. But of course, time flies when you're having fun.... and before I knew it, I was back on the plane to Baltimore.
The past few weeks are somewhat of a blur -- I know I lived through them, but I don't remember much of the specifics... I was running on pure adrenaline from one day to the next, and I knew that if I allowed myself to slow down at all, I would lose the momentum I had established. Looking back, I don't know if that was the best plan... I was constantly focused on the next item on my "To Do List" and never gave myself time to break and collect my thoughts... preventing myself from being present and enjoying any given moment. I did what I felt needed to be done to get through school, but I forgot to enjoy the life that I had created for myself on the east coast as it was wrapping up. So now, here I sit, reflecting back on days gone by... reminiscing with some regret on missed opportunities. But it is what it is, so now I'm taking that sentiment to make the most of my time here in Denver, hanging out with Meghan -- one of my closest friends, and the person I have to thank for this opportunity here at UCH (she's graciously welcomed me into her apartment to crash on her couch for the next 7 weeks). I wasn't planning on returning to Baltimore for graduation at the end of July, mainly because of expenses relating to the travel, but I realize that I need to bring some closure to my time there so it would be best for me to fly back. Besides, I get to walk across a stage and actually get a "diploma" -- something the PhySci Dept at UCLA didn't believe an important rite of passage for college graduates! Unbelievable, right? haha.
Without going into much detail about my classes -- which, I must say, were all surprisingly engaging and interesting -- I'll just say that I feel like I learned a great deal that I can take with me into my future role and responsibility as a nurse. From Public Health, which helped me appreciate how much social/environmental factors can affect a person's health status, to Transitions, which taught me very practical information about hospital functioning and how the nurse fits into the equation, to the very specific "Fetal Surveillance" (which probably doesn't need much explanation). As I look back on these past 7 weeks, I realize that I learned more about myself and my own strengths and areas needing improvement than I have in the past 3 semesters combined. Maybe it was my state of mind... I channeled all my attention and energy to handle the most pertinent issues, and that wasn't much... leaving room for much frustration. But I will say, I am grateful -- I want to offer the best service and care for my patients, and in order to do that, I need to address my own weaknesses. So that is what I plan to focus on during these next 7 weeks... I'm just hoping for a preceptor (my direct nurse supervisor) who will help me work on this, without being dictatorial or condescending. I have high hopes, but I will find out tonight.....
One other thing I want to bring up is my recent Public Health trip to the US Virgin Island of St. Croix... I spent 9 days on the island with my clinical group for our final rotation at Hopkins. It was a great experience, and as I mentioned earlier, gave me a better understanding for how much lifestyle/living conditions can affect an individual's health. While I sat at the bedside of a 90-year-old woman who was blind and unable to walk through her home without assistance (forcing her to use a pail for her toilet) and listened to her relate stories of her life on the island of Antigua and sing songs of praise to Jesus, I had a flashback to my time spent in Africa. Such humble living conditions and evidence of disparity, yet she could only express her gratitude for a merciful God that had given her so much, and most importantly, a loving and supportive family (with one person stopping in to check on her each day). Such a sweet experience. And that wasn't the only one... but so that I don't take another hour of your time, I'll limit myself to sharing photos to give a brief recap of our time on the island:
And then it was back to Baltimore, for a VERY intense week of school, catching up on the classes we missed while we were away, and turning around to study/prepare for our finals -- which included 3 exams, 1 presentation, 1 paper, and a 45-page project. Needless to say, I didn't have much free time.... and before I knew it, I was on a plane to Salt Lake. I felt as though I had blinked and the week was over -- my last week as an East Coast resident. Hard to believe that it could ever come to an end.... but, it did. The last few days at school we shared with the incoming class of Accelerated students.... watched them as they put on their lab coats and walked into the skills labs... all discussing their Health Assessment lectures in anxious anticipation for application on their patients during their clinical... that glow of excitement -- it was quite familiar, and even though I may be burnt out from the overwhelming stress of the past year, I know that will return just in time for me to begin my "calling" as RN. And with that said, I'll leave you all... need to get things my mind straight and ready for tonight!! Wish me luck.... =]
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