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Tuesday, 26 February 2008

  • To All My Friends in College,
     
        I would like to invite you to the College Student Retreat.  It is a yearly weekend event for Anabaptist college students.  The first year I went with few expectations, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much fun I had.  I had no idea how great it would be to stay up late (like normal college students) talking with other Mennonite students about the best colleges, worst profs, and what it means to be Mennonite in college.  Every year I am encouraged in my unique position as an Anabaptist college "kid."  The sessions are interesting & thought-provoking. 
        For information to attend, go to http://www.fbep.org/events/csr.html.  I can highly recommend it! 
    Crystal
     
    Here are a few pictures from other years...
     
    CSR06 002
     
    CSR06 125  CSR06 024

Tuesday, 12 February 2008

Monday, 04 February 2008

  • ME? PUT IN AN IV???

    As every new nurse, I was nervous about inserting that first IV catheter.  I was hoping that my first victim would not ask if I've put in IV's before because the trainer assured us that they did not lie to patients or pretent that the dummie "counted" as successful experience.  So Friday, I went to work a little anxious, knowing that my whole eight-hour day was dedicated to placing IV's.  After 2 refreshers on the dummie, the trainer and I headed for my first patients.  I remember walking down the halls, mentally telling myself to be calm and look confident while taking a few deep breaths. 

    My first patient was perfect....great sense of humor, high tolerance for injections, and wonderful veins!  I was so excited to successfully put in my first IV on the first try!  My day went well from there.  There were tense moments when a vein vanished into the world of patient fat, or a patient passed out cold, but over all it was good.  I missed a few, but left with the confidence that I've learned a new skill that I'll be able to perfect over time.

    Ahhh, I never have to say that this is my first IV.....

Monday, 28 January 2008

  • My life as a new nurse…..

    I’m on my fourth week of orientation now as a graduate nurse. The ladies I work with are great. They are willing teachers and very gracious with the “newbies.” The maternity unit has been very welcoming and a fun place to work. We have our sad days when a baby is stillborn or complications steal the joy of normal childbirth. Here’s a few of the things I’ve done so far…..

    I’ve given more IM injections in the past week than I ever did in school in 2 years.

    One of my favorite experiences was watching the ecstasy on a new father’s face as he held his son for the first time, realizing that he loved his child more than he had ever imagined.

    One day I spent the entire shift reading policies and watching movies about running equipment, etc. I went home with a headache. Give me real work.

    A really great part of working for a small community hospital is the variety…one day I care for mothers & babies, one day for gynecology patients, one day for babies in the nursery. You never know what a day will bring in maternity. One day we got so many laboring patients, we had to transfer all our med-surg gyn patients to a regular floor. A few days later it can clear out and make you wonder where all the pregnant woman are hiding.

    The pro’s far outweigh the con’s when comparing work with school, especially in the areas of homework & paychecks. But I’ve discovered that I traded one learning curve for another. I can’t wait to know what I’m doing.

    I have no desire to teach school; however, I’ve come to enjoy the teaching end of nursing. It is especially fun with new parents with little past exposure to babies. My favorite experience so far was teaching an eager dad how to proper change a diaper.

    I’ve also had the privilege of talking with parents of babies that had to be cared for in the NICU. Some days I wish I could offer more comfort than just words.

    I love my job and feel so blessed that God led me to it. Well, I need to go study for boards and rock more babies! J

Monday, 14 January 2008

  • I discovered two things about myself this weekend.

    1.)  I like being the nurse much more than the patient.

    2.)  Like most nurses, I am a terrible patient.

novembersnoelle

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    • Name: Crystal
    • Gender: Female
    • Member Since: 6/12/2006

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