I have the specialty I want, but sometimes I think I should have applied for a nurse practitioner in psychiatric and mental health care.
It just seems to be that more and more patients are presenting with mental illness and it's not limited to any specific floor. I float everywhere; oncology, cardiac, step-down or the surgical unit, and I receive patients with mental health issues. These are not dementia or certified psych patients just those borderline cases. Having worked with this population before becoming a nurse I take it in stride, but it can be funny watching how they manipulate some of the staff including doctors.
I actually kind of enjoy most of them, but then again some might say I am borderline.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Yin Yang
Sad that Jack LaLanne pasted away, he did so much over the years to encourage people to get off their asses and move.
I could use some of that encouragement now, with school and work it's so easy to just say I'll exercise tomorrow even knowing you feel so much better and think so much clearer when you exercise today.
But my life always seems to be in that Yin Yang flux where one cannot exist without the other.
Unlike the west where people equate it to good and bad I adhere to the Taoists theory in that they balance each other out and are intertwined, just like night and day need each other.
I buy my old fashioned oatmeal, then purchasing one of those strategically placed slices of chocolate cake on the way out. How can one be good or bad?
I exercised inside today because it is was foggy and chilly outside, then read a textbook with a bowl of buttered popcorn. So I can stress about school, but feel satisfied with a buttery treat.
I could use some of that encouragement now, with school and work it's so easy to just say I'll exercise tomorrow even knowing you feel so much better and think so much clearer when you exercise today.
But my life always seems to be in that Yin Yang flux where one cannot exist without the other.
Unlike the west where people equate it to good and bad I adhere to the Taoists theory in that they balance each other out and are intertwined, just like night and day need each other.
I buy my old fashioned oatmeal, then purchasing one of those strategically placed slices of chocolate cake on the way out. How can one be good or bad?
I exercised inside today because it is was foggy and chilly outside, then read a textbook with a bowl of buttered popcorn. So I can stress about school, but feel satisfied with a buttery treat.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Alcatraz and Mom
One week seems to be the right amount of time for a visit from my mother, just wish it was not during the second week of classes. Actually, I don't care it was only a week and she comes first.
I also realized she is in good shape, anyone who has ever walked the streets of San Francisco knows they are no easy task, but she kept going. We walked and ate outside everyday, and why not she had come from Minnesota and we were having temps in the 60's with sunshine everyday.
The good thing about having different people visiting is that they make you do the things you would not normally do when living in that same area.
Maybe I'm getting more mature, because spending a few hours walking around Alcatraz with my mother and never once did I think of funny thoughts about her being at a federal prison, well almost never.
I also realized she is in good shape, anyone who has ever walked the streets of San Francisco knows they are no easy task, but she kept going. We walked and ate outside everyday, and why not she had come from Minnesota and we were having temps in the 60's with sunshine everyday.
The good thing about having different people visiting is that they make you do the things you would not normally do when living in that same area.
Maybe I'm getting more mature, because spending a few hours walking around Alcatraz with my mother and never once did I think of funny thoughts about her being at a federal prison, well almost never.
The side you don't normally see
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Big Island
I love the large metropolitan area where I live now with its diverse cultures and endless things to do. But like most big cities it can be hectic and sometimes I think it would be nice to live somewhere a little slower, so to speak.
A few years ago I spent a couple weeks on the big island of Hawaii and really enjoyed it. Because it was a relatives place instead of a hotel, I got more of a feeling for the community. It also helped that it was a vacation to relax, never becoming more stressful than snorkeling with spinner dolphins and turtles, a helicopter ride or hiking volcano national park.
Even though it is bigger than all the other islands combined and I love being near the water, I imagined it would become too small and claustrophobic of a place to live permanently and too far away from family and friends.
However, there might be something to just leaving it all behind after graduation and working in a less stressful location, for a few years anyway.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Sea Salt
Sea Salt has been around for a while, well almost since the beginning of this planet anyway, then as a natural preservative of foods for our ancestors, along with smoking and dehydrating. However, once again leave it to companies wanting to make a profit to turn it into something that it is not.
For months now Wendy's has been advertising their french fries with sea salt, and last night I saw Campbell's advertising that their soups were now made with sea salt. The commercials give you the impression that it is better tasting and better for you in general.
This ties into work because a few weeks ago while doing patient teaching about HTN a woman asked about sea salt and she wondered if it was any better for her?
Because of all the advertising lately I had actually thought of this subject before, so I calmly said to her, it might taste a little different, but think about cigarettes. One may taste different than the others, but the effects on the body and the outcomes are the same.
We just looked at each other for a second then continued with the rest of the teaching.
For months now Wendy's has been advertising their french fries with sea salt, and last night I saw Campbell's advertising that their soups were now made with sea salt. The commercials give you the impression that it is better tasting and better for you in general.
This ties into work because a few weeks ago while doing patient teaching about HTN a woman asked about sea salt and she wondered if it was any better for her?
Because of all the advertising lately I had actually thought of this subject before, so I calmly said to her, it might taste a little different, but think about cigarettes. One may taste different than the others, but the effects on the body and the outcomes are the same.
We just looked at each other for a second then continued with the rest of the teaching.
Only difference is they mine it by the sea
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Optimism May Protect Teens Against Depression
That was the WebMD headline.
My first thought was, no shit. Some definitions of optimism are:
1. The tendency to expect the best and see the best in all things
2. Hopefulness; confidence
So you mean to tell me if I feel good about my future and have an optimistic outlook on life and in some cases the hereafter I won't be as depressed. What a revelation.
These kinds of articles make me want to get my PhD and do research. Because some group of people got a lot of money to do research on this subject. Not that there is anything wrong with that, I'm just saying.
My first thought was, no shit. Some definitions of optimism are:
1. The tendency to expect the best and see the best in all things
2. Hopefulness; confidence
So you mean to tell me if I feel good about my future and have an optimistic outlook on life and in some cases the hereafter I won't be as depressed. What a revelation.
These kinds of articles make me want to get my PhD and do research. Because some group of people got a lot of money to do research on this subject. Not that there is anything wrong with that, I'm just saying.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Winter quarter 2011
So glad to be back because it means one quarter closer to the end. Even though it has only been a few weeks it is good to see familiar faces again, and really I do enjoy school. As I mentioned to another blogger it is one of those controllable parts of our otherwise uncontrollable lives, because it is your choice to study, attend and participate, or not.
I don't know how people do online only school? I like the social interaction and being able to see the actual faces of people asking questions and being able to ask questions myself in real time. At least for now in health care you have to deal with actual physical patients, no online avatars or texting your way to a diagnose. Although that would cut down on me coming into contact with unwanted body fluids.
In real world school it only takes a class or two to figure out who is going to be that annoying person who asks questions every time the instructor takes a breath. Some classmates will roll their eyes, but I don't give a rat's ass there is too much to do. I start scanning my textbook or writing down ideas for papers because this part is controllable in my life.
I don't know how people do online only school? I like the social interaction and being able to see the actual faces of people asking questions and being able to ask questions myself in real time. At least for now in health care you have to deal with actual physical patients, no online avatars or texting your way to a diagnose. Although that would cut down on me coming into contact with unwanted body fluids.
In real world school it only takes a class or two to figure out who is going to be that annoying person who asks questions every time the instructor takes a breath. Some classmates will roll their eyes, but I don't give a rat's ass there is too much to do. I start scanning my textbook or writing down ideas for papers because this part is controllable in my life.
Monday, January 10, 2011
End of the World
I've been having fun with someone at work about an ongoing subject that really interests him, and although I do find it curious I'm not ready to call it apocalyptic just yet.
Anyone reading the news recently has heard of the massive bird and fish deaths happening around the world. Here in the States it started on New Years day with thousands of birds dropping from the sky in Arkansas, then hundreds of miles away thousands of fish dying in a river.
Since then it has been happening around the world, and the UK's Daily Mail online reported it so it must be serious, because they have a map.
Being in the float pool I run into him on different floors and bring the subject up, because he really thinks it has something to do with 2012 and a magnetic change in our planet. It is also fun because he is one of our doctors and when I bring the subject up he asks others around if they have seen the movie 2012.
I'll wait a little bit longer to declare a connection and ensuing mass panic. Besides I have class in a few hours.
Anyone reading the news recently has heard of the massive bird and fish deaths happening around the world. Here in the States it started on New Years day with thousands of birds dropping from the sky in Arkansas, then hundreds of miles away thousands of fish dying in a river.
Since then it has been happening around the world, and the UK's Daily Mail online reported it so it must be serious, because they have a map.
Being in the float pool I run into him on different floors and bring the subject up, because he really thinks it has something to do with 2012 and a magnetic change in our planet. It is also fun because he is one of our doctors and when I bring the subject up he asks others around if they have seen the movie 2012.
I'll wait a little bit longer to declare a connection and ensuing mass panic. Besides I have class in a few hours.
I found a map too where large scale animal deaths have been happening, but it is a few days old so there may be more since google published it.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Broken System
Reading the news before I head off for an 11am shift, I love that shift because I can sleep in, but I see that Blue Shield of California is seeking a 59% rate increase in health insurance premiums. This has nothing to do with any new health care laws, it is because they are a private company and need to show a profit to the stockholders, and other companies across the country are trying to raise their rates as well.
My opinions are biased on this subject and there is not enough time to express them before work, but I will later. Our system is broken, not necessarily the care available, but our system.
When I tell both patients and people I meet that I am a nurse, but I do not have health care they are shocked.
Then I explain about being in school full time and working per diem at the hospital and that I can't afford it. My best health insurance now is eating right and being careful. If something happens and I need a hospital stay or even a visit to the doctor, I'm screwed.
It's a right to own a gun in this country, but not a right to have basic primary health care, and to those thinking anyone can use the emergency department when needed, they need a reality check because that is not primary health care.
My opinions are biased on this subject and there is not enough time to express them before work, but I will later. Our system is broken, not necessarily the care available, but our system.
When I tell both patients and people I meet that I am a nurse, but I do not have health care they are shocked.
Then I explain about being in school full time and working per diem at the hospital and that I can't afford it. My best health insurance now is eating right and being careful. If something happens and I need a hospital stay or even a visit to the doctor, I'm screwed.
It's a right to own a gun in this country, but not a right to have basic primary health care, and to those thinking anyone can use the emergency department when needed, they need a reality check because that is not primary health care.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Just a game
It's not depressing that my football team did not make the playoffs. What's depressing is that some of the kids being drafted and signing multi-million dollar contracts this year on were born in 1989.
Personally I've given up watching a lot of professional sports and think the whole system is skewed. When athletes are paid millions of dollars a year to play a game, and professional teachers, doctors, researchers, nurses and others who better the world and change people's lives seem like an afterthought.
Personally I've given up watching a lot of professional sports and think the whole system is skewed. When athletes are paid millions of dollars a year to play a game, and professional teachers, doctors, researchers, nurses and others who better the world and change people's lives seem like an afterthought.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
JC
Jamie don’t overanalyze anything, this seemed like too good of an opportunity not to share, that is if you’re still reading my blog.
My advisor informed me of a Federal bill that was signed whereby specific schools and some primary care programs received grants through HHS. Our school will be using it to pay tuitions for all students enrolled in certain masters and PhD specialties through 2015. Other schools can probably use it as they see fit, but it might be worth looking into because U-Dub was on that list. Knowing your education and background would almost guarantee you a spot.
Not sure if your still there, a nurse or already in school? However, if done right you could defer current loans, have school paid for and under another program have old loans paid off after graduation.
What you choose to do with the information is your decision. A reference letter or ideas get in touch.
My advisor informed me of a Federal bill that was signed whereby specific schools and some primary care programs received grants through HHS. Our school will be using it to pay tuitions for all students enrolled in certain masters and PhD specialties through 2015. Other schools can probably use it as they see fit, but it might be worth looking into because U-Dub was on that list. Knowing your education and background would almost guarantee you a spot.
Not sure if your still there, a nurse or already in school? However, if done right you could defer current loans, have school paid for and under another program have old loans paid off after graduation.
What you choose to do with the information is your decision. A reference letter or ideas get in touch.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
1-1-11
Greed from corporations, banks and individuals caused hardships and pain to a large percentage of the population.
Individuals in the name of hate attacked innocent people around the world.
A global recession widened the gap between the wealthiest and the rest of us
Inadequate and non-existent health care for citizens of the richest country in the world only reinforced the centuries old gradient of health and wealth.
What I truly hope as we enter 2011 is that during the past year and especially the past decade, people have started realizing that we are all in the same boat and nobody stands alone. We need to be helping each other and not be taking advantage of each other.
Individuals in the name of hate attacked innocent people around the world.
A global recession widened the gap between the wealthiest and the rest of us
Inadequate and non-existent health care for citizens of the richest country in the world only reinforced the centuries old gradient of health and wealth.
What I truly hope as we enter 2011 is that during the past year and especially the past decade, people have started realizing that we are all in the same boat and nobody stands alone. We need to be helping each other and not be taking advantage of each other.
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