My new home

Intermountain Medical Center.... IMC. Lately it seems like this is my home away from home. I am here on Mondays, Tuesday, and Wednesdays for clinicals and then I venture on up to the rehab floor whenever I have time to sit with my Grandma. For those who don't know, my Grandma had a hemorrhagic stroke 3 weeks ago when she came down to Utah for the Jazz game and has been recovering here ever since.

I have been thinking alot lately about this career that I have chosen, and watching someone that I love struggle back to health has given me an entire new perspective on medicine. All of a sudden an IV bag is not just something I need to hurry and change, but something that is helping to pull the fluid off of my Grandmother's brain, a feeding tube went from something that slowed me down while giving morning meds to the only thing that is providing nutrition to the woman who has fed me countless times throughout my childhood. I am suddenly grateful for this hospital: for the smells, for the medicine, and for all the people who save lives everyday. It really is different to see this process from the eyes of the patient's family. I hope that I can carry this feeling and this lesson with me throughout my career in healthcare and remember that every patient is not just another case, not just someone I need to chart on... but a real person with feelings and worries and loved ones. My Grandma is a fighter and I know she is going to pull through this, and if I had to come to this hospital every day for the rest of my life: I would be happy to call it my new home.

Pros vs. Cons

Cons:

Monday- Work from 10-4 pick my patient at the hospital at five and have med cards, nursing diagnoses and patho complete. Finish online ATI exam by 9:00

Tuesday- Arrive at the hospital at 6:30, leave the floor at 2:30, attend post clinical conference until 3:30. Complete patho, med cards, lab data and nursing diagnoses for new patient

Wednesday- Arrive at the hospital at 6:30, leave the floor at 2:30, attend post clinical conference until 3:30. Finish up entire care plan for Thursday morning and study for any exams/quizzes

Thursday: Hand in nursing care plan by nine, attend class from 9:30-3:30 or 5:30 depending on the week. Study for any exams/quizzes

Friday- Attend class from 9:30-3:30 or 5:30 depending on the week

Pros:

Meeting some of the most fantastic people I have ever met. I ♥ these girls (and boys) so much. Friday our research class was cancelled so we went to lunch and a movie. It is so good to have people that I care about around me all the time. They really get what it's like to deal with the stressors of school and everyday life. Plus, it doesn't hurt that they are just so darn fun.

Thanks for all of the fun times guys! I ♥ you and appreciate the fun day. And Landon, thanks for putting up with my super stressed out/grumpy self. It's nice to know you will always be in my corner.

He's a Celebrity....

Close enough, anyway. This weekend Colby raced in the X-games. It was a blast to go and watch him and I was SO proud! He did a great job and it was so good to see him live his dream! This was his first year and something that he was wanted to do his whole life. I remember him watching them when he was little and idolizing all the racers. He placed sixth in the first race and then had an unfortunate mishap (he crashed) in the second race. Whatever the place... he definitely had the largest fan club there (we love him a lot).

On a totally different note: I am considering starting a Facebook. Now, hear me out. I hate social networks, despise them actually. I think it's weird that people have more "virtual friends" than real friends and I hate the thought that someone can just look me up through someone who knows someone that I know. My nursing class has a Facebook page where all of our pictures are placed and I can never see them. So.... do you have a Facebook? Do you like it? Will I be totally hypocritical if I get one?! ( I already know the answer to this, so just validate me and comment "No, not at all. I think you should get one." That would make us good friends, the real kind.)