Goodbye ICU, Hello Refugee!

I was absolutely terrified for this semester.

Intensive Care Unit & Mental Health Nursing.

Oh boy.

I remember my TA from my nursing communications class scaring the heebie-jeebies out of me when she told us about 5th semester.

It was a tough one... but I feel like she over-exaggerated.

Yes, I worked my butt off and did all of my reading...

but it was worth it.

This was the first semester where I felt like... "Hey, I can be a nurse!"

It was a semester where everything came together:

Critical thinking, prioritization, skills, the whole shebang!

Over the past 4 months I have learned so much, strengthened old friendships and made news ones.

Although I am getting so excited for the end...

I can't help but think about how much I am going to miss my nursing friends.

I often feel I take them for granted.

They are there every step of the way to answer questions, pick me up when I'm down and quiz me on random nursing facts before exams.

Very rarely do we see each other outside of class or clinical,

but Jenny, our clinical instructor, had us over for dinner and a motivational movie.

I loved how much talking and laughter there was. 

We really have become great friends over the past few years.

Here are a few pictures from a final hoorah with my clinical group:

Cute girls all cuddled up for the movie!

The boys, getting cozy together :)

Me and Angela: So excited for the movie!

Me and Jos: The pregnant ladies of the group & Jenny with part of our thank-you gift.

Love these people! Thanks for a great semester!!

Although the semester hasn't officially ended, I have already started working on Spring clinical hours.

Since I'm having my baby in the middle of the term I needed to get a head start.

I was bummed that I wasn't going abroad like most of my classmates, but I have found that this clinical has been a lot more eye-opening than I imagined. 

Throughout the term I'll be working with Refugees. 

I had no idea that there were so many refugees in the Salt Lake area!

Twice a week I go to a Volunteer Clinic in Provo.

The population we see there is mainly Hispanic... boy do I wish I spoke Spanish.

I've also interacted with Somalians at a Health Workshop in SLC.

While the adults were taught about reproductive health, I hung out with their children, colored pictures, played around and taught them about basic hygiene-- like how to brush your teeth.

They made me laugh so hard!

Paul and went to a special showing of "The Day My God Died"

It can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV5W6F4L5i8

It's about Human Trafficking in Nepal/India.

I wish this weren't a real problem. It's absolutely heartbreaking.

Following the showing, Anuradha spoke to us.

It was an amazing experience to hear from someone who helps fight against this problem.

She is pictured on the right in the picture below:

 

This past week I also went to an 8 hour Global Health Conference.

I was a bit skeptical about such a long conference, but most of it was really good!

It definitely made me want to go abroad and help those in need.

However, working with refugees helps remind me that there is a lot of work that needs to be done here.

The most recent refugee experience I had was this Sunday.

Paul and I went to a Thai branch for church.

I was so nervous.

You have no idea how much I struggle with language barriers!

Thinking about how scared I was to go to their branch made me contemplate the courage it takes for refugees to function here in the United States.

So far I have completed 25 hours.

75 more to go and lots to learn.

Bring it on, Spring Term!!