April 8, 2009!!!

Greetings to All!!!!

Please excuse the delay in posting. I find myself thinking constantly about what I want to say about my experiences, and I am always challenged with how to share and express myself about what I am doing and seeing. It is all so profound. I love the opportunity of being able to meet so many people of so many different cultures through my job, both as patients and coworkers. As I have said earlier, Britain has recruited nurses from many other countries, including India, Philippines, and Africa. They come over as nurses in their home country, then spend approximately six months in England doing an overseas nursing program, which includes a lengthy work/study program in a nursing home-like setting. Then they continue to build on their skills in the hospital setting, adding medication and iv skills to their studies.
Coming over as an American nurse, I did not have to do the six month program, but rather a 20-day program that I was able to do here in Portland. But I was stripped of my skills and had to do the study programs including medications and iv training, the later I have still not done.
I am learning more differences all the time. The other day I had a patient who I suggested could use a muscle relaxer, and was talking to the pharmacist about it. He thought I was suggesting a low dose of diazepam, as he was not familiar with a category of medications known as muscle relaxers.
Please enjoy the attached pictures, which include some equipment used by the physical therapists to help people work on standing. They also use a tilt table, basically a table that people are strapped onto, they the table tilts to put them in standing position!!
Also, a picture of the medication cart with its contents. It is so nice having medications available for distribution. I also included a picture of one of the bays of patient beds, and you can see how good it is for patients to be able to visit with each other.

Also included are some pictures of Madeline and her girlfriend from college, Katee, who came over for spring break. If anyone is wanting to come over, you better do it soon, as my time is winding down. I have to say, I am so looking forward to returning to Providence Portland and being with my coworkers!!! I miss everyone so much!!

Enjoy!!!!