Hello class! My name is Thasha Chu, I am a College of the Canyons alumni, and am now a senior at the Emory University School of Nursing in Atlanta, GA. Professor Burke has invited me to share with you a couple insights I have discovered on my journey to becoming a nurse, to encourage you as you begin your own journeys.
Recently your Dean of Nursing said that nursing is when: "all the math and science comes together at a point in time when someone really needs you." When I first read this, a recent experience I had came to mind.
During my pediatric rotation I was assigned to a 12 week old infant admitted to the hospital for having "blue spells." The baby also had many other birth defects, and his mother was extremely distraught by this new development. Because I was pregnant at the time, the mother immediately felt comfortable with me, and when the rest of the care team left the room, the mother approached me. With tears in her eyes, she asked me what was going on, and asked me what the doctors and nurses were talking about. I sat with her for over an hour, explaining to her what was happening to her child.
It was at this time I realized that I was in a very unique position, I had the science and math background to enable this mother to make a more informed choice about her child's care, as well as give her the support she needed to continue to confront the huge battle she had ahead of her. If I didn't work hard while I was at COC to make anatomy, microbiology, and math second nature, there was no way Id have been able to help her, or the many other patients Ive treated over the past two years. These disciplines are the basis for every single thing you do and say while in the hospital.
The little patient I mentioned above was sent into the PACU the next day after having a cardiac arrest that night. I went to visit him two days later, and the mother said that because of her new understanding of what her son was going through, she decided to sign a Do Not Resuscitate order (what the doctors were asking her to do for quite a while). She had peace that she had done everything she could. A week later the little one passed away.
Nursing is about caring, about changing the world one life at a time. But if you don't understand why your patients are your patients, then you aren't doing everything you can to help them.
Welcome Thasha! Thank you so much for your sharing your insights. I have some questions, but I'll let the students comment first!
ReplyDeleteProf. Burke
What are "blue spells"? Also, what made you go into midwifery? I am interested in labor and delivery nursing, so this is interesting to me!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad, yet inspiring story. Your story shows that nurses are more than just caretakers. They are there to offer emotional support as well. There are so many times when patients and their loved ones get lost in the medical terminology of their doctors that they sometimes feel like they have no one to turn to. To me, having a good bedside manner is what is so important in going into the nursing profession.
Thank you for that inspiring story Thasha! I am hoping to eventually become a pediatric surgeon so your insights are helpful to me and to most of us I'm sure. I currently volunteer at a nursing home, and I've seen how dedicated and compassionate the nurses are with the patients and their families, esp. in geriatrics. But how do you talk to a patient and their family about losing a child or discussing their options when it comes to a young child? What exactly does a midwife do? Are there special classes or courses you had to take to become a midwife?
ReplyDeleteThank you Professor Burke for inviting me!
ReplyDeleteMargaret, blue spells are times when this baby would go blue from lack of oxygen. It usually happened when he got upset (like during a diaper change) or when he was fed anything through his nasogastric tube. His oxygen levels would get to 50%, which is very scary to even the most seasoned pediatric nurse (normally they should be between 92%-100%). Im sure you can imagine what the mother thought when it first started when he was at home.
Justine, talking to a parent about their child dying is very, very hard. In this case, I was able to explain what was happening in her son's body, why his heart and kidneys weren't working, and how treatments would, or wouldn't, work. Just having this information the mother was then able to connect the dots. I think she knew it was a losing battle, but none of the doctors up to that point really laid out the realities (just would ask her to sign the DNR order, but not why). And to be honest with you, I cried when this little one did die, as did the doctors and nurses who had been caring for him. Healthcare is indeed a difficult profession.
Midwifery! I could talk pages and pages about it, but I won't subject you to such torture. I've always had my heart set on helping mothers and babies start life in a positive way, which in our healthcare system right now is incredibly lacking. To be a nurse-midwife you must complete a Masters of Nursing, and take board exams to be certified. I also am completing my certification to be a Family Nurse Practitioner, because oddly enough, I love geriatrics too.
I've heard of blue spells before. What a very inspiring story! This makes me think twice about why I'm choosing to be a nurse. I love the idea of being able to help other people in a different level. Nursing is a profession that requires a lot of courage and compassion. This is definitely what I want to do.
ReplyDeleteI'm going into maternity nursing. I want to be able to help mother give birth to their baby. That's what I want to do, though a lot of people question me as to why I even wanna do that. But I do! Thank you for sharing this.
-Steph M.
Hello Thasha Chu,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, very inspiring story. It took me a minute to figure out what blue spells were but after a little thought I realized that it was most likely cyanosis due to low oxygen sateration levels. Ive seen it a couple of times in newborns, usually on the extremities; at first its scary, but with a APGAR of 7 its not too scary. When you say science backgrounds help you help others, I agree 110%. Im taking microbiology, anatomy and physiology this semester and already im a better EMT; anything from knowing how SARS and MMR is spread to the signs and symptoms of hypocalcaemia. In EMT school the briefly go over A&P and never go over micro, but with theses classes I feel more confident and can provide better care to my patients. I am a little confused on the levels of nursing. I know to get an RN license you can go through a course like the one offered at COC, but is there more schooling after you’re a RN to specialize in something ?
Hello Thasha! Thank you so much on taking your time to talk to us and answer questions! Your story is one of the reasons I can not wait to hopefully one day become a NICU nurse. Although, the story was not a happy ending you were able to help the mother of this poor baby and that is something the mother will remember. I am well aware of the sad days that can come with being a NICU nurse but knowing I can also be able to help people make the right decisions is what makes me want to help. Being able to connect with people at the worse times and help seems amazing to me. Letting them know you can and will do everything in order to help save their loved one is what draws me to nursing.
ReplyDeleteWhen people ask my why I would aspire to become a NICU nurse I simply respond by saying "although a lot of days will be hard,there will be days that make everything bad about the profession disappear. For me to see that what I helped to do will now be able to grow up and live life, that will be the day I worked so hard for."
Thank you for reassuring me this is truly what I would like to do and sharing that story!
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ReplyDeleteHi Thasha! First, thank you for sharing your story with us. I want to be a nurse as well and specialize in pediatrics. Your story shows me how nurses need to not only do their job right but also care about their patients. My mom has had brain surgery therefore needing to be hospitalized for a few days. After both surgeries, I knew I wanted to become a nurse and make a difference in someone’s life. I came to realize that there are nurses who really care about their patients and there are those who just see it as a job that pays their bills. I know that any class I need to prepare for nursing school will somehow make a difference in the future. I agree with you that it is necessary to work hard in anatomy, microbiology, and math to be knowledgeable and help patients. I actually visited a doctor the other day and he advised me to really learn and always ask questions because that is extremely important in the medical field. Stories like yours really inspire me to do better and motivate me to try my hardest. Thank you again and I hope to hear from you soon.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Jeanette L
Hello Tasha,
ReplyDeleteFirst and foremost I would like to thank you for taking the time to be a part of our class blog. It is always great to hear from a successful former COC student, congratulations on your achievements. Second, I have read that blue spells are caused by a decreased amount of blood flow to the lungs caused by some type of heart disease. Are there any other reasons a child may be diagnosed with blue spells? Did you gain most of your knowledge in school or from experience?
I too am interested in nursing and I have recently realized the importance of understanding each preparatory subject for nursing. However, I have heard that the individuals with the higher grades in Math and Sciences have an easier acceptance to the nursing program. With your experience in mind, how would you determine how well an individual is informed? Do higher grades determine your understanding of the subject matter? Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Liliana Velasco
Hi Thasha,
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking time to share that amazing story and answer our questions. Nursing is one of those complex careers that is always challenging, yet the tremendous rewards outweigh the obstacles. I am so excited about pursuing my career in nursing for that very reason! I appreciate you reaffirming for me that to overcome those challenges with grace and precision, I must utilize these classes to equip me. Interestingly, my boyfriend and I were discussing emergency medicine and how my dream is to work as a trauma nurse. We were talking about how that is a high-intensity, high-stress atmosphere, but with the more training, knowledge and skills I acquire...the better I will be able to handle each scenario, because I know they will all be different in some shape or form. In addition, you stress in the story one of the more important tasks as a nurse that you and evenutally I will face, that is being the liaison for patients between the doctors and them. To offer excellent patient care, which is utimately what each nurse is striving to deliver, nurses must possess proficient communication skills where the patient is comfortable, yet being informed. Your story is such a wonderful example of this skill that is essential to being a great nurse and it encourages me to be that compassionate liaison for patients. For your masters degree, did you have to write a thesis or could you take comprehensive exams? If you wrote your thesis, what was the subject and how did you choose it? How will this research (whether for your exams or thesis) positively impact your nursing career? What was one of your most challenging days in your clinical rotations (other that difficult day of discussing the options for her child with that distraught mother) and how did you overcome the obstacles? In addition, what was the most difficult clincial rotation for you and why? What kind of benefits are there that you will have with your masters in nursing? Thank you so much for encouraging us to establish a sturdy foundation for our future careers in medicine with the classes we are taking now. Hope to hear from you soon!
Best regards,
Kelsey Bloore
Hello Thasha!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking the time to speak to our class! I am a volunteer in Valley Pres’s NICU/PICU and Peds departments and the moment and hearing this story really helps me understand what I have witnessed. Distraught parents and confused families are a regular. Your story is truly inspiring and shows that there are still nurses and people out there who still want to make a difference in a person’s life. And that a nurse does more than just assist a doctor or change dirty diapers. I was wondering what made you decide to become a nurse. For me it was over summer that I really solidified my dream to become a nurse practitioner. I went on a volunteer trip to Kenya and worked in a clinic, I met the most amazing nurses, such as yourself, who truly cared about what they were doing. I saw patients so sick that they were literally just skin and bone and could not move. One of my patients passed away at the age of 17 from HIV. Your story has taught me that I will encounter hard decisions and emotional times such as these in my future career as a nurse where every I decide to take my career, and that my training from COC and nursing school is an important aspect of facing these challenges. Thank you again for sharing this story and helping me realize Microbiology isn’t just a class I need to pass, but one I really need to understand and will utilize in the future.
Congratulations on the new baby!
Paige DeBellis
Wow! What a heart warming story. I love hearing stories just like these ones, because I too want to become a nurse. It is nice to know that someone else understands the passion and discipline that comes with that profession. It also helped me realize that although I may sometimes feel like my studies don't matter right now, it will all pay off in the end and I will fully appreciate all the time and hard work I put into my classes today.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of questions for you Thasha. What made you go into Nursing? Also, I have my mind pretty set on going into Pediatrics, as you did your rounds which department really stood out to you?
Thanks for sharing your story and inspiring me to do well and strive for the best!
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ReplyDeleteHello Thasha!
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring story! I could feel the passion you have for nursing in your story. I didn't realize i wanted to pursue a career in nursing until i got a job at the local YMCA. I help people everyday with their workouts and encourage them to reach their fitness goals. I found that helping people has come natural to me. Like you said, nursing requires knowledge in all of the sciences and mathematics as well, but i believe a personable attitude and comforting touch is also needed. i am not in the nursing program yet, but i will be applying soon. I have found that becoming nurse is not going to be a breeze. Professor Burke's mircobiology class has shown me that. I have a couple questions i want to ask you about nursing and the journey to becoming a nurse. When you attended COC, did you have any specific type of studying techniques or resources you used to get through all of these tough classes? How did you decide what field of nursing you wanted to work in?
Thank you for the story and your time! Have a great senior year! :)
Hello Tasha!
ReplyDeleteI want to thank you for taking the time to share your expirence with us. It is always nice to hear from a former student who can relate to what we are going through. I could not agree with you more, in terms of being there for patients. It is always scary when someone is in the hospital and dont exactly knowwhat is going on with one of their loved ones. I have encountered nurses that are not so patient with parents/ family members and nothing can be more fustrating then that. I am a phlebotomy tech and I see this happen all the time. As i am drawing a patient they often ask me what is going on...why are they running so many test...or what they need more blood for. I want to be that nurse to be able to expain the patients exactly what is going on with them. Like yourself I am very intrested in labor and delivery. I feel that having a nurse by your side during a life changing event is very imporant and to have a nice communication with the nurse is also very important. I have a few questions to ask you. First I would like to ask you how did you know that you wanted to become a nurse was ther some magical moment where it just hit you? Second being a mother do you feel that your patients connect with you in a much diffrent way as apposed to someone who does not have kids? Why or why not? Again thank you for taking the time and writting to us and allowing us the oppertunity to be able to ask you questions. I hope to read more from you soon.
P.S congrats on the new baby!
Hello Thasha!
ReplyDeleteThank you for guest-blogging on our class site! It's always nice to hear experiences from actual nurses! I think hearing from you will really help us students who are so close to applying to the program refocus ourselves and remember what we are in school for in the first place. This story is one that I'm sure pediatric nurses go through more often that they would like. How do you deal with explaining such a difficult and heartbreaking situation to a mother? I worry that the emotional part of nursing will sometimes become overwhelming when dealing with devastating situations like this. Is it hard to stay professional in situations like this one? Also, what exactly does a midwife do? I'm still searching for what part of nursing I want to specialize in, there are just so many different options!
Thank you again for your post and congratulations on your success, I hope we get to hear more from you again this semester!
Thank you for taking the time to write your post Tasha! It is very reassuring to hear from someone who has been through the college of the canyons route and successfully made it out. I am an intern at Queen of the Valley hospital and I am witnessing and learning that when you say, "Nursing is about caring, about changing the world one life at a time. But if you don't understand why your patients are your patients, then you aren't doing everything you can to help them." Having to deal with losing a patient is an emotional process that everone in this profession has to deal with, but I feel fortunate enough to hear about your experience. Thank you again!
ReplyDelete-Robbie
Great questions everyone! I'm glad you are getting the chance to communicate with Thasha. I especially like the request for her success tips. That's a great idea. Though Thasha may be a little busy for awhile, I might try some other students and maybe all of you can share your tips. We could come up with a top 10 from everyone's input. But, I digress...It's interesting that so many of you want to go into Peds or Labor and Delivery!
ReplyDeleteHi Thasha,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that very inspiring story with our class. I just recently started volunteering at Henry Mayo under the Women's Unit and NICU. At first I was overwhelmed with all the responsibilities given to me even just as a volunteer. However, I do enjoy it a lot because I am learning so much and all the nurses are very willing to answer all my questions and help me out. I have always been interested in pediatrics, but now I find myself very curious about what else is out there. What would you say were your three most favorite rotations? Also, I am only 19 and I find it harder to relate to the mothers because I have not experienced having a little one myself. Do you have any advice as to how I can better communicate with the patients?
After working in the field, doing c-sections and cerclage and putting tubes in kid ears and taking stuff out of kids ears, Peds and L&D are probably the last place I'd want to end up. I don't envy OB/GYNS one bit. One deals with angry women(L&D) and the other deals with angry parents.
ReplyDeleteAndrew Brown
Hi My name is Andrew,
ReplyDeleteI work at a L.A. county hospital as a surgical technician and work in close relation with the NICU and the pediatric unit. That has to be the toughest job to deal with children because one they're scared out of their wits and have no idea whats going on, then you have the parents who are worried and also have no idea whats going on. I've noticed that alot of the residents have a tendancy to dehumanize their patients and us nurses have to drag them back to earth. Probably why its hard to find a good pediatrician. I've noticed over my time at the hospital that the doctors learn to rely on advice from the nurses. Another reason why our education as nurses is important. There has also been times when doctors will ask me how to do their procedures or what they are looking at. Kind of scary sometimes. Without a right education, it would be hard to help them in some circumstances. Have you experienced anything like this? If so, how did you deal with it?
Hi Thasha,
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking your time & sharing your story with us. It's extremely inspiring to hear someone's as successful as you in the field.
I am also pursuing a career into nursing specifically into the Emergency Care Unit. My mother works in the ER as a Registered Nurse & my father works as a PET clinician/Supervisor RN & are very respected in their work. I'd like to be like them one day following in their footsteps.
Your story is extremely inspiring to read. In the future I hope to meet with you in the field. I'd like to ultimately provide proficient care, great communications skills & make sure my patients are comfortable with their surroundings.
My mother only has an AA degree in RN nursing while my father has an AA in RN with a Bachelors degree & they seem to be living a very good life. Out of curiosity what kind of benefits will you have when you receive a mastered in Nursing?
Thank you for the excellent story & inspiring us. It's truly hard to live with our economy & makes it so much easier to know there are people out there that are very successful. It gives me encouragement to study hard & follow my dreams.
Jerome Basilio
Hello Thasha,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experience with our class. I look up to nurses like yourself that are in this profession for the right reasons. What is blue spells? I currently volunteer at Henry Mayo Hospital here in Santa Clarita in the womens unit as well. Every time I am at the hospital the patients show their appreciation for the volunteers. I am spanish speaking and have noticed that the spanish speaking patients are extra comfortable with me. I also noticed the staff also have someone to count on when their is a language barrier. As far as being a support system for patients as you have mentioned in your blog, I am ready! However, I just want to feel confident about my knowledge of nursing after nursing school. Do you feel that will be the case? or do you recommend anything else that will help in building a new nurses confidence? Hope to hear about more of your experiences again.
Thanks again,
Ruby Lemos
Thank you for the wonderful insight on how helpful these prerequisits for nursing can be. My major is nursing and I must admit that I was taking these classes just because I had to, not necessarily out of interest. Your blog did inspire me to take these classes for seriously. I should be starting nursing school either in spring or next fall. How was nursing school for you? Which professor made the biggest impact on you? If there is any advice that you can give me it would be greatly appreciated. I am a little nervous about nursing school but I know i can do it. It must have been hard to be in the position that you were in with the little patients mom. I can imagine wanting to be sympathetic, but at the same time logical. It was good that you were able to inform the mom more about the childs condition. It is hard for someone to make such an important decision when knowing so little about it. My stepmom is also a nurse and from the stories that she brings home, that quote seems to be right on the dot. How long have you been a nurse? Do you plan to stay in the field that you are in or transfer to another one?
ReplyDeleteHello
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this with us, your story makes me think twice about my studies at coc, and that its not just a bunch of useless material that we have to study for the test, I am happy that all the knowlege we learn are put to use later on in our education and careers in the medical field.I am planning to become a pharmacist and I hope, I can be Helpful when time comes to talk to my Patients and give them hope and comfort.
Thank you Again
Belnadin
Hello Thasha,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this with all of us. It is so great to see that a nurse is actually doing what all nurses should be doing.
From my few experiences in hospitals, the nurses I have encountered are "normal people just at work." Every time I see these "normal people just at work," I become more inspired to try to be the best nurse, or a better one if that. You are doing an amazing job doing what you do. You are an inspiration to all of us who hope to one day be in the same position you are in.
I just have one question though, as I am getting closer and taking the bigger steps to becoming a nurse, I always ask myself questions and this one always comes up, "How do you cope with, or how do you stay strong when, say you had a special bond or a connection with a patient, and that patient doesn't end up making it?"
I have such a big heart and I think this is what will truly be my greatest weakness when I finally become a nurse. I would love to hear what you have to say, and how or what you do when this happens, or will happen to you.
Thank you so so much again, and CONGRATS on your new coming baby:)Take care!
- Megan R.
Hi Thasha,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for dedicating the time to write this blog for our class! I know you have an extremely busy schedule with being a senior in nursing school! Your story is very inspirational to me because i, like many others in the class is majoring in nursing. You have made me realize that I really need to be taking all these required classes seriously because it will help me tremendously in the future, whether in nursing school or when i'm already a nurse. I will now always remember your quote you mentioned in the blog, "all the math and science comes together at a point in time when someone really needs you", to encourage me to work harder in these required classes because someday, i will need to know that knowledge.
My family is full of nurses, my mom, brother and two sisters are all Registered Nurses. They all share their work stories which encourages me to become a nurse as well. I am the type of person that wants to help anyone out if there is a chance for me to. The only problem is, i don't know how they don't become emotionally attached to their patients. How were you able to stay that strong when you already knew the chances of that baby living was very slim and you still had to make the mother understand? I would love to hear how you are able to do it, because it would help me greatly in the nursing field in the future!
It's so nice of you to take the time to give us this inspiring blog! Thank you so much!Also, congratulation on the baby! Is it a boy or girl?! :)
- Karen Soriano
Hi Thasa
ReplyDeleteI find it awesome that you are a senior at Emory University School of Nursing congrats on all your accomplishments. The story was very interesting as well as inspiriting. It is very cool that you new a lot of information about what the baby was going through. I for once never even heard of blue spell or any of its symptoms. Do you ever imagine what could of happened if you had no idea what blue spells would do to the baby, and that mother would have never asked anyone for insight, how different things might have been. Since I was young I wanted nursing as a career, and I have seen that getting there is challenging, but with your inspiriting story you have pushed us toward are dreams more. Thanks for sharing.
-Brenda Q.
Thasha,
ReplyDeleteYour story was very informational and a real eye opener to many of us that our thinking of the nursing career.I think that your story is just a fraction of all the struggles and hardships that we will face in the nursing career and it just shows the hardwork and dedication that is put into your job everyday. I also enjoyed reading your story because it shows the everyday choices you must also face in your job which can really impact the life of many people. Thank you so much for your insight, and good luck with your new addition to your family!!!
- Jonathan Galicia
are*
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking the time to blog with us. Your story was very eye opening. I've thought about going into neonatal nursing before and now I'm not sure if I could get into that field. I love to help people in anyway I can, but telling a parent that their child is dying and trying to console them is an entirely different story. It's inspiring to know that their are people who really know how to help others when they're going through some very rough times and hopefully if I still pursue nursing I would be able to help someone as well as you did.
ReplyDeleteThank you Thasha Chu for your incitfull and inspiring story. I have heard stories of blue spell and it is extremely sad to realize the situation parents are in, and having to decide the life of their child. Your statement that "if you don't understand why your patients are your patients, then you aren't doing everything you can help them" is well stated to people who are just taking this job because of how much money nurses can make. Nursing is about caring and being there for the patient, not for the paycheck. This is the reason why I want to be a nurse and relieved that I'm almost finishing my prerequisites; however, I am still unsure which area of nursing I want to do. I know there are a great deal of areas to work in as a nurse, but I do not know if I want to work in pediatrics, being a midwife or in hospital there are just so many different opportunities. I currently volunteer at Henry Mayo Hospital in Med Surg. 1 which is not bad at all although I would be interested in engaging in a more nursing aspect. Here is my question to you: How did you know you wanted to be a midwife? What did you do to get to where you are today?
ReplyDeleteHello Tasha
ReplyDeleteThank for taking the time to share your story with us. It really gave me more insight on what it is to be a nurse. I think you’ve truly showed us nursing majors an understanding of what it means to be a nurse. With your story, you’ve told us that the most important thing about nursing is caring for others. You bringing all your knowledge into the table, taking the time to explain everything to the patient to try to relieve her of her stress, and most importantly, making a change and impact in a person’s life, I think are the most rewarding aspects of being a nurse. And that’s what inspires me to be a nurse- to care, to understand [others], and to inspire. You also show us what separates averages nurses from good nurses. You spending an hour with that patient just to give insight and comfort is really admirable. I’ve actually heard stories of how some nurses just go about and work for the money, but don’t really care or take the time to understand their patients. But you’ve really laid out for us the epitome of what a nurse is and their role with your story. Thank you for that. Your story is truly a motivating factor in my career choice and made me see more on why I want to help others.
I was also wondering, what inspired to you take on nursing? Was there an event in your life that drove you to become a nurse, especially pediatrics?
Thank you again.
-Niccolo Tualla
Hello Thasha,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing one of your many experiences. Before I decided to major in nursing, I was doing my general pre-requisites including math, which I could never understand why it would be useful. Later, I realized that math was required to have the ability to solve problems and use critical thinking in every aspect besides math problems. After reading your post, I have an even more of a respect for math due to how you were able to apply it to a real life situation. I have always believed that Microbiology, Chemistry, and Anatomy/Physiology would be useful for a nursing career, and now I know math will be too.
In my eyes, you are a wonderful nurse because you had the nurturing and informative capability to let the mother of the 12 week infant know how to handle the situation. I could only imagine how hard it was for you to help her decide such a big decision since you are a mother yourself. We need more nurses like you in the world because you are the definition of a true nurse. Congratulations on the new baby to come :)
I have a few questions if you do not mind: How did you know you wanted to become a nurse? What caused the infant to get blue spells? What are the chances the baby can overcome this unfortunate circumstance?
Kind Regards,
Maria Serota
Hey Thasha,
ReplyDeleteYou probably heard this from many other students but this story was very inspirational. This story really touched my heart and got me emotional. Most of all, your story and your experiences really motivated me in striving hard and doing the best I can in all of my science and math classes. I am really lucky to having the advantages of learning with great professors at College of the Canyons who really care about you. I'm sure you felt the same way. My goal in life is to help, care, and change people's lives, just as you do. I don't care how long it takes me to get there, but I am never giving up. I really appreciate that you took the time to share your story with our class. I look up to people like you who just want to help others get better. Thank you Thasha.
-Allen Rapisura
Thank you Thasha for your insightful posts. I am inspired by you and your story, as I am a mother in school as well. Often I am discouraged by the years of school ahead, but your story has lifted me up. You have reminded me that school is one aspect of my life and that it is a journey and discovery process. I appreciated your story about the baby with “blue spells”. As I am sure it was an incredibly difficult situation for you, it sounds like your knowledge helped a struggling mother resolve an unimaginable conflict. It seems that nursing is a dynamic field thats core is about caring for others, but the foundation is based in science and math. It will be exciting to see this foundation we are laying now, actualize into a nursing career. I am realizing after a mere eight weeks of microbiology, anatomy and physiology, my vernacular is becoming more science driven. Furthermore, I feel these classes are preparing us for the serious tone of our future careers. It is vital to understand aseptic technique, and know about the bacteria, viruses, and fungi that are a major part of the clinical world. Again, thank you for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteThasha,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your time and your wisdom.Your story reminded me of the unique types of relationships out there in clinical situations. I'm so happy this women found you in time to find peace before her child died. Because of your hard work, you gave her the background information she needed. My grandma had a nurse like you when she had cancer.This nurse made all the difference. Thank you for caring. I want this so bad.
I'm curious about about your study habits. I'm having a hard time finding discipline to sit and study. Any advice would really help me at this point.
Thank you,
Amber Felgenhauer
Hi Tasha! Your story is very inspiring. I would not want to be in that mom's position. I'm a mom myself and I love my son very much! Oh, I also want to do labor and delivery feild. I just realized when I used to go to my appointments when I was pregnant, I would observe the nurses and I like what they do, especially seeing all the babies that are born everyday. I love my classes right now and I do appreciate them and I have learned alot in evry classes, especially Anatomy Physiology and Microbio. I tell me family when I get home what I learned usually so that I would not forget what I just learned. Well I'm excited to get into the nursing feild and being able to help others. See you around someday =]
ReplyDelete*sorry for my grammar. It seems like I wrote so fast that it kind of not making sense when you read it. But ya, I would need to learn how to talk to patients when it comes to telling them bad news. I think that's the part that I would hate to do. But the rewarding part is that when you have helped patients, they give you smiles and appreciations and makes the job more easier.
ReplyDeleteJoshua – Good for you for being an EMT! I was before I started my journey toward nursing, and it has helped me a great deal. After you become an RN, pretty much you can specialize just by getting a job on the type of floor you would like to specialize in. So if you want to do emergency, then get a job in an ER. Its all on the job training from there!
ReplyDeleteLiliana – Blue spells almost always start at the heart or pulmonary level, in this case it was a congential heart defect that this little one had, which led to pulmonary hypertension, and these blue spells. There are many other reasons that he could have had these spells (such as apnea of prematurity, or central apnea). Grades are so sticky! Better grades in these pre-requisite courses are very important to getting into any nursing program, and yes, they do seem to be very important in succeeding in the actual nursing classes. A lot of the NCLEX (RN licensing exam) starts with anatomy/physiology questions, as well as medication math.
Kelsey – For the Masters you take a licensing exam for the area you are specializing in. Lucky me, I get to take two, one for midwifery, and one for family nurse practitioner. Having a masters pretty much ensures you can work for yourself, and you more or less act in the role of a physician (you can have your own practice in many states). You don’t have to do research to complete your masters in nursing, but I highly recommend doing so anyway. Ive had the opportunity to be a co-author on two research articles (to be published soon!) and that has opened so many doors. Future employers like to see that too. My most challenging rotation was definitely pediatrics, simply because I am a mom to two boys (5 and 3) and was pregnant, and I found it hard to leave the thoughts of these little ones at the hospital, and not take it home.
Nicole – The Adult Cardiac Critical Care Unit stood out from all my rotations (yes, even more than maternity!) because of the things I saw and was able to do. At the end of the rotation I was a pro at pulling chest tubes and doing assessments on post-surgical patients. It was a great experience!
James – when I was at COC the best thing I did to study for class was relate it to my real life. If I thought about the microbes I were growing as to where I could find them (eg my kitchen sponge) then I would remember that for the test. This application is especially useful for nursing classes! You remember specifics about diabetes after you’ve had a patient with diabetes.
Adriana – Being a mother has opened lines of communication with my patients that I never would have imagined! They get more comfortable, share parts of their lives that they wouldn’t think was relevant to their care, but is very important. Of course one doesn’t have to be a parent to be a good nurse, but I just found it has been very helpful in creating rapport with my patients.
Kristin – Its not hard to stay professional in bad situations (given good training), but it is hard to leave the bad stuff at the hospital when you go home. Many hospitals have debriefing after bad outcomes, which helps the team sift through their feelings and how to make the situation have gone better (if applicable).
Khristine – I also volunteered at Henry Mayo Women’s Unit while at COC! It’s a very good place to start, to get a feel for the hospital culture. Even though you haven’t had children, you can be (and will be) a great nurse. Just make sure to ask questions that are open-ended, and listen without judging. That alone will help your patients feel at ease, which is half the battle.
Andrew – You sound like you already know half the battle! I have had doctors and other nurses ask me questions about maternity-related issues when I was on other floors, and I would answer to the best of my knowledge, and an honest “I don’t know, but I can find out” goes a long way!
ReplyDeleteRuby – You feel ready to learn more once you finish nursing school, but the best way to truly feel confident is to get your hands into as much as you can, observe procedures that interest you and are relevant to your area of nursing, and join a professional organization. Joining a professional organization is not only a key thing you can do to better yourself, but employers will love seeing that on your resume, and many will also pay better.
Kandyce – Nursing school is hard! As it should be, because you NEED to be pushed to your limits, as nurses are every single day. You may literally have lives in your hands, so you need to be prepared to do what you need to do for a successful outcome. Being at Emory, I have had many, many wonderful professors, who truly care about the success of their students. I am incredibly lucky in that regard, as these are the pioneers in the nursing field. I actually still am in nursing school (finishing in May), so Im still in the trenches, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Megan – Your fear was my number one fear going into nursing school. Its interesting how you learn to go into “nurse mode” and am able to work through your feelings. Also, having the support of the whole team, and getting to talk to other nurses when you patient has a bad outcome is very important. But it is something you will have to work on, so be prepared. But I personally think not being completely emotionally detached helps the patient in the long run, so don’t check your compassion at the door, ok?
Amber – It will always be hard to sit and study! Procrastination still chases me, even though I love the material I am working on. The best advice is to create a study group. That way you have to know your material to explain to fellow classmates, as well as you have to do the work, others are counting on you! It’s a great motivator, so start now, and when you get to the tough stuff in nursing school, you already have a plan in place.
Everyone – I wanted to be a doctor from when I was a small child, the human body was just so interesting to me. As I got older (and wiser) I realized that I wanted to be with my patients, not just diagnose them. Nursing is holistic, seeing not only the illness, but the whole person. Im sure this is the very same reason that many of you are on this journey toward becoming a nurse.
I am so proud of all of you. From your words I know that each of you will make a difference in many, many lives. Things will be tough, but there are many that have gone before you that are very invested in your success. Good luck, and I look forward to seeing you change this profession for the better!
-Thasha
Thasha, you are awesome, thank you so much for giving so much of your time to answer so many student's questions. I know they all appreciate it as much as I do!
ReplyDeleteThasha,I appreciate the advice you gave me. Thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteThanks Thasha. I actually talked to more nurses and doctors today and I am getting more used to my duties and responsibilities as a volunteer. I wonder if some of the staff still remembers you. I will definitely ask around!
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