Livin' in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Hello all,

Although it has snowed here in West Virginia a couple times before, I think today's snow was definitely the start of what looks to be a long, cold winter.  I am currently bundle up on my couch, wearing my thick, faux fur jacket, and a scarf.  I'm nice and warm and toasty with the winter attire.  I also warmed my innards with a healthy serving of peppermint hot chocolate from Starbucks, courtesy of Frank and Ellie.  All of the generous gifts have eased me into living so far away, detached from everyone.  I'm so thankful for the caring parents and friends and family God has provided for me.  By no means is living so far away easy for me, but the Banana Republic scarf, and the hot Italian sausage, along with the previously mentioned hot cocoa definitely has eased my transition.  Along with adapting to a colder weather climate, West Virginia has brought other challenges.

Whether in WV, a different state, or in California, living on my own has proved challenging.  It is only magnified by the distance away from home, and the different weather conditions and culture.  Being independent and cooking for one has it's advantages and disadvantages.  I eat the same thing for 3 days most of the time.  Lasagna, broccoli chicken and rice, baked rigatoni with hot Italian sausage.  Also, it was at home, that whoever cooked, didn't have to clean.  Not so when living alone.  I get to do all my cleaning, cooking, and shopping.  Speaking of shopping, it's very different shopping here.  There's Walmart, and Kroger's, which is like a Safeway or Lucky.  But mostly, it's just Walmart.  There's no Trader Joe's, whom I miss dearly.  No Whole Foods, Mollie Stone's, or Lunardi's.  And there's definitely no Asian Market, like Marina.  And there's no Quickly.  I wonder how long Jordan Pon could go without a pearl milk tea.  Something that sort of resembles Panda Express is the closest to Chinese as it gets around here.  Restaurants consists of fast food, national chains, and steakhouses.

In California, people go to the shopping malls to hang out, walk around.  There's no real shopping mall around here.  No Apple store, Ikea, Nordstrom, Banana Republic in WV.  They do other things here.  I hear of great things to do like skiing, snowboarding, water rafting, hiking, etc.  I guess I'll be learning how to slide down slopes of powder soon.  It also means I'm going to have to get used to the cold.

People are real friendly and helpful here.  Everyone has been really helpful, encouraging, and patient with me at work, as I am a new RN, learning how to do what it is that RN's do.  I've also been extended a warm welcome at a local church, where I think I've found my niche.  Daniel's Bible Church (DBC), is somewhat similar to MBC, which is a little reminder of home.  The people there have been very welcoming, inviting me to their homes for Thanksgiving dinner, and over to the pastor's home for a college/career small group that meets on Sunday night.  Sound familiar?  I've gotten to meet some great young people right around my age, who also attend the local Bible college.  I hope to develop lasting relationships with the people I've met here in WV, both at work, and at church.  Until next time, Adios.

Church Adventures

This post took me multiple tries of me trying to figure exactly how I wanted to tell of my church visiting experience in West Virginia (WV) so far.  Let me start of by saying this.  My hope is to find a church that has solid, Bible-centered beliefs, where I can serve in some capacity.

I've been here in Beckley, WV for about three weeks, and have visited that many different churches.  I've visited a different church every Sunday.  I went about looking for churches as any foreigner would, I googled "churches in Beckley, WV," looking for churches that had solid doctrine and beliefs.   I came upon a website that looked very promising, Oak Grove Christian Church.  When I visited that church, everyone was very friendly to me.  Their service was very traditional, with a piano, organ and traditional hymns, along with something of a surprise for me.  For their contemporary music, they play recorded music and the congregation worshipped to that.  Don't misunderstand me.  I believe that all music with a worshipful heart is glorifying to God, but it's just something that I wasn't used to.  All of the people were friendly, I got to meet the senior pastor and the youth pastor, both which had been hired within the past year or so.  They invited me out to the sports function they put on hat evening, with a group of local churches.  There, I got a free dinner, SCORE!!

I also met some people, including a youth pastor from another church, Mount Hope Christian Church, who invited me to check them out.  So, week 2, I visited Mt. Hope.  Their church service was very similar to OGCC's service.  He and his wife, along with a deacon and his wife invited me to lunch at Chili's, (yay, something familiar), and we had engaging conversation.  Very friendly people.  They're used to the more contemporary services, not unlike church that I'm used to in California.

I've also met some great people at work.  One lady invited me to her church, Daniel's Bible Church.  Week 3.  This is the one I felt the most familiar with.  It feels a lot like home.  Even the youth pastor's name was familiar.  They played both hymns and contemporary music.  The pastor preached from the Bible.  They preach grace through faith.  That the gospel is found throughout the Bible.  I got to meet some students from Appalachian Bible College, the Christian college nearby.  They're also looking for people to help out in their worship team.   Their church fellowships meet Wednesday night, so I'm going to check it out.

I enjoyed experiencing all three churches, and everyone was friendly.  I think maybe I've found a church where I can both grow, and serve.

Southern Chili

Now that I'm living by myself, learning to chop, cook, and eat on my own, I've been trying to come up with simple recipes for meals.  This meal is super easy, and requires only one pot to make.  I made chili for dinner tonight.

Here's the recipe:

1/2 pound of ground beef
1/2 a yellow onion
1 can yellow corn
1 can white hominy
2 cans chili beans
2 cans stewed tomatoes
1/2 packet of McCormick original chili spice mix

Dice, then sauté the onion, add in ground beef, then throw all canned ingredients, and dried spice mix, and bring to a boil.  Simmer for a few minutes to thicken.  That's it.  It's ready to enjoy.  So easy.  You could eat this over rice or pasta if you'd like.  Unfortunately, I found out my rice cooker was broken so that didn't happen tonight.  You could also eat this with cornbread.

California Bucket List

There's a number of things I'd like to do before I leave California for my new adventure in West Virginia.  Different items include seeing a number of people, eating at certain places, and going to certain places.
There are a number of food locales I would like to visit before leaving.  These include, but are not limited to:

• In N' Out
• Cheesecake Factory (the new one at Hillsdale)
• Kara's Cupcakes (I still have some money on my gift card there)
• Off the Grid (the gathering of food trucks)
• Shanghai Dumpling Shop

Also, I'd like to make another trip to Guitar Center.  I already have bought my guitar floorboard.  Thanks for going with me, Doug.  Music is a never-ending hobby.  Giving away my old guitar.  I've got to restring my acoustic guitar.  This is what prompted me to start cleaning today.  I couldn't find the extra set of guitar strings I knew I had purchased.  After lots of cleaning, I found them.

Cleaning up my room has made me realize how much unnecessary things I've accumulated over the years.  Lots of papers from high school and college that I no longer need.  I recycled a lot of paper.  I've got two extra backpacks, a pair of white nursing scrubs, old clothes.  Beanie Babies.  Didn't even realize I had any of those left.  By the way, if anyone wants the beanie babies, I'm giving them away for FREE!!

A New Adventure

Since I passed my NCLEX, the certification test for me to become a licensed registered nurse, I have been looking for a job as a new graduate.  I applied to placed nearby home, but also to places across the country, including the Veteran's Hospital in Beckley, West Virginia.  About a month ago, I had a phone interview with Beckley, WV VA hospital.  I didn't think it went very well, and I received an email about a week later saying sorry, they had selected a different candidate.  After that, I went on applying to other hospitals, and didn't really think much about it again.  Until last Thursday.

Last Thursday I received an email from Beckley VA.  I called them, and they offered me a position as a nurse at the hospital, which I accepted.  I leave California for West Virginia on October 14th, and begin work on October 24th.  I am both excited and scared at the same time.  I've been looking around Beckley on Google.  Allow me to just say, things are going to be A LOT different than here in California, especially in the Bay Area.  There's no Marina Asian Market, no In N' Out, and no Kara's Cupcakes.  I'll definitely be missing those things.  But they have a wonderful family-oriented community, and lots of community events, and outdoor activities.  I look forward to discovering different adventures out there which I will be sure to document in words and pictures for you guys.  Stay tuned for more updates coming soon.

The Blind Side

This past weekend I took a trip with my friends down to southern California.  We went to places like Disneyland, California Adventure and Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles.  During the trip I got sick, and injured.  I came down with nausea on Friday night.  Saturday, while at Disneyland I noticed a blurry spot in my left eye's field of vision, but it didn't hurt.  I didn't think anything of it.  Sunday morning I woke up with excruciating pain in my left eye, unable to open it, or my right eye either without a stabbing, lacerating pain.  It felt like a piece of glass in my eye.  After two Emergency Room visits, anesthetic, pain medication, and antibiotics, I learned of the cause of the pain.  I had a corneal abrasion over my left pupil. This was causing the scraping pain, like rubbing sand paper against my left eye, unable to open either eye for more than a fraction of a second.

This past weekend I learned a lot.  Not only that something so small can hurt so badly.  This experience reminded me how when one part of the body hurts, the whole body cannot function normally.  Thank you to all my friends who took care of me, including guiding me to the car, taking me to multiple hospital and pharmacy visits, and preparing food for me.  And thank you to my friend for driving all the way back up to home.  I know it was a long drive.  The weekend could have been a total disaster, but it wasn't.  Yes, it was a painful weekend, but with all the love I received from my brothers and sisters in Christ, it turned out to be a overall positive experience of developing new friendships and building upon established ones.

One more thing.  I went to different emergency rooms.  One on Sunday, which was not a very good experience.  I had to wait over an hour to been seen, and the doctor was not too helpful.  The second visit, to UC Irvine Medical Center was a much more positive experience.  I was seen within 5 minutes of entering the hospital, the doctor explained to me in detail why I was in so much pain, she had her supervisor talk to me, and I was referred to their eye center, where an opthamologist inserted a bandage onto my eye (that was cool).  This reminded of me how important it is to be patient and kind to my patients as a nurse, and how much of a difference good service can make to a person's experience.

When was your last drink?

I knew soda was bad for you, but didn't know that there were many negative effects to drinking "pop" as they call it in Chicago.  Next time I go to In N' Out, I'll be getting the milkshake instead.  Much healthier.

Quick Update

Hey guys,
I know it's been quite a while since my last blog entry.  I've been super busy studying for my NCLEX.  If you are reading this, I would greatly appreciate your prayers.  I take my NCLEX on Friday, July 15th, at 2 pm.  After my NCLEX, I will begin looking for a nursing job.  Let me know if you have any leads.  I will be updating this blog more regularly after the 15th.  Also, I have some new ideas I would like to try.  I'll keep you posted.

I'm a Survivor

Tachycardia, diaphoresis, hyperventilation.  What are these all symptoms of?

A job interview.  This was my very first job interview.  It was for a new grad position at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital in Palo Alto.  Although it was only 10 minutes, and was over the phone, I was still nervous.  The lady from HR who interviewed me sounded very nice, but the facts she gave me makes the probability of me getting a job there almost improbable.  She said about 1% of the 700 applicants will get hired.  Those odds sound impossible.

My first thought was, "Wow!  I'll never get the job."  My second thought was, "If it's God's will, it will happen."  Numbers don't mean anything to God.  Whatever He wants to happen, wherever it is He wants me to work, it will happen.  I just need to have faith and trust in God that He will put me wherever it is best for me to be, whether that is LPCH, Sequoia Hospital, or somewhere else.

Change, bad or good?

There's a lot of changes going on in my life right now.  I just graduated from college, (YAY!!).  I've got lots of studying to do, even though I'm done with school, I have more boards to take (The NCLEX).  I've already applied to hospitals for a job.  Hopefully, Lord willing, I will start a job soon.  A big change for me.  I've never had a real job.  I'm definitely excited to work, though.

Secondly, our church is going through major changes.  One of the pastors is leaving, and so things will just be different.  Although this change may be difficult,  I have faith in the Lord that this is God's will.  Everything happens for a reason, and is happens for the glory of God.

Change is almost never easy, but if change never happens, progress cannot be made.  What if slavery, a horrible abuse of civil rights were never abolished?  What if the right to vote were never changed from only white men, to include all different kinds of people, regardless of race or gender?  Change may be difficult, but things will end up better.

Summing it Up

In January, I began my final semester full of anticipation, excitement, and some nerves on what would be my experience of my capstone clinical. I had after all, only taken care of up to two patients during my previous rotations. I had a lot of questions at the start. Would I really grow that much in the 135 hours of my final semester to take me to a place of readiness to start a nursing career? Would I work well with my preceptor?

I will honestly say that going to clinical got me nervous sometimes, especially the first few shifts. I am very thankful for being assigned such a good preceptor, who eased me into the clinical experience. I took one, then two, then three patents, then finally taking the all of her assigned patients. During the shift, I got well practiced in time management, and I can see that it has developed to become one of my strengths. Part of efficient time management is organization. During my capstone, my organization has improved. I organize my notes into categories, including previous shift report, vital signs, assessments, medications and their scheduled times, and other interventions needed to be done.

I’ve learned a lot. My critical thinking skills have improved. I have learned to think through upcoming interventions, why they need them, and what supplies are needed to perform the task. For example, removing a foley catheter. Getting all the supplies, including empty syringes, multiple towels, and urinals. Removing them helps prevent infections and falls, and signals improvements on the patients’ health. I’ve also learned about treating priorities. After receiving shift report, certain patients are more urgent than others and should be seen first. One of the most difficult things I improved on was giving shift report to the oncoming nurse. It required organization, critical thinking, and speaking skills. I struggled with this for a while. Although I don’t give perfect eloquent reports, I have improved on including all the major important information relevant to the patient.

After this capstone clinical, although I don’t feel like a veteran nurse, I can say confidently that I have grown from since I first started this semester and have become more comfortable in becoming a nurse.  I look forward to what the future of nursing has for me.

No one gets left behind

In 1993, 123 soldiers went in to capture a warlord committing genocide on his people.  What was supposed to be an quick and easy 30 minute mission turned out to be a costly fight that went on throughout the night, in which two helicopters go down and 19 American soliders lost their lives.  This is the premise of the movie, Black Hawk Down.

I'm not trying to write a movie review here.  I wanted to share some thoughts I had while I was watching the movie.  Watching a film like that really makes me appreciate what those soliders did in Africa, and what the soldiers fighting in Afghanistan go through.  One soldier in the movies says this, "Nobody asks to be a hero, it just sometimes turns out that way."  Also, leaving no one behind, even in dangerous situations, the soldiers show great respect for each other.  In the same way, we should respect and love one another.  Like the soldiers who went back for their comrades in the heat of battle, God will never leave you or forsake you, even in difficult times.

Irony Man

I was listening to some talk on the radio as I was driving home.  It sure is ironic some of the stuff they advertise.  Allow me to explain.  New legislation say that you can't use your cellphone while driving.  You can be fined for talking on the phone while driving, or texting while driving.  Some electronic billboard said a ticket for texting was $135.  How ironic is it then, that there are apps that tell you where the traffic is good or bad, where to find a parking space, or where the nearest gas station is?  I saw on TV the other day that the city of San Francisco has released a new phone app that will show you where there are open parking spaces.  The only catch is -- you can't be driving while using it ... you have to be parked...

I just found it interesting that we are encouraged to use our cell phones to update ourselves on current information, yet the same people encouraging the usage are telling us to get off our phones.  An article in the San Jose Mercury last week was saying how even some police officers are confused on what is legal and what is now.  You are not allowed to talk on the phone if you are holding it in your hand, but it's okay if it is to report an emergency.  You're allowed to hold your cellphone while driving if you are using the GPS function.  You can't text, even at stop lights, but looking up information is kosher. Hmmm.... Really?  What do you think?

Can You Hear Me Now?

Today I had some computer trouble.  What started out as a simple problem turned into hours of not frustrating, but time consuming work.  Although I knew I had to restore to an earlier backup, it took longer than I had expected.  I had wanted to get some online schoolwork done, which was now postponed, due to my lack of internet connectivity.

Living in the 21st century, we are all "connected."  Cities are populated with computers, laptops running high-speed internet.  Even phones, which once were used used solely for verbal communication, now put access to a wealth of information at one's fingertips.  We as a society are so dependent on communication, as well as being able to access information. What if, one day, that resource is gone?  How would we function?

It's the same with people.  Communication between people is crucial to maintaining relationships with each other.  You can't expect the relationship to survive if you don't talk to each other.  I am in no way implying that I've been ignoring someone, therefore destroying a relationship.  This idea of communication came to me only as I was writing this piece.  However, the next time I'm unable to access the internet, or make a phone call due to spotty cellular coverage, the importance of keeping communication will cross my mind.

Just A Quick Update

Year One of Nursing School

Hey guys,

I know I haven't updated in a while.  I've felt like I haven't had something important, inspiring, reflecting to share that would interest anyone.  I've been doing my clinical rotations for my final semester in nursing school.  I've gone from a nervous wreck to becoming fairly comfortable with nursing, and dare I say, I'm liking it.  I really enjoyed my clinical night the other night.  I feel more confident, and I think my patients see that, because they don't ask me suspicious questions like, "how old are you?" or "are you a volunteer?"

This week, as I'm taking photos for my license, planning to take photos for graduation, and completing all the paperwork for graduation, it hit me.  I'm just about a month away from graduating.  Wow!!  I'm almost a nurse!  The end seemed so far away almost 4 years ago, as I started as a freshman at a small community college, which was definitely not as fun as Greendale.  But now, here I am.  Coming to the end of nursing school, I'm starting to think of the future.  Where will I be in one year?  Two years? 5? 10?  I don't know, but God does.  There no use in worrying about where I will be, but I do wonder, in an excited way.  Wondering how God might use me to accomplish his sovereign plan.

Why do I want to be a nurse?

It's the question not only that job interviewers will ask, it is also the question of why I chose to go through all the school, the long nights, and studying.  A lot of people will answer the question with this: I want to help people.  While this is true, I feel that is not the full explanation of why I want to be a nurse.  I want to serve God through helping people.  I wanted to care for people.  Nursing was the perfect choice that fit with my personality, my interests, and what I enjoy.   Nursing is also a career with so much diversity.  I can work in an acute care setting, I can practice emergency medicine, work in a clinic, serve underprivileged people, or work in education, teaching others.  I can see all of these things possible in my future.

Let me tell you a story.  In the summer of 2008, a group of of from my church went down on a trip to Mexico.  A group of dentists, and a couple of students operated a dental clinic.  That was my first experience working on some sort of medical clinic -- and it was inspiring, and it was an extraordinary growing experience.  We worked long hours, in less than optimal conditions.  We worked in a cramped trailer, with very low ceilings, which ran on a generator.  One day, the generator broke, and we did not get started until the late afternoon.  We ended up working until midnight.  But even with all the things that didn't go according to plan, things worked out.  We had a group of men and women that love God, and worked well with one another.  The people were so appreciative and hospitable to us.  Those people in Mexico, had very little: small houses with dirt floors, limited clean water and electricity, yet they were very grateful for the little help we could give them.

It's experiences like this that made me want to do nursing.  God has told us to help those in need, to help the orphans and widows.  If your neighbor is hungry, feed them, if they need clothing, give them your jacket, if they ask you for money, give to them, without expecting them to pay you back.I hope I can do something like that with nursing.

Trust in the Lord

Going through nursing school has been such a great journey.  At times, yes, it has been difficult.  Lots of studying, working clinicals at all different hours of the day, putting myself in sometimes uncomfortable situations.  All of these have been great learning experiences.  I'll be graduating in May, but that isn't the end of the journey.  Nope -- there's the NCLEX, the nursing boards to get my license to study for, and there's the search for a job.  All of these things are part of the process of growing, and learning.

I've learned through all for this to put full trust in God.  Sometimes, yes, I do struggle with this, but in the end, whatever happens, it's in God's sovereign plan for my life.  It was a miracle that I got into this program.  God opened many doors, from the volunteering opportunities in the ER, from getting accepted to a great program at Sequoia Hospital/Canada/SFSU, and the clinical preceptors I have had throughout my different rotations who have helped me grow as a nursing student and mature into a young adult.  Even the job market for new nurses in the Bay Area doesn't look too promising, if it's God's will, He will provide a job for me here.  If he wants me to relocate, I have to put my faith in His decision for my career and my life.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).  Often, as a sinner, I am not as thankful as I should be -- for the family, friends, and people God has placed in my life.  It's people that matter, not material things in this world.  Money can buy the latest clothes, gadgets, or cool toys, but it cannot buy joy.

The Dark Night

Yesterday/today was my first night shift.  11pm to 7:30 am.  There is actually a lot to do during the night shift.  There are still lots of meds to give, and assessments and interventions to do.  There's also a lot more paperwork.  Getting that done is not difficult, but it is time consuming.

Learning to prioritize is definitely something I see myself needing to work on.  My preceptor had me take all five patients this shift, and wow, it's a lot of work.  Prioritizing is so important to getting everything done in a timely manner.  Remember, meds first!  After getting report from the previous shift, it's already time to give meds.  You should give them from highest to lowest priority.

Working nights has thrown off my whole schedule, and planning around my shift to find the time to do things I need to get done, and to find some rest is difficult.  I'm making it through.

I'm doing a second shift tonight.  Hope I have the energy to keep going, like the engine that could.

A New Hope

Today I took on responsibility for three patients, trying to challenge myself as a student. I’m learning a lot from my preceptor. I got to see continuous bladder irrigation running, and how to measure output from that. I also learned out dressing changes and wound care, for a patient who had some drainage from a post-op hip surgery. I think, the more clinical hours I’ve been getting in, I’m starting to feel more comfortable with all of the things I need to do. I’m feeling more comfortable in the nursing environment, being independent, doing the assessments and other things with less help. I removed a foley catheter, and learned about the administration of Ativan, used to help calm anxiety. My preceptor continues to encourage and challenge me, which, I think has helped me grow through this process. She’d like me to take on a full load next time. I feel like today’s clinical was a turning point for me, in feeling more comfortable with nursing.

The Big Picture

Wednesday night was a challenging, but also a good day.  I decided to challenge myself and take on the responsibility of full care for three patients.  This included all vital signs, assessments, charting, medication administration, interventions and shift report.  I focused on making sure to try and be more independent of my nurse, and doing things myself.  Making sure to use time wisely and being focused is so important to have time to do everything.

I'm starting to understand larger concepts, which is difficult.  Understanding the diagnosis the patients have, how they got it, how it is affecting them now, and why certain interventions are implemented.  For example, a patient who was not producing much urine.  We gave her Lasix (a diuretic to make you pee) and had her drink lots of fluids, but there was still no more urine output, since she had kidney failure.  After calling the doctor about the low urine output, a BMP (Basic Metabolic Panel) was ordered for the morning.  The patient's kidney failure was related to complications of diabetes, which the patient had, and her finger blood glucose tests ran in the the high 200's, for which a dosage of insulin was given to her, based on a sliding scale of how high her blood sugar was. 

Understanding what the problem is, what caused it, and how to resolve it, is key to improving patient care.  Performing all the tasks for patient comfort and care is important, but understanding the big picture is critical to becoming a competent practitioner.  I am glad my preceptor gives me opportunities to learn, and that she is challenging me to work to my full potential.  I hope to take on more responsibilities as I complete my capstone semester.

You Are My Hero

My final semester of nursing school has begun, and clinical had been going surprisingly well.  When I started this semester I was terrified of what was I, as a student supposed to do?  Would I get a bad preceptor?  Would the nurses like me?  Would the patients like having a student?  After five days of clinical, I can confidently say, “Things are going well.”  Yesterday, a nurse needed to remove a foley catheter, so I asked if I could do it.  I went into the room, introduced myself, and proceeded to remove the foley.  After I was finished, the patient told me, “You are my hero!”  It was a good feeling I got, knowing I had helped someone feel more comfortable.  It’s the little things like these that reassure me it’s all worth it.

Roscoe's?

Roscoe's, located in the LA area is famous for its chicken and waffles.  I decided to make fried chicken and waffles for dinner the other night.  They turned out to be delicious.

Ice Cream

Mint chocolate chip ice cream from Lappert's Ice Cream in Sausalito.  Creamy and delicious.  I also had some coffee ice cream with Kahlua, which was excellent.  The chewy expresso chunks inside were a sweet surprise.