Christmas coming

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!! I have to agree with the song. So the last few years at Christmas I've been able to be home with my family and this year I'll be working, as I'm sure most if not all of you will be as well. At first I was angry and selfish, thinking "hey, I'm still single and my closest family is 4 hours away. I don't get to come home to family and a warm home that night." After sulking and such, I realized that those of us working on Christmas will have the greatest opportunity to serve that day(or night). Each person we care for, including the family of patients, doesn't want to be in the hospital at this time of year any more than we do, but sometimes, things come into life that require a step back in observation and humility. I've already seen works of love in the halls of my hospital, and the children seem to have a different take on this season, even when they are in dire circumstances. Knowing that I, His child, will be caring for His children that day brings great comfort. Those children, adults, babies, families and so on will need the greatest care. Their families too will not be able to be together and if i can make even a slight difference in their day, my Christmas will be worth working. I hope each of you are enjoying this time of year, especially as a nurse. It truly is an amazing time to see the love of the Lord work through each of us. I love you all and hope this finds you happy, healthy, and loving others. Happy Holiday season!!!

It's 2 in the morning on a night shift....

So when I read Kenzie's post I thought the same thing although the funny thing is that I saw the a group of BYU-I student nurses touring the U the other day. I'm so apperciative every day that there are people who are more experienced than me that can help me out when I have a question. There are so many times when I feel like I don't know what I'm doing but there are also times that I get student nurses or orientees and I realize that I know a lot more than I think I do. Nursing is still the best profession ever although there are times I feel like I want to go home and cry for all the problems that our patients have. Anyway, I hope that all is going wonderfully well for all of you and that you are enjoying all the patients and people you work with!
Love you, Sharee
P.S. AnneMarie, which hospital has your sister been going to because if I happen to see her, I will say hello!

My Update

Hey everyone! I was just thinking today that about a year ago, we were all in Utah together touring hospitals and dreaming big. I never thought I'd be in Utah this Fall, but here I am! I'm in the NICU at Primary Children's and it is amazing. I have been able to see some amazing things and have made wonderful friends. It truly is a place of learning and love. I know that sounds cheesy, but it's true. Anyway, walking around the hospital caused me to think back to last year and I realized how much I miss all of you! It's crazy where life takes us. I am so grateful to know all of you and I hope you are liking your jobs as much as I do. Being a new grad is quite stressful most of the time, but it's a good learning opportunity even though I feel inadequate for my position. The neat thing to me is that the spirit is with me when I care for these babies. They may be intimidating, but I know Heavenly Father can be with me as I care for His children, including myself. It's wonderful work! I love you all and hope things are going well. Oh, and one last thing, have any of you guys ever heard of a baby with Myesthenia Gravis? Yeah, I didn't know babies could have it, but apparently they can, called Congenital Myesthenia. Crazy eh? Well, love ya lots!

A Thought...

Okay, so call me nerdy, but I have a really good thought to share. My sister was just diagnosed with Melanoma which has developed into lymphoma. She's got three kids, married her highschool sweetheart and is an ex-nurse gone photographer. The prognosis is probably 50/50 for survival. Needless to say it has been an emotional time, but taught me a lot.

While she is in the hospital for her surgeries and chemo, I pray that she gets good nurses. Good meaning caring and kind. I think about the times when I could have lifted a patient's spirits and instead only half listened and thought about how behind I was with my charting. I think when I look back on my nursing career the things I will remember aren't if I got my meds all out by nine but the days when I've helped someone through a really nasty day or situation. I don't know, just some thoughts. I am so grateful for the gospel though and for miracles, which I truly believe in. I love y'all and miss you!

loves, AnneMarie Johnson Farner

P.S. I am on a med/surg/ortho floor (similar to 3rd at eirmc) in Auburn Hills, Michigan. I love Nate more than ever and am working on that dang BSN at present. No babies yet. That pretty much sums it up!

I got my mission call!!

Hey, so it came! I am going to the Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission!! I am so excited! I will also be a "mission medical assistant' (I'm pretty sure that's what it's called). So I can still do some nursing stuff. I've just so grateful to go. Everything feels right about it.
Just wanted to let you know. Sharee, it sounds like you are having a great experience there at UofU- learning lots. Neurology, hmm... what else should I know with my back surgeries, those who have spinal anesthia, etc. If you think of anything special, let me know! :)
Who is going to the 50th anniversary celebration at the end of October? It sounds like some great speakers, etc. We just graduated though... I'm curious if lots of people are going, because it would be fun to see everyone again!
Anyway, I love you!! Keep smiling! You are all so wonderful! The gospel is true! I'm grateful we have such a church, such a school, and that I met you all because of it!

Danae

To my favorite people!

Howdy everyone!
It's taken me a long time to get three minutes to sit down and let you know what's going on with me. I'm working down at University Hospital in Salt Lake City on the Neurology floor and I love it! It's a lot busier than Med/Surg nursing but it's supposed to be a good springboard into the ICU. I'm finally off orientation as well and as I am writing this it is my first night flying solo. I'm living with one of my friends in Salt Lake right now and we are loving it so far. Danae, I'm excited that you're turning in your papers but I still don't think you're old enough to go on a mission. (not that any of us are old enough to be nurses). I'm glad you're enjoying being married Natasha and I hope everything continues to go well. As for the rest of you, I love and miss you all!
Love, Sharee

(above) Good memories-thanks for putting that party together!
(below) An exciting moment at Madison OB :) Natasha and Emmanuel at devotional...

Hey girls!! How is everyone!! I found some more pictures... from my cell phone-they're kind of fuzzy. But still cute! Wow, Natasha, sounds like you are staying plenty busy-are you still in Texas? Does Emmanuel like his job?

I hope everyone is doing well! We had a fireside last night, and Pres. Clark was the speaker. It was soooo good, and good to see both him and Sis. Clark again-in person! I'm still in Twin Falls, working at SLMVRMC. I still like it! Still busy! Still trying to chart faster and prioritize the right way! (sigh) But it's good. I've learned a lot. Guess what? We had a patient that had osteogenesis imperfecta! We talked about it just a little bit in Pediatrics. I just never thought I'd ever have a patient like that... not here in Idaho at least. It was interesting.

Take care everyone! I'm working on my mission papers! All of my part of the papers should be done with week, then I have one more interview, and then we'll send them in! I'll keep you posted when I get an envelope in the mail!!

Love you all!!
Danae

Howdy Y'all!

Hi everyone! Wow, it's been nice to have this blog and see what everyone is up to and know it's not so far away! This is Natasha (Fry) Ohene Opare by the way, still getting used to my new name (by the way, no american can say it correctly either, I'm definitely not used to correcting people's pronunciation, awkward), but marriage is WONDERFUL. We were living in Provo for a little while, but now Emmanuel has a job with a company called CEMEX. The job is going to require us to move around frequently, every 1-4 months or so, so it will be over a year before I can work as a nurse, but that's alright. This job is pretty intense, so he'll need lots of support anyway. So fun! I'll probably still volunteer in a clinic or something though, to keep some skills. We're in Houston Texas right now, but next week we'll be in Fairborne Ohio! Whew!

Oh wow Kenz, that was a great story! It's true, I know Heavenly Father is VERY involved in our success. I'm glad I'm not the only one who took the test so late, I was feeling that feeling like when you're sitting in class and you have no idea what a swan-ganz catheter is and you'd swear everyone around you understands it! I just took it on TUESDAY!!! Scary!! It makes sense why they say to not make any big life changes between graduation and testing, like get married or move or whatever!

I miss all of you girls! It's been hard to not have any old friends to talk with, and even weirder to not be studying all day every day now that the test is over. By the way, I took it on Tuesday, Should I call for my results Thursday or Friday? Is it two complete business days? Just wondering cause I'm going CRAZY thinking I'm pretty sure I failed! Love to hear from everyone, hope everything is fabulous!
Natasha FOO (those are my new initials, funny huh?)

In response to Natasha and Danae

Thanks so much for replying to my post! I miss everyone so much and it's always good to know we are still friends!!!! :)

So Natasha... (which Natasha is this by the way?) I am living in South Jordan. I am loving it here!! I love my church ward... I love the area.... just everything about it. I know it's kinda far from SLC but I will be moving to the new LDS hospital in Murray when they open it in October so then it won't be such a commute.

Danae... I love the church ward I am in. Everyone is so friendly and the Bishoprick is fun. I don't know where exactly your friend is going to be living so unless it's near me, I'm not sure I'll be much help. As far as institute, I haven't really looked into it because my work schedule is so random that it's hard for me to go. But I can ask my Bishop about it if you want me to. Give me a call for any questions or if you just want to talk and catch up! My cell number is 801-244-3006.

Our Father's Love

Hello everyone! I just wanted to relate an incredible story about my NCLEX. So two days before the exam, I came down with a cold. The day of the exam came and I had "girl problems." All during the test my stomach ached and I didn't dare take extreme cold medicine in fear that I would be drowsy, so I coughed , sneezed , and struggled my way through 265 questions in about 5 1/2 hours. It was miserable and I had studied so hard for the last few months. I prayed to our Father in Heaven and pleaded that I would pass, and then something came over me. I tried to think of what my Father would want me to learn from this experience. I then prayed again, but this time that no matter the outcome of my test, I would feel comfort in knowing that it was HIS will and that my heart had come to understand it. Well, the waiting days were terrible. I thought for sure that I had failed, but found comfort in knowing that my Heavenly Father was comforting me and allowing me to learn from this. Well, this morning I got my results and I passed!!! To me, this was a miracle because I felt I could not concentrate whatsoever during the test. I guess what I am trying to say is that our Heavenly Father loves each of us so very much. He is aware of our strengths and our weaknesses and is waiting for us to make our will in accordance to His will. I know our Father lives and loves us, and I hope you all have an AMAZING day!

Oh my goodness Danae! I was so excited to hear from you and know that someone is actually checking this blog! I am so happy that you are enjoying your job in Twin. As for myself... I am down working at LDS hospital in the Respiratory ICU. I LOVE IT!!!! I will be orienting and taking ICU classes until September. I can't believe how quickly this nursing thing is coming. :) Hope everyone else is doing well also and I hope to see some more posts and updates soon!

Hey my people! How are all of you??! I don't know how many people are actually checking this blog... hopefully most. I hope all is going well for you- I would love to hear about your lives. Here's a few pictures.

A little update-I work at the hospital here in Twin Falls on a surgery floor (post-op), and so far it's been great! I still want to be a nurse!! They've done a good job of orienting me, and I'll be on my own in a few weeks! I like being at home! Anyway, hope everyone is doing well!
Love you and miss you all!!

Danae

P.S. Does anyone have contact info for Sharee? If you could get a phone number to me, that would be wonderful... I need to ask her about UofU for another coworker. Thanks!

Pre-Nursing Pinning Picture

You can post too! :)

Hey, if you want to be able to post, I figured out how! I just have to invite you, so if you want to be able to post instead of just leave comments, e-mail me your e-mail address at mckenzi22@gmail.com and I'll add you! thanks, I love ya all!

Welcome Friends!!!

Hey all! I just thought this would be an easy way to stay in touch after graduation. You can post pictures, notes, etc. so that we can continue the support group we've built these last few years. You have to have a google account to access it, but it doesn't take long and then you'll get free access. I love each of you and will miss everyone, so please keep in touch!