Tag Archive for: course-NRS_420

    Wow! I can’t believe this semester is almost over! Actually, the last three years have truly flown faster than I had ever expected. It is true what the students from prior semesters and faculty shared with us at our first orientation regarding the cohesiveness and strong bonds we would form with one another by the end of the three years. It is strange to think that we all sat together in a room three years ago, and didn’t speak or know one another. It feels as though we have become a family – in the truest sense of the word, with all the ups and downs all families experience.

In reflecting on my learning this semester, I can’t help but think of the large role technology has played. I remember sharing in our first ever blogpost that I was slightly skeptical about the idea of forming an “online identity.” I also felt skeptical about reconstructing our way of learning and shifting to a lot of voice thread, blogposts and videos. I have to say however, that I personally felt like I learned a great deal more after transitioning over. Additionally, I felt more efficient when creating voice threads, recordings and videos and felt that a significant amount of learning took place in a shorter amount of time. When I look at my growth over the span of three years however, it is remarkable to see myself as a completely different person.

It is almost strange to think of myself 3 years ago, before having learned as much as I have. I remember being told our first year that the program was designed like a spiral staircase, where each year we would have the opportunity to build on those things we learned the first time around. As I entered critical care, I was able to see how true that statement was. This semester I was able to utilize the concepts I had worked so hard to learn our first and second year and adapt them to the new material we were covering. Although I know that there is a large learning curve up ahead after graduation, I can say I feel confident to confront it. I feel I have learned a lot – but more importantly I now know where and how to access the resources needed when I come across something new. I feel prepared to move on to the next chapter as I develop my skill set as a novice nurse and put into action the values and knowledge I have gained from this amazing institution. On to a new adventure!

My first true encounter with end of life was when my granddad passed away last February. In the last few months of his life he was experiencing progressive cognitive decline with dementia, multiple TIAs/strokes, physical decline such as being unable to care for himself, and frequent  ER visits and hospitalizations. Eventually he could no longer be cared for in his home, so he moved into a board & care, and eventually he experienced another stroke and developed pneumonia. He had been in the hospital for a couple days for this admission and we knew it would not be long. On the morning he passed I was woken up by my mother stating that the nurse at the hospital had called saying his breathing had changed and that we should go over. I was unsure of whether or not I would be able to witness his passing but I went to the hospital with my parents, grandmother, and aunt regardless because I knew I would regret not going. And I was very glad that I went; although it was difficult being there in his passing helped to bring a sense of closure and we were able to be there together saying goodbye.

Luckily before this had happened my mother had initiated a discussion with my grandparents regarding their wishes regarding end of life. With the information out in the open we did not have to worry about making the difficult choices when my granddad became ill and were able to focus more on the time left together. This event also prompted my mom to open the discussion regarding her end of life wishes and to create an advanced directive. She has shared her wishes with me and she has made me her secondary healthcare proxy after my dad due to my healthcare knowledge. My dad has not outright talked about this end of life wishes with me, but through talking with my mom she has shared that his views are similar. Neither of them want to prolong their life to the point living chronically with a breathing tube, feeding tube, etc. I feel the same way, and I suspect that the majority of us would agree after our experiences. I would 100% trust my parents, especially my mom due to her nursing experience, to make the right decisions for me if it were to come to it. However I have not had this discussion yet with my sisters, which would be a good idea to have next time we are all together.

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