Personal Narrative: My Nursing Project

at the orphanage, I was able to help build a sidewalk and a garage for

I was recently fortunate enough to speak with Carri Montgomery, who lists her title as the Director of the Women’s and Newborn Center for Platte Valley SCL Health. Platte valley use to be community owed and they recently joined Sister’s of Charity which includes; Good Samaritan, Lutheran, and Saint Joseph Hospital. The purpose of this interview was to interview someone where I could see myself working in what they are doing later in my career. With this interview I hoped to learn what it took for Ms. Montgomery to be in the position she is today. Also, get advice from her to see what where the things she recommended I could do when I graduate from Metropolitan State University (MSU) in 2019. It was beneficial to interview her

I interviewed Beverly Stark. She works for Health Partners Hospice and Palliative Care as a hospice registered nurse (RN). The setting of her work varies. It is wherever her patient lives, which can range from a hospital, long term care, or in the patient’s home. She emphasized the importance of her team. She works with nurses, social workers, home health aids, chaplains, doctors, and hospice volunteers on a daily basis. She is part of what they call a core group. Each core group is made up of two RNs, one social worker, and a home health aid (HHA). The core group meets once a week to talk and update each other on their caseload. Additionally, they meet with the chaplain and a doctor weekly (B. Stark, personal communication, Sept 9, 2016).

The blood pooled around and decorated the pavement. My left leg pinned in the kneeling position, as my right leg laid twisted and mangled. I yelled once, and then regained my composure. The sounds of the woman that hit me echoed through the country landscape that surrounded us, and I gazed off into the field in front of me. I remember thinking “This is how I die”. With seconds feeling like minutes, I quickly decided, “My story is not over”. I immediately fell into meditation, practicing deep breath. I followed through a list of coping skills I frequently taught at my job in a mental health hospital. I reflected on lessons of crisis intervention and therapy techniques searching for a way to fight through this tragic event. I tried not to talk to anyone, wanting to conserve my energy, but I could not help but fight the pain with sarcasm and humor. As the EMT arrived I kindly asked for morphine and surprised everyone that I was joking and smiling, despite the

My nursing journey began after my aunt was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2001. Within months the cancer had metastasized throughout her body. I felt helpless as I watched her health begin to decline. Before she became ill, she had pursued a career as a school teacher. At her funeral, I listened to stories from former students about how she impacted their lives. At that time I realized that I also wanted to pursue a career involved with helping individuals. I decided nursing was the best route because it was something that interested me and it would positively impact the lives of others. My family played a major role in the successful completion of my diploma in nursing. Their love and support allowed me to pursue my studies with

Squeaking shoes, running fast, comfy scrubs that make it easy to move fast, shiny stethoscopes that help nurses hear patient's hearts beat. These are some of the things that nurses do everyday at work. Along with helping patients there are many tasks that nurses do every day in a variety of locations that not only take a toll on them physically but mentally as well.

I'd like to share an example from my personal experience that illustrates nursing as an art. While working as a nursing assistant there was a patient who had just been newly admitted into the nursing home. This was his first time being a resident in a rehabilitation facility so he was very hesitant and scared. During his first day, he refused to let me take his vital signs. However, I noticed the uneasy look on his face and decided to talk to him further and discuss his fears. He explained to me that he'd gotten his blood drawn several times that day and didn't want to be stuck anymore. After getting an understanding of how he felt I was able to address his concerns and explain that there no needles involved in obtaining his vital signs.

head had crowned and the doctor looked down at me and asked me a shocking question. “Kodi,

At 8am the doctor came by to do another check and I was now at 5cm. I wanted to have a natural birth and to experience labor as it is. Before this visit I asked for nitrus oxide to get me through labor. The nurse came in a few minutes later and got me set up with the nitrus and it was such a relief! As long as I kept the mask intact and took long deep breaths the contractions felt mild and were bearable. My nurses name was Diane and she was fantastic. Diane wasn't like the other nurses whom I encountered. She was kind and personable and I can honestly say she made everything a little easier.

Other responsibilities included scheduling, verifying insurance, cash management, collecting copayments, registering patients, and scanning clinic records. New Patient Services Representatives (PSR) were trained, medical records were reorganized, and streamline processes improved patient flow. Work also entailed creating a wait list protocol and working with Rehab therapists to coordinate and handle scheduling issues, that may arise.

Mental health nurses provide care and support to people with emotional and mental disorders. These nurses must be very skilled communicators, especially when speaking and listening to patients. Mental health nurses organize treatment and therapy for their patients. This job of mental health nurses involves providing care to patients, a four year college or university, & the ability to be patient and compassionate towards patients.

Nigeria, 2001, I awakened startled with people screaming indiscriminately. My dad's head was bleeding profusely, and my cousin, sitting in the passenger seat was bleeding from his neck. There were shards of shattered windshield everywhere. I was in the backseat uninjured but scared. This commotion was the aftermath of a car accident involving my dad, my cousin and me, while he was driving us to school. Next, we were rushed to the hospital, however, upon arrival, we were refused treatment until we paid an admissions fee. This practice was common in my country. Although the incident was disturbing, it drove me towards a career in healthcare, mainly working with patients who have a difficulty affording their medical care.

Nursing is a profession that requires intellectual, emotional and physical strength. Nurses are revered for their compassion and grace during difficult situations that involve life and death. An attribute I bring to the nursing profession beyond my academic abilities is eagerness. I am eager to learn, eager to adapt, eager to grow, and eager to serve. I welcome and embrace challenge and change as both are occurrences in the healthcare field.

I walked into the dark, dreary nursing home with my father that sunny, Spring day to work my very first volunteer job. The air began to get more tense with every step I took. I’ve always done my part with my dance team, but I’ve never gone and took the initiative to do something on my own. I stood there waiting in my father’s office as he called down the activities director to meet me. Meeting the activity director felt like being on stage for the first time.

The nurse gestured for me to come closer. I took a few steps forward and she leaned towards me and whispered, “Try holding her hand. You’ll help her feel more at ease.” I was a little hesitant but I did as I was told and took the patient’s hand. I felt her hand mold into a strong grip around mine without hesitation. While the patient’s grip never lessened on my hand, sometimes it would clench up for a moment before slowly relaxing again. The rest of the staff was busy following the surgeon’s directions, moving quickly around the room. I felt uncomfortable being the only one standing still, doing nothing. So I glanced at the patient. She was breathing hard with her eyes closed, her hand still securely around mine. My hand was starting to hurt, so I tried to ease it out of her grip. But as the patient winced in pain, she grabbed my hand even more strongly.