“There is no language like the Irish for soothing and quieting”.
~John Millington Synge
Happy St. Paddy’s day! My married name is Murphy, which makes me an Irish Colleen (from the Irish cailín) so I celebrate this holiday as an honorary Irish. Denver is famous for its St. Patrick’s Day celebration and parade. It’s one of the largest in the country! There is also the 23rd Runnin’ of the Green, a 7k run that benefits Volunteers of America – they help the elderly, homebound and victims of domestic violence.
We have many things to celebrate, including the beginning of spring. I can definitely feel the warmth infusing our afternoon air. Even though we’ve had a mild winter, I am certainly ready for spring!
It’s hard to believe that we’re half-way finished through our spring semester. We say farewell to pharmacology, and hello to mental health nursing. We are also completed adult 1, and begin nursing research and evidence-based practice (heretofore referred to as EBP). This is again an opportunity to broaden our horizons. I am not so much wired for statistical analysis and research, but know how important it is to explore our methodology in nursing, and strive to improve patient care.
A great way to do this is to perform research and present the evidence, and perhaps change the reason for doing something from “Because that’s how we’ve always done it” to something new and improved. Being a “lifer” nurse, I know how difficult it can be to try new ways of performing care, especially if I base it on personal experience. It’s also an important reminder to keep my eyes and my mind open, and be willing to change.
As far as mental health nursing, I look forward to swimming in warm, familiar waters. I have practiced for years in psych nursing, and love it! My MH clinical rotation will be at the VA, which is also familiar. I look forward to embracing all of it, and helping my cohorts feel at ease. Education is one of the hallmarks of the VA, and the staff is wonderful, dedicated and invested in helping students learn.
In nursing roles, we are covering compassion, and next week will do group presentations on a nursing theorist. My group chose Jean Watson, who is a marvelous human being, and a local legend. She practices out of U of C Denver at Anschutz, and created an international nonprofit Caring Science Institute. Her theory has been chosen by many hospitals worldwide for a framework for caring.
We celebrated my step-son’s birthday on March 13th – hard to believe, Rich is the same age as my classmates! His girlfriend Carly is bright, sweet, and definitely a member of our family. Our son Jeremy is 17, done with high school, and looking at colleges. I’ll be a senior next year, and he’ll be a freshman- who would have thought! Just goes to show that you’re never too old to follow your dreams.
Mine are coming true – hope yours do too~
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