Journey through Nursing School: THE END!

It's over, done, finished... WE MADE IT!  

Nursing School has officially come to an end.

I was selected as our class speaker.  Here is the speech I gave at our Pinning Ceremony.

Pinning Ceremony Speech – December 2015 – Lauren J. Sprague

Good evening.  We appreciate that you were all able to join us tonight.  My name is Lauren Sprague and I am proud to be part of this December 2015 graduating class.  First and foremost, on behalf of our entire class, we would like to say thank you.  Thank you to all of our family, friends, and loved ones who have stood beside us on this journey.  Nursing school has been no easy feat for us, and we know it hasn’t always been particularly easy for you to deal with us along the way!  From the hours of studying, writing care plans, reading chapters and chapters and chapters of textbooks and of course diagnosing every family member with whatever terrible disease we most recently learned about.  Thank you for being behind us every step of the way and helping us to realize our dream of earning our Bachelors of Science in Nursing.

Next, we would like to take moment to say thank you to all of the faculty and staff.  Whether it was a class that we loved or loathed, each one of you has taught us valuable lessons throughout this journey.  From handwashing to heart rhythms, from pharmacology to PICO, from mental status exams to maternal health, from developmental stages to nursing diagnoses, from organizational structures to the origins of community health nursing; you have challenged us to open our minds and stretch beyond our comfort zone.  Beyond just standing in front of us in a classroom, you knew when we needed caring encouragement or even a little tough love to gain the knowledge and experience we needed to become amazing RNs.

This pinning ceremony is not the end, but simply the beginning of our lifelong call to service.  Through the example of our faculty, and all of the nurses we have encountered along this journey, we are prepared to take our place in this incredible profession.  Tonight we will receive more than just a pin, we are being welcomed into the nursing profession and challenged to dedicate our lives to serve those around us.

The role of the nurse is anything but easy to explain.  According to the American Nurses Association, nursing is ‘the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, facilitation of healing, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations.’  But what does this look like?  As nurses, our role is to welcome newborn babies into this world, and hold the hand of an individual as they take their final breath.  Yes, we can make beds and give baths, but we are also there to listen to our patients, to hear their anxiety and fear when they can’t express in words how they are feeling.  We are there to start IVs, monitor heart rhythms, and administer medications, but we are also there to support and comfort the patient and their family.  As nurses we will educate patients how to manage diabetes, congestive heart failure, and many other diseases, and we will do so with unwavering patience and kindness.  We will each take a different path, filling many different needs in the community.  But whether we will be working in pediatrics or geriatrics, oncology or orthopedics, renal or research, or any of the many other roles that are available, we will do so with firm grounding of knowledge and a humble heart which is open to serve.     

We have each taken a different path to arrive at this point, but we have come together, in and out of the classroom.  We’ve experienced joy and triumph, pain and grief, but we have done it together.   We have been there to support and encourage each other along the way.  Throughout this journey we have gained the strength we need to face the future as we travel out into the world.   Our journey at Marian has come to an end, but we are now ready to embark upon new adventures.

Tonight we were also able to physically have our hands blessed.  We have been blessed through our entire nursing school journey with wisdom and knowledge that we will carry on to share in our new profession.  Having the opportunity have our hands blessed also serves as a reminder of the spiritual side of nursing.  We should always be true to our beliefs and will not soon forget the importance of the Franciscan Values that were a central aspect to our education at Marian.  Through the work of our hands and our hearts, we will lift each patient up and provide the loving care that each individual deserves.  

This pin symbolizes our future.  We will wear this pin with honor as we follow in the footsteps of amazing individuals who have come before us, take pride in joining all those who are currently serving as nurses, and hopefully we will be able to serve as role models for those who will come after us.

I would be remiss in ending this without leaving you with some words of wisdom by someone other than myself.  And since I am going into pediatrics, I thought I would regale you with a few quotes by Dr. Seuss:

“Think left and think right and think low and think high. 

          Oh, the things you can think up if only you try.”

       “You have brains in your head. 

         You have feet in your shoes.  

         You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”

And finally:

       “You’re off to great places! Today is your day! 

         Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!”

Congratulations Marian University Leighton School of Nursing December Class of 2015.  We made it!  We are ready to join our colleagues in nursing, share our gifts and talents, and do our part to make this world a little better place.   

Although that was the 'official' speech I presented, there was another version that ended up on the cutting room floor.  Here is that version as well:

Our Journey in Nursing School 
as told through Nursing Diagnoses

By Lauren Sprague

 December class of 2015….We made it!  Just in case you need a reminder, here is a look back at our nursing school career.  It seemed only fitting to use everyone’s favorite, Nursing Diagnoses, to complete this trip down memory lane. (No, they are NOT all NANDA approved and I did NOT include evidence-based rationales!)

Our journey began completing prerequisites and applying to the nursing program.  We were kept on track with the application process before we had even learned what a nursing diagnosis was… but we would soon know our diagnosis during this period was clearly:

·       Readiness for enhanced immunization status related to (r/t) application to nursing school as evidenced by (AEB) having titers drawn and receiving all required immunizations (don’t forget your flu shot!). 

Next, that moment came when we had official been accepted to the Marian University Leighton School of Nursing.  Our diagnosis at this point was:

·       Overwhelming Joy r/t acceptance to nursing school AEB a broad smile, purchasing of a stethoscope and wearing our new scrub uniform around the house.

On our very first clinical day, we nervously showed up in our polo shirt and khaki pants.  Two nursing diagnoses that we had throughout that first semester are:

·       Anxiety r/t our first clinical check off AEB pacing, nervous discussion and obsessive washing of hands to practice for the clinical day.

And of course:

·       Frustration r/t trying to learn how to write a nursing diagnosis AEB throwing the Ackley book across the room!

We then received some good news which led to the resolution of the diagnosis:

·       Disturbed body image r/t the khaki pants and polo shirt uniforms AEB burning of said uniform when it was announced that we only had to wear scrubs now!

We continued on our journey.  Throughout Fundamentals, Pathophysiology, Dosage Calculations, Pharmacology, Med-Surg 1, 2 AND 3, Peds, OB, Mental Health, Research, and finally Leadership and Community, there were several reoccurring diagnoses:

·       Risk for activity intolerance r/t studying during nursing school AEB hours and hours and hours and hours and hours of reading textbooks.

·       Imbalanced nutrition: more than body requirements r/t studying for exams AEB excessive consumption of junk food, probably whatever was at the POD.

·       Acute confusion (and eventually chronic confusion) r/t what in the world do we need to learn now AEB a completely blank stare when an exam is passed out… am I in the right class??

·       Powerlessness r/t to waiting for exam grades to post AEB crying, pacing, and hitting refresh on the computer 487 times in 5 minutes.

·       Risk for aspiration r/t exam grades posting AEB almost choking when seeing that passing grade!

You might have noticed a theme of studying A LOT!  Besides the endless hours of studying, we also had the pleasure of completing clinical rotations and Sim lab experiences (and loving every minute of writing care plans!)  A few diagnoses for this period:

·       Sleep deprivation and excess fluid volume r/t balancing clinicals, care plans and studying AEB massive consumption of caffeine and still being exhausted.

·       Impaired spontaneous ventilation r/t that very first blood draw or starting your first IV AEB holding your breath and PRAYING that you hit that vein on the first stick.

·       Nausea r/t caring for a patient with c-diff AEB that smell NEVER leaving you

·       Risk for impaired liver function r/t…we probably shouldn’t talk about that one…

·       Stress overload and Decisional conflict r/t overwhelming care plans AEB finding absolutely ANYTHING else to do before actually completing our paper work

·       Ineffective Role performance and Risk for compromised human dignity r/t Sim lab experiences AEB dressing up in crazy costumes and feeling like an idiot when in the role of a patient or family member

·       Risk for shock and situational low self-esteem r/t drawing the RN role in simulation AEB perfuse sweating, fumbling around to orient yourself to the patient room, and feeling like this simulation is lasting an eternity

·       Impaired social interaction r/t overload of nursing school AEB only being able to carry on conversations by speaking in nursing diagnoses.

But we made it!  Through all of the ups and downs, we have continued to push ourselves (or received a swift kick in the behind) to reach our goal.  As school began to wind down, I couldn’t help but diagnosis many of us with:

·       Wandering r/t the end of nursing school AEB having no idea what do to with ourselves when we didn’t have 32 chapters to read, 14 assignments to complete and 5 exams to study for.

And now we here to celebrate our accomplishments.  We have done it!  We have earned our Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the Marian University Leighton School of Nursing! 

Our final nursing diagnosis is:

·        Overwhelming pride r/t completing nursing school AEB huge smiles, excessive hugging, and tears of joy.  

What do you think has changed?

You asked me a simple question, What do you think has changed?  I wasn’t able to immediately articulate an answer.  I have thought about that simple question and this is what I have come up with.  
Last spring, I had been running so hard for so long in this journey through nursing school.  I believed that I was finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel only to suddenly feel like the only light I was seeing was a train heading straight for me.  Instead of crashing into the oncoming train, I was able to receive much needed help to turn around on the tracks.  I then felt like I was able to stay a few steps ahead of disaster, but still found myself running for dear life.  

Finally, this summer I stopped running.  I realized that I needed to simply step off the tracks.  I wish I could tell you exactly when or how this happened, but I am unsure myself.  I have come to realize that neither heading straight into an oncoming train nor trying to outrun it would ever prove to be successful in the long run.  Somehow I had forgotten about me along this journey.  I wanted to do and be everything for everyone, but in the process I had lost myself.  Clearly in not taking care of myself first, my ability to juggle the rest of life suffered greatly.  At this point, life is far from perfect, but it never will be.  Life will always be life with its ups and downs, triumphs and defeats, but what has changed is my feeling toward myself.  It has taken multiple people practically shouting at me to finally realize that I might not be messing this whole life, family, school stuff up.  I am enough.  I have realized that I am actually doing a pretty damn good job!  

So thank you for being part of the journey to help bring me back to the point where I can recognize me again.  I was immersed in a crazy and chaotic world, and yet it was a dark and lonely road I was traveling down.  Life is still crazy, busy, and a wild ride, but I realize that I am not traveling this path alone.  Externally not much has changed; the kids are still amazing little beings that need lots of attention and love, meals still need to be made, laundry still needs to be done.  Internally I have been able to find the value in me, the strength to seek out help, and a sense of peace to keep on loving this crazy life.  

So what do I think has changed?  Me.        

Journey through Nursing School: First Day - Then and Now

As I begin my LAST semester in nursing school in pursuit of my BSN, here is a look back of a pic of the girls from my first day of my first semester to now, my first day of my last semester!  WOW has time gone by quickly!

And just in case you need a refresher on how my very first day of nursing school went... here is a copy of my post from that day:

The first day down the road of my formal education in Nursing was filled with potholes and free parking. 

Monday evening I was reviewing my carefully laid out plan to be executed in the morning.  I had my books, notebooks and all the school supplies I would need loaded in the car.  I studied and restudied exactly what class I had when and WHERE each class would meet.  I must have looked at my schedule a hundred times, and printed at least three copies, and yet was still nervous I would end up completely lost and confused.  All three of my daughters’ clothes were laid out for the morning.  Becca’s lunch was made and her backpack hung ready to go.  Shoes and coats were accounted for and in their proper place. 

Tuesday morning begins with a flurry of activity.  Baby Molly is up early to eat.  Becca is up and raring to go long before her middle sister, Piper, even considers opening her eyes.  In the rush of the morning I seem to be right on schedule.  We get out the door and halfway to daycare to drop the younger two off when the alarm goes off on my phone.  Agh!  How could I have left the house and forgotten the weekly ritual that is held in such high regard to every Pre-kindergarten scholar… show-n-tell!  Panic starts to set in, but I quickly remind myself that surely I can find something, anything, that would suffice for today’s presentation.  Becca informs me that the letter of the week is “I”.  Perfect, what could I possibly come up with that begins with “I”?? 

The drop off of my two younger girls is complete at daycare.  Now, time to scour the car for this prized show-n-tell item.  Let’s , I have a blanket, a horseshoe shaped neck pillow, bank deposit slips, a couple writing pens…it is looking grim.  Oh, a little pink monkey (probably the ever so wonderful ‘prize’ from a Happy Meal), but Becca quickly points out to me that monkey does not start with the designated letter of the week.  I quickly tried to come up with any variation of the wording of the toy to bring an “I” to the start, but was at a loss.  I then tried to convince Becca that it wasn’t necessary for the object to begin with the letter of the week, that was only a suggestion.  She did NOT take kindly to the suggestion of straying from the designated letter.   One last desperate look around and I spied just a small piece of blue under the seat.  Closer examination revealed a very poor knock off of a Barbie doll that had already been ‘well loved’ to say the least.  This wild haired, one armed, dressed in a pathetic blue rag of a dress was perfect!  I proclaimed her to be the Ice Princess!  Immediately Becca latched on to her newly discovered Ice Princess and was thrilled to have such a treasure to share with her class.

Whew, the show-n-tell disaster has been averted and Becca has been dropped off at school.  As I drive to my new school, a million doubts run through my head.  Will I get lost just trying to get there?  Will I find a parking space?  Will I find my classrooms?  Will I be on time?  Will I have the correct books and materials?  Will I somehow just look like a complete moron compared to everyone else?!?

I arrive on campus well ahead of my scheduled class time.  With only one wrong turn, I easily find a parking space.  I find my first classroom and even have plenty of time to find the restroom before class starts.  My first class begins and I am starting to relax a bit.  I am in the right room, have the right books, and have already read the right syllabus.  Twenty seven minutes into my hour and fifteen minute class my cell phone rings.  Yes, it is on silent, so it does not disturb the class, but my heart sinks when the caller ID flashes on the screen – my daughter’s school.  I cannot easily excuse myself from class and decide that if they leave a message, or if I receive another call, then I will just have to get up and go.  About four minutes later I receive a text message from my Mom: “Becca is sick, I am going to pick her up.”  I am relieved to know what is going on, and extremely thankful that my Mom can pick her up.  I just cannot believe that my very first day of class is the day Becca gets sick at school.  Not to mention the fact that I had done such a phenomenal job creating an amazing show-n-tell that would now never be used! 

I continue through my classes with relative ease.  On a break in the afternoon I talk to my Mom and Becca doesn’t seem to be deathly ill.  She is complaining of a stomachache, but we think she will pull through.  My break has almost come to an end when my phone rings again.  How can this be, daycare is calling me now?  Yes, it is daycare calling to tell me that baby Molly has spiked a fever of 103.  You have to be kidding me!  So through a quick series of phone calls I have arranged for Jeremy, my wonderful husband, to take off early from work to go pick up miss Molly and my Mom will pick up Piper a little later (after nap time) on her way bringing Becca home. 

Although slightly flustered, I feel like things are in control at home, so I am off to my next class.  Who in the world numbered these classrooms?!?  Where in the world is the room I am looking for?!? Almost more importantly, where is a restroom?!?  Luckily, there are very friendly faculty, staff and other students.  I am able to find my assigned classroom, and even feel comfortable because I was able to find the restroom before class started. 

I have one more class before my journey back home this evening.  Jeremy and Molly are home.  My Mom is en route daycare to retrieve Piper with Becca in tow and is also picking up carry out for dinner on the way for Jeremy and the girls.

I hope every day of school isn’t like this one or I am never going to get through!

Summer Projects!

This was the summer of completing various projects around the house!


Started out small.  Added a 'frosted' look to the sidelight windows of the front door:

Next tackled the dryer vent.  Now, having our laundry room upstairs is super convenient.  BUT, this means that the vent goes outside via the second story roof!  Cleaning that bad boy out is quite a chore as the roof has a super steep pitch to it.  There has to be a better way to keep it clean rather than having to venture onto the roof, but I haven't figured that out yet.  Also installed 'slim-fit' dryer vent hookup so that the dryer can sit closer to the wall!  Pretty cool.

Then it was on to the dining room light.  Molly was my 'big helper' completing this task!

Sometimes you have to get creative when your 'big helper'
is too short to hold up the light while you wire it in!

The shelves in the linen closet drove me crazy!
They were wire shelves that things would fall through or fall over on ALL THE TIME!
Solution: Cut foam board to fit and cover with contact paper.  Voila, problem solved!!

New shelves in the linen closet!

It has been just over 5 years since we moved into this house...  I FINALLY hung up curtains in the playroom/extra bedroom.  Yes, there have been mini-blinds up since just after we moved it, but I finally have real curtains up!  We also spent time re-organizing the room as well.

Finally have curtains in this room!

By far the biggest project we tackled this summer was the basement.  Unfortunately, in the beginning of July our basement flooded.  The good news, it gave me the kickstart I needed to actually get it organized and cleaned up.  It is not a finished basement, but it is now useable space for us.  Besides just cleaning out junk we didn't need and organizing what I wanted to keep, I also put down some floor coverings.  We already owned the multi-colored foam squares (those are AWESOME but expensive).  I was tired of the cold and ugly concrete floor, so I put down indoor/outdoor carpet in one area and then large laminate click-lock tiles in the 'craft/science' area.  I bought the tiles use, so it was an incredible deal.  If I ever find that good of a deal again, I would definitely buy more to do the rest of the room.  There is still some work to be done, but the basement has come a LONG way.  I don't have any 'before' pictures, but just envision piles and stacks and random junk everywhere! :)

 The girls did enjoy having a 'dance floor' before I put the tables in place!!

I think those are all the home projects from this summer that I have completed!  I have one last project on my list, replacing the exterior lights by the front door and over the garage.  Maybe it will get done this weekend?!?  

Summer Haircuts!

Time for summer haircuts!
Molly is almost 4 years old and has yet to have a real haircut (I have trimmed her bangs along the way).  She never wanted it cut and that was a battle that I chose not to fight!

Piper wanted her haircut 'not dangle-y' (aka short!), so after Piper chopped hers off, Molly wanted her hair cut too!  
Becca just wanted a few inches taken off.  

They all ended up with super cute haircuts!

Dream Big!

We were talking about what the girls wanted to be when they grew up....
Molly enthusiastically exclaimed, 
"I wanna be a UNICORN!"

Journey through Nursing School: EWHC Award

I was honored to be this year's recipient of the Lynne O'Day Scholarship from the Executive Women in Healthcare organization!

I was asked to 'prepare a few words' to share... here is what I came up with:

Thank you.  It truly is an honor to receive this scholarship.

 

The decision to return to school to pursue a career in nursing was not one I took lightly.  I knew it would be a challenge to be able to balance school, family, and my current job.  I am seeking a nursing career not only for myself, but for my family.  I have been blessed with three beautiful daughters and I want to instill in them a strong work ethic and the belief that anything is possible through my example.

Over the years I have served roles in various medical fields.  These have included a volunteer EMT and firefighter in Brown County Indiana, a pharmacy technician, and in the health center at a residential summer camp.  All of these positions strengthened my interest in the medical world, but it was my personal experience caring for family members that ultimately led me back to school.

My grandmother played a large role in my upbringing.  I was lucky enough to have her live with us as I grew up.  When she became ill and required full time care, I was happy to be able to return and care for the grandmother who had taken such good care of me as I grew up.  My oldest daughter was only a few months old when we began our daily routine of care for my grandmother.  At times, I must have looked crazy balancing the care of an infant and insuring my grandmother’s comfort as I helped her with everything from hygiene, to eating, to cleaning and maintaining her new trach.  I am very thankful I was able to spend so much time with my grandmother in the last year of her life.  She passed away at the age of 89 surrounded by her family at home.  Unfortunately, immediately after she had passed, my uncle received a devastating medical prognosis.  I also had the privilege of helping with his care and comfort as he quietly passed away at home.  I returned to work at an office job and welcomed two more daughters into our family.

My youngest daughter, Molly, came into this world and was immediately adored by her big sisters, Becca age four and Piper age two.  We quickly learned that our little Molly was facing some major medical challenges.  Although a bit overwhelming and difficult at first, we established a routine of chaos navigating tube feedings, endless appointments with specialists, and multiple surgeries.  Even her big sisters wanted to help feed Molly through her “special straw” as they called her feeding tube.  Her continued challenges exposed me even further to the medical world, and specifically nursing.  I knew that I would continue to care for Molly’s medical needs as she grew up, but I also felt called to explore the option of a career in nursing to serve others as well.

Although easy is never a word I would use to describe nursing school, it has been an incredible opportunity.  There are points where there just doesn't seem like there are enough hours in the day to complete all the tasks of being a student, mother, and working.  But I have found a balance that I never imagined possible before.  I take great pride in being able to maintain a very high grade point average and still spend time with and support my family.  Due to the increasing demands of school and insuring that I have enough time to dedicate to my studies, I have cut back on the hours that I work.  Decreasing work hours and increasing tuition and childcare costs have put me in a situation of facing difficult financial decisions.  I am dedicated to completing my degree in nursing at Marian University and receiving the aid of the Lynne O’Day Scholarship has helped to alleviate some of the financial strain.

   I don't think I can say thank you enough to the Executive Women in Healthcare organization for presenting me with this scholarship.  I have read and heard stories about what an incredible woman Lynne O’Day was.  I am honored to receive this scholarship named in her memory.  The goal of this scholarship is “to assist the development of young, female professionals who are pursuing a career in healthcare leadership” and I hope to be able to be able to live out these ideals.

     

It is true that individual students must be fully committed to dedicating themselves to their education to be successful.  But no matter how passionate I am about becoming a nurse and female leader in health care, the bottom line is that tuition is expensive and inevitable.  Being provided financial support to further my education is something that I will be forever grateful for.

Being named the Lynne O'Day Scholarship Recipient has strengthened my dedication to a career in health care and has created a personal desire to help others reach their personal potential as well.  I want to thank the corporate sponsors, each individual donor, and the Executive Women in Healthcare organization for making this opportunity possible for me.  I am very proud and honored to be recognized by this incredible organization.  Thank you. 

Conversation between kids

Overheard a conversation between my 5 year old Piper and 3 year old Molly.

Piper (in a VERY condescending tone of voice): 
     Do you even know what 'the other day' means Molly?
  
Molly: Um, I don't know.

Piper: It means three days after Friday.


Huh?!?