circus

so I've decided that I'll put a positive spin onto the drama of my job: no longer will I approach it as exhausting politics and manipulations, but rather, it's a circus! Everyone has their own little area of showmanship and displays and my job will simply be the ringmaster--just making sure everyone has their job done correctly (ie, serving the students & their families) and yet in the end is having fun and smiling or laughing about something.

Ever heard the phrase, If we didn't laugh about it, we'd cry? That, my friends, will be my mantra this year.

Angry parents, frustrated students, exhausted staff, tough administration...this is my life as a school nurse in a high school health center. So, finding the little things to laugh or smile about are that much more important in keeping the circus in proper function. :)

conference!

whew! Made it through the MASN conference last week. I think I'm finally coming down from that "high." Everything went very smoothly and we all had a great time! It helps to be working with not just one, but two great friends and co-workers. We definitely work well as a team and even though I've been officially elected as MASN's vice president, I wouldn't even have considered the position without the promised support of these two wonderful gals. :)

Char looks tired...Ann looks stressed...
...but we're all smiling in the end!

Now I jump right back into the swing of things with my summer grad class already having begun and approximately 17 more days of the working school year left! wa-hoo!

concept analysis of my life

Can one person do too much? I'm testing this theory...I may have to even do a concept analysis on it (an inside joke with myself...). Right now in my life I have the following to keep me out of trouble: work as a school nurse, plan an annual conference for Michigan Association of School Nurses for both this year and 2009, two graduate level nursing courses, sing in church choir and be in easter musical, and be a loving, encouraging, and supportive wife to my wonderful husband.

The highlights: being a wife is definitely right up there! But my work as a school nurse and all that that encompasses (MASN) is really exciting. I love being a part of something so big--not only touching the lives of my students and families, but also working within the state-wide organization of MASN as it works to improve the standards of school nursing practice.

The lowlights: one of my grad classes is really getting to me. Nursing Theory is such an incredible stretch for my "live by the rules" personality; words like "phenomenon" and "empirical referent" and "concept analysis" are all completely abstract to me. I've never been good at arguing--much less arguing for concepts I barely understand! My only light in this tunnel is the topic of my research paper; I chose to investigate Reactive Attachment Disorder. Many of you may not know what this is--but if you really want to know, just shoot me an e-mail and I can have you proof read my paper once it's written. ;)

So, there you have it, Rachel's life in a nutshell right now. All I can say is, God must have big plans for me, cause I'm feeling very stretched!

snow day!

Have I mentioned how I love the fact I work for a school district? One of the perks is the occasional "gift" of a snow day! I know every day is truly a gift from God, but I'm pretty sure that snow days are gift wrapped with a beautiful bow... ;)

A cozy morning wrapped in my robe & a blanket, sipping coffee on the couch is the perfect way to begin. And now, after a good long workout on the treadmill, I can begin whatever project I decide to accomplish with my free day. And, honestly, I don't have too much option other than to work on grad class homework. I have plenty to read for both classes. And one class has quite a bit of on-line work to keep me busy as well.

Hmmmm...maybe I'll make another pot of coffee... :)

in other news...

(In an attempt to "catch up" from this summer regarding things I wanted to update on...)

Earlier in the year I reported that I was to have an article published in a nursing journal—well, over the summer, the issue was printed! Interesting to have not only your name in print, but words that you remember writing are also put into print in an actual journal. All I can say is…very cool. :)

I wish I could post a link to the actual article, but it’s not accessible to the general public. And, because I signed off on a copyright—I don’t technically own the rights to the article either—it belongs completely to the publisher. I can post a link to the journal site, and if any of you out there really want to read it…well, maybe you’ll have to purchase the journal…;)

nursing

I’m not sure I’ve ever actually mentioned that I work as a school nurse. Most people who read this blog are probably aware…but maybe I should write more about why I consider it to be so stressful right now.

I work in an urban school district, and for the first four years, I was assigned to elementary schools. I loved it. The kids were great—and I love playing a part in making them smile. My job involved a lot of case management between teachers, parents, doctors, getting families access to care, and classroom education. (see my future nursing article for complete list…due out this July...) ;)

For the past two years I’ve been assigned to work at one of the high schools that was opening a brand new school based health center. My job is three-fold: school nurse, clinic RN, and clinic manager. Honestly, it is a job better suited for two nurses—I’m sure of it. Multi-tasking like what is expected of me leads to burn out and a feeling of being ineffective at all roles.

Years ago, I pinpointed that my most favorite part of nursing was being able to help people heal—a whole self type of healing. I like the clinical piece, even the biology of it, but getting to know a person and lead them to healing through education and compassion is truly my calling in nursing. So, to take on this whole being a “manager” role and telling staff what to do and how to do it is not so fun for me. Job satisfaction comes when I have a day in which I am able to deal one on one with students.

As stressful as it is…I know God is using this experience to stretch me and grow me in a way that will play a part in future nursing experiences of my life. I’ve learned a lot about myself and what God may call me to…

All I can say for now is: good thing I have the summer off! :)