tulips!

Yesterday Jason & I decided to embrace our Dutch heritage. We spent some time amongst the tulips of the famous Holland Tulip Time Festival. Funny how I’m thirty years old and have never been to this festival, but visiting the Veldheer Tulip Farm was quite a learning experience! I literally took two rolls of pictures—yes, a past time for me that I actually had fun with.

Not only was there a variety of flowers (mainly tulips) but also a variety of people. Jason & I joked that we were probably the only two Dutch thoroughbreds there! They should’ve put us on a display somewhere at Festival. Label reading: “The last of the Dutch line native to Holland, Michigan. Circa 2007.” People could stand with us to have their picture taken.

Craziness. Who would’ve thought that a tulip could be a tourist attraction? Apparently us Dutch people are easily entertained. ;)

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! :)

baby love

How is it that a 9 month old can totally make your day with just one smile? I tell ya…I’ve had a rough couple of weeks. Finishing up pathophysiology (part one anyway), stressful work (downhill slide to summer break), and church easter program (at church every single night)…it’s been busy!

So, today was a madhouse at work, including a phone call to 911 and a visit from the EMS, that by the time I got home, I was exhausted. I was invited to dinner at my best friend’s house—I hardly every turn down a free meal. I arrive to hear my most favorite almost-4-year-old “nephew” announcing to the neighbors (and whoever else was within ear shot) that his Auntie Rachel was eating dinner with them, which totally put a smile on my face. Then his 9 month old brother, who is definitely finding another special place in my heart, gave me a huge two-tooth, two-dimpled smile.

Then, to top it off, I also got a 9 month old “hug.” *sigh*

Suddenly, the day is brighter. :)

one hundred and one things #6

#6 I’ve had 13 jobs in my life.

Wow. When I actually generated a list of how many jobs I’ve had…I didn’t realize how long it would be! They are, in this order:

Babysitting
Advance newspaper (route)
Russ’ Restaurant (waitress)
Laser Alignment (miscellaneous)
Holland Home (nurse aide)
St. Mary’s Hospital (2 weeks as a nurse aide)
Spectrum Health (infant hearing screener)
Cedar Campus (camp nurse)
Spectrum Health (med-surg nurse)
Holland Home (head nurse)
GRPS (school nurse)
YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin (camp nurse for three summers)
GVSU (adjunct nursing faculty)

A lot of the jobs have overlapped, and it would be tricky for me to go back and figure out exactly when I worked at each place. The worst job I ever had was probably that two week stint at St. Mary’s Hospital. The position was supposed to be a nurse aide on the labor/delivery unit, but when they hired me, they were creating a new position and there was no one to give me clear direction as to how to do anything, much less what I should be doing. It was horrible. Everyone acted as though I should’ve just known what to do…but I didn’t because no one was training me!

The best job I’ve ever had would have to be camp nursing. I do love my job as a school nurse, but too often that pulls at my heart strings, so camp nursing is always a great outlet for me. Patching up scraped knees and elbows, making kids smile again—that is very healing for my soul! Plus, getting to be outdoors as much as possible doesn’t hurt either. ;)

april showers?!

Sheesh! It’s already April! Last week was “spring” break for me…and I say “spring” break simply because for most of the week it was snowing and windchills were in the teens. How pathetic is that? Nothing too interesting occurred on Prospect street. I spent most of my break watching movies and writing pathophysiology papers. It was all very exciting. Actually, the most exciting part to my spring break was not having to wake up to my alarm for nine days straight... :)

Now I literally am diving head first back into my life’s routine. Busy work week with a huge report due by Friday and rehearsal every night at church for our upcoming easter musical (yes, after easter…). I still have patho papers to finish as well. My alarm will definitely be waking me up early every morning to ensure I get my busy "spring" days started on time. Fun, fun for me!

favorite musical

I had the privilege of seeing one of my most favorite musicals today…Jesus Christ Superstar. It was the third time I had seen this program, and I’m to a point that I can actually sing along with the performers. I’m not sure what draws me exactly to loving this musical as it always disappoints me at the end that they leave Jesus dead on the cross. It never surprises me, but it always disappoints me.
I know this musical stirred up a lot of controversy when it first came out—and still probably does. But, if it draws people to find out more about this man named Jesus, then it has done a service for the kingdom of his Heavenly Father.

Chicago sights

I had the opportunity to see the Body Worlds 2 exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago this past weekend. The advertisement calls it “inspiring.” After seeing it, I’m pretty sure I would not consider it inspiring, but the word interesting did come to mind frequently. As a nurse, I feel I can already appreciate the complexity of the human body—but this display truly put me in awe of how detailed our Creator was when he formed us from dust. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about the human body and probably has a relatively strong stomach for things of this nature.