Mental Health

Hello all!

I figured it was time for an update or two.

This year of nursing school is packed full of "blocks" or 6-7 week segments where we focus on one population or subject at a time. September and October I was in Senior's health where I was at a Lodge in Bridgeland, Calgary. November and December I am in MENTAL HEALTH!

So far, I am really enjoying mental health. I find mental illnesses really fascinating. The main diagnosis of the people at this centre is schizophrenia. The brain is such a complex organ and can do so many things to a person! For my clinical placement, I am at a community mental health centre where there are lots of interesting characters. For example, I have a resident whom I have to refer to as "Jesus" because he thinks he is the real deal. DOB December 25 and everything. He is a really nice man though and has been fun getting to know.

I also really like this setting because of how closely you can get to know all the residents. I ALMOST know all of their names now and we have 2 1/2 weeks left? Yikes!

One thing I do NOT like about this facility, however, is the nasty smoking that goes on. 70-75% of the residents smoke and have access to a "smoking room" in the centre. This is literally a room with glass windows looking into it from all sides that people go into to have a smoke. It is nasty. Whenever the door opens, it floods the building with cigarette smoke and it's super smelly. My clinical group is doing a presentation about smoking and mental health for our lecture class this coming tuesday and we're discussing the issue that smoking can be in such a facility as this. It will be interesting.

Anyways, wish me luck for the remainder of my placement!

Crazy Summer

It's been a while since I've updated my blog so I thought I'd just say a little hello and go from there.

This whole summer has been pretty crazy and busy. I've mostly been working at a nursing home in SE Calgary where I've had many great experiences working with senior citizens. It feels nice to know that you can brighten someone's day just by smiling at them or talking to them for a few minutes. Anyways, I've been working there pretty regularly so that keeps me busy.

I've gotten a few things ready for school in september. I applied for student loans (which is a hassle and I still haven't heard back from them yet) and also for a police check which i hope I get back before the nursing faculty gets really mad at me. Anyways, little stuff like that. It will all get done soon I hope.

I was able to go to Utah in July for a few days and visit my sister, Erin, and her new little baby, Ezra. He's pretty darn cute. Looking forward to visiting them in a couple weeks when they come up to Canada for a visit.

Other than that, not a whole lot. Jared's birthday is Tuesday and our anniversary is on August 21. Crazy! I can't believe a year has already gone by. We are going to Edmonton for the weekend so we can relax and have a good time. We got a good deal so that we can spend two nights at a hotel and get tickets to go to the water park at West Edmonton Mall. I'm excited to get away for a while and spend some time with Jared.

Anyways, other than that, life has been good. I'll try to post more.

Steph

How to: Pimp Your Ride

While running today, I saw some people drive who had some rad ways of "pimping" out their vehicles. Here are a few...

The classic leopard print steering wheel cover

Headlight eyelashes...really??

And the ever-so-lovely Hello Kitty seatcovers.

If I ever decide to pimp my ride, I will definitely include these fine specimens. The end.

Pupusas Tonight!

This is a Pupusa

Don't ask me what it is but I will be eating it tonight. Looks pretty good, don't you think?

I'm a Little Bit Country

Ohh Keith Urban... Sometimes when I need a little pick-me-up, I like to listen to a little bit of Keith Urban or other country songs. Despite the twanginess that comes with the territory, they usually are really upbeat and make me happy!! (Well..., minus those country songs that are about your wife and dog dying or something...). Today, I invite you to enlighten your soul with a little Keith Urban (although I know some people who would rather shove nails in their ears, AKA Jared and my dad). Just do it, though. It will totally make you feel better :) P.S. On another happy note, I have a job interview on monday for a healthcare aide position! I hope I get it!

The Job Hunt Begins...

I've been meaning for weeks to get on the job-hunting bandwagon but I've either been doing homework or doing something else that has been keeping me busy.

Finally, I got Jared to help me with my resume this weekend because it was probably the last thing any employer would want to lay eyes on. After much frustration and time, I finished it!! I sent off about nine online applications today to different places in Calgary to see if I could get a job as either a Nursing Attendant or a Porter.

We'll see how it goes...I've been checking my emails about three times every hour even though I know I'm probably not going to get any responses until at least monday. Sigh...I hate waiting.




Hopefully this will be me sometime soon!

Julian Smith- I'm Reading a Book (Good for a laugh or two)

Jared and I have been watching a lot of random Julien Smith videos on youtube. I'm pretty sure this is my favorite one so far. The expressions that he makes make me laugh so hard!! Let me know what you think.