Hey y'all. Heather here. Our good friend Moogie asked me to guest post while she's on vacation. I hesitated at first because I have stage fright. But, for Moogie, I decided to get over it and help a sister out. I told Moogie not to expect much because fear seemed to have dried up my creative juices and wiped my brain clean of any ideas that would make for a good post. So Moogie asked me a few questions to help me get past my writer's block. Without further adieu, here's the answer to Moogie's first question.
What made you decide to be a nurse? Is that what you always wanted to be when you grew up? Was there a significant event in your life that made you want to be a nurse?
I have fond memories of nurses from my childhood. I have severe asthma and was hospitalized once for status asthmaticus and several times for bronchitis and acute asthma attacks.
I remember waking up once and being so hypoxic that I couldn't even get out of bed. My mother checked on me to see why I wasn't getting ready for school and immediately loaded me in the car and raced to the doctor's office. Once there, I received several breathing treatments and three shots of epinephrine. One of the nurses had urged me to eat something to help with the shakiness and queasiness caused by the medications. At some point during the day, I had eaten french fries. After spending the majority of the day in the doctor's office, I still wasn't moving much air. So, the office nurse helped my mother load me into the car and I was sent off to the hospital. I remember the nurse's kindness and concern for me. How did I repay her? By leaning out of the car window and vomiting up french fries. I still remember her putting her cool hand on my forehead and cooing, "It's okay, sweetie. You are very sick. Don't worry about it."
That particular hospital stay was quite long and scary. I was so hypoxic that my veins were collapsed and the nurses couldn't find a vein. My father was in the hallway looking green and faint because he couldn't bear to see me hurt. My mother was holding my hand and whispering in my ear. The nurses frantically searched my arms for veins and apologized profusely for causing me pain. Finally, a vein was found and a Theophylline drip was started. It was a couple of days before I even had the strength to sit up in bed and talk, but my nurses were always very kind. I remember being humiliated about having to use a bedpan, but they were always so nice.
Another person who greatly influenced my decision to become a nurse was my nurse practitioner who became my dear friend over the years. She actually came to my junior high school and taught our sex education class. She treated my asthma and common childhood ailments and later treated me for depression during my first year of college when my life was turned upside down. She was so kind to me. I remember her sitting me in her office and checking on me between her patients. She knew I just needed a place to go sometimes. Later, as we grew to be friends, she wrote letters of reference for me to apply for nursing school and to apply for my first job as a nurse. She recently wrote a letter of reference for me to be accepted in to my Bachelor's nursing program. I remember wanting to be the type of person that she was: kind, smart, compassionate, non-judgemental.
So, those are some of the people and events that inspired me to become a nurse. I started out with many different majors before I entered nursing school. Nursing gave me direction and momentum toward a goal. I have worked in critical care, cardiac cath lab, cardiac electrophysiology, and , most recently, performance improvement. There are so many types of careers possible in nursing. One needn't ever become bored. That's what I like about my field.
I really had no intention of writing a novel on Moogie's blog! But it was a good question. A good question from a great lady. I hope you are having a great vacation, Moogs!
Comments
Gah, I was just beginning to crave French Fries until I read that last part! Great job on the guest post. Moogie is lucky to have such a good friend who's willing to throw up on stage! :)
Posted by: Uisce at December 29, 2005 05:48 AM
Your story just gives me another reason to hold nurses in great admiration.
Posted by: john cowart at December 29, 2005 07:56 AM
AHHH thanks for the share ....I guess!
Posted by: DayByDay4-2Day at December 29, 2005 09:53 AM
Great story, Heather! Way to go Moogie for helping to get you goin'!
By the way, Moogie, this is a great blog -- I'd been here before but I believe I'll be coming back more often :).
Hope you return to less chaos and new clothes!
Sweetie
Posted by: Sweetie at December 29, 2005 10:46 AM
Aw, Heather, I'm sorry you had a bad asthma attack when you were younger. I hope you still don't suffer from this affliction. Your comment about the nurse and the french fries was very touching. All my nurse friends have that same compassionate attitude. If I ever need a nurse at home, I know just who to call. Moogie is lucky that you volunteered to cover for her.
Posted by: motherkitty at December 29, 2005 01:32 PM
Nice post heather, I know where your coming from nephew suffers a little bit from asthma and I had a friend who was on all the drugs you can think of bad in the early 90's for asthma as well - it frighten my best mates mum who is a nurse, well it was inhalers, steroid pills etc.. I'm lucky I don't suffer for it but I know all the signs and I don't panic either I just RUN to get help. Good 1st Post the Moogster will be proud. Your a credit to the profession just like your friend and sponser so to speak :). Heck I'd probably have thrown up as well so no biggie, cya around.
Posted by: Gopher at December 29, 2005 03:21 PM
Great post... though I may never eat fries again... ;)
Posted by: FTS at December 29, 2005 05:42 PM
Typically wonderful work here, just like at home, Heather. Nurses like you are the reason you have such an amazing reputation. You are the epitome of "caregivers". Thank you!
Posted by: Cori at December 29, 2005 08:24 PM
Fries huh. hmph. I bet they've seen worse.
Posted by: Suzanne at December 30, 2005 08:47 AM
I could never be a nurse. I have such admiration for all nurses. That being said thanks for ruining french fries for me.
Posted by: Melonie at January 1, 2006 11:09 AM
Melonie: Think of all the calories you will avoid thanks to me! See? Idid a good thing for you. ;-)
Posted by: Heather at January 2, 2006 08:39 PM