Lucyellen Dahlgren, Instructor of Nursing, was selected as the 2010 Chaney Distinguished Professor at Belmont University, the highest award presented to a faculty member at the university. The award was presented at the university’s graduation ceremonies on May 16th. One of three finalists for the award, Lucyellen was selected from more than 90 faculty nominees. On behalf of the College of Health Sciences and the School of Nursing, congratulations Lucyellen!
Daily Archives: May 21, 2010
A note from the nurses: Emergencia!
2010 Mission Trip to Guatemala
from: Natalie Eaton, Megan Oakley & Beth Higney
Hello from the nurses! Sorry we haven’t updated lately, we couldn’t get to the computer last night but hope we got your attention with the title. No, there was no emergency but we did spend Thursday working in the emergency room at the Children’s Hospital.
After utilizing the translator we were able to meet with the director of the hospital and arrange the opportunity for us to work in the pediatric emergency room on Thursday. The translator was so helpful and made it possible for us to finally express how much we really want to help. Yesterday was the first day that we were asked to really jump in and “do” something. I think it took a couple of days for them to warm up to us and really see how much we know and how much we really can help. The nursing roles here are a bit different compared to the states. For example, nurses do not do any assessments on the patients; in fact, we have yet to see one use a stethoscope. Luckily, we had a translator and one of the doctors in the ER spoke English. We were able to help with assessments and initial diagnosis as the patients came in. We administered medications, started IVs, and drew blood. Like we stated earlier, things are done a little bit different here but it is interesting to see how their hospital units function.
The Way I See It
2010 Mission Trip to Cambodia
from Chelsea Stevens
Well, today was an incredibly emotionally draining day for me (and many of us), so I am going to use today’s blog to kind of unload and filter through my thoughts. While Kim went on the hospitals mobile clinic and Stephanie worked the emergency room and operating room, the other three of us (Emily, Victoria, and I) had our turn to go out to the slums to talk with the HIV patients. Because we had a lot of time, we got to sit in their houses with them and have conversations through our interpreter Chaveleth.
Walking through this area of garbage and insects and who knows what else, I couldn’t help but think to all of the many things I take for granted. It really was an emotionally challenging day to us and to Kim and Stephanie yesterday because you see these people who have nothing and live with a disease that is so challenging, and you wonder how they have a will to get up in the morning. But not only do they have that, they have smiles on their faces and joke about the little things just like we do. While sitting with them, they told us of how they looked before they got on the Anti-retro Virus drug that helps the patients with HIV. They would laugh about how they gain so much weight once getting on the drug and would joke of how different our skin looks from theirs. One woman, in order to make a living for herself and her two children, sweeps the streets at night. But instead of letting her situation bring her down, she picks up posters and pictures people throw away and hangs them on her walls in order to decorate her small tin hut. She was so pleased that we liked them and it brought a huge smile to her face just to show off her little treasures.
Today’s theme: Surprise (times 50)
2010 Mission Trip to Guatemala
Today was filled with many surprises. We had many schedule changes and had to be flexible.
Physical Therapy
Today, one group went to the Children’s Hospital and the other group went to the Shalom School and the University. The group at the Children’s Hospital had a very productive day again. Today was tennis day in PT which was very interesting and fun (and HOT!!!!!). A tennis professional came in and worked with the kids to increase their hand eye coordination. We asked and were allowed to have the two boys with Guillen-Barre participate while standing to increase their strength and endurance. We also asked if these two could stop using their wheelchairs altogether, and the therapists agreed to give it a try.