Sunday, November 9, 2008

Good News!

I have been accepted! I have until the 14th to return my acceptance, and then I can register for the first quarter nursing classes...I am so excited and so happy! Next quarter is going to be a whole new world in academia, so this spot will probably be very quiet except for maybe long weekends or vacations. But I will continuing to post as I can.
Thank you everyone for your support!

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Interpersonal Communications or not?

I'm not thrilled with the text for my interpersonal communications class. Belief and non-belief are not the opposites. Someone who is an atheist does not disbelieve in a god: they know there is no such thing. THEY KNOW!
There is too much evidence that religion is just a viral meme that people who are too scared to die, too unwilling to be responsible for their own actions and thoughts.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

More religion in a class about communication

She just can't keep her mouth shut about her beliefs! Now I know more than I really wanted to know about why she doesn't eat crab. Who cares?

School is definitely going along. I get to register for next quarter next week! Since I won't know if I have been admitted into the nursing program I am planning on registering for Abnormal psychology, another communication class (small group or public speaking) and research writing. All of these classes will meet pre-requisites for the bachelors degree programs for nursing. Then if I don't get into a nursing program for spring quarter either, I can apply for fall quarter entry at any of the colleges or universities in the area. Just think, maybe I will get into the nursing program at the University of Washington, one of the best nursing universities in the nation!

I have much homework to work on, so I must sign off.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Again with the religion in a non-religious class

Why is it OK to share your religion in school, but it's not OK for an atheist to even exist much less try to share their opinion?

Because then the religious types would have to think for themselves in trying to defend their mythology and irrational belief in that which does not and cannot exist.

Interpersonal communications class is about learning to be a better communicator by learning to listen and be "other oriented" without compromising your own self. I actually do enjoy learning about other cultures, especially their history because it really helps me to understand where the person I am trying to communicate is coming from and how I can be sensitive to their mores and ethics. But just about every ethnic group out there seems to center their philosophy and traditions around religion (notable exceptions include: Britain, Australia, some other countries in Europe, some parts of America, Canada).

I try to be sensitive to what I know are rational traditions of religion (are there any?) but I will not allow conversations to turn toward talk about an invisible sky bully. They can talk and I will try to listen to what they are really trying to say, but I will not add my own two cents' about such an evil and malevolent thought disease. I can't say anything nice and won't just to make someone feel better: because it really doesn't help!

I really do think that everyone who is religious is so afraid of dying that they live their whole lives in fear and trying to find something else that scares them even more (the invisible sky bully that will make your life hell if you even think about thinking something naughty). Dying is a natural part of the human life.

Remembering that we have a limited time to do something that will make us feel like we have accomplished something important in improving our lives, the lives of our families and friends is something that would make this whole world a MUCH better place! Instead we have people who "believe" that someone else will take care of them and make it a better place if they just wish it hard enough. This is a failure to take responsibility for one's own life!

I am always greatly saddened to hear that someone has died (if I know them, I will miss them tremendously, especially if they have done anything to improve the human condition on this planet) but that is how life ends, eventually. Medicine is greatly improving life and the longevity of those of us who take care of ourselves, but there is a limit to the construct of the human body. Maybe someday we can enhance our bodies increasing our longevity but I hope that we do not forget our humanity. I hope that we will still eventually die at some time so that we will remember that our time is limited and we should make the most of every moment we have, live life to the fullest with no regrets!

I'm not saying I wouldn't like to live forever, because I would! Life is a wonderful thing! I just wish the religious would let me live my life the way I think is best for me without their b*llsh!t homilies to try to make me "live" better. (I'm not hurting them, OK, maybe I am hurting their feelings or making them doubt their beliefs-oh, I hope so!-but I'm not physically or emotionally hurting them!) Mostly it just makes me feel sad because of the wasted life they are living and how awful it must be to live in constant fear!

As part of the interpersonal communications class, one lady brought in a song for us to listen to that was supposed to represent her values: it was a religious song. I can't even remember anything about it, it is not the kind of music I listen to anyway. I just kept thinking about how limited this lady's life is because she chooses to live in fear and how sad she seemed. She is not from America but speaks very good English. She is taking the class to improve her interpersonal communication skills (of course) but I think she just needs to lose the religion, start thinking for herself and get some confidence. Get happy! So far I thought her skills were quite good. I'm taking the class because it is a requirement for graduation with a nursing degree (and if I had known that I was going to have a public speaking instructor I would have signed up for public speaking or small group communications, I feel like I am taking two classes in one: interpersonal communications and public speaking). I'm not the only person in the class who is a bit upset about having to get up in front of the class. I know my public speaking skills are not top notch, but they are good enough to get me through a day at work, and that's all I really need. I'm not going to try to be a public speaker.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Nursing school application and a GREAT concert

Gaelic Storm
Current mood: pleased
Category: Music

Went to their show last night in Edmonds and LOVED it! Wish I had the cash to see them tonight in Kent also. They are such a fun group of guys and a gal! Great show, though Patrick's mic kept cutting out at the beginning of the second half. I was disappointed that ECA wouldn't let them have their Guinness on stage. Drinking a beer, a single beer, during a 2 hour set doesn't seem like a lot to me, besides they are working hard under those hot lights, dancing around all over the stage.

Had the best seats ever!

Jesse is AMAZING!
Steve has such a great voice.
Patrick is as funny as ever. Loved the Wham! impersonation! HILARIOUS!
Ryan is WONDERFUL on those drums!
Pete is absolutely FABULOUS on the pipes!

Together, these people are AWESOME! I really recommend all of you to take a listen to this group.

Currently listening :
What's the Rumpus?
By Gaelic Storm
Release date: 2008-07-08

Other news:

The application is in
Current mood: anxious
Category: Life

So I dropped of my application for nursing school yesterday.

Now I wait.

I hope to get a letter of acceptance sometime soon after the end of the month! Of course if I don't get accepted I will not get a letter and I need to be getting applications for other schools for spring quarter entry at the nearby schools that have a spring quarter start.

If I am accepted, that will mean that I will be in the last quarter of nursing school two years from now!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

I am now an officially registered certified nursing assistant!

Bureaucracy

Current mood: nauseated
Category: Life

I am now an official, registered, certified nursing assistant!

The story goes like this: my assigned partner and I are called (after waiting for nearly 4 hours). She had to pee and took a run to the powder room. The evaluator called her name and I told her that she had just ran to the refresher. The evaluator said, that's OK because you are going first. I thought this was odd since in all the previous groups the person listed first went first, meaning I should have been the "resident" that the candidate being tested would be caring for.
I fly through my 5 skills, finished within the 25 minute time limit. The evaluator then starts telling me to put my shoes on the floor at the head of the bed, and calls me by my partner's name. I tell her that my name is Lisa and she gets this horrified look on her face. She calls to the other evaluator who is just about to fax the score sheet in for evaluation in Texas. She erases all of the marks and I have to start over, with her marking the form that is for me. I ended up being evaluated on 9 skills instead of 5 (she did not make me demonstrate that I knew how to wash my hands a second time).
The evaluator admitted it was her mistake, but she was so distracted by other things, she didn't notice or hear me when I introduced myself to the patient for the first time after walking into the "room."
I was so relieved to be done with the first five, the second set was even more nerve-wracking. My partner had it easy since I had just performed all of the skills she then had to perform on me (the first 5 skills I did). I think the evaluator went easy on us after that.

Gotta go take another test!

Sunday, September 28, 2008

The Schedule

School: Microbiology, Nutrition for Healthcare Professionals and Interpersonal Communications...scared yet?

Tuesdays and Thursdays:
I get up early, usually no later than 5 am. I study, visit DA and other websites for my daily fix of internet, eat, shower, dress (not necessarily in that order). Leave for class by 7:30 am. Sit in class listening to lectures on microorganisms, watching power-point slide shows, taking notes. We get a short break, maybe two. Spend the last 45 minutes frantically trying to do the lab and clean up quickly before class ends.

Walk out of the classroom at 10:50 am and return home to drop off the books and laptop (I take notes during lecture, no access to internet in the class/lab room). Grab a quick lunch, pack dinner, grab my communication text. Ride my scoot through downtown Redmond (one of the many one-way street, traffic lights every 50 feet cities in this area).

Class starts at 1:10 pm. Listen and participate in class until she lets us leave (no break, but we usually get to leave early). Get to work sometime after 4 pm and start no later than 4:30 pm. Work until 9:30 pm and scoot home as quickly as possible without freezing in the dipping temperatures.

Spend a little time "cooling down" so I can get to sleep. Hopefully I get to sleep by 10:30 pm.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays:
I get up early, usually no later than 5 am. I study, visit DA and other websites for my daily fix of internet, eat, shower, dress (not necessarily in that order). Pack my lunch and dinner. Study some more until 10:15 am, then leave for work. Work until 9:30 pm and scoot home as quickly as possible without freezing in the dipping temperatures.

Spend a little time "cooling down" so I can get to sleep. Hopefully I get to sleep by 10:30 pm.

Saturday I have to get up no later than 7:30 am to do all my morning things including packing a lunch. I leave for class by 8:30 am. I sit in class from 9 am to 1:50 pm learning about nutrition. She gives us short breaks, nothing longer than 15 minutes.

I think I am averaging about 6 hours of sleep per night. Sometimes I skip the studying and take a morning nap before going to work.

Good thing there are only 11 weeks left in the quarter!

Someday I'm going to be a nurse...

Sunday, September 7, 2008

To Lily

Lily, I don't know of any other way to contact you, so I will post a blog.

Thank you for the comment and sorry it has taken me so long to reply. Been very busy and somewhat frustrated with school.

So, why are you choosing the nursing profession? I have been in healthcare for more than 18 years. I actually tried getting into nursing school 15 years ago, but I suddenly found myself a single parent of a 5 year old and a 3 year old. I was ready to apply, but I just could not figure out how I was going to pay for school without working so I could actually see my children. So, I set that path aside for a while.
Why nursing for me? I actually greatly enjoy helping people. Sometimes it is hard, because the patients aren't appreciative, but most of the time, they are, even when they aren't even aware of where they are. Sometimes it just takes a smile from me, and a few kind words to make a grumpy patient change their whole personality.

It is a difficult subject, talking about death, even with those who have disillusioned themselves into believing there is another life after they die. It's even more difficult for those of us who refuse to kid ourselves. I try to see what the person has accomplished and appreciate what they have contributed to the world, even if it has only affected them or those very close to them.

I created this blog for the very same reason you feel you have nobody to talk to about these issues. It helps me get things out and when I get the positive comment, it really helps!
I am very lucky (I don't believe in luck, but I don't want to say blessed, either) to have a boyfriend who I can talk to about these issues in a rational manner at any time. I come home, rant and rave about the spirituality being crammed down the patient's throats and mine, and find a little peace from his logical approach. The whole human race is not doomed!

I don't know why you have chosen nursing, but I am hoping that it because you have a passion for the profession of nursing. Death and dying is something you will have to deal with, but hopefully not on a daily basis. Pain and the treatment of pain is a very large part of nursing (all of the places I have worked at want to treat pain pro actively). Stay away from hospice and hospice care, unless you get a handle on dealing with death.

I will have the most difficulty staying with the patient who wants me to stay while they pray. I don't want to be part of the delusion, I don't want to encourage it at all. But, most people would not be ready to speak rationally about the whole subject either, so I don't want to discourage the practice, especially while their health is an issue.

I want to be true to my values, I would love to share my values with others, but they have to be ready to evaluate, rationally, what I am saying. They have to be ready to evaluate what they have been doing to themselves their entire lives. This will be most difficult, especially if they are frightened due to health, in pain or have any other major stress.

I encourage you to stick with it, especially if you really have a passion for nursing. We really need more nurses who can help the atheist patient who needs comfort! I am always available to talk to and encourage you to visit my myspace site where you can leave me a message any time.

http://www.myspace.com/xaoslimbo

Monday, April 21, 2008

So, what is it?

What is it that makes the religious types want to force their beliefs on others? I just don't get it! Are they so insecure in their beliefs that they need others to believe also so they can feel better about their own fantasy? Is it the flocking thing-safety in numbers? Or is it that the belief in reality, logic, reason, freedom of choice, being responsible for ones' own actions, thoughts and living with the consequences is just too f-ing scary?

Just had a pair of JW's visit my door. I noted the "Watchtower" in their hands and said "No, thank you," as soon as the door was open. They politely said "Have a nice day," and left but it still bugged me that strangers feel they need to "save" me, especially when I don't want to be "saved." The sign on the door that says "No soliciting" is always ignored by the religious ones...they are soliciting!

And then there are the ones at work (coworkers) who insist on discussing their "holy" book and what "he" says about this that or the other thing.

Oh, and then there is the whole "spiritual" needs thing that I have to respect in patients that I care for. I can respect other people, no problem. Respecting their self-delusion is another thing. I guess I can treat it the same way I would treat the patient with mental deficiencies and believes that they just bought a house and will be leaving the skilled care facility any day, even though they are unable to take care of their daily needs without assistance. "OK miss patient, I'll sit and listen while you pray" (inside my head I will be adding that I will not say "amen", because I cannot agree with their delusion that some invisible sky bully is going to deliver them safely from surgery, it's in the skill of the medical team that will be taking care of the patient and the health of the patient).

So, be warned: If you religious types want to sit and listen to logical reasons for the argument that there is no god, and really listen and think about what is being discussed, I'll try to listen to your stories about how you found god. You don't have to give up your faith (though if you truly do listen and think about what is said you will have doubts), and I will not give up my certainty that there is no invisible sky bully that will strike me down for not having faith in it.

I really wish the religious would keep their beliefs to themselves and stop bothering me while I am trying to study for a test!

Check out my photo site on deviantart: http://saoirse-meansfreedom.deviantart.com/

Sunday, April 6, 2008

It's official: 4.0's across the board!

Yep, got my grades and I managed to pull A's out of all three classes! I'm a happy camper right now!
check out my deviant art page:
http://saoirse-meansfreedom.deviantart.com/

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Scooter!

I just bought a new scooter! Of course we showed up after work and were too late for the dealer to be able to let us walk out the door with it (licensing, etc.) so I had to wait to today to pick it up. BUT...just another snafu...the guy did a dyslexia and transposed 2 numbers on the vin and now I gotta get the paperwork signed, again, before I can pick it up. Luckily, he said he would stay a little late to wait for us to get there. So, now I am anxiously waiting to go to being my new baby home!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

I'm back!


Finished with finals for winter quarter! I have my grades from Anatomy and physiology 2 and lifespan psychology and am EXTREMELY please with myself. I am pretty sure I did well in the statistics class also and am anxiously awaiting Monday when the grades should be posted.
I have been so busy and a bit stressed with 16 credits and still working full time. I have the next week off and hey do I need it! Hope to take a few good pictures and relax before spring quarter begins.
Next quarter is going to be hell. My schedule starts at 7 am to work, off at 2pm to drive to school which starts at 3pm and finishes at 10 pm. That's Monday through Thursday. For April I have to work Sundays with a class on Saturday, so no rest there. In May I will get Sunday's off while still doing the Saturday class, so I will actually get a real day off to study and catch up on sleep.
I am so glad I am done with A&P, it is one of the most difficult classes I have ever taken (but extremely fascinating and wouldn't want to not take it). I think the most difficult part is that I feel rushed rather than being able to take my time and really learn the nitty-gritty details that are so very interesting.
Hope all is well!
Check out my photography: http://saoirse-meansfreedom.deviantart.com/