Friday, May 15, 2009

Holistic nursing and crazy people talking to themselves

Considering the person as a whole: mind, body and ...something else. Well, since so many people ignorantly believe they have an invisible, non-tangible, indefinable "spirit," I have to consider that their desire to pray may help them feel better. Why not just talk out loud to yourself? If anyone says you're crazy, just tell them you were talking to your son/daughter/significant other on the phone. Maybe that's how the whole thing started...?

20 years ago, when you walked down the street and saw someone talking out loud with nobody nearby, you suspected there was something not quite right about that person. Now, they are probably talking on their blue-tooth cell phone. Crazy, huh? Those ear-pieces are getting smaller by the day. Next year they will have a model that is so tiny, you won't be able to see it on the person, the only problem is that the transmission of the message is some what garbled; the voice pick-up needs some work. I'm just making this stuff up, but you can see where those wireless transceivers are going. How many times have you been walking along, quietly minding your own business and someone passing you says "Hello!"? You turn to reply and suddenly realize they were not talking to you, but into their phone. You quickly shut your mouth before anything can escape and look beyond them and try to look like you were actually looking at something else.

It's half-way through the quarter, I am done with clinicals and feeling a little less stressed (for the moment). Since we are half-way through the quarter, I need to start cracking on the practice tests, reading and final assignments. Classes are going well so far. Things are heating up between students...I just hope I can quietly stay out of all that. I thought I would take a class or two this summer, but it looks like the economy has screwed me over for that (last summer $350 to take a 5 credit class, this summer $700!!!).

So, I get to look forward to several long weeks of no academic challenge, then start cracking the books into a quarter that would normally occur immediately after this one. I need to find something to keep my brain buzzing away at top speed, sudoku is not going to cut it!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

The end of spring break

Spring break is over tomorrow, so it's back to the books, classes, clinicals...I hope this quarter is better than last in terms of how some of my classmates behave themselves (hopefully in a more professional manner).
I just found out yesterday that one of my classmates will not be continuing with us, one of the better, more professionally appearing students. She is going to make an AWESOME nurse someday. I am sad to lose her for another reason, we would get together on Saturdays to study. Now I will probably study by myself, without the benefit of someone to provide a different view.
I have enjoyed my break-it was greatly needed. I have relaxed, focused on other subjects, spent some time with my family, posted some new pictures (http://saoirse-meansfreedom.deviantart.com/), printed out some business cards, basically almost as busy as I am during school hours, just different topics.

I am still fuming over those mystical nursing diagnoses, can't see myself using them at all. especially the disturbed energy field. I even have friends that believe in that sh!t, but they also know that I am not going to pander to their fantasies.

Luckily this next quarter will include some interesting stuff: pharmacology. Learning about how drug molecules cross membranes and interact with receptors to inhibit or stimulate biological actions is fascinating. Off to the books!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Disturbed energy field?

You've got to be kidding, right? You're not? This is a real "nursing diagnosis?" What have I gotten myself into?
Sociology and psychology have their mysticism about them. I sometimes think they want to keep it obscure so they can keep their jobs. And it is difficult to quantify what goes on in the neurons of our brains and how that chemical activity turns into thoughts and consciousness. But I do think there are some actual observable phenomenon that occur in peoples behaviors, that we can use to learn from and to treat people with problems. Utilizing nursing diagnoses that use social and psychological issues as the focus I can do, if it is truly the problem.

Disturbed energy field? This is entire bullshit! I have a difficult time dealing with the whole spiritual aspect of nursing, but if that's what keeps them happy and it will help them heal-because they are happy (not because god is taking care of them) I will go along. I will close my eyes while they pray, but I will not pray. I will go through the motions to keep the patient calm and happy, but I cannot believe in their fantasies. A disturbed energy field is entire fantasy!
How can we say we have an evidence based practice when we include such fantasies (energy fields and religion) into that practice?

Can anyone out there provide evidence of an energy field around a living person? Can anyone provide evidence that that energy field can be disturbed in such a way that it causes psychological, emotional, or physical discomfort? Can anyone provide evidence that praying will actually help a client heal? OK, meditation has been shown to help patients relax, which can promote healing, so prayer can be thought of as fantasy meditation and can probably help. I'm all for rituals that help you relax and focus on positive outcomes (I still don't have to believe in your particular fantasy, though).

That's why I can actually support a client who wants to pray or read their bible. These are activities that might provide distraction or relaxation and enable the client to focus on positive outcomes: all of which may promote healing. A disturbed energy field is just too silly!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

No, it is not a capital g. I deliberately did not capitalize, because there is no god. Where is your proof? Seeing a shining light as I swim to shore (not drown) is not proof of god, that is a common mis-perception. Our brains, made of chemicals, will create illusions as the tissues are starved for oxygen (or glucose). The brain is also known to create illusions (called auras) when there are chemical or electrical imbalances that lead to seizures. Is everyone who suffers from a seizure seeing god when they sense an aura?
No, I would not be surprised at the faith our founding fathers had. I know that many professed faith in a creator (I have actually read about some of them). That is exactly why they chose to deliberately exclude any mention of a god in oaths of office or as a part of our government: to avoid one belief system governing/persecuting/ignoring other beliefs systems.
Those who profess faith must be defensive about their faith, because to disprove it would mean they must face reality. Reality can be difficult to deal with: it is final.
Those who profess faith must destroy others to keep theirs. Atheism doesn't seek to "destroy" faith, just show that reality is real.

The Separation of Church and State

There is a reason our founding fathers chose (deliberately chose) to leave god out of the oaths of office, and government: coming from a country where any religion but the officially accepted religion was persecuted, the only way to make sure such an environment did not develop again was to keep “church” and state separate. Unfortunately this has not been maintained: our past few presidents have been quite vocal about their beliefs, and have even used their religion and beliefs of other religions to start or maintain conflicts against other religions and their followers.
Also, “church” meant and means all forms of religion, not just mention of god or myths from “holy” doctrine or the establishment of religion (church).
Finally, no political party is a friend to any atheist, or free-thinking individual, regardless of their belief or philosophy. The parties are after power and have lost all interest in maintaining a democracy that serves the individuals. Partisan politics is on its way to destroy, or already has destroyed what is left of the democratic system. Individuals who attempt to run for office are not taken seriously unless they are affiliated with a party, preferably one of the “Big Two.” Religion has long driven political power, political power has long used religion to gain and maintain power. Until we as a global society can fix this problem, no political system is going to keep church and state separate for long. Our country claims to do so, but that has been a facade for at least the last 8 years, probably much longer.

If Only You Could Be More Tolerant

In my experience, atheists tend to be some of the most tolerant people. Even of others’ beliefs. Not all atheists are tolerant, and lately some atheists have been quite vocal about their views. But as I am reading some of the more popular literature from atheists I am seeing more concern about the future and wellbeing of humanity rather than of what beliefs are. There has been some eye-opening facts that make me cringe about some of the practices religions allow, which leads me to be concerned about religion continuing. Concern for humans as individuals, though, has been the most common theme.
The most intolerant people I have ever met have been religious, especially if you are not of their religion, or of their particular sect, but especially if you are agnostic or atheist. I think if theists kept their personal beliefs to themselves, enjoying their own beliefs in their own ways, without trying to convert or destroy anyone who did not believe the same way, atheists wouldn’t have too much of an issue with religion. But religions have to be destructive of other beliefs to survive.
Atheism does not need to destroy religion. Atheists are more likely to try to show a theist what reality is, and to appeal to reason and logic. If a person wishes to continue to believe something in spite of evidence to the contrary, most atheists will walk away with a sense of loss for a life and a mind. On the other hand, a theist will attempt to destroy an atheist if they refuse to believe in something that contradicts reality. Destruction is not the goal, acceptance of reality is.
As an atheist, I am free to study any religion: learning about the nature of humanity, learning about what helps some cope with reality, learning some of the best and worst of humanity’s history. I can do so without a preconceived bias. All religions are equal to me; none are superior to any other. If only those who believe their religion to be the best could be so tolerant, how many wars and atrocities would have been avoided? How many deaths avoided?
The religious leaders teach tolerance, but the doctrines are inconsistent and conflicting making them easy to use to advance the “church’s” agenda (whatever that agenda may be).
Bottom line: if you find out someone is of a different “belief” or philosophy than yourself, take some time to learn about it before making judgments, then attempt to accept the person for who they are, as they are. If this is not possible, then walk away, don’t try to “convert” them or change them, unless they express an interest. Some people are looking for the truth, in their religion, in their philosophy, in their lives. Some people may need religion, let them have it. Others need science, facts, logic, reason and the truth. To some, the truth is their religion. Reality and truth are the only “religion” I need.