Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Achievement (03/08/12)
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TITLE: Are We Having Fun Yet? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Darlene Casino
03/12/12 -
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I was married for 25 years to my childhood sweetheart. We had successfully launched two sons into the military and our youngest son was a senior in high school. I had been involved with Women’s Ministry and taught bible studies. As a couple, we transitioned to full time Christian ministry from the secular world. Through all these achievements, I was a certified nursing assistant. Certainly I could meet this new challenge, especially if the Lord was in it. I was entering LPN training.
That was the last time for the next few years that I was assured of anything!
During first days of training, my observations were not positive. It became clear that we were expected to become knowledgeable and proficient in a technical field that was taught in a foreign language! At least it seemed that way to me.
My second observation came at the end of our first week of classes: from that point onward till completion, we would be having daily quizzes and weekly tests. For me, it had been several decades since I’d had my ‘capabilities’ measured by a scoring system.
I perceived this as a threat to my self worth.
One more shock awaited me: I soon discovered that I could study for hours and almost understand what I had read. But the simple act of closing the book erased every bit of the information I had just taken into my brain.
Along with the class work, came practical, hands-on nursing experience called ‘clinical training’. Our instructors assured us that this would be the ‘fun part’ of our studies. Several days a week, we actually worked in nursing homes or on hospital units.
I found the nursing home a familiar environment. But it was not as easy as I expected. Of course, I did get ‘written up’ for not giving a laxative at the designated time. “After all, a med error is a med error.” my supervisor reminded me. This did nothing to decrease my insecurities.
We next moved on to the hospital and the med/surg. unit. For me, this was traumatic. I mean, if one can make a med error on a laxative, what greater harm can one do to a patient with tubes and fresh surgeries and needles and multiple medications? Bearing the burden of potentially harming a defenseless patient can wipe the smile off of anyone’s face! I was not having fun.
One day was particularly stressful to me. I had been very careful in selecting my patient assignment, never choosing anyone having a medical condition that was too complicated. However, my patient had required emergency abdominal surgery during the night. She had tubes everywhere. Her meds had to be injections, and the incision required assessment and dressing. My second patient was in the same room.; an elderly lady who required insulin… now!
My instructor watched me draw up the insulin and applauded my accuracy. She was beside me as I injected the woman. She saw the horror on my face as I plunged the needle into her flesh, only to have it pop out before I ever discharged the medication! The poor, old woman probably never did understand why she experienced two ‘pinches’ that morning! I hadn’t even begun to take care of my ‘greater challenge.’
Before the day was over, I was reduced to tears in a stall in the ladies room. Through my tears, I poured out my heart to my heavenly Father, “I can’t do this…it’s too difficult.”
It was the He reminded me: “You’ve prayed consistently that I would keep you from the hard patients, and for a while I honored that request. But you were aware that the challenge to your newfound skills was minimal. So today I allowed your skills to be tested. Though stressed, both you and your patients have come through this day. Remember the verse I gave you when you began this journey. Recall it often in the days ahead and believe.”
My self-assured, life experiences were not sufficient to bring me through nurses’ training; nor were my abilities and sound judgment enough. But I was given resources to succeed. He was my source and resource. And His Word was my anchor.
“I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me.
(I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him
Who infuses inner strength into me;
I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency).
Phil.4:13 Amp.
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I'd try to do a little more "showing" and a little less "telling." Don't just tell us that you had to stick the patient twice. Take us through the whole process. Don't just tell us you studied and then forgot.... show us. Maybe tell us what you studied, and then take us with you to the test the next day, when you try to recall the information.
Overall, you did a great job with this. And you include a great reminder about where our strength lies!
Your story reminded me of why I admire those who are, even more.
One of my friends is an ICU (Intensive Care Unit)nurse, and she shares her own struggles to remain calm in life and death circumstances. Your story reminds me to keep her lifted up in prayer on a daily basis as she seeks to save lives.
I did find some errors, but probably nothing you haven't already discovered and had a "V8" moment!
All in all, this was a wonderful article, and gives me a new-found respect for nurses, and the stress they endure.
How does anyone do that without His help?
My bit of red ink: "It was the He reminded me..." should be "It was there He reminded me..."
I loved your "talking with God" moment, and the ending verse brings out your message really well. We can't accomplish anything without His strength to uphold us!
Thank you for this entry...great job.
God Bless~