Stupid laws

I found out yesterday in my theory class that Virginia state law does not allow medical professionals to share the diagnosis of an STD in a teenager with the parent.  This makes me angry! In a minor child, the parent is responsible for teaching them how to live and to provide correction, education and redirection when a child with poor judgment is making bad decisions.  How can they do that when it's a secret?!?! I understand that the idea is that a teenager will be comfortable seeking medical treatment for their sexual activities if they do not fear their parents. But clearly the child isn't smart enough to figure out that if they are afraid of the consequences, they are doing something they shouldn't be doing in the first place. Teenagers are immature and irresponsible sometimes and that is why they have parents to help them.  They don't have enough experience to make the right decision 100% of the time. That's why they are considered minors and their parents are responsible for them! It seems so silly! I can't believe that such contradictory laws exist.  When it comes to any other medical condition, the parents make the decision even if it's against the wishes of their 17 year old child.  Why are STDs different?  It would make more sense to me to allow a child with cancer or a life threatening disease who has the time to discuss the options and their decisions with adults to make their own medical choices than to hide diagnoses indicating poor sexual choices from parents.  I agree with allowing the child to consent to treatment from a physician for STDs, but the parents still need to know.  The child needs to be protected if they are making decisions that are leading to preventable illnesses like STDs.  How can the state prevent the parents from knowing about their child's behavior and protecting their child from decisions that may change their lives???  I just don't understand and I don't like it and I would LOVE to know how to change it!

Being single

All the Single Ladies - The Atlantic

I have always thought that I was somehow less because I'm still single. It was as if all my friends or acquaintances finally became somebody when they had someone to love them for the rest of their lives. In my eyes they now had purpose and meaning and family and belonged to a different class of people - a higher class. I always felt I must somehow be less because no one loved me. I am now dating someone I could see spending the rest of my life with, but the fact that he doesn't yet feel the same still stings like not being worthy of love at all. Somehow, despite what the linked article says, I feel as if everyone I know is married or getting married. Those who are married are all having children and I feel like I'm left behind and as if I've missed something.  This viewpoint that life finally starts when you get married really hinders the single person. There are so many benefits to being single. Before dating, I had so much time to do hobbies I liked and to read and to hang out with my girlfriends. I don't see much of my friends anymore at all...I'm just too busy. I am working on being patient and enjoying what are hopefully the end to my single days. But I am starting to think that there will still be times I won't feel loved despite the fact that I'm married to someone. I think those doubts that plague me now as a single person will continue to rear their ugly head. I need to find security in being me and being loved by God and then, regardless of my marital state, I can be content and sure of myself. I want a husband and kids, but I need to know I'm ok if that doesn't happen too.  

my new obsession

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More reading for school

One chapter had some interesting thoughts on the role of the nurse in social activism. It was still written by the feminist author so it definitely had a slant toward doing away with discrimination toward women (which I don't really see any in my life), but it was somewhat motivating. Michael had told me about a book/article yesterday that discussed the fact that more black women go to college than black men and that there are increasing numbers of black men in prisons. That coupled with the reading on fixing disparities has me thinking about how to fix it. I want to find the article and read more. How do we fix social issues like that?  What could I possibly do?

From other readings I can more confidently say Florence Nightingale is worth citing as a role model. She really believed her calling to nursing was from God. She used her position in life with it's advantages to enact change and fulfill God's purpose in her life. At one point she wrote "The kingdom of Heaven is within; but we must make it without" (from the book Nursing Theories & Nursing Practice by Marilyn E. Parker).  I think this statement succinctly sums up the message of the Gospel.  I also love the fact that she was so dedicated to God and spirituality that the author of this text can't write about her without mentioning her faith. Unfortunately, some of her views were not entirely in line with the Bible and I'm not sure she was totally sold on the Bible as the definitive book of faith, but she does seem to get some things right. 

Relief

I was so relieved to find out today that my wariness of the Peace & Power book was shared by many in my class. It was also nice to find out that Dr. Kane is very open to that despite the fact that she was in a Peace & Power group with the author before the book was written.  So far the class is ok. I think I'll be annoyed with it when I'm really tired after night shift. Dr. Kane is trying to promote thinking.  It all sounds pretty fluffy. I'm a little wary of how the grade will come out, but I can only do the best I can do. I'm also starting to wonder if I'll have to pay for the class in a year....

Strange Ideas

I just started my Theory class yesterday and it definitely has me thinking. Some of the articles talk about nursing as integrating illness into the wellbeing of the person so that total health may not be the ultimate goal. I think this idea will help me in my practice to have realistic goals and thoughts regarding outcomes for my patients. Maybe I can help them to integrate the unexpected event into a new version of life for the patient and family.  Other articles I've been reading have me wondering where the Christian viewpoint comes into play and how I as a Christian nurse should view my profession and ways of thinking about people and nursing theory. One article I read was about getting away from the rigid the-truth-is-out-there-somewhere thinking to a truth-is-relative-and-dependent-on-individual-experience thinking. I have been fighting against these ideas since high school. I believe the truth IS out there. I believe God is truth and by knowing Him better we know truth better.  Does this prevent me from being open to new ideas? Maybe.  I'm trying.

We are charged with reading the book Peace and Power by Peggy L Chinn by next week. It explicitly states that it is feminist literature (which already gets me riled as I'm not a feminist). I agree with some/many of the precepts of the book, but I also think that the Bible said them first which is probably why they work.  The PEACE acronym stands for praxis, empowerment, awareness, cooperation, and evolvement.  These are addressed Biblically with verses such as:
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." Matthew 7:3-5
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  Ephesians 4:22-24

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Colossians 3:9-10

And the book also talks about PEACE-power rather than power-over which is again Biblical:
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—" Matthew 20:25-27
No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:24
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

Since the words are different from the Bible's words, it has me rethinking my ways of behaving and interacting, but when I really sit and analyze what is being said I feel it fits with my belief system all along.  And it is certainly something I should do better at putting into practice.

My Earthquake Story

I was laying in bed sleeping in between shifts.  I probably heard the rumbling, felt the shaking and the dog coming out from under the bed all at the same time. It's hard to explain my thoughts. At first I thought the shaking was just the dog coming out from under the bed, but the shaking continued. Then I noticed the rumbling. It sounds like a train going by. I couldn't understand why the sound was so loud. Then I tried thinking of other things that might make that sound and cause the bed to shake (tornado?). I wanted to dismiss earthquake immediately because I live in Virginia of all places. But the more I reasoned it, that was all that made sense and the shaking was over. It seemed like it had gone on for quite a while. I went out to my living room heart pounding wondering what to do and needing validation of my experience. I saw the blinds still swaying in my kitchen and living room and a picture I had set on my ancient box tv had fallen off. I called Michael and asked where he was. He sheepishly said he was in the Taco Bell drive through. I asked if there was an earthquake and he said he thought so but his first thought was that something was wrong with his car b/c it started shaking really badly.  I sent a text to Angela who said she felt it and then tried calling Mom. I couldn't get through because the phone lines were busy by then.  I am looking forward to hearing what it was like at the hospital today. I can't imagine being on the 7th floor during that and I'm thankful I was at home. I bet the shaking/swaying was much worse up there.  I don't like earthquakes. I hope I don't have to experience many more.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005ild.php#details