President Bush Visits WRAMC

So, when you show up to work and there is a strange sense of seriousness you know something is up. A few extra guards at the front gate should have been my fist clue. Mid-morning today, President Bush came to visit the facility and our Wounded Warriors who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. Looking out a patient's room I could see Military Police (MPs) lining the walkway between the hospital and the parking lot where I park. MPs would randomly walk on our floor throughout the morning and the afternoon, a strange site for me. While the President did not get a chance to see the Wounded Warriors on my ward he did get to meet many throughout the facility and award Purple Hearts to many who had not yet been awarded their well deserved medal.

Update regarding the Officer and the Nurse:

Today was my last day of oreintation. I spent the day being oriented to "sitting tele". I work on a telemetry unit which requires someone to sit in front of the monitors and watch the rhythms of the those patients hearts we needed to monitor. It was surprisingly fun. My preceptor sat with me to teach me how to use the system to print strips and admit/transfer/discharge patients from our floor. I had time to talk with family members and patients while providing a lot of information in our conversations. Before I could go home after the change of shift I had to teach my in-service. Yup, I am already teaching inservices! I am required to teach two a year. This one was on chest tube management. While it is a little intimidting to be teaching already, I am so glad to be a part of an organization that does not its nursing staff fall behind in anyway as they push us to be the best nurses.

I am a Recruiter! (sort of...)

Upon accepting my commission as an Officer in the US Army one of the things I was told is that I am always a recuiter. That statement became true today when my recruiter from SoCal and some recruits came to WRAMC to begin the process of joining the Army Medical Department. Captain Stewart (pictured in uniform) was able to bring the recruits to my ward while I was working giving them time to ask me questions and for me to share some stories with them about OBC and Army life. It was fun, but a little weird. I was the expert regarding OBC and what life is like as a new military Officer. The nurses that were there were all ICU nurses (I am still 18-24 months away from being an ICU nurse) two of which are looking into the anesthesia course. There was an MD and two in Med School. I wish them luck as they work their way through the process of receiving their commissions!

And congratulations to Michelle Siemens (pictured left) who will be receiving her commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps on April 2!

My Mommy Is Here!

My mom flew out from the wonderful state of CA for a big nursing/medical conference in DC. And instead of staying at a hotel in the city, she stayed with me in Maryland. It was fun. While I had to work most of the time and she was at the conference most of the time, we did get some nice time in the evenings to talk and hangout. Saturday when mom's conference was over we went out to dinner with my roommate and my cousin Allison. It was nice to have her here for a few days. And I think she liked seeing where I live. She really like seeing where I work (I took her for a tour of Ward 46 and the Fourth Floor of WRAMC).

The Happenings of DC

Here are some glimpses of what I got to watch last night when I went into DC to witness the march on the White House. It was freezing, but very peaceful.
It is interesting to be here in the DC area with the protests that ar held for anything and everything. It is strange how they seem to hit a little closer to home now that I am a part of what is being protested. Last night there was a church service held at the National Cathedral followed by a march to the White House (how convenient that President Bush was not home.) What really amazes me is how we as a society use religion as a reason to discontinueour actions in the Middle East. Do we Christians really now what we are saying? We do serve a very vengeful God. Anyone else read the Old Testament lately? Not that I will say of I agree or disagree with what the US is doing in the Middle East, but to use religious excuses that one cannot back up seems like such a cop-out.

This last picture is a reflection off the sunglasses of one of the police officers helping to keep the peace today. I found this image online and thought it was a great shot and wanted you to see it as well.

MG Schoomaker and Secretary Gates

Each day at work I am reminded why I chose the US Army Nurse Corps and not a hospital back in CA. Every Wouned Warrior that I have the privilege to care for has been an amazing opportunity to serve.

Sunday night I had the opportunity to witness the awarding of a Purple Heart to a soldier who was recently transferred to Walter Reed. Awarding the Purple Heart was the new Commanding General of Walter Reed MG Schoomaker and Defense Secretary Gates. Also there were the mother and the father of this Wounded Warrior. It was an honor to be a witness to the presentation of this ribbon.

I only wish I could find the words to describe the amazing sense of humility that comes over you when you witness these moments. I can only hope that my fellow nursing school graduates expereince moments similar to this one with their patients.

The Arrival of LT Spencer!

My roommate is here! Rebecca Spencer a fellow APU School of Nursing alumna finished her training in TX and is back in DC. She too is stationed at Walter Reed working on Ward 65 or 68...something on the sixth floor. It is so nice to have someone else in the apartment. And I can finally carpool to work! While we usually work on different days, everynow and then we both work on the same day and can carpool. I will try to get some pics of us up soon so you can see our silliness!