Last Day

            The amount of generosity we have received this week is unable to be described.  Cherokee Indian Hospital (CIH) staff greeted us with open arms among all members of their interdisciplinary team.  Physicians were open to allowing us students to ask questions and observe procedures.  The nurses were more than willing to talk to us about previous personal experiences, the Cherokee culture, and advice for our future as a nurse.  All members of the interdisciplinary staff were open to allowing us to observe, ask questions, and express emotional concerns throughout the week. Saying thank you would not be enough to thank them for all they have done for us this week. 

            There were several experiences this week that allowed me to gain knowledge to benefit my future career.  Some of these experiences allowed me to grow inside and realize the importance I can serve in the future.  Others allowed me to gain new skills and communication styles with my future clients.  A combination of caring, gaining confidence, and gaining new skills will allow me to better myself as I prepare for my last three semesters of nursing school. 

            The CIH provides a one-stop shop for all their clients.  The only resources the hospital is unable to provide are surgery and intensive care.  However, the hospital does have a life-flight that is able to transport them to any other nearby hospitals within a short amount of time.  I feel the Cherokee culture will better their health with upcoming programs established by the hospital.  Several issues mentioned by the staff included the client’s behavioral health.  The hospital has a new project that involves treating the client’s behavioral health and helping them gain independence with their care. This program has a goal to prevent members of the tribe abusing opiates from recurrent use and find other ways to cope.

            It is important for the Cherokee to keep their health and traditions alive since they are both very highly valued.  This culture could teach others the importance of family values and how to better themselves without the use of prescriptive medications.  This week emphasized the importance on mind, body, and spirit.  I hope to provide the content learned this week into my future career.  I found areas that I felt I needed to work on as an individual.  The experiences this week allowed me to dig deep and find reassurance in myself. 

            Several experiences this week forced me to step outside my comfort zone.  However, each time I stepped out of my comfort zone I gained a comfort.  I faced the death of a client for the first time in the beginning of the week, and then again at the end.  This was emotional for me, however I felt more composed during the second exposure.  Each experience outside my comfort zone benefited me in several ways that I cannot take for granted.  

             I have gained so much confidence, faith, and hope this past week I cannot describe. I am thankful for the people that put this trip together and made it possible; I cannot thank them enough for the experience I gained from it.  I was able to complete two of my five goals established at the beginning of the course.  I was not able to see an infant be assessed, but I have gained new assessment skills projecting towards asking a client questions regarding their culture.  Prior to this experience I was timid and afraid to ask clients questions regarding their culture.  I was worried I would offend them or upset them, causing a barrier to form between our relationship.  This past week allowed me to gain confidence and new skills towards addressing a client, their culture, and health care needs.