A Nurse Takes a Long Look at a Difficult Topic

As Americans we seem to have a great deal of trouble when it comes to addressing the topic of death. We all seem to think we will live forever. Oh, we never say that, but when we get to the hospital we expect miracles even when they are highly unlikely.

Theresa Brown in an R.N. who has seen this scenario all too often. In her posting she takes a long look at a situation where a family has to make some very difficult decisions about end of life issues. With remarkable poise and grace, she and the attending doctor address these issues with the family, giving them the information they need to make the right choices for thier loved-one. Do they make the wrong decision in spite of Brown’s best efforts? You’ll have to read the article to find out, but what is truly remarkable here is Brown’s gift for speaking to this family when so many would look the other way.

http://xurl.jp/nin

Looking for a Job? Here’s Where to Look…

A recent article (http://xurl.jp/pom) shows that there are some areas of the economy that area actuall gorwing. Unemployment may be the highest it has been in years with 4.4 million jobs lost, there are sectors of the economy that are actually growing. Most of them are technical, but not all. Many areas of the nuclear industry have barefly felt the effects of the economy. By the same token, mortgage bankers are doing big business right now and many are looking for new hires. Also, discount stores are doing well as many customers try to live thriftier lifestyles.

But bear in mind, competition is getting fierce. There are an approximate 5 applicants for every available job now, which means those that are looking for help are celebrating the pool of talent they have to choose from now. Overall, those with the least trouble finding jobs these days are engineers, pharmacists, nurses and veterenarians. Which leads to something my wife is always telling me, “Those with the best education have the least trouble during economic downturns.” Darn. Looks like she is right again.

First things first…

Before anything else let me encourage everyone to visit my wife’s bog. She is Dr. Karen Reed, an assistant professor of nursing at the University of Forida, and as part of her doctoral program she went to the Sihanok Hospital of Hope in Cambodia to teach nurses there. Her postings reveal the raw emotions and unedited observations of a nurse who sees beyond the medical and to the souls represented. It is not just a story of suffering, but a story of opportunity in a land that has endured much.

The blog has since been made into an article by a presitgious nursing magazine, but you can see the original here: http://tinyurl.com/aate4v