Addicted to Gum!

I think I'm addicted to gum...
Every day I have a piece of gum in my mouth and honestly it feels like I can't function without. I spend more money on gum then I do most things, like I can't picture myself without it. I remember my doctor saying something about how I might be addicted to gum and honestly I think it's true. In the past weeks, especially I've been chewing more pieces a day and I think it's because of stress of exams. Chewing gum is like a type of meditation for me to relax (yes I know it may sound weird but...), I swear i focus more effectively with gum in my mouth. I rely on gum and everything, but recently I've been getting some hectic migraines. I usually get migraines but these one are 'different'.. Yes different!! If you are a type of person that gets constant migraines, you know what I mean by 'different'. So, because of the different pain I've been experiencing I decided I should do some research. I found this website that explained what type of side effects can arise from chewing gum and here's what I found... Chewing gum can cause TMJ, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder; this disorder can cause severe pain in numerous places such as the face, the back of the neck and can trigger migraines and other temporal discomfort.
I would of never thought that something so simple as chewing gum would cause such problems for me. I guess I should stop... Soon... Next week?... After exams... Maybe!

For more information on TMJ go to http://www.entcanada.org/public2/patient19.asp

Caring: An Art Form

Nursing is an art: and if it is to be made an art, it requires
An exclusive devotion as hard a preparation, as any painter's
or sculptor's work; for what is the having to do with dead canvas
or dead marble, compared with having to do with the
living body, the temple of God's spirit?
It is one of the Fine Arts:
I had almost said the finest of Fine Arts.
~Florence Nightingale

As the quote above implies, nursing is an art form. It is not only the knowledge that is taken into consideration when we think about nurses, but as well as the care and devotion each individual nurse has to offer to their patient. The caring aspect of nursing is what makes it a unique profession. The ability to implicate a caring relationship as well as one that is incorporates skill, ensures an environment where patients can feel secure. A caring environment also ensures client well being and contributes to overall wellness. Nurses play a huge role in the recovery of patients not only in a physical sense but mentally and spiritually, and for that nurse should be commended for the job they do and care they provide for their patients.

EXAMS!!!... *gulp*

Okay, so the semester is soon to be over and exams are coming up in the next couple of days, and honestly i have yet to feel the stress of studying for them... I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that feels this way either. I find myself just slacking when I should be studying, and doing the most random things like, baking oatmeal raisin cookies, really!... Oatmeal raisin, they were good, but their gone now... I know I'm going to have a sudden realization that I am not going to be ready to sit these exams, at least not without my hands shaking form nerves (if anyone knows me you know what I'm talking about). Honestly, I'm just going to have to stick it out, see what happens and hopefully I make it to second semester without having to repeat any of these courses...Hopefully!!

Helping or Hindering?

As future nurses we are going to be exposed to new ways ofcommunicating between one another and clients. In a society that is continuallygrowing in diversity, the ability to provide adequate health care may bedifficult. To overcome barriers that may hinder communication, technology hasmade it possible to provide a better understanding of ideas and treatments.I think technology is helping in the communicating process with clientsand patients because it allows nurses and other healthcare providers betteroutline care for patients. In some cases patients may not be able to leave theirhomes, technology such as computers and other devices can help them communicatebetween their care providers and determine what care is needed or treatmentshould be implemented.

Wash Those Hands!!

Recently in one of my classes I had to create a PowerPoint about the importance of hand washing and basic techniques that go along with it. Hand washing is important for many different reasons, but for the most just general maintenance of good hygiene. Washing your hands aids in the fight against transmitting germs and bacteria from on source to another, this can lead to serious illness especially in health care facilities. Also, it prevents individuals in health care facilities from acquiring infections. With proper knowledge and techniques of hand washing individuals can limit the amount of infections they get and ultimately stay healthy.

ME & MY OPINION

Hello,
My name is Natalie and I am a first year student attending the nursing program at UOIT. I’m originally from Scarborough where I went to school and graduated from last year, but moved up to Ajax. I’ve been commuting from Scarborough to Ajax and back for most of my high school life.
Basically the purpose of this blog is for an assignment in one of my courses, Information and Communication Technology in Health Care. As a class, we were asked to create a blog and introduce ourselves, as well as share our thoughts and opinions on starting a blog, so here it is:
I honestly think a blog is an effective way of sharing my thoughts and ideas with you guys!
Thanks.