"The Lives They Left Behind"

I have been working on and off on this reflection paper based on the Willard Suitcase Exhibit for my psych-mental health class and have found this exhibit truly interesting.

This exhibit started through the discovery of hundreds of suitcases found in the attic of an old psychiatric center. The suitcases revealed the lives and the aspirations that the patients left behind after being committed into the asylum. Many of these patients' conditions were not severe enough to warrant a lifelong incarceration in a psychiatric institution, and yet they were kept in Willard until they died. Some were institutionalized by mistake due to their culture and foreign languages. Those who did have valid psychiatric conditions did not receive the proper psychotherapy they needed to get better.

After reading the stories, I was struck, not only by how the patients' freedoms were involuntarily taken from them , but also by how the stigma for "crazy" people still exist and still affect their care today. Today most psychiatric patients are not institutionalized for a lifetime or separated from the community (government reforms allowed for them to receive help in their own communities). However, today's society still struggle to commit to the care of these patients. Many of these patients become homeless because they cannot afford further follow-up treatments for their conditions, which is essential to their health and ultimately their ability to function in our society. Without their role function, they cannot maintain a living and contribute a lifestyle fitting for society, and thus they are further shunned.

I really do find psychiatric nursing much more interesting than I thought I would. Actually, I was dreading this class. But the lectures and assignments are really capturing my interest. I feel more at ease about going into my psych clinical. Still nervous and a bit concerned about actually interacting with a psychiatric patient, but I am more open than I was before. A bit more empathic.

I'm going to an AA Meeting this week for another reflection paper. I'll definitely blog about that particular assignment as soon as I can.

And so it begins...

As I enter my last year of nursing school, I can't help but be overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by the magnanimity of this year's importance? Yes. However, I am finding myself more overwhelmed by the fact that this semester will be the most hectic/stressful/busy one yet. Just looking at my planner and all the deadlines and exam dates written in it makes me cringe. I am far too absorbed with summer to let go of the freedom and carelessness of it all. Nonetheless, I must force myself. As of this week, nursing is my life now. I must live, breathe, and love it.

Although I am dreading the workload, I am excited by a couple of my classes this semester.
- Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing
- Maternal and Infant Health (OB)
But, some classes will most likely be just a pain.
- Nursing Research
- Short Fiction (my very very last elective)

I am hoping to get a head start on all those little assignments that aren't due until later in the semester. Yes... I am trying to get rid of this thing called procrastination. It just doesn't stick well with nursing. So I'm off to write a psych paper. More updates later.

A brief introductory blog.

I am entering what I feel is one of the most momentous moments of my life: last year of nursing school. Here is my chance to chronicle my journey from a student to a new grad to a novice nurse. One day, I want to be able to look back and remember just how I got to where I am and remember how God had richly blessed me in every step of the way.