Friday, April 30, 2010

An Evening Out

Last Thursday night Berean and I went out.
My nursing license is up for renewel at the end of next month and I realized a couple of weeks ago that I was short CEUs (education) for my renewel. Thankfully, my Alma Mater was having a nursing symposium on Thursday night which would generate 2 free CEUs, so Berean and I decided to go.
The first session was the keynote speaker. She was very good and it took place in a large hall. I sat down in the back row of the front section in the aisle seat. There were lots of empty seats (auditorium was only about 1/4 full) so I didn't think it would be a problem. Berean was in her car seat which was on the floor by my feet.
Right before the session started, this woman came in and asked to get past me in my row. Are you kidding me? Do you not see the sleeping baby? Do you not see the 100 empty seats within 5 rows of me? Seriously? That is right up there with the people that pick a locker RIGHT NEXT TO the person that is changing in the locker room. Have we no regard for personal space?
Anyway, sorry about the rant.
The speaker was excellent and it was very timely to hear a session on being culturally sensitive. It is easy to get so.tired. of telling patients that they can not leave to get a cigerette, they are not allowed to eat nor are they allowed to smoke in the bathrooms. Anyway, it is easy to get burned out and forget to listen to the patient.
About half way through the session Berean decided it was time to eat. I have no problem nursing in public, but it did seem a little awkward. I reminded myself though that breastfeeding is a part of MY culture, and we were learning about being sensitive, so it should be ok.
And it was.
Later someone offered to get her into a free clinic for her health care needs.
Odd.
I ran into an old friend that I had lost contact with, so that was fun.
Then we went into the last session. It was SO HOT in the room and Berean was getting hot and fussy. I threw a blanket over her head so I could nurse- which just made her turn bright red from the heat and she got more agitated.
I took her out and she was immediately happy. I took her back in (I needed the stinkin' CEU, people) and stood in the back of the room. She got the hiccups. Everyone thought she was adorable, but it still is uncomfortable to have everyone gawking at your cute little baby hiccuping.
All in all it was fun to get out and do something different, even though next time maybe I will leave the baby or pick a more baby friendly environment- like Orchestra Hall? Just kidding.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

interesting post there Julie(:

The Three 22nds said...

oops...I must have hit publish instead of save when I was so rudely interrupted by some crisis or another. Oh well, she looks cute, maybe I will finish it later :)

Johanna said...

whatever, you probably got distracted looking at that adorable, inquisitive face :D I love the little ponytail on top of her head!

Johanna said...

that was a very interesting refreshed post. i have to say, i'm not really looking forward to ceu's, but i guess you just suck it up and deal with it, huh? oh my gosh, we have a lot of cultural sensitivity education in my program--like you said, very timely, but whew. Everyone's got a culture...I'm going to be as sensitive as possible, but it might be a good idea for me to learn some actual physical therapy skills too.