Owens Endeavors

Things I Have Learned at Northern Navajo Medical Center

Posted on July 26, 2014 by theowenscrew

• You can give 50 mcg Misoprostol q 2 hrs or 100 mcg q 4 hrs PO to induce labor.

• If you adjust the hight of the bed or the light a baby can be on a bili blanket and under bili lights breastfeeding in side lying position all night.

• Meconium can be used to clear the mask of pregnancy.

• All people have something in common.

• There is such a thing as active management of the 3rd stage of labor. This is done by starting your LR with 20 pit bolus as soon as the anterior shoulder is delivered. It seems to work in preventing post partum hemmorage although it seems like overkill. I would like to see the research on it.

• Ursidiol-a new medication for me is to treat the itching associated with Choliostasis.

• Boy the Native American women can precip multip or not.

• This population sees a drastically increased rate of diabetes and chronic hypertension.

• Some people in the US still live without electricity or indoor plumbing.

Categories: Travel Nursing | Leave a comment

Mileage Contest

Posted on July 26, 2014 by theowenscrew

When we left Salem on April 21st the mileage on the 4Runner was 198408.
We had several guesses and I was pretty surprised by how high the numbers were.
6,000
9,780
14,650
15,000
15,468
18,000
And one that I’m sure was a joke (Suzanne :0) )
55,000

Auto warranties generally assume 10-12,000 miles will be put on a car per year average.

Insurance companies base their quotes using the figure of 12,000 miles per year.

It is 24,901 miles around the Earth at the Equator.

So how many miles did we drive in three months? ………(drum roll)

13,015!!!!!
Congratulations Vicky Garvin all of your calculations paid off. I probably carpooled enough shifts to make up a fair amount of the difference.

That puts us at this starting point for the next guesses.

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Goodbye New Mexico, Goodbye Farmington!!!

Categories: Fun, Road Trip, Travel | Leave a comment

A Summary of Our Time in New Mexico

Posted on July 26, 2014 by theowenscrew

Chad and I were talking a few days ago about what we have liked most about our time in New Mexico. Chad was quick to list off the three things he has liked most. The sheer number of National Parks with in driving distance has provided so many “free”(with the America the Beautiful pass) learning experiences for all of us. Camping at Lake Vallecito was just the medicine we needed, such a beautiful view of the calm serene lake mixed with the family time as we enjoyed our visit with Suzanne, Jeremy, Cyrus, Hadassah, and Elijah doing one of our favorite family activities, camping. Also, Chad’s Birthday trip on the Narrow Gauge Railroad from Durango to Silverton finished off with a return trip to Silverton for Father’s Day that included a long Sunday drive taking in the beauty of the Colorado Mountains as we drove up the seldom traveled gravel roads above Silverton. I completely agree with Chad, the sights, family time, learning experiences have been priceless, however I have quite enjoyed forced morning walks with Myra ( no back yard for those natural body functions). They allowed me time to put on my Armor and some quiet alone time with God as well as making Myra into quite an enjoyable walking buddy. The many conversations and opportunities to connect with my coworkers, learning about them and the Navajo people/culture, working along side them, loving them, their patients, and providers. I have been so blessed by the people here and the connections we have made. I don’t think I expected to get so attached to my new unit, or for it to be so hard to say goodbye. May this time have served it’s purpose in the lives we have come in contact with as well as in our lives.

Caleb’s favorite thing we have done while here was seeing Carlsbad Caverns, Hannah’s was White Sands, Eve has loved the nursery workers at church and when her cousins came to visit although she told a lady at Big Rock Trading Post today that Cyrus hit her. It is always crazy what they remember and find to be the best part.

Categories: favorites, Heart | Leave a comment

My First Last Day

Posted on July 26, 2014 by theowenscrew

There are firsts for everything and today, actually last night and this morning, was my very first last day on an assignment. Northern Navajo Medical Center sees so many travelers it is a wonder that they allow themselves to like or get attached to anyone coming through. With that in mind, I feel privileged to have had the chance to get to know and be encouraged by so many of the staff who work in Labor and Delivery. The shift started off on a busy note, as I had a fresh delivery and a triage pt. It was plenty to keep the minute hand on the clock moving at a pretty good clip, which I appreciated very much, as I was a tad on the tired side and find it much easier to be busy than to fight sleepiness all night. We snuck in a group photo for my “trip” memory book. I don’t think the ladies at work will mind if I share it.

A multip walked in shortly after I finished getting caught up from the first part of the shift, even though she wasn’t mine, it provided an opportunity to be helpful and do something to keep the tired eyes at bay. This night had both come too soon and not quickly enough, and it was going by too fast and dragging along. I found myself both ready for the next adventure and knowing that the new friendships that I valued here won’t be able to come with me to the next place, making me want to drag my feet and take in each moment for at least two or three. Barb surprised me with a beautiful necklace which will always remind me of my time at Shiprock, NNMC, and the Navajo people. I wore it all night.

As morning drew closer my carpooling buddy, Valerie, asked if she could take me to breakfast, which sounded like a great idea to me. The mommy delivered, we rushed around being all efficient and focused, and every once in a while the midwife that was on would note, when I set out to find the answer to a question she would ask, you probably don’t really need to know for your last three hours of working here. What a thought. This is over just as abruptly as it started. The shift drew to a close, and I gave report for the last time. Can I really be not coming back tomorrow? Next week? The manager had filled out a performance evaluation for me and noted that I was welcome to extend and that they would love to rehire me back anytime. Chad and I have talked about that possibility, but since we are travel nursing to travel with the kids as part of their education, we really feel like we need to move on at least for a few more assignments, but possibly returning in a year or so. Report was over, Valerie turned to me and asked if I was ready for breakfast. I most definitely was after having a busy night to work up an appetite. I followed her into the break room to grab my lunch bag out of the fridge and….surprise!
The unit had planned a surprise goodbye party/breakfast for the end of my last shift. Really? For me? I couldn’t believe it, Valerie that little trickster was totally in on it. I was all the sudden glad I didn’t ask her why she brought 1 1/2 dozen eggs to work.

(Kelly hiding behind the lid to the hash browns)
Thank you Shiprock (NNMC) L&D for everything!
It was fun to eat and joke in the break room for the next hour with the mostly day shift and providers who were there to party with us, and I left feeling thankful, loved, and sad all at the same time. The drive home was uneventful, besides the constant reminder that I should have heeded my bodies warning and gone to the bathroom before leaving the hospital, so when we got to Valerie’s house she offered her restroom and I totally took her up on it. When I came out of the bathroom she was burning some cedar and gave me a Navajo blessing with the smoke as well has a pot/vase as a goodbye gift.

We hugged goodbye a couple times as we talked and encouraged each other in life and in striding towards our goals. I got in my car and turned towards home and it dawned on me that I did not pray a blessing over Val. Lord bless Val and keep her, make your face to shine upon her. Thank you for bringing her into my life. The two or three blocks to my apartment were quick. I was glad to see my family and tell them about my day.
Chad was already knee deep in packing.

We talked for a few minutes, and then I headed to bed for a short nap so I also could make myself a little more useful around the house.
-Sarah

Categories: Family Time, Friends, Fun, Heart, new mexico, Travel | Leave a comment

Winding Down

Posted on July 24, 2014 by theowenscrew

After a fun play date yesterday and a long shift last night, we got some last minute tests and paperwork done for my Neenah assignment. All I have is tonight and tomorrow night left here at Shiprock. It has definitely been a time of reflection on this last three months, and the direction our lives have taken. Please be in prayer for our family and traveling mercies.

Only two days left to guess how many miles we have put on our car, make sure you guess. You can’t win if you don’t guess.

We love you lots and are so thankful for the support and prayers.
-Sarah

Categories: Countdown, new mexico | Leave a comment

Four More Days in New Mexico

Posted on July 22, 2014 by theowenscrew

Four more days here in New Mexico. I am still in shock at how fast the time has flown by. But it is real. Our four big tubs have been pulled out of storage, and are lying in the middle of the living room to be packed. We have one last play date at the park this afternoon, then I work tonight and the next two nights, sleep/pack on Friday, leave on Saturday.

Last night we walked as a family to the park near our house. Embarrassingly enough, it was the first time we had done that. It was a fun way to spend some quality time together and enjoy just being in New Mexico. I am going to miss the dry heat, and the oh-so-cute pueblo style that most of the houses sport. Also the beautiful cacti and amazing rock formations.

Greetings from New Mexico
-Sarah

Categories: Countdown, Family Time, Fun, new mexico | Leave a comment

We Have The Prize

Posted on July 19, 2014 by theowenscrew

A genuine Navajo vase. I’m wondering if I can guess now.

You are guessing how many miles we have put on our car since we left Salem to leaving our apartment for Wisconsin next Saturday. You can go to the post titled Ready or Not to guess or on this one it is just fun to see what other people have guessed.

Categories: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Posted on July 19, 2014 by theowenscrew

Phew…done with my fourth night, with the weekend to enjoy my family and maybe squeeze in one more sight-seeing trip. A co-workers daughter is trying to get her permit driving hours in so she can get her license so she drives her mom to work and I drive her back home. I have enjoyed getting to know her. It has been a while since I have talked to a teenager about their hopes and dreams, and also I count it a huge complement that this coworker whom I have known for such a short time trusts me with her baby. After dropping her off I headed home with a plan to propose a day trip, albeit long, to one of the National Monuments close-ish to us that Chad and I had both been hoping to see.

Chad was on board with that, as long as it didn’t require a hotel stay as we need to save up for the 7 or so hotel stays it will take us to get to our next assignment.
We had breakfast. I changed out of my work clothes, we walked Myra, and then all piled into the car. I have joked about the kids developing calloused behinds, but I am partially serious. The four and a half hours to the visitors center involved only a few requests for a bathroom stop and lunch, no complaints.

Waiting in line for the bathroom.

We passed lake Powell and if it wasn’t for a bit of a time crunch, may have had to jump in. It would be a fun place to rent a house boat some time.

The visitor center at Grand Staircase-Escalante was smaller and less taken care of than I imagined it would be in the whole spectrum we have seen so far. Funny because I didn’t realize I had an expectation until it wasn’t met.

Quoting from the visitors guide, “Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument was established by Presidential Proclamation in 1996 (for our fellow homeschool kids, who was president at that time?)…According to the Proclamation, ‘Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument’s vast and austere landscape embraces a spectacular array of scientific and historic resources. This high, rugged, and remote region, where bold plateaus and multi-hued cliffs run for distances that defy human perspective, was the last place in the continental United Sates to be mapped. Even today, this unspoiled natural area remains a frontier, a quality that greatly enhances the Monument’s value for scientific study….'” It spans nearly 1.9 million acres of Americas Public lands. Scientists from around the world come to GSENM for all kinds of areas of study.
We didn’t do their Jr. Scientist program, as it was after lunch and frankly, I didn’t have the energy for it. I kind of regret that decision now, as it was an opportunity we never know if we will have again. Oh well, it truly was beautiful and I LOVE bumpy dirt roads and exploring, so the park was a real treat.

Hannah found a cool larva exoskeleton, we don’t know what kind of bug it is.

The Paria River, a wash, actually had water in it, as it is the rainy season here.

With the park being so HUGE, there is no way to see it all in one day and too hot do do any long hikes (only 102). We really enjoyed our 30 miles one way up and back on a bumpy dirt road drive, but it is just the tip of the iceberg. Chad, Caleb, and Hannah started up the Cottonwood South trail a little over 1/4 mile.

We keep saying we are going to need to come back to this area, maybe Flagstaff, because there is so much we had wanted to do but are just not going to get to.
We were sad to say good bye to the park, and turned on an audio book, pointing the car towards home.

Thank you Lord for this opportunity to learn more about your creation.

Categories: Family Time, Fun, National Park, national parks, new mexico | 2 Comments

Ready or Not

Posted on July 16, 2014 by theowenscrew

Ready or not the count down is on! Two shifts down half way through the week, one week to go, 6 more shifts, one more weekend, we leave on the 26th for Wisconsin.

Now we are ready for guesses!!!! How many miles do you think we put on our car this assignment?????????
This counts from when we left Salem until we Leave from our apartment for Wisconsin.

Winner gets a prize from the trading post.

Categories: Uncategorized | 3 Comments

A Day of Rest

Posted on July 14, 2014 by theowenscrew

It was sad to say goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa Sherman this morning. It has been fun to share our new life with them, even if it was just for two days. They watched the kids while Chad was in Honduras, and then brought them back, for which we are so grateful.
Church was good, Bible study was about faith as an action word, and the main service sermon was about the shield of faith, which was so appropriate as we have been learning about the armor of God. We set up a play date for the kids with the friends they have made here. They happen to be siblings and also homeschoolers. It would have been fun to meet their parents earlier, as they seem like very fun people. We have kind of started saying our goodbyes as we only have one more Sunday here which is such a weird feeling.
After Church, we opted for something that sounded fun, but completely away from our normal diet…apples, cheese, and crackers. Caleb helped me pick out two kinds of unique artisan cheeses, Hannah picked out the apples deciding on Fuji, Granny Smith, and Red Delicious, Eve picked out the crackers, we checked out and headed home. Lunch was fun as we took turns paring different kinds of cheese with different slices of apples.
It has been quite a while since we have had an afternoon nap, but what better way to spend our day of rest. The kids all slept, with Me and Eve being the last ones up at nearly 6:00pm. So late, we must have really needed our rest.
May we wish you all a good week.
-Sarah