Dr. Atul Gawande: How do we heal medicine?
Our medical systems are broken. Doctors are capable of extraordinary (and expensive) treatments, but they are losing their core focus: actually treating people. Doctor and writer Atul Gawande suggests we take a step back and look at new ways to do medicine — with fewer […]
Vessel of Hope
She came to the ER for complaints of dizziness, intermittent nausea and fatigue x 5 days. She denied vomiting, diarrhea or pain. She told me that she is never sick and that this is “really bothering me because I play field hockey and I have […]
I Hate Alzheimer’s
I hate Alzheimer’s, some days are good days, some are not. I am getting worse, I know it. Nights seem to be worse. Last night I laid in bed, I thought I was in a strange bed, I was scared. I was afraid that no […]
Never Volunteered Abroad? This Could be Your Chance
Jo’s Nurses is a medical mission for current, active nurses who have never volunteered abroad but want to begin to incorporate volunteering into their careers. A small group of nurses (6-8) will travel with One Nurse staff to rural Honduras, where they will work alongside local nurses […]
Fear, Children and ER Nursing
I watched him pace the back wall of the emergency room, cry, kick and scream while he watched my every move. “What is behind your back?” he half screamed and asked. The left side of his flushed face was swollen, more swollen than it was […]
My Life in Little Envelopes
The last few days I have been having Missy write notes for me, I can’t write very well any longer. I can type but my writing isn’t pretty. I tell her what to write, then I sign the note and we put them in an […]
Strength
You might be wondering, well, what’s going on with Brandi? Why isn’t she writing and video making and all that stuff anymore? The truth is I never knew I could be so tired, or weak, or overwhelmed, or scared. Yes, its true, I’ve been having […]
Are nonprofit hospitals scamming patients and communities?
Many private nonprofit California hospitals, especially those that are part of big corporate chains like Sutter and Kaiser Permanente appear to be exploiting their tax-exempt status by accumulating huge profits, and handing top execs massive pay packages while providing scant charity care in return. That’s […]
Gone But Not Forgotten
The room was dark and quiet as I finished up my nursing note. My patient was tucked into her own bed and finally asleep as her daughter slowly ran her fingers through her mother’s white curls. I nodded goodbye and stepped out. Once in the […]