Welcome to my blog. I am new to this hip technology sensation of blogging but I think its important to always be learning and enjoying. SO I hope you enjoy this as I learn. I am a PLNU nursing major going into my Senior year. If you have any questions, I'd love to help just send me an email!!
simple pleasures, many treasures!
All people are human beings. I have been brought back to the basics. Examining the stigma within mental health has allowed me to really challenge the areas within my heart that I judge others, or think negatively about other peoples walks of lives. Because I will admit I do, everybody does. It is the learning process of stopping a train of thought, identifying a feeling withint your heart in which those habits can be changed. Because even my actions show that I am loving and not judging, my heart can still be in the wrong spot.
So back to the basics; all people are human beings. I was reading the other day, cant remember what it was, but the other was explaining how our interactions with each other are huge. There is no small or meaningless interaction because we are interacting with eternity-somebodies soul! WOW! That really planted a seed in how I look and interact with people on a train, bus, grocery store line and in my classes. How important are the words we speak and the gestures we make.
“Nor should there be any obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: no immoral, impure or greedy person-such a man is an idolater has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.” Ephesians 5:4-6
This is a very convicting passage for me to read and wrestle with in my thoughts and deeds. May we not be a community that walks passed one another, afraid to ask the deep questions or be there during the hurt. I will continue to learn and grow in this.
May I be frank? When my mind is scattered with thought, emotion and life; I find it extremely difficult to explain what I am thinking or feeling. As I have gone through my community and mental health rotations this semester, I was taken back by the depths of growth and energy outside of class/clinical that these classes have required. It truly has been unlike any year at PLNU I have experienced yet. Nursing is not just a degree that I am obtaining, my soul and mind have directly been shaped.
Whenever I thought of blogging to give a snapshot of what senior year (yay senior year) was like, I drew a blank. I do not like writing things that are not genuine or don’t tell things as they are. So I found myself not being able to write about PLNU happenings while my mind was processing my rotations in mental health at a psychiatric hospital or in community health working with Survivors of Torture. I apologize for the minimal posts recently.
However, I continue to write because I have been refined. My heart has hurt, broken and truly ached with others this semester and through the fire, God has refined my heart. My praise has grown louder and my blessings softening my heart more and more. I will be writing everyday for the next couple weeks until pinning to make up for time spent processing this last semester. I will write each day about things that I have learned, experienced or been exposed to this semester as a way to slowly allow Gods light to shine through what I have learned because one long post or couple medium sized ones are just not enough.
-15 days in a nursing students life: insider edition starts tomorrow-
Finding thankfulness all around. Perspective has changed my world- how I view the world. Reading, “One thousands Gifts” by Ann Vaskamp is what has inspired and taught me such thankfulness and appreciation for everything around me(and my mother). And today I counted my blessings for the color yellow. For the crisp contrast of green leaves, fuzzy stems, blue massive oceans that seem so mysterious and the ability to walk. I stroll through streets and count my blessings to expand my eyes to the things that I take for granted more often than I should. If you’re looking for a gift to buy someone (a female) I highly, strongly recommend that book.
A Christmas in the Rocky Mountains rejuvenated my soul, rested my spirit and refilled my strength for a semester of Senior nursing clinical rotations in Mental Health and Community health. I am constantly humbled by the amazing family I have in Colorado and amazing family I have in California. Christ’s church may be far physically but we are near spiritually. I have professors, mentors, friends and new friends to be made in San Diego that show me love from Christ just like my family I am blessed with in Colorado. That speaks very loudly of PLNU (I am not paid to say this I promise) and reminds me of the right decision in coming here for my undergraduate degree.
-I was encouraged to meditate on this psalm as I continue my development into a nurse and go out into new areas of life. The power of memorizing these words have already begun to shape a new perspective of my strength in the Lord as I meet new people/patients. May this Psalm also speak to you in areas of life that may seem overwhelming, daunting or deadly. “But it will not come near you.” His love gives so much it is often missed by my human eyes. I have only memorized the first 6 verses, but the power in memorizing scripture reminds me of the wind- thought of as light and under-appreciated, yet it holds vast power especially when we pay attention to its moving.
“He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge, my fortress, my God in whom I trust. Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence He will cover with his feathers, under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, not he plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling-even the Lord, who is my refuge-then no harm will befall you. no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways, they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against the stone. you will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” say the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
I lived in Nease hall freshman year with these girls, and four years later still blessed to have them in my life. From road trips to Arizona and Colorado during spring break to Homecoming nominations senior year, they have been my family here at PLNU.
Coffee shop of the week: Cafe Bassam
Why it’s awesome: It’s in a very neat part of San Diego (near Balboa park), is filled with great antiques and has a refreshing/relaxing feel to its lay out with large windows letting the sunshine inside.
This Thanksgiving warmed my heart so incredibly much. Got to go home to Colorado and taste a bit of a change of seasons. I am overwhelmed at how much I have been blessed with an amazing home there and here at PLNU. From going to chapel with my closest of friends several times a week, being able to sit down and talk with professors about things I am struggling with or simply sitting and enjoying the breath taking sunsets on campus; I cannot help but get teary eyed whenever I count my blessings at this school. Four years later and I am still in awe and shock that I was able to come to this school and get an amazing education. Here are a couple pics of these moments that I become overwhelmed with what God has surrounded with me at PLNU. 
Anonymous asked: Hello there!!!!! Im loving the blog!! Question- I wanted to transfer to PLNU from a community college for the nursing program. How many units do I need to transfer? How long will it take me to get my BSN? It says its a three year program is that once you transfer?Thanks a bunch!!-Alexa
Hello , You know I am not familiar with how many units are needed to transfer into our program here, but if you go onto the admissions website you can find information about admissions counselors who you can email and get those exact numbers from them. Nursing school is three years at PLNU after completing a year of general education pre-nursing classes. Good luck on your nursing classes wherever you may take them! Blessings
Anonymous asked: Hi, I am a soon-to-be senior from Washington. My question may not apply to you directly, but I'm still hoping you may have some relative insight, being that you've already been in the nursing program at PLNU for a couple years. Do you know of anyone in the nursing program with you that is also in AROTC through PLNU or becoming a nurse, funded by the army, navy, etc.? If so, what is your opinion on it?
I love the state of Washington!! how wonderful! I have friends who are in ROTC and are in the nursing program! They have had great experiences with it. I believe that if your calling is to serve people and serve our nation, you truly are given an amazing calling in life. Be prayerful throughout all of the decision making process but also seek wise counsel. If you write me back I can email you some contact info of my friends who have done it and you can talk to them about specifics. Great to talk to people who have done it and can reflect on what it was like. Hope that helps, let me know :)
Anonymous asked: Hi, Just wanted to say thank you so much for your blog for all of us interested in different nursing programs. It's a great way to get a better idea of life on campus and whether or not the students appreciate their education. My question is about whether or not it has been worth the money to go to a private school. I'm very interested in nursing, and I want a good education, but I am having a hard time being able to reconcile the cost of going to a school like Point Loma. Thanks again, Sofia
I apologize for the delay in response but that is a great question. I can only answer from what I know, as a private school nursing student but I hope it helps.
Just last Friday the nursing program held a meeting for junior and senior PLNU nursing students with a guy who has made a website to aid in job searching for new grad nurses (which we all are once we pass the NCLEX and work for our first year after nursing school). He went to SDSU and spoke a lot during our meeting how PLNU nursing students have an advantage not only because we are getting our Bachelors degree in nursing verses an associates degree but also because we go to PLNU. It kinda shocked me how much he said it. I knew our program was pretty well known but I did not realize how much even other public universities in the area are aware of it as well. He said that a few things they do in their program are because our nursing school starting implementing them and we had set somewhat of an example. I have been told that we are well liked among hospitals for our schools reputations and that our education given at PLNU sets us apart. BUT, for me, I see my formation as a nurse in a school where not only medicine is taught, but how becoming a nurse for Christ is also taught priceless. PLNU has professors and resources that truly you would not find at ANY other school in the area that encourage students to not only attain degrees but become disciples in Christ. Truly, I would do PLNU nursing all over again if I had to make the decision again.
If God opens the doors for you, Pray for direction, seek wise counsel and walk faithfully that God is leading you. As I get closer to graduation and the reality of loans, it is tempting to be consumed with stress and worry, but without a doubt PLNU was lifegiving to me in more ways then just a career, and to whom much is given much is required. If God gives you an opportunity to get an amazing education, we are to give it back to him and be his hands of his feet. He will help us settle all the details as long as we are wiling to truly work hard and surrender it all to him.
Those were just some the things I have thought and prayed on during similar season that you are talking about. blessings on your decision making time. :)
From a two week long midterm season and fall break, I haveve been MIA from writing, BUT I have some fun things to share!
I was able to go home to Colorado over fall break, super spontaneous and such a blessing. Frontier airlines was doing a sale and I found a crazy cheap flight so I snatched the deal! I am one of those weird people who love flying and absolutely love being in airports so I love getting flights with layovers which typically are cheaper. Works out really well for me. :) So YES, I did get to go to a place where the Fall colors are truly showing and smell the yummy mountain air my heart loves. It was so rejuvenating.
The two weeks before I was dashing from one thing to the other, literally running on coffee fumes and scripture. But its those times that I am reminded still how blessed I am to be working hard for an amazing education I am blessed to get. Really helps the fatigue not feel so much like pain, haha. But alas, midterms have passed, holiday drinks are out in stores and I can openly listen to Christmas music without being judged (to a degree).
I cannot believe another semester is almost behind me. Having two clinicals in the hospital on Tuesdays and Thursdays seriously makes the weeks FLY by; its as if Monday comes and I blink and its Friday already!
As the weeks fly and the holidays come quick, Lets try to take time to always take a deep breath and not rush before the movement of God. Ive learned in the busyness of this semester to be mindful of my busyness and not allow it to steal my attention away from God. This summer I read a book called “Captivating” and there is a quote from it that talks about this. It says, ” To pursue intimacy with Christ, you will have to fight for it. You’ll need to fight busyness. You’ll need to fight accusations. You’ll need to fight the Thief that would steal you Lover’s gifts to you outright.” This has been on the forefront of my mind this semester and it is-life giving to surrender my busyness to God. I never liked ending a long clinical day realizing I hadn’t thought about God. I would go a whole shift without thinking of my Creator, the person who allowed me to take every breath, who created all the beautiful patients I worked with. What a shame. I detested my ignorance and decided I had needed to fight for nearness to God.
So I am working on surrendering it all: classes, tests, relationships, my patients, professors, finances, health etc.. to God daily! Its hard, but the learning process is great. :) Have a great sunday!
