My Circle of Life



Undergraduate ReflectionChasiti Falls University Honors ProgramUniversity of North Carolina at CharlotteNovember 29, 2012On a hot summer day in August 2009, I embarked on the journey of my undergraduate career. I was merely a speck on this massive campus that accommodates thousands of students. I was drowning in the opportunities that surrounded me. I wondered what was in store for me at this place. My journey of discovery is characterized by emotions of all sorts. It feels like just yesterday I stepped foot on this campus for the first time but in actuality graduation is only days away. Reflecting back, my life unravels as circles allowing a more holistic view.In Kushiel’s Chosen, Jacqueline Carey says, “There are patterns which emerge in one’s life, circling and returning anew, an endless variation of a theme.” A circle is a fundamental shape that presents itself as different objects with different colors and textures, such as the sun, the moon, coins, the Olympic rings, a cd or dvd, an eye, a Ferris wheel, a basketball hoop, wheels, a carousel, a ring, and many more. It may be smooth and simple or spiral. If you go in to many circles or travel too fast, then you may get dizzy. A circle begins and ends at the same point, and like a cycle, it is continuous or infinite. Our lives take on the form of circles, each being unique. We are all born, and we all must die marking the beginning and end of a “circle of life”. Depending on one’s beliefs, our physical death here on Earth may not only be an end but also a new beginning. In addition, our legacies live on even after we cease due to the number of lives we touch. Within the overarching circle of life lie other circles marking beginnings and ends of events that occur within our lives. The Lion King is a story illustrating coming-of-age and the circle of life through life, maturation, death, and connections with past generations and across different cultures. The movie begins with the image of a rising sun. The sun is a constant physical circle that rises and sets daily that also metaphorically speaking represents the circle of life. The main character in the movie is Simba, a cub and heir of Mufasa, the king. Mufasa teaches Simba the ways of life and ways of a king up until his murder in effort to have Simba in his father’s image one day, both physically and spiritually mature. As could be expected, this process faced many obstacles. In the beginning, as a cub, Simba did not understand the role of a king and he was deceived and exiled from the Pride Lands by Scar, but with direction of Timon, Pumba, Rafiki, Nala, and his father’s spirit, Simba developed into the perfect king and returned to save his homeland. Nursing school has been the primary focus of my undergraduate career, but college existed prior to my admission. Yes, I attended SOAR with my mother, but my first outing alone on the university campus was attending the Venture course with University Honor’s Program. I had some fun and made a couple friends that might or might not last. The weekend before classes started, I joined other honor students in moving into a Witherspoon dorm on the third floor. I should have been excited, but my high school boyfriend was not accepting the distant relationship, thus, complicating the transition process. Instead of enjoying the weekend at school, I returned home until Monday. My first semester classes consisted of freshman seminar, statistics, English, chemistry, chemistry lab, and film. On my way to class Monday, it was obvious I was a freshman because I had a map in my hand. Looking down at the map rather than watching where I was going, I stumbled into people occasionally. I remember attending film class and sitting in the back of the class. Today, I am using the information I received in this course and implementing it in creating my senior portfolio. The semesters to follow brought many more courses both easy and complex, both general education and honors courses. I learned that summer courses were no longer taken only if you did poorly in class, but were a smart alternative to accelerate your undergraduate experience. During my second summer session taking anatomy and physiology II, I visited San Antonio, Texas for my boyfriend’s graduation from the Air Force basic training. This is the same boyfriend I had one move-in day. I had spent the last nine weeks living with a ten-minute phone call each Sunday and a letter approximately twice a week. This challenging time ultimately led to our growth as individuals as well as a couple. We continued to spend the next five months apart. All the while, I started finished and the application for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing program by August 31, 2010 and finished my prerequisites. Myths about nursing school spread like wildfire around campus these days. I am not quite sure how I managed to escape their wrath as a freshman and sophomore, but I submitted my application with barely a smidgeon of doubt regarding the outcome because I have always gotten everything with ease. It was nearing the end of the fall 2010 semester before I got my admission results back. I remember that day vividly. I overheard students in bacteriology discussing their results so I called my house and got my stepmom to read me the letter during her lunch break. I could hear the sound of the envelope opening and then there was a pause before she read that I was not accepted. I was crushed, but I had an alternative plan in mind not necessarily related to nursing because I was neglectful in the application process by only applying to UNC Charlotte. After being wooed by my recent visit to San Antonio, my alternative plan was to join the Air Force. After letting me wallow in my sorrow for a minute that felt like forever, my stepmother told me she was just kidding. My acceptance into nursing school is one of the biggest accomplishments of my life. Though confidence is an admirable trait, I realize now that I was na?ve. Knowing the odds that were against me has made me appreciate the intellectual and opportunistic blessings I have been given allowing me to qualify myself for this position. As you may suspect, my nerves were hyperactive on the first day of nursing school. Matters were not helped any by my professor asking each student, “Why are you pursuing a career in nursing?” After a couple students answered, she stated that our answers were superficial, and just as a parent begins teaching their child beliefs and values at an early age, our first assignment was to identify our nursing philosophy. My Philosophy of Nursing is my first artifact. A philosophy is the examination of basic concepts, guiding or underlying principles, or set of beliefs or aims (Philosophy).My Philosophy of NursingAccording to American Nurses Association (2010), “Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations” (p. 1). Though this is accurate, nursing is much more complex. Nursing consists of two vital components, a science and an art. This process was more difficult than I had expected, yet upon completion, I felt a sense of purpose, an innate desire we yearn for as humans. Nursing school has brought to the surface things that I previously did not know about myself such as my strengths, weaknesses, and desires. Today, I ask myself if I ever thought of the complexity of caring prior to deciding I wanted to pursue a career in nursing, but honestly, I do not believe it is a concept that can be grasped until you have actually experienced it. Instead, I was probably imagining working on House where emotions are sparse. Each patient is a mystery and a list of interesting tasks to be completed. A combination of my clinical and classroom experiences has equipped me to answer the question, “Why do I want to be a nurse?” These developments have resulted in a maturation of my philosophy. What was once merely someone else’s opinion has become a part of me. My nursing philosophy today begins by stating my primary concern is the wellbeing of the patient. Nursing is not only a means of employment, but also a route to promote quality of life. My nursing philosophy still identifies nursing as a science as well as an art. I want to instill hope in these patients and families. I strive to further society’s transformation toward prevention and education. The route I have found most effective is establishing a positive nurse-patient relationship. As a result, open communication is more likely to pave the path for better patient outcomes. Many factors contribute to the success of this relationship starting with the nurse’s persona. There is no doubt that I will encounter ones with beliefs that conflict with my own, but my duty is not to be the judge of what is right and wrong for another person. My willingness to understand and respect their lifestyle, not limited to religion, is essential as a practicing nurse. I predict my philosophy will continue to improve and expand as I move forward in my career. Through research and exposure, I have learned about diverse ways of approaching the circle of life from birth to death processes. My first semester clinical focuses on the geriatric population. I already had two years of experience within a nursing home, adult home health care, and briefly, hospice, making this clinical simpler. Death and dying tends to be discussed within the elderly population as I did in my second artifact, a multicultural assessment, but even when working with children, I have acknowledged that I may see them straight out of the womb and healthy, or unfortunately, I may see them actively dying. My hospice experience was brief and I had only one true encounter with an actively dying elderly patient, bringing to a close their circle of life. I have had little to no experience with other cultures so this assignment was educational and beneficial. I interviewed a local Indian family that owns a convenient store in my hometown. There were differences in our cultures, but based off the interview, I concluded they had assimilated well because their answers were very similar to popular American beliefs and my own preferences. On the other hand, my third artifact, a maternity care plan is a guide to prioritize care, but cannot depict the beauty of birth. Giving birth is a gift in disguise, an addition to one’s circle and the creation of another. Carrying the extra weight of a fetus for nine months and giving labor is back breaking and painful, but the outcome is rewarding. Seven years ago, I had the opportunity to participate in the birth and cut the umbilical cord of my youngest sister. Many people would not volunteer themselves to take part in such activity, but I did, possibly signifying that my road to nursing originated as early as the age of fourteen. Since then, in my second semester of nursing school, I have seen a range of births from an emergency Cesarean to a natural birth. I also observed a situation where a patient who due to her culture suppressed all feelings of pain without the aid of anesthesia and her husband was present, but not involved or supportive during the birthing process other than in making medical decisions. Instead, the grandmother’s role was to be at the mother’s bedside. Maternity Care PlanDiagnosis:Readiness for enhanced childbearing processReadiness for enhanced family processes[. . .]Reflection and Critical Thinking Questions Based on QSEN Competencies ():1.What are your personal views on today’s clinical experience? I thoroughly enjoy clinical. I love the MB unit! It is a lot faster pace than Illness & Disease Practicum. I have always wanted to work in this department and still do, but I have heard that you do not learn as much as a new graduate because everything is so repetitive. I have become more comfortable with the assessments, though not as comfortable as I would like. With practice, I am sure I will become more competent and confident. Fast-forwarding to the job interview process I am currently undertaking, I landed an interview within women and child services at Cleveland Regional Medical Center in Shelby, NC. I seek a place where I can carry out my nursing philosophy and that offers me the chance to continue to grow as an individual and professional nurse. The excerpt above depicts my fears about this department then as well as now. Traveling even further in the future, the diagnosis portion of the assignment lists two diagnoses that could be applicable to me because my ambitions include having children of my own, continuing the circle of life.My passion and knowledge for nursing is not only the result of my education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, but also aided by working as a nursing assistant for three years. I moved back home after the spring 2012 semester and was discouraged when I was unable to find work. Eventually, I located a home healthcare agency in need of a nursing assistant for a pediatric client with cerebral palsy. My only knowledge of cerebral palsy had come from a textbook, so I was not sure what to expect because it can present along a spectrum of severity. In this situation, the patient exhibited both moderate physical and mental disabilities. The only experience I had with pediatrics was provided in clinical with the university. Based off my experiences, I thought I wanted to specialize in pediatrics, but I was looking for more confirmation. By taking this position, I knew I would obtain the validation I needed, but first I had to attend the dreadful interview, that I now know is nothing in comparison to what I am currently going through for a new graduate nurse position. The day of the interview I printed out MapQuest directions, started driving, and got lost. I did not think things could get worse until my phone went dead as I was on the phone with the company trying to retrieve directions. Eventually I reached my destination, but I was almost positive that I had ruined any chance of securing a job; however, they continued with the interview and afterwards sent me to the patient’s house to meet the patient and family. I was intimidated at first because I was unsure how to communicate with him being nonverbal, but I followed the mother’s lead. By this point, I already had the answer I had been seeking for quite some time. I belong within this population, so I was stoked to hear the mother say, “My first impression may or may not be right, but I am hopeful, and I think you may be a good fit here,” as I walking out the door that day. Beyond that, this patient and family have had an everlasting impact on my life as I hope I have done in theirs. Most importantly, I have learned to make the best out of any circle of life we are handed because that is all we can do. I have observed that children or other individuals suffering from diseases similar to cerebral palsy can be some of the most pleasant people you will interact with despite the challenges they encounter.Other than my general education courses, nursing school, the university honors curriculum has occupied a good portion of and influenced my undergraduate career. On that first day, I established many friendships, and one in particular that stands strong still today. I have taken courses on feminism, war, peace, and justice, community service, federalism and free markets, and game theory in that order. Each course brought its own challenges. Having to think abstractly has forced me out of my comfort zone leading to personal growth. Without a doubt, my worldview has been expanded as a result. I remember being late to Mrs. Carol Gay’s class and learning what to appreciate and depreciate as women, and longing for the impossible world peace with Mr. Bill Gay. The Kenya Book Project is the largest-scale community service project I have ever completed. Jonathan Perry’s Game Theory course introduced me to the concepts of ambulance chasing, insurance costs, and signaling and screening, and in his Federalism and Free Markets course, we discussed American Exceptionalism, a term applicable to other aspects of life. My next few artifacts from the University Honors Program are the Kenya Book Project website, Game Theory Midterm, and Federalism & Free Market’s Final Exam.It is easy to get lost in our immediate surroundings and forget what lies on the outside. The Kenya Book Project taught me the circle of life is not limited to Charlotte, North Carolina or even the United States. Until my sophomore year, I would have never imagined influencing the world at a global level without setting foot on foreign soil. Our class met weekly and communicated using a Google document to sort the details of the project. It was always funny when the class was having conversation on the Google document projected on the board without Robert Arnold being aware until he noticed the smirks and muffled laughter. He had a very good sense of humor and the conversations were not harmful, so he did not mind too much. The meetings consisted of discussion, browsing the web for electronic deals, walking around campus gathering cardboard boxes, recruiting sponsors, and packaging donated books for shipping. With the funding, computers, and books we provided, I hope to pass the blessing of an education to another. My aspiration is that I can improve the human condition both locally and globally by whatever means possible. This process has also made me realize that nursing is universal. Knowledge is portable and applicable wherever I go whether I am in uniform or casual clothes. As a nurse, I have the opportunity to travel nationwide as a traveling nurse or to go international on medical missions. In addition, technology allows us to communicate across boarders via forms of telecommunication enhancing the healthcare all over the world. -85060103136Game Theory Midterm“Individuals have a better sense than the insurer of how likely they are to place a claim. At any particular price, the buyers of insurance who are most likely to make a claim are also most likely to buy the policy. If the insurer raised the price, then the individuals not making claims will drop the insurance” (Baird p. 153). Furthermore, the effect will be magnified when prices increase even more. 00Game Theory Midterm“Individuals have a better sense than the insurer of how likely they are to place a claim. At any particular price, the buyers of insurance who are most likely to make a claim are also most likely to buy the policy. If the insurer raised the price, then the individuals not making claims will drop the insurance” (Baird p. 153). Furthermore, the effect will be magnified when prices increase even more. Ambulance chasing does not occur to the extent it used too, but the cost of insurance is a huge issue with today’s economy. As a nurse, I am the patient’s advocate and am disturbed when either of these interferes with my nursing care and my patient’s wellbeing. Based off this portion of my Game Theory Midterm, this problem remains infinite. The reality of the issues with healthcare costs is saddening as evidenced by the facts listed below as taken from my Population-Focused Nursing class notes. In 2008, “The annual premium for an employer health plan covering a family of four averaged nearly $12,700. The annual premium for single coverage averaged over $4,700.” Workers contributed $3400 on average, which is $1600 more than in 1999 (National Coalition on Healthcare, 2009).Average medical debt for those filing for bankruptcy equals $12,000. 68% of those filing had health insurance (National Coalition on Healthcare, 2009).1.5 million families losing homes per year from foreclosure as a result of medical bills (National Coalition on Healthcare, 2009).Retired couples need at least $250,000 in savings to pay for medical coverage (National Coalition on Healthcare, 2009). The issue is commonly broadcasted on the news and in politics, but the first time I actually submersed myself in the subject was in Game Theory. There I learned more of the equations rather than the results of the equation. During my last semester, in Population-Focused Nursing class and clinical at the Mecklenburg County Health Department Southeast, I have witnessed the impact of the game theory concepts I learned. It is frustrating as a nurse to see people take advantage of the systems in place or being noncompliant ultimately wasting our resources. Conversely, healthcare insurance is also a concern to me as a patient. My parents currently pay for my health insurance, but I will take on that responsibility with obtaining my first job. Based on statistics, both having and not having health insurance is problematic. As pertaining to the circle of life, this is another development along my personal circle, but in general, health insurance and care costs can either supplement or hinder us.The concept of signaling and screen also learned in Game Theory is important to me during the application process because Human Resources signals and screens applicants to further in the interviewing process. So far, I have secured an interview as well as been rejected. I am thankful I took a different approach than I did when applying to nursing school in that I did not solely rely on a single hospital to provide me a job. Once again, this exemplifies wisdom I have gained because of experiences occurring in my undergraduate career. -47625179705Federalism & Free Markets Final Exam“American exceptionalism is the idea that America is different from other nations by being of better quality. […] it is important for us as students and future leaders of America to be aware of the topic and identify what supposedly makes America exceptional or if American exceptionalism exists at all.”020000Federalism & Free Markets Final Exam“American exceptionalism is the idea that America is different from other nations by being of better quality. […] it is important for us as students and future leaders of America to be aware of the topic and identify what supposedly makes America exceptional or if American exceptionalism exists at all.”All I have ever known is America, so of course I believe America is exceptional. I worried about more than American exceptionalism though. I believe growth and development is an infinite process, but by the completion of my circle, I want exceptionalism to define me whether as an American, a nurse, a Christian, or an individual. My first step towards reaching my goals is identifying that I am a future leader of America, and a leader should be able to focus energy on motivating others toward a common vision, be trustworthy, reliable, accountable, personable, and committed. Secondly, on November 9th, I participated in my first presidential election. In order to be a leader, I needed to be an informed voter rather than jumping-on-the-bandwagon, so I watched the never-ending debates that made very little sense to me and looked up the over two thousand page Healthcare Reform bill before placing my ballot. Other than creating my portfolio, Jonathan Perry’s courses concluded my honors curriculum. Amidst everything else going on during my undergraduate career, I participated in numerous community service events including Crisis Assistance Ministry, Relay for Life, Race for the Cure, UNC Charlotte Food Run, UNCC Blood Drive, Ashley Lutz Benefit Dinner, CMC Diabetes Health Fair, and Big Break at Panama City Beach, Florida. A combination of photos from these event serves as my artifact. My community service experiences began when I arrived and saw a line wrapped around the building. There were boxes on top of boxes of donations to sort, and then there were empty shelves and racks to be stocked, so I filled a buggy full of pots and pans. Before the door closed behind me, a swarm of people raced towards me flailing to see what I was giving away as if I was having a flashback to last year’s black Friday shopping. I saw an abundance of homelessness in San Antonio, Texas, but I had never seen those numbers in Charlotte, not until then, and again in the emergency room one cold winter night. Crisis Assistance Ministry opened my eyes to the amount of poverty within our own communities. Ashley Lutz was a nursing student who was diagnosed with stage four liver failure only weeks before graduation. Her final exams were taken in a hospital bed, and then she was rolled across the stage and died shortly thereafter. She has inspired us all and we hope to carry on her legacy through scholarship. The School of Nursing’s goal is a $25,000 endowment in five years. Within two years, we have already raised approximately $15,000 through fundraising at events like the benefit dinner. Blood is a common product administered to patients in the hospital setting. There is a huge emphasis on the administration of blood in nursing school because it can be very dangerous if not administered properly. Giving only one unit of blood when donating compared to administering two or three units per patient on the floor showed me the need for volunteers. In January 2012 at the UNCC Blood Drive I took on the role of a patient. It was the first time I had ever given blood because surprisingly, I was once afraid of needles. I knew I would not be able to give blood if my iron level was low, so I remember drinking two protein shakes beforehand. My nurse’s intuition kicked in as soon as I entered the premises. I was examining the nursing care being provided and curious if I was going to have a reaction. My paranoia made me scared I was going to become lethargic and wreck on my hour trip home. The most recent community service event I have participated in was the CMC Diabetes Health Fair. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a common diagnosis in America. While checking blood pressures, I was asked, “What is hypertension?” It is easy to assume that everyone is a knowledgeable as yourself, but it is quite the contrary. What seems to be common knowledge to us may be foreign to another. It was this moment that made me realize the vitality of education in the healthcare profession leading to the adjustment of my nursing philosophy. I was also able to recognize the progress I had made over the past three semesters when a junior one nursing student came to me skittish over taking manual blood pressures. Due to the high volume of customers we were serving, we had to rearrange the staff and place her in a more appropriate position.My concern and caring personality has led me into the nursing and community service. These events of community service have served such importance in my life and development because it takes away from the problems that exist in your society and in the world that I am living my circle of life within. Although I did not receive any material objects in return, I have the gratification of knowing I made a difference whether big or small. I also learned that if I am very vulnerable and in need at any point along my circle, I have resources to reach out to for support. The highlights of my undergraduate career have all been touched on except for the current and last semester. The past four years have been phenomenal, but there have also been obstacles to combat. My second semester that is supposedly the most difficult semester of nursing school brought tears to my eyes once, but this last semester has been the most challenging bring out my tears numerous times. My roommates and I moved back home to save money. My family has issues that I am not used to having to deal with on a daily basis anymore. The hour commutes to and from charlotte sometimes six days a week is time that used to be spent otherwise. My clinical takes up my weekends, so I have been working during the week. Adding these new factors in my schedule has tested my time management skills leading to doubting myself and being on the verge of giving up on things such as this project. With perseverance, I am finally connecting the loose ends of this circle. It seems treacherous at the moment with school work, worrying about passing the NCLEX, and finding a job, but light has been shed by being offered an interview with Cleveland County Healthcare System on the Women & Children’s Services floor. A contingent offer has not been given yet, but on a lighter note, I have many more application to complete. Even though I have not been given nor accepted the position on the Women & Children’s Services floor, I find it ironic how things are falling in place and related to this project and the circle of life. My family, my friends, and Jesus Christ make my story possible. My family and friends contribute to the individual I have become and my attendance at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, for which I am thankful. My parents were very young when I was conceived, and they divorced when I was three. The relationship they have been able to maintain over the years for me is a rare blessing. Both my parents remarried to people that have also played an important role in my life. I am the oldest of five children. I would have an older sister, but she passed away shortly after her birth due to premature labor. I was also premature, but survived the odds. Due to this knowledge, I always thought NICU would be my specialty; however, I learned in my clinical experience that it was not. As horrible as it sounds, I always tell my parents they teach me more of what not to do than what to do. The environment I have grown up in had most definitely shaped the individual I am today. My mom and I lived with my grandmother until I was in the fourth grade. My grandmother is sixty-six and a firecracker with a heart of gold. She has challenged me to help others, but not to overextend myself. My mom motivates me to tame my tongue, defend my family, and manage my finances. My father has taught me to be sober and work hard. Others, including my closest friends, have taught me various things along the way. For example, be bold, be conservative, realize and accept my imperfections, and forgiveness. This advice includes vital life lessons that I hope I can demonstrate and teach my family, friends, and others I meet. My fifteen-year-old sister is at a point in her life when she will be making very important decisions and face many temptations. I try to remain nonjudgmental so that she will feel comfortable coming to me at any time regardless of what she has done. Nonetheless, I give her a very hard time, but at the same time, we are best friends despite the age difference. I am hard on myself sometimes because I make mistakes and try to put forth a positive role model for her at the same time. My eleven-year-old sister is the only other sports player in the family. She recently joined a travel soccer team and at her first game, I had to hold back the tears in my eyes. She is very good player. I predict that if she continues pursuing it, then she will be presented with many opportunities. I cling to her because I miss that time of my life. I know how important the game and my teammates were to me and how they have transformed my life. At the least, I wish the same for her. As for my brother, I would not label him as handicapped, but while in the womb, the amniotic cord wrapped around his arm cutting off the circulation and stunting the growth. As an infant and toddler we took him to physical and occupational therapy sessions that he quickly exceeded any expectations they had for him resulting in his discharge. Occasionally he has experienced instances of bullying, but never has he let himself become discouraged. Today, he is slightly limited in weight bearing activities, but functions just like anyone else. I cannot say for sure, but maybe this experience influenced my decision to become a nurse, a pediatric nurse. The latest addition to my family was on January 3, 2010. After driving to Kannapolis, North Carolina and three hundred dollars later, I had my dog, Zeus. He requires the same necessities as a child especially as a puppy such as feeding, teaching, cleaning, and nurturing. I owe everything I am and will be to Jesus Christ. I remember sitting on that church pew and citing the life-changing prayer that would secure me eternal life in heaven with Jesus Christ when I was in second grade. Ever since then he has been directing my paths through life even when I was in a lull and did not carry him on my sleeve. I do not remember exactly how I felt that moment, but I remember having to take the initiative to go to church because my parents did not go routinely. Twelve years later, I attended UNC Charlotte’s Campus Crusade for Christ [CRU]. As a result, I have grown tremendously in my faith and made changes in my lifestyle to reflect that. With the encouragement of the same friend that attended that first day of CRU with me, accompanied me to Elevation Church Uptown where I was baptized. I have delayed being baptized all these years because I am terrified of being in front of large crowds, but that day they gave me no excuse to opt out. They had an unbelievable set-up with a change of clothes, toiletries, and other necessities. Convinced that I could not turn back without feeling conviction, I stood proudly in line with numerous others and in front of a crowd of at least a hundred. Delighted with my experience with this group, I encouraged my roommates to attend multiple times, but each time I was turned down. Then I came home one Tuesday to my roommate being upset over a break-up with her boyfriend. Trying to soothe her, I tried once again to get her to go with me to CRU. In her state of vulnerability, she accepted. At the start of CRU, everyone is welcomed and given nametags followed by a worship service and message given by a leader, student, or volunteer from an outside source. They played “God’s Not Dead,” a song I later found out was a favorite of hers. I do not know what won her over, maybe it was the song, but she continued coming weekly. Soon thereafter, together we took a leap of faith and traveled to Panama City Beach, Florida to evangelize on the beaches to other college students during spring break in 2012. In the fall semester, we joined in another trip. On this trip, I saw great progress in my personal achievements. Then the females of CRU took on a month of wearing no makeup in effort to reconsider what society and we label beauty. Along the way, we were able to convince our other roommate to join in our journey of pursuing a life with Jesus Christ. Seeing and hearing people confess their faith on the beaches in Panama City, Florida were grand, so imagine the feeling of hearing someone you care about dearly make the decision to live a life with the Lord. These girls are truly nonjudgmental making me comfortable in revealing my weakest links. I treasure these relationships and try to mirror them with others including my patients. I am finishing my community clinical at the health department in family planning and sexually transmitted diseases. I hear what I perceive as the wildest things and even sometimes illegal; however, I am not able to report things like prostitution or illicit drug use. My job is to direct them to get help if they desire. I was awe struck when I found it out, but looking back, it all makes sense. Graduation marks the end of old circle and the beginning of the next. Over the past four years, I have grown from a child to an adult, a student to a scholar, and a nursing assistant to a nurse. I am beginning to see myself as someone capable of great things. There is still a lot more of the path to unwind, but for now, I will live by Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” From the day we arrive on the planetAnd blinking, step into the sunThere's more to see than can ever be seenMore to do than can ever be doneThere's far too much to take in hereMore to find than can ever be foundBut the sun rolling highThrough the sapphire skyKeeps great and small on the endless roundIt's the Circle of LifeAnd it moves us allThrough despair and hopeThrough faith and loveTill we find our placeOn the path unwindingIn the CircleThe Circle of LifeReferencesPhilosophy. (n.d.). In Encarta Dictionary online. National Coalition of Healthcare. (2009). UNCC NURS 4240: Economics, Policy, and Law [PowerPoint Slides]. ................
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