Introduction to Moi

Very late in the game I am realizing that Dr. Yellowlees wanted us to post an Introduction on our blogspot and I've neglected to do so, so here goes:

I'm part of the NW contingent of nurses in the Health Informatics Certificate Program, returning to school for the first time since dinosaurs roamed the planet, and actually loving it, especially this class. I'm not just saying that for "credit", more than other class in the program this one has really made me think about where healthcare is going in the future and what my role might be there. Just incredible and wonderful to think that environments like SecondLife will play a vital role in mental health treatment, training, and so many other applications that will work synergistically to improve and maintain health.

You can look at my profile to find out more about my "pasa tiempos" i.e. hobbies and interests, but professionally I am a PACU RN, and proud Kaiser employee of almost 30 years (yes, I started when I was 12!). I've had various and sundry roles in the organization including a nine year stint in Quality Management, but have always maintained a practice as a "real nurse" in the PACU. I am a veteran of 6 pediatric urology trips to San Pedro Sula, Honduras, sadly the murder capital of the world, but absolutely the sweetest children ever. And for almost the last two years I've been a Clinical Informatics Specialist, my favorite job in the organization, with the best boss and the best team I've ever experienced. I can say with great enthusiasm that I truly love my job and don't want it to ever go away; we're just concerned that with changes in the organization and financial restrictions, that might be a possibility.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity to return to school with the support of the Hudnall Trust, another wonderful benefit of being a Kaiser employee and union member.

So there you have it, I'm writing from the PACU right now, where we're waiting for an appendectomy to close in the OR, I've been here since 8 this morning and no end in sight, a great way to make some extra money and get just a little homework finished on a rainy Sunday in Portland!