Bored to sleep
I was delighted to see your article "Wake Up to Better PowerPoint Presentations" (February, 2012).* As a nurse who graduated in 2007, I remember the awful feeling of sitting through those endless slides. The only thing this article didn't mention was that, in addition to the slides being read to us, we were given paper copies of the whole presentation! This isn't an effective way to learn-the only challenge in these classes is staying awake. I hope nurse educators read this and take heed.
Underappreciated: Ministers of urination
Coming from a church background as I do, I'm very familiar with the concept of ministry. When I became a patient in a skilled nursing facility, it was no stretch at all to apply this concept to the work I witnessed staff doing hours on end: helping patients pee.
You've heard the saying, "When you've got to go, you've got to go." That doesn't change when you become a patient. I recall needing help early in my post-op stay. I pushed the call button and a woman responded. I readily revealed my private parts to this total stranger. She provided a urinal, and I was hugely relieved and profoundly grateful. There was no embarrassment. A human being was in need and another human being was willing and able to meet that need. Ministry happened.
In my view, people who perform this ministry should feel proud. Ministers of urination-what a marvelous calling! I'd certainly hate to live in a society lacking such ministers. All those engaged in this ministry should feel positive about their work. What they do is important and worthy of high respect.
Designer drug craze
Thank you for information about the dangerous effects of bath salts when used as a recreational drug (Is Your Patient High on Bath Salts? January, 2012).* As a new graduate, I wasn't familiar with the epidemic of this substance. As nurses, we need to be aware of the newest drugs that are being abused so we can protect patients and ourselves.
Although the Drug Enforcement Administration has banned these synthetic drugs, new ones will always be around to take their place. We, as healthcare providers, need to educate the public on these drugs' harmful effects. Prevention is the first line of intervention.
-TERRY FUCHS, RN
Brooklyn, N.Y
.
-BILL SANFORD, retired minister
Atwater, Calif
.
-KAREN D'ANGELO, RN
Weymouth, Mass
.
* Individual subscribers can access articles free online at http://www.nursing2012.com. [Context Link]