Saturday, December 28, 2013

On Travelling

I don't want to call myself a "jet-setter" but I have always been flying off to somewhere or going to a long drive to a distant city and there are some things that I have come to a realization with. These are just my own thoughts and I haven't really researched anything for facts or anything of the sort.

1) It's always better to travel with a friend/special someone - I am the type of person that will never go explore a city unless I have someone with me. I always have to have things planned out and organized. I have always been a "home-body" so there has to be that extra motivation to go and explore. There is also safety in numbers when travelling to an unknown city. It's also good to have a second person to actually decide on what to do or to problem solve - like figuring out how to take the metro or locate a point of interest. Sure there's always the GPS but sometimes the GPS likes to take you to the wrong places or at least mislead you in some way. Be careful with who you tag along with you though because although travelling together with someone is a way to bond and form special memories it could also tarnish relationships, especially when adrenaline and patience runs low when you're lost and driving/walking around for hours.

2) Bringing a smartphone and purchasing a data plan - My beloved Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has saved me several times and Google Maps is definitely a must. I purchased a sim card from Roam Mobility when I travelled to the states because I saved at least $200 on my roaming bill and I only paid $50 for 2 GB data and unlimited call/text anywhere in the US/Canada while in the states. Although a friend also mentioned purchasing a Sprint sim card and it only costs $3 for unlimited call/text/data. Having a phone with you is like having your own personal tour guide and you can always book hotels, cars, etc online.

3) If reliable public transportation is available then don't rent a car - Well I learned this one the hard way. I drove around New York City and the drive was a nightmare, finding parking was close to impossible, plus I scratched my rental car. Although it is convenient to have your own car, it would be cheaper plus your sanity would be intact if you just let other people take care of the driving. 

4) There is no place like home - I have loved the cities that I have been to and enjoyed the company of the people I travelled with. There will always be something that another city would have that my beloved Deadmonton wouldn't, but there are just some things that another city can't provide. Going to a different city and seeing the different lifestyles (both lavish and also the lifestyle with great inconvenience) made me appreciate my home. I may have to deal with freezing weather and huge piles of snow but I am comfortable and happy with where I live.

In my travels I have met different types of people. Some of them I met just by coincidence but have become good friends. I am surprised by the great generosity of people, the kindness, and the warmth that they would show to travellers and it gives me hope for humanity once again.

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Image from hunafaatravel.com

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Privilege



A recent poster campaign by MacEwan University's U-SOLVE (University Students Offering Leadership for Violence Elimination) has sparked controversy with the student body. White, male, straight, able-bodied individuals cry foul as it felt like an attack on their being. "It isn't their fault, they were born that way" as Lady Gaga would say.

Peggy McIntosh's White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack illustrates what white privilege is. Although people are saying that there is something called the "minority privilege" as well. 

As a member of the minority, I believe that it is good to be aware of our privileges and to make sure to use our privilege to help others but a message that segregates other individuals based on their race, sex, gender, and physical attributes is counter-productive.

I love Canada and how multi-cultural it is. However, I believe that everyone of us have a tendency to be racist, except we don't say it out loud for fear of being labeled "racist". Attacks on white people, saying they have everything they have because they are white is wrong. Although studies have shown that just being white will make you healthier than compared to coloured counterparts with the same annual income.

My point is, there is no point trying to bash groups or individuals in an effort to make an awareness that there is inequality in our society. Arguing the white privilege versus the minority privilege is pointless. There will always be inequality. There will always be someone that is smarter than us, more fit than us, more attractive than us, more wealthy than us, more people who have it better than us. We can't always cry out foul and scream "inequality". 

As a member of a minority, all I can do is work my ass off to become the person I want to be without holding a grudge on other people who has it better than me. Even I have some privilege, I am from a middle income family who lives in a first world country. Should I feel bad for my fortune because there are people living in poverty in war-stricken countries? It is not my fault that I am in this position, but I am able to be in a position to help others.

But then again, you have to help in a way to make other people independent. You can't just give people hand-offs, they have to work for it. Providing people money to buy necessities is a short-term fix. Instead, we should invest in businesses to provide these individuals with jobs so that they can have a life. 

Having some privileges is not something to be ashamed off, it's something to be proud of.




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Image taken from ninapaley.com
This is just my opinion

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

A Visit By My Daddy

It was a night shift during my preceptorship when my Daddy visited me in my dreams. I was on my break, sleeping peacefully, obviously in lala land when I started dreaming about my dad. There he was, driving us somewhere in a Mercedez GLK with missing front tires. Despite the odd combination of a luxury SUV and the missing tires, it was life as usual. It was a good dream as it felt like he was just there, just like any other normal day.

I don't know if dreams do have meaning, but any dream that has my dad in it and my family as a whole is welcomed. It was devastating how he died and we were left unprepared, dazed, and in shock. When he passed away, it was just like a terrible nightmare because it just felt so unreal. But unlike my wonderful dream of my dad driving my family and I in that Benz, there was no waking up from hearing the doctor say that they did their best and that he has passed away.

I sometimes blame myself for his death for being incompetent at being a nurse as I failed to recognize the signs of an anaphylactic reaction when it was just right in front of my eyes. But how could I expect to know that things would end that way when my dad was never allergic to anything?

It was a tragic night and a mind blowing reminder that life altering events could happen anytime.

If I must identify the silver lining to this story, I would have to say that this event in my life has made me more bolder and less hesitant in making choices in my life. I could die at any moment so I choose to do things that will make me happy. They may not be the best choices in the long term, but these are the choices that I have made so that I won't lay on my death bed saying, "I should have done that...".


Wednesday, July 31, 2013

4 Factors To Consider Before Becoming A Sperm Donor

Donating sperm is an important decision. There are several reasons a male might decide to donate sperm.  Perhaps you need extra money or know someone who is having trouble becoming pregnant. Whatever your reasons may be, it is important to consider all aspects of this decision before your donation.  This article will discuss four factors to consider before becoming a sperm donor.  Read below to educate yourself on the process and what you should think about and prepare for before you decide to donate your sperm.

Anonymity

You need to determine if you are going to donate your sperm anonymously, or not.  When deciding this, ask yourself if you are prepared to be the biological father of a child or children who might want to meet you one day.  That could be the case if you decide not to donate anonymously.  If you do decide to remain anonymous, ask yourself that question in another way. Are you ready to be the father of a child or children whom you will never meet?  Are you okay with knowing that there will be children who will never know their biological father? There are emotional factors to consider if you have not already.  While there is not right or wrong answer to these questions, you need to decide what your personal opinions and beliefs are based on the questions.  Be sure you have really considered what you are doing before you follow through with your donation.

Long Term Effects

As stated above, regardless of whether or not you decide to donate anonymously or not, there could be long term emotional effects that you have not considered.  Also, if you are donating your sperm to someone you know who is having difficulty becoming pregnant, consider the effects it might have on your relationship down the road? Does this person expect you to play a role as a parent? Will they change their mind down the road? Would you like to play a major parenting role in the child’s life?  Be sure you speak honestly and openly with the individual for whom you are donating, and consider drawing up a legal agreement to protect your rights.

Prepare for testing

Before donating sperm, you will be required to receive a number of health related tests to insure you are free from any diseases or health issues.  An extensive background check and health check will be conducted, as the person receiving your donation will want to know as much information as possible about the sperm they are receiving. Are you prepared or such tests? Do you have the time and are you will to put in the effort and be %100 honest on the questionnaires? Remember that you are creating a life that can be affected by any health issues you might have and it is important for the child and the parents to know the father’s health history.

Do your research

When you make the decision to donate sperm, be sure to do your research on the clinic you decide to use.  Research reviews and insure the clinic is up to code and a healthy place to donate.  Insure their equipment and facilities are sterile, and the legalities are in order.  Your health and personal protection are important.

About the Author

Tess Young is a writer for a health blog. She suggests finding more information on how to become a sperm donor at California Cryobank.


Wednesday, July 24, 2013

How to gain certification as a nursing assistant




Photo credits to http://www.flickr.com/photos/thecollegenetwork/3968884561          
             
Finding a new career path is never an easy task, especially if you are unsure of where your true interests lie. At the same time, many people are going to be looking for something that can provide them with steady work and give them a number of different options when it comes to career advancement. For those who want to enter the medical field, becoming a CNA is probably one of the most logical steps. CNA stands for certified nursing assistant. As a nursing assistant, you are going to be working in a number of different places. Some CNAs will work in hospitals while others are going to help out when it comes to patients living at home, in assisted care facilities and in hospices. Before you decide to go for a job like this, you are going to have to make sure that you find somewhere that can give you the proper qualification.

Funding

If you are interested in CNA training, then you will need to make sure that you are able to fund your studies. You will need to have a look at courses and find out how much they cost. You also need to determine how long a course like this is going to last so that you will be able to plan things out for the future. Most CNA courses are going to last about a month full-time, although there are a lot of places that will give you a much more flexible option. This is going to mean that you will be studying for longer, but it is often easier to juggle with work.

Teaching Centers

There are different places that you can go in order to receive your CNA. A lot of people are going to go to a community college. Before you do this, you need to take a look at the courses that are actually offered by your community colleges. You may need to look farther afield if you cannot find what you are looking for nearby. Thankfully, there are different options as well. You can also look online in order to find better nursing certifications to suit your particular learning needs.

Time

For many people, time is going to be a huge issue and therefore it is necessary to find a course that suits you. While you are in school, it is important to make sure you have enough time to devote to your classes. You may have to attend class part time to be able to care for your family or to work. You can of course do the course full time and get a part time job, but a lot of people are going to try and get a part-time course that will serve them better with full time work.


Author Bio:
Michelle Patterson has written several career-related articles for various websites for more than seven years. She has worked as an Administrative Assistant for more than 15 years. For more information on CNA training, she recommends visiting cnacertification-training.com


Tuesday, July 23, 2013

4 Common Errors of Pharmacy Technician


Pharmacists’ jobs are very important to the medical industry. Although it might seem they just fill prescriptions, there are a number of other important duties they handle that pertain to the health of patients. Because of this, they are required to go through some comprehensive training prior to getting started in the field. However, pharmacy errors cannot always be avoided simply because the tech went through this extensive training. Lives are put at risk when a pharmacist makes an error, and there can be some serious consequences suffered. One particular form of medical malpractice is pharmaceutical error and is completely inexcusable and totally hazardous. Below are 4 common errors that these pharmacy technicians have been known to make.

1. Not Enough Pharmacy Regulation Knowledge

When you take a look at various board of pharmacy sites, each one will state that the responsibility of the pharmacy technician is to know and understand all pharmacy board regulations and for good reason, they are responsible for distributing the medication that can have life altering effects if used incorrectly. These regulations involve everything from what their job entails to the requirements they need to meet, all states are different and will have their own regulations.

2. Reading Prescriptions Improperly

It is not new knowledge that the handwriting of doctors is poor. A prescription can easily be misread and filled incorrectly or a wrong dose provided due to poor handwriting. A person's life can also be endangered by the negligence of putting medication in the wrong bottles. Being given the wrong medication can lead to death, particularly if the patient is allergic to the medication provided.

3. Improper Abbreviation Knowledge

Another common reason that pharmacy error happens is due to not knowing the proper abbreviations. Either a doctor or pharmacist will use abbreviations to write out specific drugs and doses, during the prescription writing process. Because of discrepancies in handwriting, often abbreviations are mistaken for others. For instance, the abbreviation "U" used for "units" can often be thought of as a zero, if the handwriting is illegible. This has a severe effect on the amount of medicine a patient receives, which is a huge risk for injury or death.

4. Mixing up Prescription Pills

During a prescription filling, the pharmacist is responsible for filling it correctly. Depending on the medication that is being prescribed, proper prescription filling could mean mixing up the right kind and amount of ingredients in the pill being made or filling the bottle up with the correct type of pills. Unfortunately, prescriptions are not always filled properly by pharmacists. As this occurs, it is the patient who suffers.

Pharmacies are very hectic places. Days like Mondays and Fridays along with the first and last day of each month, and before and after holidays are considered high traffic days and would likely be the days where most errors could possibly happen. You have to remember that even with extensive training, pharmacists are human too and there is still room for error there. Always check your prescriptions before taking them and educate yourself on your prescription and what the pills should look like prior to taking them.

Author Bio:
Tess Young has been a freelance writer for over 3 years and has experience writing about the pharmaceutical industry.  For more information on reputable pharmacy companies and technicians, she recommends visiting Northwest Pharmacy.




Tuesday, July 9, 2013

A Registered Nurse's Worth

In Alberta, Canada, several Registered Nurse positions and Licensed Practical Nurse positions are being cut and replaced with health care aides. In the past, there was always the RN vs LPN debate as LPNs are cheaper to hire than RNs but RNs had a more broader knowledge and have better critical thinking skills as RNs have a 4 year baccalaureate degree as compared to an LPN who has a 2 year diploma. Again LPNs are very competent professionals and are able to do most of the skills and roles of an RN, but
"RN care is more necessary when a patient’s health care needs are complex, acute and unpredictable. Adding more RNs to the acute-care hospital workforce can help save thousands of lives a year" (expertcaring.ca).
There has been studies to prove that care provided by an RN shortens hospital stays, improve health outcomes, and actually helps the province save money. Although it is perfectly acceptable to have a good staffing mix with RNs and LPNs because let's face it, we don't have enough money to staff hospital units with all RNs. But to totally replace RNs and LPNs with health care aides with only a 6-month certificate is plain reckless. I do not know what made our health care officials even think of doing such a thing. Sure there is a budget deficit of $2 billion, but sacrificing the health and safety of Albertans is unacceptable. It has been reported that Alberta has $100-plus million in surplus, but they still decided to cut-back on essential front line staff and services.

I only hope that this decision doesn't have a long-term and permanent negative outcome for Albertans. I feel powerless as things unfold, but all I can do is grit my teeth and hope for the best.


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Resources:

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Promoting English as a Second Language and its Importance

English is a language that is widely used in many areas of the world primarily because of the influence the United States has. Whether it is economical or practical, many will practice English in other countries in order to conduct business with Americans. In the states, promoting English as a Second Language will have the same effect on those who have migrated to North America. Although we may have translators available in order to help other nationalities communicate with others inside the U.S., there are times where a translator is not available. For a person to be completely independent and successful in any country, he or she needs to learn the native language.

1. Employment - Although many immigrants are able to find employment as the employer has a translator or can speak the language themselves, it is still vital to learn the native language to eliminate confusion. One should never aspire to be the bottom rung on the ladder and failure to communicate with potential employers or supervisors could keep a foot solidly adhered to that rung.

2. Social Relationships - Enjoying the company of others doesn't have to be restricted to those who speak the same language. There is a great deal of potential relationships that could alter one's life for the better if they only knew how to communicate with them. Instead of being isolated from interacting with the majority of the people in any given location, learning to speak the language could put a person in the middle of the festivities.

3. Economical Communication - Instead of limiting choices of shopping to those places that speak your language, wouldn't it be nice to have the ability to visit other retail sites? Better deals that could save you money, better selections, and more could be a strong point in learning the native language.

Ordering food at restaurants could be a chore that results in ordering the wrong food. If communication isn't possible, one could spend his or her days isolated at home without experiencing fine foods. It's all about understanding information about a specific product and knowing if it's what you want.

4. Entertainment - Although you could rely on subtext and translations in movies, you could lose something in the context. Music, arts, and more rely heavily on the ability to communicate to a spectator and being without the knowledge of the native language could leave you without the inspiration that could come from the entertainment.

Regardless of what method is used to promote English as a Second Language, it is a necessity in order to fully communicate the needs and wants of a person. Foreign individuals need to understand how vital learning the native tongue of a country is. Without communication, an experience by a foreign individual could be less than ideal.

Author Bio:
Paul Taylor started www.babysittingjobs.com which offers an aggregated look at those sites to help families find sitters and to help sitters find families easier than ever. He loves writing, with the help of her wife he has contributed quality articles for different blogs & websites.