Before I continue, MAPP stands for Methodist Advanced Placement Program. Houston Methodist hired 20 people this summer to learn from the very best in nursing. We not only learned and enhanced our skills, we found ourselves during those long 12 hour shifts, more so than we could ever have imagined. It requires quite a bit of mental toughness to be a nurse, and we experienced a form of that mental drainage first hand. In the end, I watched anxious individuals transform into kind and confident nurses.
Now, it's not all work and no play. We have to have help getting through those shifts, and hearing about our different newbie mistakes could only provide for so much relief. Indeed, we're still only 20-something year olds, so naturally we loved nothing more than to crack open a beer or pour a glass of that delicious 12 dollar sangria while talking, or possibly gossiping, about life in general. And boy did these girls, and GUY, do just that. The students that joined me this summer came from all over the country, and we were thrown under one huge roof called the Wyndham Hotel and asked to get to know each other. Student nurses from Jersey, Seattle, Iowa, Illinois, Cincinnati, Chicago, Florida, and many other different places took in that breath of hot air when their plane touched down in H-town, embraced the humidity, and began their journey.
Destination: MED CENTER.
It isn't what CAN I say about this summer and the individuals, but rather, what CAN'T I say? There is so much! Our endeavors this summer were numerous with each one being worthwhile in their own special way. Their eagerness to explore this part of the region could not be contained, and I wanted nothing more than to show them all the Lone Star State had to offer. Chicago managed to keep everyone laughing with her accent and nonchalant demeanor. (That nonchalantness quickly faded once you got her near my dog. Haha.) Jersey never failed to put a smile on our faces even after a long day of feet screaming pain. She always new the perfect thing to say no matter what the circumstance. Iowa's sarcasm kept us on our toes as well as her story telling abilities. I also enjoyed how she was my dummy when I wanted to practice my hair styling skills! Seattle, one of the most kind-hearted people you'll ever meet, managed to cook us what seemed like 5 course dinners even after a long day saving lives in the ED. The two country girls from Purdue each had an infectious laugh that I don't think I'll ever forget. Cincinnati and our Florida girl provided wonderful stories about their unit which made me feel less stressed about mine. And we can't forget about our one "handsome, southern gentleman" from Sweeny, Texas. He can write almost anything and make it sound like a million bucks. The group of us spent most of our time in room 701. 701 proved to accommodate more than just the 3 person living limit. In fact, we all became honorary roommates. Basically, that room was the bomb diggity.
Whether we were driving to San Antonio with Seattle and Jersey sleeping the entire way, or partying on 6th street actually reliving the "Hangover-we lost Doug senario," I never experienced a dull moment. The heat would not stop us from stuffing our faces time and time again at what seemed like countless Mexican restaurants, and I believe the traffic here gave them all a headache. But I think they enjoyed it, or at least I hope they did. It's interesting thinking about what I thought was going to happen this summer and what actually unfolded. Lifelong friendships were most certainly formed.
So #summerMAPP2014, thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet and really get to know all you beautiful people. Thank you for dealing with my spastic driving skills. Thank you for putting up with my random music selection. Thank you for allowing me to be your tour guide. Thank you for helping me turn 9 long weeks of hospital work into a little work and a lot of play. Thank you for making this THE BEST SUMMER OF MY LIFE. (Okay, I couldn't help it).
Y'all take care now ya hear! Yehaw
Sincerely,
Texas