Spring has sprung and spring break is knocking on our front doors... really breaking the door down. We are all ready for our upcoming ten days of freedom.

This term is half-way through. It's notorious (and now I understand why) for the intense work load with pathophysiology, pharmacology, OB and Psychiatric Nursing rotations. I just finished my Psych rotation and will begin OB after the break. The experience in the psychiatric unit was tremendous. My clinical instructor's contribution to our learning was priceless, and the interaction with patients was humbling. Each day I left the unit with a broader sense of what happiness, joy, and suffering means to different people.

Here are some of my favorite snippets of information from pharmacology and pathophysiology flashcard* land:

1. The length of the human kidney is comparable to the length of a business card.

2. Tuberculosis may be in any part of the human body, not just the lungs.

3. Periwinkle isn't just the pretty little flower- It is also used therapeutically in medicine as a pain reliever.

* Flashcards make the difference when studying for tests...A very effective technique for memorizing different medications.

What I've learned from fellow students:

1. After fleeing countries of origin during civil wars, taking tests in the university setting really isn't a big deal. What a valuable perspective to keep in mind when it seems that the world is ending after a bad test!

2. Balancing family and school is a challenge. When I think about how busy I am with school, I remember my peers who take  care of their children, husbands, or wives as well. My perspective on "busy" changes. One of the nurses on my psych unit mentioned how she raised her two teenagers while getting through nursing school. She would sit in her car to study.  

3. I can travel around the world just by listening to classmate's stories from their international experiences. The greatest lessons that I've learned during this program actually come from my fellow students. From years of travel, teaching, and learning in different parts of the world, they bring to this program unique perspectives on how to live life in a manner that respects their happiness and health.