I found this article on www.change.org in the global health section. I think it is a brilliant reflection on what we can learn from the business world in addressing global health issues. Check it out:

http://globalhealth.change.org/blog/view/coca-cola_and_public_health

Edgewood Nurses in Guatemala 2009

Yes, they are going back. For all of you who enjoyed the blog last year (a year ago already, can you believe it!) a new crop of Edgewood students are soon headed back to Guatemala to continue the tradition. You can follow their journey at http://enfermeriaguatemala2009.blogspot.com/. A friend and co-worker of mine is taking charge of the blog for this year's trip, and I can't wait to read what they experience. Vayan bien.

New Report Out

There are two new reports out on the status of the Millennium Development Goal the UN set to reduce by 2/3 the number of children dying before their fifth birthday by the year 2015. So many of these deaths are preventable, and revolve around access to clean water and sanitation. For more information check out the report from Water Aid at http://www.wateraidamerica.org/includes/documents/cm_docs/2009/f/fatal_neglect_wateraid_america.pdf (please cut and paste in your web browser if this doesn't link does not work). And be sure to check out the rest of the site at www.wateraidamerica.org.

"The aid system is not responding to the causes of child mortality in a targeted
manner. The Millennium Development Goal to reduce by two-thirds the number
of children dying before their fifth birthday by 2015 (MDG 4) is seriously offtrack.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, on current trends, it will not be met until 2064."
--from the Water Aid report Fatal Neglect: How Health Systems Are Failing to Comprehensively Address Child Mortality.

More on Water, this from UNICEF

Another Cool Water Video

Neat video for a charity org that builds wells and trains well drillers around the world. I am still all about the water and hand washing.

Today I officially became Nathan RN!

Finally!!!

It has been well over a month since I last posted, and many, many things have happened. I have now officially graduated from Edgewood, although the diploma still has not arrived so I still have an empty diploma cover. I have a job working as a nurse in the ICU here in town. I was working there as a nursing assistant, and am now trying to make the transition to nurse in the same unit. Fortunately all of the nurses I work with have been very supportive, and I have a great preceptor, so I think the transition is going fairly smoothly.

I did finally get my temporary license from the state, so I am a nurse, I do still have to pass my boards, and then I can call myself an RN, and I am very much looking forward to that. There are days that I still can't believe that I am now working as a nurse. I get to take care of people, work in scrubs (which is practically like working in pijamas), and walk around with a stethoscope around my neck. How cool is that.