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June 7, 2019

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June 7, 2019

            After having three days in the Cherokee Health Care System, the most critical issue that this culture encounters are that these individuals live in poverty and have a higher incidence rate of drug and alcohol addictions.  I have come across individuals today that were reaching out to to get help, after they have been in multiple overdoses, domestic violence cases, and losing their families related to these cases that have happened in the past.  They believe that there is hope and getting clean of drugs and alcohol.  The Cherokee individuals that have gone through these domestic violence cases have been victims of domestically violated themselves when they were younger or seeing their family members violated.  Which has caused them to 'numb' their pain with the opioids, drugs, and alcohol to get away from the pain.  They then find themselves addicted to the drugs/alcohol and continue using them daily, which has led them to jails or prisons.  As these individuals are wanting to get help after using for many years, it can mean a lot to them and their family members because these individuals may have children that their parents or grandparents are caring for.  When caring for a patient who has overdosed due to drugs and opioids, the nurses should be able to care for them just like they are their family members and not judge them for what they have done.  Every one makes mistakes.  Nurses should be able to help their patients get on the right foot and help them find the help that they need to make the right decisions after making the wrong ones.  In my opinion and after my observation, I have found that the people of Cherokee are the center of the health care system, which I love.  I love that these individuals get a say in their healthcare and how they would like to be cared for.  This healthcare system is amazing and so holistic.  We learn about a holistic healthcare in nursing school, but we don't get to see a holistic healthcare, until we got to see the Cherokee Indian Hospital.  I have loved this experience so much and I could see myself working here in Cherokee!!!


Comments

  1. Nursing Instructor LGJune 11, 2019 at 6:26 PM

    If you do end up coming here in the future, I hope to visit! This has been a great opportunity to take in, so glad you were part of it!

    ReplyDelete

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