Last Day in Cherokee

    I can honestly say that I have never been in such a welcoming or generous clinical environment. I’ve had some wonderful nurses through clinical at Methodist, but I received warmth not only from the nurses, but the entire treatment team. From the moment we stepped on the floor, we were invited to ask questions to the entire treatment team. Physicians and nurses sought us out to give us excellent clinical opportunities. Our contact staff, Kayla and Victoria, took time outside of their work days to meet with us to teach us about the Cherokee culture and the wider population of Swain county and Jackson. Through our experience at the Museum with Jerry Wolfe, to our time in the Village, so many people have taken the time to teach us about their culture. On our last clinical day, as a surprise, we were taken to Kituwa. The staff shared that Kituwa is the place the Cherokee believe they were first placed upon the earth. I am honored that they shared this special place with our group. Victoria also gave our clinical group the beautiful gift of a hand-beaded lanyard.

            Our role this week was observation, but we did get the opportunity to contribute by collecting clothing and donations for children in the foster care system and hospital in general. Victoria informed us that when children come into the emergency room, it is so important for them to have a security item, something for them to hold onto for their mental and emotional health. Because of generous donations from those at Methodist college, churches, and families we get to help support the work Cherokee is doing to support the health of these children.

            One way I think this culture will continue to get healthier is by being in control of their own healthcare. Victoria shared with us that Native American healthcare was run by the U.S. government, but it is now in control of the Cherokee. The community here knows their health problems, and how to address them in a way that aligns with their cultural beliefs. The Cherokee have also implemented programs to maintain their cultural heritage such as teaching their language and culture’s history to their children in schools. Resources in the community such as the Museum, Village, Unto These Hill’s production, and festivals are some of the ways I saw them teaching about their culture. When we visited the Village, many of the staff preforming traditional dances were young-adults. I thought it was great that a younger generation was involved. It is important that the Cherokee are able to pass their heritage on to the next generation because for so long, there were not allowed to speak their language or practice their cultures in the boarding schools.

            Something I did this week out of my comfort zone was attend a Healing Touch class led by a nurse at the hospital. This is something I would not have considered trying. I am glad that I was exposed to this practice. It is something I had heard that nurses could be certified in before, and it is a complementary therapy nurses may utilize in different healthcare settings. While here, I also went white water rafting, which I never thought I would try. I’m glad I had such a fun and supportive group through all of this week’s experiences.

            Something that impacted me this week was observing the interdisciplinary teamwork at Cherokee. I have never seen staff work together in such a respectful manner. I loved the interdisciplinary rounding and would like to see this implemented in more hospital systems at home. I also enjoyed seeing the NUKA model of care implemented. Cherokee does a good job at looking at a person holistically: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. This week, the following example was given: Rather than just focusing on tertiary health promotion, such as treating the symptoms of type 2 diabetes and education on how to manage their condition, look at the mental side. What stressors are in their life? What unhealthy coping mechanisms are in place that could have led to the development of this condition? Start by addressing the mental health, and the physical health management is more likely to follow.

            This is the best course I have ever taken. I have learned so much about the dynamics of how an individual’s culture affects who they are as a person and how it impacts their care. I also have grown in my pediatric assessment skills and feel more confident and equipped to recognize and respond to pediatric emergencies. This was a wonderful course.

             Most of all, I believe that the model of care being done at Cherokee Indian Hospital represent the best ideals of nursing, and healthcare overall. I am so thankful to the staff at Cherokee for their generosity, openness, desire to teach, and for making us feel like family. Thank you!