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marcoujor: There's Something About Alice

7/17/2016

24 Comments

 
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​Coming Full Circle

By teaching nursing students, I have met some remarkable women and men. I had no idea I would be reacquainted with someone who touched my life in my college days in the early 1980s. I also had no idea that today this inspirational lady would be one of my very best friends, Alice Brogan, MSN, RN.


About Alice

​Mom always told me 'what goes around comes around'. With Alice, that was a good thing! Mom didn't always mean it quite like that!

Alice must have thought I was a 19 year old mess when she was my nursing instructor. I was only certain of one thing. I wanted to be a psychiatric nurse.

I never forgot Alice in the 33 years that I have been a nurse. She is unforgettable. As my Community Nursing Instructor in my B.S.N. program, she gave me permission to be myself, focusing on the specialty that I feel passionate about to this very day. She told me I would know if I needed a prescribed amount of medical - surgical experience.

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​How wonderful that my first position after graduation was in a busy Admissions Unit where I could combine both my psychiatric knowledge theory base with my recent medical-surgical studies. Alice taught me that if I looked hard enough I could find just what I was looking for.

Call it luck? Call it coincidence? Call it a blessing? While being interviewed at my alma mater for a position as a Nursing Instructor, Alice's name came up! It was 2004, and I had not seen her since 1982. Much had happened! I was anxious, but delighted, to be given her contact information.

I had always perseverated about her age. Alice seemed so wise, that I figured she must be about 100! After learning of our approximate ten year age difference, I am feeling rather spry at 90 years of age!

The first thing Alice did when we met was apologize. She'd prayed so hard for me, when I most needed it, in 1999. However, this had also been a rough personal time for her.

Today, our friendship and gabby lunches (lights flashing, time to leave, ladies) are treasures to me. I pick her brain, still and shamelessly. I will always love and respect her as my mentor and role model as a nurse and a teacher.

The following is an email Alice recently shared with me.  I can see her sharing this with her students - with her beautiful smile and reminding them of the importance of communication with your patients and confidentiality.

​A sweet  grandmother telephoned  St. Joseph 's Hospital. She  timidly asked,
"Is it possible to  speak to someone who can tell me how a patient is  doing?"

The operator  said, "I'll be glad to  help, dear. What's the name and room number
of the  patient?"

The grandmother in  her weak, tremulous voice said, "Norma Findlay, Room  302."

The operator  replied, "Let me put you on  hold while I check with the nurse's station for that room."

After a few minutes,  the operator returned to the phone and  said, "I have good news.  Her nurse just told me that Norma is doing well. Her blood pressure is fine;  her blood work just came back normal and  her physician, Dr. Cohen,  has scheduled her to be discharged  tomorrow."

The grandmother  said, "Thank you. That's  wonderful. I was so worried. God bless you for the  good news."

The operator  replied, "You're more than  welcome. Is Norma your daughter?"

The grandmother said,  "No, I'm Norma Findlay in Room 302. No one tells me anything!"
​I thought today was a wonderful day to share my inspirational and funny friend with you - as Alice celebrates her wedding anniversary with Jim.  Wishing you both a day filled with love, peace, smiles and music, and hoping you enjoy this Josh Groban song and video.

Until next month, sending peace and hugs,

mar
24 Comments
paula jamison link
7/17/2016 01:59:34 pm

Maria.....Laughing hard from the joke!! So true. I'm commenting especially to TEST~~~will this get delivered to you?? Pls, let me know!

Reply
Maria link
7/17/2016 07:03:06 pm

Mission accomplished, dear Paula - glad I gave you the giggles with this today.

Love ya and thanks, Maria

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Mike link
7/17/2016 03:20:52 pm

Hello mar - This was a smile maker for sure. Good to know that your mentor is well and you each appreciate each other.

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Maria link
7/17/2016 07:04:32 pm

Ah, making smiles...one of my favorite hobbies... :)

Hope you are having a great Sunday, dear Mike.

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Martie link
7/17/2016 03:24:27 pm

Thanks for a much needed laugh, Maria!

Happy anniversary Alice and Jim!

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Maria link
7/17/2016 07:05:54 pm

Thanks, you sweet thang... Hope your weekend has been restful and rejuvenating.

Love you much, mar

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Peg Cole link
7/17/2016 05:27:12 pm

How true Norma's story is! It's nearly impossible to get information from the staff at times with all the regulations and fears. I admire her innovative way to find out details on the patient's condition. Smart ladies, both of you.

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Maria link
7/17/2016 07:09:24 pm

Dear Peg,
I know you can relate to this with the loving supervision you give 'Mom' and Aunt Louise.
This may be the thing I love most about you, SFAM...
Love you all and hugs to the girls, Maria

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theresa
7/18/2016 05:46:03 am

Dear Maria,

Thank you for sharing about your wonderful mentor and friend, Alice. How thrilling you were reunited after such a long period of time!

Hahaha boy, that Norma is a clever one. I'll have to remember that one.

Hope you have a wonderful week ahead.

Love, Theresa

Reply
Maria link
7/20/2016 09:14:45 am

Dear Theresa,

I'm hoping that you remember Norma but never have to resort to those tactics to get information about yourself from an operator who does not understand confidentiality... :(

And it was indeed a thrill to be reunited with dear Alice - you two would love each other, I'm quite sure.

Love you and hope you are having a peaceful week, Maria

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William Holland
7/18/2016 10:01:10 am

What a lovely tribute for a lovely human being.....I can now begin my Monday with a smile on my face.

love,
bill

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Maria link
7/20/2016 09:11:21 am

Aw, thanks, Bill... how wonderful to see you. Love, Maria

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Gail Sobotkin
7/18/2016 01:03:27 pm

What a beautiful tribute to an inspirational teacher. I loved the example you gave regarding the phone call by an elderly woman.
I'm so grateful you have this wonderful, supportive mentor and friend in your life and I'm sure it's no accident you reconnected years after your graduation.
Happy Anniversary to Alice and Jim.
Sending Blessings and Hugs,
Gail

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Maria link
7/20/2016 09:17:37 am

Thanks for this beautiful comment, dear Gail...I so agree that Alice's presence in my life today is no accident.

I'm grateful you are both in my world. Love and hugs to you, Maria

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Sannel link
7/18/2016 03:33:09 pm

Dear Maria,

Just like Josh Groban with his beautiful voice sing "There's so much to be thankful for." I'm thankful for having friends as beautiful and supporting as you in my life. I'm also very thankful to have had this wonderful read about your reconnection after all these years with your mentor and dear friend, Alice. What a sweet blessing!
Love the hilarious story about the very ingenious Norma Findlay. So funny and very, very clever! :)
Wishing Happy Anniversary to Alice and Jim!
My love and big hugs to you,
Sannel

Reply
Maria link
7/20/2016 09:22:15 am

Dear Sannel,

Josh Groban's song has a way of making me stop in my tracks...and I'm so pleased it touched you as well.

Love you and thanks to YOU for being such a beautiful spot in my world...Hugs to Freddie too, Maria

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R link
7/19/2016 06:11:38 pm

This made me laugh out loud. What a clever way to find out how you're doing in the hospital. Your friend Alice appears special. Thanks for sharing...

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Maria link
7/20/2016 09:30:25 am

And thank you for stopping by, R... you are right that Alice is special. Have a great day!

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Gerry
7/20/2016 09:17:49 am

One thing I knew after psych rotation is that I did NOT want to be a psych nurse. Yet Alice's lessons stuck, and I used those lessons on the floor when NSH patients would be admitted for med/ surg care. Those lessons followed me when I would need to advocate for my children IEP/504 plans and subsequent care. I turned in to a psych nurse after all, thank you Alice ( though you are the star student!)

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Maria link
7/20/2016 09:27:31 am

Oh Gerry, I am going to be sure that Alice sees this - it will make her smile from the inside out...

You have captured so beautifully what I tell all my students (when they have those 'eyes of terror') in the psych units:

"We are ALL psychiatric nurses...if we are holistic and tune into the patient's biopsychosocial needs...no matter where we work (including our loved ones)."

You are one of the best...thanks for the visit!

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femmeflashpoint link
7/30/2016 06:47:24 pm

Prof. Mahreer,

Thank you for the beautiful post that brought up some fav memories. As well, all my best to you and Alice. May you be blessed with many more years of fun outings with each other. 🌌

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Maria link
8/3/2016 09:18:56 am

Thanks for stopping by and also for sharing on your recent post, dear femme - looking forward to checking that out soon.

You and Ali would greatly enjoy each other's company, I'm sure.

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Shauna
8/8/2016 01:01:46 pm

How fortunate for you to have Alice back in your life after so many years! I love the email she shared with you. Norma Findley is one resourceful woman and has a sense of humor to boot!

Reply
Maria link
8/10/2016 03:33:31 pm

Hi Sha,

Funny Ali and I are setting up a lunch date as I write a response to your sweet comment. And yes, she is a gift in my life - just as you are.

Love you and thanks for visiting with your busy schedule, mar

Reply



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    marcoujor

    Something awaits us all.

    Know your possibilities.

    There is inspiration all around us--in those people and situations we encounter along life's way.

    Share your wonder with me as well.

    I treasure your comments.

    mar


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    • Kylie's Stories
    • Other books by Maria Jordan >
      • Mysterious & Miraculous Book I - News and Reviews
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    • marcoujor on Hubpages
  • I Recommend...
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