the big V debate.

I am pro-vaccine.


If you do not want to hear my opinions about this topic-- MOVE ON. Those unable to be open minded about this topic have no place here.

That being said, I have tried to see the other side of the conversation. Those who do not wish to use vaccines on themselves or their children. A close family member of mine has decided to not vaccinate her first child. I did not question her or ask why. But I do wonder why. We both work in the medical field as registered nurses. But I do not know what it is like to have my own child, or what it feels like to make decisions that will affect a life that is not my own-- a life that depends on the decisions I make for them early on.

The idea of not vaccinating my own kids never crossed my mind.
Then I hear that there is a measles outbreak that started in Disneyland.
I was in disbelief. I could not believe that vaccinations had become such a debate.

On my bus ride to work, the bus route makes its way through the University of Washington. On campus, there are new banners that read "WE>ME". We is greater than me. The community as a whole is more important than my life alone-- this is how I interpret it. For example, if there was a plane crash and the only way to survive was to take a raft and somehow find land. The problem is there are only 10 spaces on the raft but 12 people left. Who will those 2 people be? Who is willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the other 10.

What surprises me the most is that those who are anti-vaccine are the most affluent among the communities. Their counterparts of lower socioeconomic status have a higher rate of vaccinations. How does this happen? Back in 2000, measles had been eradicated from the country thanks to vaccinations. ERADICATED. But now it is back, and it seems to be back with a vengeance.

The craziest thing is if the unvaccinated become sick with whatever ails them, they will seek medical attention. Medical attention that may require hospitalization. A hospitalization that could have possibly been prevented by a vaccine? Which is the greater evil? We as a community really ought to focus more on primary prevention.

I do not think I can talk about this topic anymore. It hurts me to think that there are kids dying in other countries from a disease that should not exist (Measles is only transmitted through humans. We are the problem!!!). Parents who choose anti-vaccine due to "personal beliefs". Parents in other countries who will walk miles to ensure their child's health because they have seen how fast measles can kill because with their country still developing, what are the chances of their child surviving with the lack of appropriate healthcare?


WE>ME

I realize that I may be watching too much of The Mindy Project. Today, Dennis pointed out that I was waving my finger in the air as I tried to make an argument about the life of nurses. Many people think being a nurse is glamorous. It's not. As a nurse, I am not trying to say that I dislike my job, because I do. But it can definitely be trying at times. Just like any other job it has its ups and downs but one thing for sure is that it is not glamorous. I want to clarify some common misconceptions. I do not get paid a lot of money. I do not know what people mean by "a lot of money" but when I tell people I am a nurse they automatically say, "Oh you must be rich then." WRONG. I am married to a nurse. We do not have any children or properties that can give us tax breaks. I make enough money that I find myself in a higher tax bracket and as a result, more money to the government. I am not just on the computer to be on the computer. I am actually doing work. A majority of my work is done on the computer. If I am not in your room, completing the tasks needed to be done throughout the shift, I am on the computer documenting said tasks. You may have heard nurses talk about charting and how they have to catch up on it. Story of my life. And don't even get me started when I am almost done with charting and somehow your computer shuts down. My line of work is not sad. There are many types of a nursing you can go into but I chose Pediatric Intensive Care. Whenever I share this information with strangers I feel like I gave them horrible news. Their faces get long and I hear "That must be really hard" or "Doesn't that make you sad?". It definitely takes a certain person to work in an intensive care. It can be incredibly stressful and more often than not, I go home worrying about things I may have missed. BUT, there is so much more good than bad. The kids persevere and they are such fighters. Nothing is more rewarding seeing a child being transferred to the more stable unit after needing such a high level of care. Go thank a nurse. Maybe hug a nurse. Show your appreciation.