Family Blogs!

Dear Nursing School Friends,
Sara, Leslie and I were talking and were wondering if any of you have your own family blogs. If you will post your family blog then we can come and visit it. Mine is www.wirigfamily@blogspot.com. You have to be invited to view my blog, so if you are interested, e-mail me at janaewirig@gmail.com and I will send you an invite. I am excited to see everyone's blogs.

--Janae Wirig

Kate Sophia Behrmann

Reunion

Hey nursing friends,
I am sad to say that the reunion did not happen. Leslie and Sara each had conflicts with the date and we could just never get it together. Plus, no one else was able to make the trip. I would love to try to have one in Utah so that perhaps more people would be available to come. We will have to see. I am still glad that we started the Nursing Blog...it has been so much fun to get updates on everyone.

Janae

it's been a while

so. . . nobody has posted anything in quite a while. i was wondering if the reunion took place - if so, i'm sure we'd all like to see pictures!

also, i'm interested to see if anybody worked in a med/surg type of setting for a good number of years and then went to the icu? i know a few of you started there right after graduation, and i wish i had. but now i feel like i am stuck in the med/surg rut - and i'm not liking it. i would love to try something different, like icu or even er, but feel like i haven't studied that stuff in over 5 years and would be completely clueless. not like i'd be doing any changes any time soon seeing as my baby is due in 6 weeks. but still, eventually i would like some change in regards to nursing. any thoughts????

thanks!

emily maxwell

Julie (Alley) Allen

This blog is a fantastic idea - thank you for starting it! It's been so fun to see how you guys are doing.

Here's our update...After I graduated, Steve and I moved to Hawaii, where Steve finished his degree in Information Systems at BYU-H. We loved the snorkeling, the people and the beauty, but it is the only state that does NOT have a nursing shortage! I felt blessed to get a job at the Queens Medical Center on a neuro med-surg floor. We actually went on strike (yes, picket lines and all) for 2 months to fight against PTO. Didn't work! We enjoyed our Hawaii adventure and moved to Parker, CO after Steve was done. He is now an IT manager for a company that's just a 2 minute commute away. We are spoiled to have him that close - he can work from home sometimes so he can watch the kiddos for appointments or meetings I have. I work 2 shifts/week on a telemetry floor and love it! I definitley picked the right career. I love the flexibility, the way we can keep our foot in the door, come & go (as children dictate), the double time shifts, everything!

We have two little ones - Trenton, 3 1/2 and Kali, 18 months. They are so much fun and sooo BUSY. I survived age 2 and have decided 3 1/2 is my favorite age so far. I am sad I won't be able to make the reunion, but it is great to catch up with each other! Take care!

Suzanne Gee

I absolutely love this blog! It has been so fun catching up on everyone and hearing what you’re doing now. I am still in Bountiful, Utah. After graduation I worked one year on Med/Surg at Lakeview Hospital. I then transferred to the Emergency Room and have been there ever since. The ER is a great fit for me—I love it! Currently, I am working one shift a week.
My husband and I have one little girl, Ashlyn. She just turned two and boy does it show. Her energy level never ceases to amaze me. My husband graduated with his masters from the U of U three weeks ago and will be starting his new job soon. We feel so blessed to have found a great job in Salt Lake so that we did not have to move.
Sadly, I too will not be able to attend the reunion. I hope it is a blast for those that go. I would love to get together with those who are still in the Salt Lake-Provo area if any one is interested. Suzanne Gee 295-2137.

Mel Wood (Jones)

Well hello everyone! This blog absolutely rocks! How wonderful to hear from all of you!

We've had some fun adventures the last 5 years. I worked the year after graduating in Utah Valley's ICU; then when Warren graduated in 2003 and we moved to Arizona (I was never meant for snow). So I worked as a travel nurse for a few years in ICUs around the Phoenix area until finally trying the unit I always knew was for me-ER. Currently I work a few shifts a month in the ER and treat nursing as a hobby. I had the amazing experience of going to Mississippi just after Hurricane Katrina with the Red Cross and hope to use nursing for other disaster relief adventures.


Despite the remarkable resemblance, we watched our daughter be born in 2005 and took her home the next day. 7 months later her adoption was finalized and we were sealed. Maxine is now 18months and the joy of our lives. We hope to adopt again soon.
Funny story, one night I transfered a patient to med/surg in a small hospital outside Phoenix and ended up giving report to Kim Green!! I think her husband was at law school at Arizona State.
I hope the Vegas reunion is a blast, I'm a Mia Maids adviser and get to enjoy girls camp instead.
Best wishes to all of you!
-Mel Wood (Jones)

Allie Bylund Blazzard

Hello everyone! It is so good to hear from you and to see what you're up to. After graduating in 2002 I went straight into FNP school at BYU. After really graduating in 2004 (for good this time) my husband, Andy, and I moved back home to St. George. I worked at a Family Practice clinic for a few years then had our little girl, Kate, who will be two next month. I also just had a little boy, Drew, who is 7 weeks old. They are so much fun. I love being a mom.
I am currently working at a medical spa here in town, but only two days a week. Andy is working for a development company and just recently built us a new home. We are in the process of opening up another medical spa here in town, of which we are becoming partners. Life is busy! We are very blessed and grateful for our two beautiful kids. I hope you are all doing well. If you are ever in St. George, give me a call.

Melissa M.

Hey! It was great to hear about everyone's lives since nursing school. My life has been fairly uneventful. I started working in labor and delivery right after graduation and I loved it! I had the worst possible shifts, and I still loved it. All new nurses don't actually own ANY shifts believe it or not! We just picked up all of the leftovers.

Anyways, I got pregnant with Jacob about 3 months after starting there. I made great use of the ultrasound machine on our floor. I think I have an ultrasound picture from every week of pregnancy. I was REALLY curious to see if labor contractions were as bad as everyone was saying. Anyone who has had a kid will vouch for me when I say, OUCH!

Now, 4 years later, I'm still a stay at home mom. I have two kids now, Cameron and Jacob. I love being a mom. It took me a while to get into the swing of things and feel "as productive" being at home as at work. I hope to go back to work one day, and I keep up on my CEUs so I can when the time is right.

I don't think I'll make it to the reunion this year. My kids might look really innocent here, but I am lucky to make it through my weekly Wal-Mart trip without any serious meltdowns. I don't think I'm brave enough to tackle a road trip quite yet. I'm definitely up for something closer!

Josie Moore

HI All! It's been great to hear from you all! So I went to Boise and worked on a general oncology unit for a year and a half. Then I went on a mission ot Osorno chile--way down south! Lived on the Strait of Magellan for 6 months--nothing like snow in July! I've been in Salt Lake for 2 years working on a Bone Marrow Transplant unit--and loving it. I just started FNP school at BYU--should be intersting! I was in Las Vegas for an Oncology Nurisng convention--so much fun to see Leslie and Jenae and kids!

Anyway...we should definitely plan a BBQ somewhere between Salt Lake and Provo--my phone # is 801-918-3957.

Josie

p.s. Has anyone kept in touch with Laura Butler?

This is my first time doing a blog--hope it turns out--The first pic is at work (notice the BYU scrubs a the U of U hospital!)--the second is backpacking with my family in Idaho--the whole family pic didn't make it over...maybe next time!

Liz Harding

Hi everyone! It has been so great to read about everyone and where their lives are! Thanks for setting up this blog. Unfortunatly I will be unable to make the reunion. I wish I could. Here's a little update on my life. My husband Randy and I still live in Lehi. We actually live where we lived while I was in nursing school. I started working at the American Fork ER right out of school and continue working there! It's been a great place to work and now that I have two little ones I have cut down to 1-2 shifts a week. My shifts are pretty good because there from four to midnight- night shift were killing me! My husband is working as a firefighter for Lehi City. We have two little girls as pictured. We have Sydney (almost 2 years) and Paige (5 months). I love being a mommy and my world really has changed with these two girls! I have kept in close touch with Melissa McKay and she is doing well. Nicole Swain actually was my nurse when I had Paige in December- that was really fun. I would love to get together is anyone plans anything here in Prove-SLC. Let me know. Liz Harding 801-836-2017

Kristen (Hammond) DeLange

So I think this nursing blog is the coolest thing. Great idea! I love hearing where everyone lives right now and what you are up to! After nursing school, I got married and then we headed out to California for 4 years. My husband, Chris worked for an accounting firm and I worked in a Trauma ICU until that hospital closed and then I worked in a regular ICU. Great experience and loved it. While we were there, we had two little boys. Tyler, 3 and Matthew 1. They are so funny and have a ton energy. We just moved to Chicago about 9 months ago because Chris
is now getting his masters in business at the University of Chicago. We LOVE it here. The lake, the city, the school and the people here are great. His program is only two years so who knows where we will be come 2008. We need to be in a big city though for Chris' work. Anyway, I'm working at the University of Chicago hospital in their Neuro ICU. I'm working part time and it is pretty cool. However, I'm ready to go back to per diem or casual because I have to say, being a mom is way better and the night shifts are getting to me. :) Anyway, if anyone is in Chicago, let me know and we'll get together and have a party!

My little family

Reunion Invite

Here is the cute invitation that Brooke Kemp made for our Reunion. I thought it would be fun to post it on our blog!

--Janae Wirig

Olive Garden Lunch

Josie was in town for a Nursing Conference, so Leslie and I joined her for lunch at the Olive Garden. It was so fun to see her!

--Janae Wirig

Thomalee Abraham

I think someone read my mind!! I was just thinking that a nursing blog would be so fun...and here we are! It's been fun to read some updates on a few of you. Here is mine.

We are living in Campbell, California right now. It's a great area with lots to do and beautiful weather. We are about 30 minutes from the beach and an hour from San Francisco...does anyone want to visit? :) Despite the cost of living here and being far from family we are loving it! I worked for 3 years at Utah Valley on CVU (basically step down ICU for heart patients) It was fun to see some of you around the hospital for a while. We moved a little over a year and a half ago and I haven't worked since...I'm enjoying my life as a stay at home mom! So far we have one little girl Rachel who is almost 3 1/2. She is full of personality and keeps me entertained. Adam finished his masters in accounting at BYU and is working for PricewaterhouseCoopers for the time being. We still make it back to Utah every 3 or 4 months so if anyone is around we should definitely plan a Utah reunion. I wish I could make it to Vegas and hope you all have a wonderful time!

Janae Wirig

Here is my update!

After nursing school I moved back to my hometown, Las Vegas, because my husband was accepted to the UNLV School of Dental Medicine. Soon afterward, I got a job in a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit here in Vegas. It was challenging yet amazing. I worked there for three years. My husband and I have two beautiful children - Brooklynn (Age 3 1/2) and Carter (Age 2). I decided to stay home after my second baby was born. I would have to say that being a Mother has been the neatest thing I ever did!! My husband graduated from Dental School in May of 2006. He then applied to an Orthodontic Residency here at UNLV. We just finished the first year of his 2 year residency. I feel like we are forever going to be students!! Ha Ha! After he finishes his residency we will probably stay here in Vegas and he will open his own practice. So, if any of you move to Vegas and need braces for your kids...look us up! It has been so fun to hear from all of you. I hope you keep this blog updated!

Melissa Fowler

Hi to all you awesome nurses!

I was so excited to see the invite to the reunion. Thanks to the three cute ladies putting in on! I really wish that I could make it but my family and I will be moving to Tucson that weekend. What I was REALLY happy about was to have emails for all of my BYU nursing friends. I really want to know what you are all up to! Please send me an email with updates and pictures.

Here's what I've been up to:

Started out in Med-Surg at American Fork Hospital, then moved to Salt Lake and have now worked in Labor and Delivery at LDS Hospital for the past 4 years and love it.

My husband and I have 2 girls (Kami :4 1/2 and Macy: 2 1/2), pictures attached.

My husband graduates from the U's Medical School tomorrow and is doing his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Sport's Medicine). In a couple of weeks, we're moving to Tucson for his internal medicine year (1 year) and then the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN for the last three years. So we'll be moving a lot the next couple of years. (frying hot, then freezing cold). I am hoping to hook up with Kristin for some fun times in Minnesota.

I just graduated with my Masters in Nursing Education from the University of Utah (but don't worry, I still bleed blue!)

Sadly, I have hardly seen anyone since graduating. Shontel and I kept in touch for a couple of years but then lost touch. Kristi Miller and I were in our Master's programs together so I got to see her a lot. Just recently I have been reconnected with Kristin. I really want to hear about ya'll though!!

For everyone going to the reunion: Have so much fun, I wish I could be there!!! (Anyone up for a smaller reunion dinner in the Salt Lake or Provo area in the next couple weeks?)

Love to all!
Melissa (House) Fowler

Gimme a call or come by anytime you're in SLC.

919 East 500 South
SLC, UT 84102

801-712-3773

fowlerflower@gmail.com

Kristen Green

It is so great to be back in touch with all of you! Thanks for contributing to the blog and thanks to those gals who started it up!

Life has been very kind. One month after graduation Matt and I welcomed our first daughter, Allyson, into the world. Like some of you, I studied for the boards while learning to breastfeed at the same time-an adventure for sure! Allyson is now 5 and looking forward to kindergarten in the fall.

I was expecting our second daughter, Emily, when Matt finished his B.A. from BYU. She is now 3 and wants to be just like her big sis. We decided to stay on in Provo so Matt could get his Masters Degree from BYU. Also during that time our family had the awesome experience of serving in a BYU Singles Ward when Matt was called as a 2nd counselor to the Bishop. I got to teach the Marriage and Family Prep course to the engaged couples which was a hoot! Our kids were completely spoiled as the Ward set up a Primary/Nursery just for them!

We finished up Matt's degree and in August of 2006 we bought our first house when we moved "up north" to Chaska, Minnesota. We have quite enjoyed Chaska. It is a quaint little suburb of Minneapolis that holds all the gems of small town life but still allows us big city perks! Our girls are hooked on the Mall Of America! We are expecting our third child December 1st 2007.

I am a full time mom which I love! Since graduation I have worked seasonally but rely on continuing education to keep up my license. I am currently serving as Enrichment Leader in our Branch. (If anyone has had an awesome Enrichment lately send me a line!) I know that I am far away from most of you but if you are ever in the area please let me know!

561 Kassel Drive Chaska, MN 55318
952-361-6551
nursekristen@gmail.com

Emily Maxwell

well it looks like i won't be able to come to the reunion.:( hopefully we can do this again sometime and i can make it. but i'm glad you gals are doing it and hope you have fun! here is my update: After graduating from the BYU Nursing Program I got married the next day - along with Kristen DeLange (Hammond) - we didn't marry each other, though. My husband and I lived in Sugarhouse, UT for a few months and then moved out to Grand Junction, CO for my husband to get his nursing degree. We lived there for 2 1/2 years. I worked at St. Mary's Hospital on the medical/oncology unit and loved it! While there I also had my first little boy, Miles James. He is now a little over 3 and is darling handfull. After my husband, Ben, finished up with his degree, we moved out to up-state New York. We lived in a rural area and I enjoyed the frequent wildlife I would encounter on my daily runs. It was beautiful out there - with lots of snow (lots as in we had literally 3 feet of snow in our yard from January thru the end of March) and too much humidity. Ben worked in the OR at Wilson Memorial Hospital and I worked one evening shift a week at the same hospital, on the medical/oncololy floor once again. While there I had my second little boy, Jonas Ford. He is 18 months old and is just about opposite in every way to his big brother, Miles -- but shares one common trait: he, too, is a darling handfull. While in New York a great opportunity came for us to move back to Colorado. We had really liked this one area in Colorado, Montrose, and a new surgery center was opening up. They loved Ben and hired him and paid for us to move back. So we now reside in Montrose, CO and have been here for about 1 1/2 years. I work a couple of times a month at the one and only hospital here on the medical/surgical floor. I like it, but would like to venture somewhere new - like ER or ICU. I am 6 months pregnant with. . . a girl. My oldest boy, Miles, cried and cried when I told him I was having a girl. His reason: "I don't like girls." We'll see how things go. . .I had such a fantastic experience in the BYU nursing program and made such wonderful friends. I hope to see you all again sometime soon! Please feel free to email me (emilykiana@gmail.com) or to check out myblog: emandboys.blogspot.com.

~emily kiana maxwell (galbraith)

Amy Watts

I won't be able to make it, but hope you guys have a great time! Here's a little about me...

I live in Royersford, PA...a little town about 45 mintues away from Philadelphia. I had my first baby--a little girl, Jenae Olivia, last October and for now I'm staying at home with her. So far I love the East Coast, but the humidity is just starting so I may change my mind in a month or two :) We've moved around a lot and lived in Salt Lake for a year, Vegas for a year, San Diego for a year, and now Philadelphia. I made my husband promise that we'd stay in one place for longer than a year this time :) If anyone is coming out this way come and visit! My email is amyjwatts@yahoo.com and my address is 601 Brooke Drive Royersfor PA 19468

Here's a picture of my family in New York

Hope you guys have a great time at the reunion! Wish I could be there...

Michelle Egbert

I can't make it to the reunion. I'd love to be there. Eat some BBQ food for me:)

Here is an update:

After nursing school I moved to Baltimore, Maryland where my husband went to dental school. We now live in Colorado Springs and love it. I am due in early October with my 4th baby. I have Ashley -almost 5, Katelyn-3, and Justin - 13 months. They keep me busy and happy. I am starting work at Memorial Hospital in one week on the mother/baby floor. I will be working one night a week.

Hope all is well with everyone and thanks for doing this!

Hillerie Moffitt

Good to hear from you! I was just telling someone tonight that we had graduated nursing school five years ago AND wha lah, I check my email and there you are. Anyway, I don't know if we can come, but just in case, I thought I would give you a quick update. Joe and I lived in Spanish Fork, UT until last August when we decided to up and move to Idaho. We are now living just outside Rexburg in the Burton area. We have 3 kids, a boy, Brayden who will be 5 in August, a girl, Addie (Addison), who will be 3 in July, and another girl, Ellie, who is just turning 1 next week. I worked part-time in Provo in Cardiac ICU up until moving to Idaho. I am now working part-time in Rexburg at Madison Memorial in the ER. We are so excited to be living in Idaho, we have so much work ahead of us. We are trying to organize and establish our 2 acres of our own little wanna-be farm/yard. Hope all is well with you and everyone else. I am so excited to see what everyone is up to and where they all ended up. If you need anymore info, just let me know.

Kristi Miller

Melissa Fowler and I are graduating today (Thursday) at the U of U with our M.S. in nursing education. I think that she will be moving to Arizona after this.

Amanda (Williford) Jones

Thanks for the invitation! I won't be able to come, unfortunately. As far as where I am and what I'm up to - I live in Provo (STILL!) with my husband and 19 month-old daughter. I'm 6 months pregnant with my second little girl and we're thrilled. I work about one day a week as a women's health nurse practitioner at New Beginnings, a women's health clinic in Orem. Otherwise, I'm a stay-at-home mom and love it.

Have fun at the reunion.

Brian Christensen, RN, CDE, FNP-student

Hey guyz,

Can't make it, but thought I would send an update on me. Got married to Jennifer Morton, the RD in the Diabetes Management Clinic and we have a cute little boy, Caleb- see attached. I am currently working extremely part time in the clinic and am full time school in the FNP program at BYU, with one year left. I actually saw Josie who just was admitted to the program. Also, if you know Jenaca Wilson- she also works in the DM clinic and is in the FNP program (She went on the study abroad to Guatemala with us). Other things...We live in a cozy little house that we have renovated quite a bit, but now we never want to fix anything again :). Seems that we never have time with school, work and family- but we did just get back from Arches, where we saw how big God's hand is--it is a beautiful place. You wrote that you were going to send a news letter, and I would be interested to hear how everyone is doing. Good to hear from you and best wishes.

Karen Behrmann

I wish I could come to the reunion. I have thought about so many of you guys since leaving BYU. After graduation, I worked for IHC pediatric home care as a case manager for 2 years. I visited mainly premature babies and kids with cancer. It was a great job. We moved to Oklahoma when David graduated from BYU and started medical school at the University of Oklahoma. I continued working at the Children's hospital at OU on a surgical floor. We had our first child, Ben in November of 2004. He surprised us and came 5 weeks early. We were blessed to take him home cordless 3 days later at only 3# 15 0z. I continued working until Ben was 11 months old. I shed tears of joy on my last day. There are times when I miss working, but overall I am grateful to be able to stay at home for now. We are currently expecting our second child in August- a little girl. David is finishing up his 3rd year of school and plans to apply to radiology programs for his residency. We will find out where we are headed for the next 5 years of the journey next March. If anyone ever makes it to Oklahoma, you always have a place to stay.

Karen (Gillett) Behrmann
1904 Foxfire Rd. Edmond OK, 73003 kgbehr@hotmail.com (405) 341-9544

Welcome to our BLOG!

Dear Nursing Friends,

We thought it would be a great idea to start a nursing school blog instead of sending out a newsletter. This way people can update the blog whenever they want. If you want to add more content or pictures check your e-mail for the sign-in and password. If you don't want to mess with the blog, just send Janae the info and she will add it. All of the updated information we received is included so far. Thanks to all of you who responded. We will post pictures of the reunion soon!