Nicaragua Presentation Notes

• Escuela de enfermería - fundada en 1943
• Hay solamente cinco enfermeras generales y seis médicos para cada 10,000 personas
• 3.3% de población tiene 65 años y mas
• La principal causa de muertes en jovenes son accidentes
• 10.8 muertes por accidentes de tránsito por cada 100,000 habitantes
• Había 50.6 muertes materna por cada 100,000 nacidos vivos en 2012 (86.47 en 2005). 17% por eclampsia/preeclampsia, 34% por hemorragia
• 7,756 casos de virus de immunodeficiencia humana en Nicaragua
• 6,000 casos de Dengue en 2013 - sólo medicameno para los síntomas

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• Nursing School - founded in 1943 
• There are only five general nurses and six doctors for every 10,000 people 
• 3.3% of population aged 65 and over 
• The main cause of deaths in young people are accidents 
• 10.8 traffic fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants 
• There were 50.6 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2012 (86.47 in 2005). 17% from eclampsia / preeclampsia, 34% from hemorrhage 
• 7,756 cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Nicaragua 
• 6,000 cases of Dengue in 2013 - only medicine for symptoms

Today is freshman orientation at UPOLI (Universidad Politecnica) and as we sit in lecture, pounding music rattles the windows. It reminds me of Mayfest.

In Managua

Landed in Managua and I am already reminded strongly of India. The air smells of hot pavement, diesel fumes and a sweet smell that may be flowers or rotten fruit. We each have our own beds and -naturally- there was a massive spider on the ceiling above mine. Early start tomorrow so now to bed.

Flying to Managua

Up at 5 this morning to take the Patho final at 7 and was at the airport by 9. It is now 6:30pm and we are on our way to Managua! I'm really excited to see an entirely new culture (to me), eat a lot of amazing food (that I hope doesn't make me sick) and get some new experiences with regard to nursing.

I'm still hoping I get to see a delivery but anything we do will be new and different, and therefor awesome. I'm also very much looking forward to not having any studying to do for a week! This break is very much needed.

Packing List

Underwear x11
Socks x9
Bras (sports x2) (regular x1)
Bathing suit
Scrub pants x3
Scrub top/tee shirts for clinic x5
Other tee shirts x5
Running shorts x1
Sweatpants x1
Flip flops x1
Capris x1
Skirt x1
Dress x2
Sweatshirt x1
Sneakers x1
Heels x1
Sphygmomanometer
Stethoscope
Shears
Name tag
Water bottle
Sunglasses
iPad + charger
Camera + charger
iPhone + charger
Toiletries
Meds

Pre-departure Dinner

Tonight we had our last meeting/dinner before our departure on the 26th. Mrs. Cunningham hosted and made fantastic Nicaraguan food. I'll be a very happy foodie if that is what I'll be eating for a week and a half. New camera should arrive Monday so I can test it before leaving. It films in HD so I should be able to get good footage in addition to photos.

It'll be hard to be away from Dave for 10 days but it is nothing new for us.

Will be spending the last four days here studying for the Patho/Illness I final - yikes. I just have to keep reminding myself that all I need to do is pass.

Perfect Banana Bread

I've used this recipe at least 5 times already this semester and it's fantastic. 

4 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 C melted butter 
     (vegetable oil)
3/4 C granulated sugar
1 egg, beaten 
     (1/4 C Egg beaters)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 C all purpose flour
1/2 C chocolate chips 
      (highly recommended but          optional)



Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C).

Mix butter in with bananas. Add sugar, egg and vanilla - mix.

Sprinkle baking soda and salt over mixture, mix thoroughly. 

Add flour, mix. Add chocolate chips last, if desired.

Pour batter into greased 4x8 inch loaf pan. 

Bake 1 hour. Cool on rack.

Due to the unusually high number of bananas in this recipe, the center of the loaf may remain a little gooey. It is advised to not cook the bread longer, as this may cause it to burn. Instead, enjoy the gooeyness. 




Merry Christmas, one and all!

Christmas Cookies

• This recipe is modified from one available on the Hersey Kiss website, their Triple Chocolate Cookies - I didn't feel like going into a chocolate coma, so I changed it to a sugar cookie recipe. I also really hate cleaning up after cooking/baking, so I like to use as few dishes as possible. That's why I use oil instead of butter (easier to mix) and don't bother sifting dry ingredients together in a separate bowl. These turned out just fine.
• 
  
• 1/2 C vegetable oil
  3/4 C granulated sugar
  3/4 C packed light brown sugar
  2 tsp vanilla extract
  2 eggs (1/2 C Eggbeaters)
  1 Tbsp milk
  2 1/2 C all-purpose flour
  1 tsp baking soda
  1/2 tsp salt
  Around 45 Hersey Kisses
  
  
  Remove wrappers from chocolate pieces. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  
  
  Mix oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large bowl until well blended. Add eggs and milk; mix well.
  
  
  Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to sugar mixture, mix until well blended.
  
  
  Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
  
  
  Bake 10 to 11 minutes or until set. Gently press Kiss (no, not with your face, that would hurt) in center of each cookie; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. 
• 
  
• Makes about 45 cookies.