On that night..I wore my cap and I was really in high spirits. It symbolizes the responsibility and accountability that Nurses always shoulder. My calves felt so knotted up and I almost couldn’t’ take it. My calves were hurting so bad I almost cry. But I didn’t. It must be so embarrassing to be that obviously emotional and sensitive. I’m scared of the charge Nurse and the doctors. It’s funny, isn’t it? Well, If you’re also a registered Nurse maybe you will laugh at me. Basically, it’s what I felt at that moment.
That had been my first day of duty as a Nurse Preceptee in Vicente Gullas Memorial Medical Hospital & I was on a graveyard shift. I was more than excited than anybody else. Even though we’re not employed in the hospital but still we are expected to work as hired Nurses. We’re very fortunate enough to have our Chief Nurse who is very concerned to us and who has always been willing to enhance the skills and knowledge of Nurse Preceptees by giving us seminars & trainings.
I was assigned to a patient who had a Transient Ischemic Attack. I had to take her vital signs every hour, monitor her intake and output every four hours and do neurovascular assessment every hour. Nursing has always been a challenge for me because my sympathy for the patients always conquers my soul and I always end up feeling sorrow and pity for them instead of being compassionate and empathetic. My feelings were baffling me. I cannot be an effective and efficient Nurse if I continue being like that. The reality now is that I am no longer a student nurse who always have her Clinical Instructor who will assist, help and rescue her when doing Nursing Procedures and other nursing stuffs.
Mistakes that I did that night:
1.) I didn’t spit my gum.
2.) I didn’t bring a 3 in 1 pen.
3.) I forgot to bring my BP Apparatus.
4.) I forgot to review computations for Medications & IV Fluids. (I’m a sucker in Math,ok?)
I laughed at my own expense because:
1.) My two pockets were full of jot down notebook, hanky, calculator, small alcohol and other small stuffs. (Oh..I forgot where I have placed my ward kit)
2.) I was caught in the act by the IV nurse.. Hahahaha. I YAWNED..
3.) I was shaking when I opened the vial ( Nicardipine).
4.) My hands went numb after administering Mannitol.
Learnings:
To render tender, loving care (TLC) for my patients I must always remind myself of these things:
1.) I will always say the Nurses prayer before I set forth. I must always ask guidance and wisdom from the Lord.
2.) I will serve and take care of my patient in a way that I will do if he/she happens to be a loved-one of mine.
3.) I must always wear her shoes so I will know how to take care of her the way I want to be taken care of.
4.) I must always explain to the patient every health teaching and procedure in layman’s term and in a most understandable way.
5.) I will always be compassionate and empathetic to my patients.
Being a patient in a hospital is a frightening thing for anyone. Some people conceal it better than others, but all patients are scared. I want to be the one who cheers up a frightened child, holds the hand of a lonely older person, assists a mother in labor and soothes the anxiety of a nervous patient. But it’s not about me. It’s about God who has done a great thing in my life. He granted me this favor and gave me this calling-to be a Nurse.
