Chapters

Showing posts with label nursing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nursing. Show all posts

Monday, September 20, 2010

MT: Only in Psychia

MT stands for Multiply Treasures. Bringing some of my posts from my Multiply site in here.

Jan 18, '09 9:10 PM

I dreaded school's come back. I have to drag myself to school after the Christmas vacation. "Got to face Psychia", I mumbled, rolled my eyes then sighed. During the circle, I faked my smile and enthusiasm. I don't want to put my groupmates into further anxiety and nervousness when they see my aura for that day.

Looking back now, the experience was unlike any other. Exhausting, yes. Financially draining, super yes! Rewarding, super super yes! I can say I was blessed by the experience. Being with the mentally ill patients are scary --I used to have that notion. But after the two-weeks exposure I realized it was fine. (Though I don't know if I will ever consider working as a psychiatric nurse. Hey! I'm just being honest, ok?)

I'll never forget the funny moments cause of their deviant thinking and reasoning. And the memories I had shared with my groupmates, my Migo (btw, we call them Migo or Miga, followed by their name), and the rest of the gang. Kung maraming nakakatawang moments, meron din namang mga nakakaantig ng puso scenes.

The two-weeks I once dreaded was finally over. However, the things I have learned...I have experienced...I have realized...will be with me. The exposure may have been merely just two weeks but that two weeks touched my heart and will make a difference in my nursing career like no other rotation can. Certainly.......................only in psychia.

MT: Ready?


MT stands for Multiply Treasures. Bringing some of my posts from my Multiply site in here.

Oct 31, '08 10:16 PM

--That's what's being asked when we're faced with some peculiar event or something of the like. I remember being asked by my CI, "you guys ready?". It was seconds before our return demonstration on administering medications and nervousness was all in our face that very moment. We were like looking at each others' faces and trying to laugh off every pound of our hearts.

I knew I studied much, I "internalized" the procedures, I "trained" my shaking hands to be not so overacting.. I prayed a lot too. But when we were asked if we were ready for the RD, I don't know what to say. Suddenly I don't know if I am that prepared at all.

The CI got the expression from our faces. She had also sensed the nervousness despite our laughs that we were uncertain if we were indeed ready. Then she said something that was engraved in my thoughts right then and there.... 

"We'll never know we're ready unless we're in it". When asked if were ready for anything, usually we are uncertain if we are. We would always think that the preparations we did or what we have in hand is/are not sufficient for us to get thru it. Man's instinct so we won't get hurt/frustrated, I guess? We always think we are not ready for things that are new to us. But when we look back, we've already leaped into what we felt we were unready for. Well, it may not be a success at once. It's not that we're free from getting our hearts broken by it. But the point is that whatever the result may be, we've certainly learned something from it. Reconstruction of strategies can be done... living the realizations out... and most of all, a sense of fulfillment that we can be able to say "I did it"... or a stronger ME by the end of it to say "I can do it again".
As for the troubled spirit, calm down by having a talk with Him. ;) Sure works!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

December, wait for me!

The original plan was that after my board exam, I'll head to Visayas to attend a wedding. Bad bad thing was that the PNLE was moved from December 3-4 to December 12-13. So I won't be able to go after all. :(

December 12-13 was moved again to December 19-20, 2010. This time it's final. WAAAH! Just a few days before Christmas, eh? What I'm just keeping in mind is that, the day after my last exam day, it's me and my berx' 6th Anniversary! Haha! At least I have a reason to have them right after my board exam. And it's going to be heck of a de-stressing get-together. :)

Speaking of friends... I super thank God for friends like Gido and Yan yan. :) Earlier this day, we had our papers filed for the said exam. Praise God it went smoothly. YAY! :D We lunched out after, though it's still 10am. HAHA! We sure did finish early. :)

It's so refreshing to know that people got your back. I was really really tensed this morning and they were like asking me if I'm fine, pats my back, and just boosting my energy when it was already my turn specifically when the one on the counter (who was so nice) was already checking my papers. God knows how tensed I was then. :) Thinking back, I might have pulled it off alone pero iba pa rin talaga kung may kasama ka. Talk about moral support.

When finally I was called at Window 4 to get my Notice of Admission slip, a guide, the official receipt and my change, I was so elated. FINALLY! Finally all the hard work and stress of having our exhibit forms signed and other papers notarized/get done was totally over.

We are yet to face the true battle --the reason for every sweat and blood we shed for four years. The battle is on December 19 and 20. No reason to be lax on reviews anymore, now that we had our load a lil lighter since we're done with the paper works.

I dedicate my battle to my Dad, my Mom, and my sister. December, wait for me! I'll conquer you, by God's grace. :)

Monday, May 31, 2010

Captured

I like how photos remind me of stories.

I found a bunch of group pictures in one of my folders here in our PC. As I chose what to upload over Multiply, every picture reminds me of the moment I took those. Just like these:

The Scene --first thing in the morning.. Dahil hindi nakagawa ng reflection for the day that was, sa jeep na lang gumagawa (even the jeep is moving) para pag-time nang ipasa sa site, tapos na tapos na ang assignment. :)

 Haha! Hangwriting pa lang ni Kevin, para nang tinuka ng manok... Pano pa kaya kung magsulat na umaandar ang jeep? :) Waaaah! Miss you Kev :)
Gala kami eh... Kaya matapos "gawin" ang mga requirements, laro muna...

Eto! Haay. Hanggang ngayon, napapa-LOL pa rin ako... Ang bag ni Johnny Boy na nahulog sa imburnal. Bow. LOL!!!

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Stressed

Post created on Feb. 9 and posted just now.

Never felt that I wanna quit everything I'm doing for the first time except for the past few weeks. I wanted to just let go of every single task or job or responsibility I currently have.

The week I posted the Head Nursing post, I was planning to have an online journal of it per week since we'll have it for 4 weeks. On the 2nd week of our exposure, I wasn't able to join them because my mother passed away. Succeeding weeks came wherein I just had no motivation to do anything at all. I felt like breaking into pieces sooner or later.

Friends told me to take it to a low. They've been doing their very best to stimulate me in those moments when my mind is bringing me somewhere else. And I guess I need it then.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Head Nursing Exposure Week 1

I hope there's something like:
JOB HIRING: Head Nurse
...'cause I'd definitely apply for the job. For just three days, I already love Head Nursing.

First day was fine. Just like any firsts, the feeling is ambivalent. Excitement, nervousness, innocence, whatever. Oh! How can I forget to mention the airhead juniors who are so disrespectful and so mister-or-miss-i-know-everything-and-im-way-better-than-you-a******?

Well, for the second day we finished early. I guess the highlight would be this: A misunderstanding happened between this SN (student nurse) and this particular nurse trainee who assumes that SNs know ALL hospital procedures. It ended up that this staff with a scandalous mouth made a hell of a noise in the station which was of course heard by everyone. The HN (head nurse) then explained to this a**-kisser that not all hospital procedures (paperworks) are done by the SNs. The commotion was later on settled.

The airheads, by the way, were better on day 2. Though if I were their PCI (practicing clinical instructor), I wouldn't even help them make the headings for each sheet on the chart. I wonder why they don't know how to make the charting, read the IVF level, and even check a patient's blood pressure.

Press rewind. On to day 1.
The nurse trainee (see above) received the complaint of Patient B thru the doctor. Allegedly, the trainee insisted that this drug was for patient B when in fact it's for the other patient. The trainee, should I say, was combative when doctor told her that the patient would like to make a complain in black and white. She had a discussion with the attending physician and she insisted that what patient B complained was not true.

The doctor called the attention of the station's head nurse for the second time. He relayed to the HN what the patient told him during the rounds. This junior took the patient's vital signs. For the blood pressure, here's the picture: BP cuff was on patient's arm......... and the stethoscope was left hanging over his neck. Junior to Client: "110 over 80, Sir".

Third day ended up unexpectedly funny. Bloopers during endorsement time! :)
(Staff: "relax lang... inhale.. inhale, hold your breath. inhale, hold your breath.)
Resident-in-charge -------     PRESIDENT-in-charge
Dr. Estuart             -------     Dr. ESTRAUT
                                             (Staff: "ano yan? parang bell sprout? plants vs zombies? Isordil!!!)

The phone's ringing and I was the closest to it, so I answered calls on behalf of the staff during endorsement. There's this one time, the phone's ringing again. I became tired of answering and was hesitant. I decided to pick the phone up then I looked at Gg, she made the move towards the ringing phone and picked it up. The phone's still ringing. She picked up the wrong phone! The ringing phone was the intercom. :) Toinx. I ended up answering it anyways. :) The shame that's supposed to be mine was hers. Hehehe :) Peace, Rara. :)

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Down to 1

Finally, this is the moment I have been waiting for...

I'm down to one --my last sem in school. Elated, I am. I wanna take pictures and create more meaningful friendships with my classmates. FINALLY. After 5 years, I'm about to take my last semester. I'll be graduating soon. (If God permits.♥)

 Palakpakan! :) Hehehe.

For some reasons, I don't want to graduate yet.
1) Allowance not guaranteed.
2) No money = Find Money.
And if you don't find money, there are times you want Earth to open wide and swallow you whole to escape humiliation --of being one of the tambays (a liability, in English.. Haha).
3) No money = Stay at Home.
Or if you're in dire need of getting some "downtown feel", don't expect to receive money from parents.
4) No allowance = No Savings.
Worst is, you'll have "no more savings".
5) Regular Jeepney Fare.
I don't like this one. Hahahaha!
6) Sure work is not guaranteed.
I'm thinking of a business as early as now. Hehe

Oh well, I'll take this one at a time. Live today and not worrying much for tomorrow. I might not enjoy the journey much if I become preoccupied with senseless things, right? Right! :)

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Deal.. Or Deal.. (No "No Deal")

The Deal was made. M mandated that I have to be in school 30 minutes before the said call-time for the whole of 2nd sem. I hate it. (I'm just being honest here.. Hehehehe) At first, it was just 15 minutes. However I failed in my make-or-break day, that's why.

The catch: If I arrive right on the dot and onwards (meaning, I'm late), M will send an SMS to my Mom saying that I was late and that I didn't catch the quiz (if I really didn't). If I'm in past my due time (which is 30mins before the call-time), I'll have a vegetarian diet. Neither way, veggies are included. The only way to break free from these is to arrive before or on my due time.

Frankly, Mom approved of it. She liked it. Oh, scratch. She LOVED it. :(

In exchange, I want his grades to hit 85 and above. I see he's been concerned with his academic performance though I barely see efforts in his part. (Sorry to say that M..) Now that it's a deal, I assume he'll work it out. Afterall, like what I've always been saying to him, he'll be the first to benefit from this. It's not for me. It's for his sake. Am I right or am I über right?

I still can't make up my mind as to what his punishment will be.. Any suggestions?

Being early is for my sake as well. (I can hear him say this over and over again.) Sigh. I think I'll have a vegeterian diet for next sem. Drat. Let's get it on! *rolling my eyeballs*

Friday, October 23, 2009

Rotation Ender...

The 911 exposure was fun though I became sicker the following day..... though I have muscle pains when I walk and get up and down the stairs (like I'm some kind of an oldie)..... though I'm yet to laundry my "blooded" shirt (Sir Ace poured a whole lot of ketchup on me)..... though M calls me "Pare" by the way my voice sounds..

However if I can sum up those 3 days, I can point out ONE memory that I can super duper associate with the 911 thing. It's the post-911 fun. :D Ambush and On-the-Spot Videoke Session with the Mamugz. Aiza, Kem, Jen, and Janely wasn't there. Majority parin. Hahahah!

Ambush kasi me and M were supposed to go home already but when Meg saw us along the street, right then and there GO! We forced Masi to go with us. Haha! But then he didn't sing more than a chorus of the song "Fixing a Broken Heart". Shy, eh?

We were hyped for 2 hours. New revelations? I didn't know til then that Thea has a good voice. Also, Louie was great! I wish it won't be the last. Trust me, you'll never see him like that anywhere else. Unexpected choice of music. Waaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!

Til next concert time! :D

Friday, October 16, 2009

14/30

Erasers were tossed in the air like whoa! Standing up... Buzzing around... Twisting their torsos to face the back... Voices are loud...

Time to check the papers!

For a 60-40 grading system, I missed the passing mark. I got 14 out of 30. *I hope the quiz won't be recorded anyways. :)*


I was disappointed with my score, yes. I didn't read and analyze the statements carefully. Or maybe I just don't know the answers. Hahaha! M felt sorry for me. But honestly, I think what had happened was just nothing. It was just now-it's-over-so-what. It was a terrible score I know. I might be disappointed with myself right at this very moment......... Yet I know, SOMEONE is delighted. And I am humbled to know He is delighted.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Career... Yeah!

I want to become a doctor but I don't think that as of now, I can be one. Talk about financial matters. But anyways, I love my chosen field. Though I can actually point out some disadvantages on what Nursing has done to me. (That would be my next post in a few days... Keep posted. Haha!)

Moving on, as a Nurse --OK, a future Nurse, that is-- I want to see myself being in the OR. I just love the smell of Cidex and Sterilium though it gives me headache and dry hands. Hahaha! To my surprise, I also want to be an ICU/CCU nurse someday.

Oh btw, mind if I share something? (You don't have a choice anyway. Hmm.... You can stop reading from here though if you don't want to hear me out. Hahahah!) I find my last CCU rotation for this semester a memorable one.

I did my first in tracheostomy suctioning. *applauses* Believe it or not, for how many duty days I've got over with (for almost four semesters), it was my first time to do tracheostomy suctioning in real life last Monday (and not on a dummy or on my classmate --just kidding-- for demonstration purposes.. tee-hee).

Another thing I'll never forget for this rotation was how the watcher of my patient wished me well for the future. She even got my name and told me she'll look it up in the newspaper or in the internet next year to see if I passed the board exams and is already a Registered Nurse. That was flattering? I don't know the right word for it. It just made my day. Thank you Lord.

There's a long way ahead of me and I don't know exactly where I'll be in the future. I rest my dreams in God, knowing He's already planned out and prepared my life ahead of me.. and that in time, His wonderful plans will unfold. Then, I'll be who He wants me to be. Amen.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Missin' Mamugz

For three duty dates, I was distributed to another group (a different section). It was a Noc shift. Others call it the graveyard shift. From 11pm to 7am we were at the ER. Great. Not much action. Yawn. Whatever.

I hated how I was soooo sleepy at the 1st night. Boredom was all over. I was assigned as a triage nurse. And I don't have much to say because it wasn't that remarkable. LOL! The highlight of the night was that for the entire duty, I was able to finish 4/5 of Sophie Kinsella's paperback book. Just imagine how busy were we.

2nd night I was in the Internal Medicine department. Around 1am, patients arrived. Something to keep us awake and alert. I can't remember what time we were back to relaxed mode but hell. In no time, we were.

3rd night. It's the Surgery department for me. We only had one patient who refused to be confined. The rest of the night and morning was spent on talking with my "this week's groupmates".

I said I missed Mamugz (my original group). Maybe I wouldn't be much bored if I was with them 'cause we're bonded. Maybe our workload would not be mcuh of a "work" because we have this what we call teamwork. Oh well. Good I'm back. Ward duty next week!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

A Stupid NCP

Below is a Nursing Care Plan made by the one who's beside me now. He made it last night out of nothing-ness. HAHA! Again, this is just for laughs. He's generally sane. I can assure you that. LOL

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
S- “Gina tubol ko sugod atong nag dako akong tiyan mag lisod ko ug tindug, sakit I libang” as verbalized 

O-difficulty in standing 
with heavy impacted stools 
with foul smell stool 
increase in weight noted
arthritis noted 

A-   Ineffective standing related to heaviness of the abdomen secondary to over hydration as evidenced by presents of joint pains
SCIENTIFIC BASIS
Standing is one of the fundamental skills of human being. If you cannot stand you will fall. Therefore standing is needed for survival. We should live our life to the fullest.

GOAL 
At the end of three days of nursing care, patient will:

  • Will be able to accept the situation

  • Maintain usual pattern of standing
  • Will able to have a good smell stool

INTERVENTION / RATIONALE

Educate the patient about the anatomy and physiology of the human being. Giving information to the pt. helps a lot.
Auscultate bowel sounds. Note abdominal distention , presence of nausea and vomiting. Indicators of  presence / resolution of ileus, affecting choice of interventions.
Assist client with sitting on edge of bed and walking. Early ambulation helps stimulate intestinal function and return of peristalsis.
Encourage adequate fluid intake, including fruit juices,when oral intkae is resumed. Promotes softer stool; may aid in stimulating peristalsis.
Administer medications as ordered. Promotes formation / passage of softer stool.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stupid isn't it? HAHAHA!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Apple Scent

I still can't forget how the entire Emergency Room stinks. Smells, rather. Yesterday they had their "general cleaning". Oh how we wished they also had the Observation Area cleaned. CIU (I forgot what this stands for.. Haha! Oh. It's Crisis Intervention Unit. Thanks to Gg.. Haha!) and the Treatment was cleansed and "scented" with Apple Juice (as Miguel said it was).

Various cases were present. There was this guy who had been slashed by his drinking buddy in his arm. Another had his left point finger cut when it was stuck in between something I forgot what that was. Hehe. Too bad I wasn't able to try doing CPR on an actual patient. By the way, I was assigned together with 4 other groupmates at the Observation Area. I was able to handle this patient as I did my routinary vital signs check. He was so restless and I remember him saying things like he's having delusions. Few hours later, he was brought to CIU. There he was intubated. After a little while, I saw that he was screened and that Miguel was on top of him doing external cardiac compressions.

There was also this scenario where I was convicted that before I get married and have a family of my own, me and my future husband must be stable --physically, emotionally, psychologically, and most of all, financially. This couple's 5-month old child came in due to fever and vomiting. Well, it was a public hospital. A patient's needs won't be attended that much as compared to a private hospital. Maybe because they are financially challenged? Or because there are a lot of patients? Whatever. The mother, who I think was in her early 20s, felt helpless and anxious about her child's condition that all she can ever do was to sit in the corner and bury her head in her hands. The father, who was also of the same age with his partner as I guess, was trying to be a man for his family. A sad scene to see.

Apple Scent. I don't think that the ER smelled like apple. It was more like the metallic smell of blood and different people's sweat and odor. Hmm... I don't see myself working there in the future. At least I've survived for 2 days. Hehehe :X

Friday, July 3, 2009

Toxic

We were assigned at the ward for this week. Unlike last week, this week's duty spelled t-o-x-i-c --for me, that is.

The wing was almost full house. I had 2 patients. Fair enough 'cause we all have the same fate. The difference was that one of my patient had a biliary drainage tube and a jejunostomy tube in her abdomen. Honestly, I already sensed the toxicity. Yet on the back of my mind I know there's got to be a purpose why I was assigned to this patient and this experience will help me learn a lot.

First day. My mind was flying. Is it safe to say that I have been intoxicated for like 6 to 7 over 8 hours of my duty? Haha! At the end of my duty I can say that, "today, I have been of use" (Kung sa bisaya pa, "napuslan ko karong adlawa"). Hahahaha! Not like last week wherein I almost did nothing. Hehe. I just stared at the floor most of the time because I don't have anything to do. Thank God for the people who helped me.

Second day. I already got used to the procedures this particular patient of mine has. I can say I was already confident then. (A big thanks to my bedside nurse.) I don't think I will ever feel toxic-ness that day but I was wrong. The watcher inflicted toxic-ness as we were trying to change the linens of my patient (who was her mother) on complete bed rest without bathroom privilege. Yes, she helped me but damn what could some two ladies' strength do? Finally we managed to get it over with. I left the room with droplets of sweat all over my forehead.

Third day. I only had one patient for the third day. This time she was not assigned to anyone of us --student nurses. I admit I missed being toxic because of her but I thought it was a rest time for me. I was relaxed when someone from the nurse station called for me. My client's watcher went to the station to tell the nurses they needed assistance in changing diaper. I thought it was just plain changing of her soiled diaper. Rather, I ended up changing her linens again after waiting for her to finish pooping, assisting her watcher clean her, and changing the diapers. Thank God because my bedside nurse this time was a male. And four of us were there to change the linens so it was easier to move her sideways and faster to pull the linens and tuck it in place.

I super thank God for this week's duty. Not only for the things I've learned but also for the toxic-ness I have experienced. Where else will I feel the essence of being a nurse if not from toxic-ness?