Home » Post Item » Devotions, Studies, and Nursing Care

Devotions, Studies, and Nursing Care

June 21, 2009

 

Before we start our classes, we have this ‘ceremony’ we call ‘devotion’. This consists of a sharing (a Bible verse, a short story of inspiration) and a prayer. This was supposed to go in line with our school’s vision of “Christian education”. When our instructors first implemented this, it was a bit boring. It was like “let’s get this over with” sort of thing since teachers assigned students to do it and I believe most students only thought of it as another requirement.

 

This went on until some instructors asked us to share personal experiences or thoughts that may inspire the class. It was a hit. Every now and then, one of my classmates would cry in front while telling his/her life story. It was entertaining and sometimes really inspiring.

 

And of all the ‘devotions’ ever made in our classroom, I especially remember the one told by Julie. It was about putting your best in the things you do. Yeah, it’s a trite expression, a cliché. But it’s not as if we do it all the time.

 

She told us how she is inspired to study well by the fact that her parents are over-working just to pay her tuition and provide her daily allowance. She urged us to do our best in studying and to prepare for the board exams early (she actually started the trend of buying and reading reviewers for the local board and even NCLEX in our class).

 

Before, some of us would secretly laugh at our classmates who were too serious and too excited to review for the board. Now, we realize that there was nothing funny about it. They’re actually going forward faster, leaving us behind. Not to be outdone, all of us are now reading board exam reviewers openly and in some cases, in private (“hindi ako nagrereview” drama).

 

She also told us about how many times she had felt neglected and uncared for. That’s okay, you’re not alone, everybody feels that sometimes I thought. But what was different was she said she tries to give the care and concern that other people fail to give her to her patients during our hospital duty. She said she was always excited to go to duty because she knew she was going to help somebody and make that somebody feel better.

 

Ouch. I was reminded of all the times I attended duty without any optimism or sense of purpose (except of course from completing the duty and getting a good grade). Most of the times, I was too focused in trying to make my CI(Clinical Instructor) happy or at least avoiding to make him/her mad. As a result, I was not able to focus on my patients. I was not able to give any of them as much care or concern as Julie gives hers.

 

Right then, I planned to change. I planned to be a better nurse. And I tell you, it’s hard. When I am in the area, there are too many things to think about that block me from communicating and interacting well with my patients. A quiz, an oral drug recitation, requirements, drugs to administer, charting, and a CI who is too strict and perfectionist, all make me forget the patients and their feelings. I just do what was needed to be done. Nothing more.

 

I plan to be a more holistic care provider in the future.

 

Like Julie said, “it feels so good when a patient thanks you for what you have done.”

 

I think she’s right. And I think every student nurse must remember this.

 

How about an applause?

Posted by kablogg at 8:17 pm | permalink

All comments are moderated. Your comments will not appear here unless approved by the blog owner. Thank you.

Add a comment