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Labels: Related Learning Experience
4:23 PM
Labels: Medical and Surgical Nursing, Related Learning ExperiencePosted
Sunday, February 04, 2007
No Room for Boredom
We're in bedside care (NS4, KDHI) for eight hours, thrice a week. [Taking vital signs, bedside care, nursing care, etc]. That's an awfully long time to work on two or three patients. So you can either be bored.
Tuesday. As I scanned my patients charts, I found out that one of my patients will undergo a close tube thoracentesis. It's a minor operation. On his chest Xray, a homogenous density is noted in his left lower hemithorax with meniscus obliterating the hemidiaphragm and cardiac border. It means, pleural fluid noted on his left lung. Therefore, it should be drained. Gets the pic? Hehehh.
I don't have enough information about thoracentesis, of equipments, procedures, of what to do. Informations that I haven't read and heard of. Those are those times when I found myself at the bottom of the ladder. I'm very nervous and my palms were starting to get sweaty.
I guess something was pulling me from ward to the operating room -err- emergency room. Look, I was assign in the male ward then all of the sudden, I'm already in the emergency room. I learned, it is necessary to make yourself available. Oftentimes, you have to be flexible and prepared to change directions quickly. It was just recently that I assisted the patient for diagnostic nasal endoscopy. I knew if I didn't take the opportunity, I would always wonder what would have been. Besides, there will be mentors to help you along the way.
Asssiting for an operation is very challenging. I'm in fact experiencing difficulties. But I'm still assisting it quite well, I suppose. You can only imagine how nurses offer a lot of comfort to the patient who is about to undergo major event in his life no matter how simple the procedure.
I enjoy the adventure and lesson that day brings. It was a so-good-liaison. The doctor discussed while doing the operation- about the anatomy and physiology of the case, the procedure, do's and dont's in assisting the patient undergoing thoracentesis. Maybe it is his ability to build consensus or a desire to share what he have learned. Thanks Doc G.
12:48 PM
Posted
Saturday, January 20, 2007
The Night Piece
Last week, I had spent my seven-to-three morning shift at the nursing station 4 of Kidapawan Doctors Hospital (tertiary hospital). After few instructions from our clinical instructor, I pulled my paraphernalias on my 3rd year high school back pack (na magbibirthday na bukas) and went in to see my first patient at the male ward and acting like I know what I am doing and talking about. It's all about practice, you know. hehe. I have five patients all-in-all.
I received K, twenty five years old, conscious and responsive. He's a man with high estrogen level. Of course as usual, I always start by introducing myself and to establish rapport. I'm aware that he's gay and his looks don't really come across. I took his vital signs, no abnormalities noted. I noticed multiple abrasions on his both lower extremities and I found out that he's a victim of January 10 bombing here in Kidapawan. He walked- no fret- by Quezon Boulevard, blast at 8:45. He suffered multiple blast injuries on his both lower extremities. On his Xray, small metabolic foreign bodies are noted in the soft tissue underlying his ankle joint, soft tissues of the middle third of his thigh posterolaterally as well as in the third of his leg. No fracture noted.
My nursing care: Bedside care, Vital sign checked, rechecked and recorded, due meds given, placed on comfortable position, encouraged to have adequate rest period, encouraged to eat nutritious foods, diet well tolerated, encouraged verbalization of feelings...
Tuesday morning at around 10, I followed the physical therapist for an electronic therapy for evaluation and treatment on his left foot drop. He couldn't perform activities like walking comfortably within the hospital premises because of his present condition. So, it's alteration in comfort. Sir Pete, the physical therapist who happened to be my friend Quen's big bro. What a coincidence! hehe. So we had a little chit-chat and asked him with questions about what he is doing than pretending myself like a babbling idiot. After 20 minutes of improving my patients dorsiflexion of his left foot, I wondered why Sir Pete using a doppler ultraound on Kimwel's left knee. Oh no! my patient is pregnant! *lol. It is just a therapeutic ultrasound and part of the treatment process.
K is just one among the victims admitted at KDI. There are wounded innocent lives, creatures haunted by that night. Ounce of blood dripped. Blood that keeps the beast alive to tell of its existence.
Most of our lives we've been praying for peace. But it seems impossible when everybody could see that peace being held in captive, struggling to be set free. The current news about bombing has allegedly urged nations to produce armaments that have perhaps drawn no end to these coercions. Conspicuously, in large areas here in Mindanao, these inhumane acts are a constant treat, If we only could get rid of the violence and let humanity grow then maybe that's when peace will fly again.
The unfortunate events have seeded its wrath, and to most people, it would take away lives of scores. Every place has been put onto suspicion. Everyone gets feared that anytime a bomb could explode. Is there any place in the world worth to be called safe? I guess none. For its only our trust in Him that would make us safe.
I have the desire to ease the suffering that used to be part of the healing process. But I got tired of fixing problems that don't matter in the grand scheme of life.
10:48 AM
Labels: Device, Related Learning Experience, TripPosted
Friday, January 05, 2007
Pocket Comrade [Ho I wish to have a PDA]We're getting hang of maximizing space in the planet. From bulky analogs, we made wee cellphones; from monster desktops to sleek mac laptops; from bunch of nursing books to a pocket sized device.
The object of my dreams and fantasies is a pocket- sized plastic device measures more or less four inches length and 3 inches wide called PDA or Personal Digital Assistant.
In short, guto ko magkaro'n ng PDA.
For a nursing student like me whose life revolve around the college and clinical settings resolves around reference books like the medical dictionary, laboratory manual, NANDA, durg handbook and journals; that were staples in our backpacks , is not an easy you know. When a clinical instructors asked a drug study, students searching for the right book ( MIMS or PDR Drug Hand book, etc) to look for classifications, adverse effects, indications, contraindications, mechanism of actions and nursing responsibilities. If only the students had something to keep with them. It would save time and increase the probability that they [we] take the extra step to research pharmacological interventions.
What is a Personal Digital Assistant?
PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) are handheld computers that can synchronize information between the handheld and your desk top computer. Most use pen based interfaces with handwriting recognition technologies for data entry. Like most technology the PDA has quickly evolved to be a fairly sophisticated device but the basic applications on most PDAs include a date book, address book, task list, memo pad and calculator.
Types of Devices
There are currently two main competing device formats, Palm (PalmOne) and Pocket PC (Microsoft). Palm devices uses the Palm Operating System (OS) as do several other manufacturers such as Handspring, Sony, and TRG for example. Microsoft PocketPC based devices include those manufactured by Compaq/Hewlett-Packard and Casio.
Why would I buy a PDA?
Many programs have been developed to help nurses and other health care professionals and are valuable because of the enormous amount of information that can be made available during patient care and particularly at the point-of-care. Some of the particular uses include calculations, vast amounts of reference and clinical tools for quick reference, and patient tracking. It is important to consider what you want to use the PDA for when making a decision about which device to purchase. Some things to think about include: the device's data entry method (especially for email and text intensive applications), the size and shape of the device and its display (should be comfortable to hold and the display easy to read), integrated features such as GPS, MP3 player, memory slots, peripheral accessories (headphones, keyboards etc.), digital camera and cell phone.
What comes with a PDA?
Some of the basic applications that come with a PDA are a calendar and date book, address book, memo pad and To Do list, expenses, email, calculator and built in security features such as passwords and information 'locks'. Increasingly PDAs are integrating other technologies such as voice recording, MP3 players, wireless connectivity with wireless networking (WiFi) or cellular telephone technology, and digital cameras. Basically, the more features and memory that these adaptable computing devices offer the higher the price.
An essential feature of PDAs is their ability to synchronise data with a PC or Apple Mac computer. All PDA devices come with synchronisation software and some sort of desktop Personal Information Manager (PIM) application. Palm OS machines will work with either Windows or Apple Macintosh systems, whereas PocketPC machines are designed to synchronise with Microsoft Windows based systems. Most can also use third-party PIMs such as Lotus Organiser, or CorelCentral with additional software purchases. Quotes from Old School Goes High Tech, Advance for Nurses: To me, it ties it all together, Kurt said. As you're learning how critically think about a patient, you want to look at all aspects.
This pocket- sized reference builds confidence in students allowing to assuredly answer patients' questions with certainty.
Sources: Old School Goes High Tech, Advance for Nurses, Internet
10:08 AM
Labels: Cotabato City, Maternal and Child Health, Out of town, Related Learning ExperiencePosted
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Brief Encounters: DR Exposure at CRMC
I still have a hang- over on my graveyard shift Delivery Room exposure at Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC), Cotabato City last week but it seems as though it happened yesterday. I look like a breakdown machine with big eyebags like those people who neglect their sleep to work for call centers and entertainment bars. I lost two pounds.
There were different exciting and new things experienced. Very challenging but it was really full of fun and lessons to be worth reminiscing. I can't imagine how I looked when we arrived and performed our daily chores. But still I reckoned that experience. It was a clinical that set us nursing students apart from the rest of the college and the usual Related Learning Experiences in the ward.
During the whole exposure, I learned that there is a need to practice, practice, practice and more practice. Be sure you have memorized the right sequence. Also prepared on relative topics about Maternal and Child Health and of course about delivery as clinical instructor, nurses and doctors might ask a couple of side questions while you're doing your newborn care or assisting and handling in the delivery. Our Clinical Instructor, Ms. Deborah Tolentino, RN reprimanded us thrice or I should say 4 times, 5 times, 50 times... during our 8 hours span of care for our wrong doing. But I still be thankful for it will help us to be an effective nurse someday.
The last night, we went to Cafe Florencio in the down town section of Cotabato City. I ordered two red horse. Toink! A juke box played dance songs and local tunes. Over all, it was a great time to relax and just hang- out with colleagues after days of exhausting duties.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!
10:10 AM
A Taste of my future world.. of my future Life Nursing is not an easy course. It's not a piece of cake! Nursing care goes through challenging activities. We go to clinical setting of three days a week to hone our new skills with real patient and we get to see the real world applications of science as we learn. Then three days classes and then a ward class every Sunday. We spend 3 to 6 hours every class. It turn myself into a breakdown machine. Every week, I have two quizzes, nusing care plans, 1 reading, drug studies, and a comprehensive assesment. These things scare and agitate nursing students to death. All these are nerve wrecking. But those are not to be dreaded as they said because it's part of the training to an effective, competitive amd efficient nurse someday. Honestly, I enroled in nursing because there is a great demand of nurses abroad. It is a sure way to earn money, and perhaps a good life. Yes, I might be a nurse but I'm not doing nursing. But as my nursing studies progresses, everything changes. I persist to continue nursing because I learn to love nursing and everyhting about it. It;s amazing the things that people will let you do to them where you're in a uniform to inspect, palpate, auscultate, and do some nursing care. Of course, you have to do first a bed side care when you go to your patient's room and most of all, to establish rapport. This is done to gain trust and cooperation to your patient for your 6 to 8 hours span of care. I like nursing because I get to do so many things with my hands and my brain at the same time. The procedures aren't mindless; they require thinking and planning. I never lost the need to be of service to others. I dreamt of helping other people not by means of money. I'm willing to volunteer my time and knowledge. That's why I joined Red Cross Youth Council in our school which places a high value in Service and Senior Citizens Medical Service volunteer. And learn to love nursing. Okay, I know, it sounds too good to be true. It's not an easy job, you know. It requires dedication. Oh c'mon, it seems that I want to quit nursing and be a nurse. Heheh. Damn, I'm not that good. I guess, if I have to rate myself from 1 to 1o (10 as the highest), I'll give 4- blag! lower. Yes, it's true. I still have lots of rice to eat. I mean, to learn more about nursing be it in skills, knowledge and attitude. Was watching TV when I stumbled to a tele magazine regional show that was produced by ABS-CBN Cagayan de Oro, named chuy. Labels: Out of town, Related Learning Experience, Trip, TV ReviewsPosted
Thursday, December 14, 2006
The first term of the second semester this school year is coming to a close for a christmas vacation. Yahoo! No question, there's a way to put a happy mask this yuletide season. I survived my delivery room exposure at Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, Cotabato City; clinicl exposure at Dizon Hospital and Kidapawan Doctors Hospital; surpassed the nerve wrecking exams of Methos of Research, Psychopathophysiology, Curative and Rehabilitative Nursing Care Management. In a way, I feel like I learned a lot but that's not quite enough. I've learned important skills like how to medicate oral meds, intravenous thru tubing, nebulization, assisting and handling in the delivery, newborn care and post mortem care. I also learned a little amount about ABG and ECG during the symposium last Sunday at the AVR Room. And of course, the boring lectures every Wednesday night, Thursdays and Fridays.
Chuy; and a chuy photo shooter
Educational and entertaining. These are two ingredients that make Chuy a cut above the rest. It offers lots of informations and the delivery was interesting and appealing. The show jammed by three good-looking hosts- Richard...ah, err, uhm, I forgot, it's Ryan, Tina and Rishi with a special participation of MOR CDO Disk jockey Bernie Bitok-bitok who stamped their individual mark on the show with their own brand of elegance and wit. With the show, you will be able to relate yourself. Just as if you are director, you would point your camera at a scene that recreates the image in your mind. The show offers interesting segments. They features ur sport, ur style, ur idol, ur gmik, ur muzik, u-nik, fud trip, uso, you, and jukbuk. Some of the segments can gain inspiration for the viewers. It’s a proof that Regional shows did well also for entertainment… It’s one show I try not to miss every Sunday 11 A.M.. It’s definitely, Chuy!!!
P.S.
"chuy" is the slang word for "cool" or "nice" and etc.
Example:
English - "The movie is so cool!"
Bisaya - "Chuy kaayo ang salida (sine) bai!"
9:51 AM
He's hardworking and determined because he wants to accomplish his many aspirations in life. He's handling his course very challenging and in fact experiencing difficulties but he still handling it quite well. Email/ friendster- richard.diongson@gmail.com.
The guy has a life!
