Bulacan-ized

It has been more than two months since I've updated my blog. Had a lot of things coming my way and I'd like to share them with you.

Last month, I started my 3-month volunteer service as a nurse trainee at the Bulacan Medical Center (BMC) formerly Bulacan Provincial Hospital in Malolos City. At first, I was ambivalent because I didn't know what to expect because this was bigger hospital than the previous one I've volunteered for almost a year. On the other hand I was excited about the things that I'm going to learn from these experience and the people (co-nurse trainees, staff nurses, head nurses and of course, patients) that I'd be meeting and interacting with.

Had a weeklong orientation and soon after I was assigned to the Pedia Ward. Had too many admissions as the season became colder and wetter that kids began to get sick of pneumonia. As a nurse trainee, I was expected to perform such tasks as admitting patients, attending to their needs, preparing and administering medication, initiating IVF, blah..blah..blah... The usual things that staff nurses do in the hospital setting. Had a smooth sailing experience there but before my tour of duty ended at the Pedia ward, I soon got sick. I had sore throat and cough. I'd blame it to the lack of ventilation in the area. Thanks to Co-Amoxiclav 625mg BID for 7 days and it was all gone when I soon began my rotation at the Surgery Ward.

The dreaded 11pm to 7am duty was my schedule. I was worried about my circadian rhythm because I had a hard time sleeping during daytime. I thought I won't be able to survive the PM shift but I did sans the Tylenol PM with Diphenhydramine that Mum sent.

At the Surgery ward, I took care of patients in their pre-operative or post-operative state. Endorsement at the beginning of the shift and charting nurses notes by 1 am. Interspersed with it are attending, of course, to patients' needs. By 4 in the morning, it was medication time. Pretty much it was a busy with some periods of calm. In my stay at the ward, thank God, had never experienced a dying patient. Whew!

I learned a lot from my rotation in this area especially in gaining confidence with the nursing skills that I almost forgot with the yearlong hiatus since I graduated and passed the boards. The staff nurses that I worked with were really nice in helping me out. I also learned how to deal with all-too worrying patient's relatives. And I do miss the early morning pandesal that Ate Jolly would bring.

Just as my rotation at the Surgery Ward was about to end, my life as a city-dweller in Quezon City was about to end too. Though home is in Bulacan, I practically breathe, though biologically hazardous to health, Metro Manila. I have been educated and lived in Manila and Quezon City practically all my life and now I had relocate back to my roots in Bulacan. So I had to pack my stuff that I'd need to haul them all over. Then, I also need to get some of my things to a dormitory in Malolos that I'd be staying in 'til January. Just imagine the lack of sleep that I had to survive with and the things I had to arrange just to get my ass back to Bulacan. Thank heavens, it went smoothly as planned.

Anyway, after 2 weeks at the Surgery ward, I was assigned at the OB-ER / LR-DR (Obstetrics-Emergency Room/Labor Room-Delivery Room). In short, where pregnant Bulakenyos give birth. This is one area that I really like. Hmmm...I know what you're thinking but it's not that. Ever since in nursing school, I enjoyed my maternity-pedia classes. My professor, a former BON member, was ever too enthusiastic in teaching us the rudiments of pregnancy, labor and delivery. Coupled with that my clinical internships as a student nurse at the nation's "baby factory" which is the Fabella Hospital.

Going back to my stint at the OB-ER/LR-DR of BMC, I really sank my teeth into it by admitting patients, monitoring pregnancy induced hypertensive mothers, initiating IVF with the all-too difficult to insert Gauge 18 cannulas, assisting in delivery, preparing and administering IV meds, etcetera. Though there were many student nurses who were also there to learn and of course, gain the required DR cases; I learned a lot from it as my confidence level as a nurse got a notch higher. Thanks of course to the staff nurses who were supportive and really did a lot in helping me out in the area.

Just as I was getting a hang of it at the OB-ER, I am now assigned at the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and again, assigned in the PM shift with the vortex of the holiday season right smack into it. Argh! Another round of assimilating into the ICU culture and am hoping that it'll be as exhilirating as the previous areas.

By January, I'd be in the OB ward where postpartum mothers (those who gave birth) are confined and finally at the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit).

Hopefully by February, I'd be able to apply as a staff nurse at the Rogaciano Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria which is just a few minutes away from my "new home." But I'm also keeping my hopes high with my scheduled panel interview at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

But for now, quid pro quo, learning and serving.