Hate me ...hate me!

Just a few days back I got this so called constructive criticism from a supposed mentor. I am quoting her " Tiene ta reclama na di tu yu custumbre, ya sabe ya daw te di atun hefe"...I was caught off guard. Lost for words I just proceeded with asking, "Quien man daw se ma'am ya reclama? Nuay ba yo conese atende? then she replied, " Nusabe yo quien...Numa ya lang tu reganya otravez na mga patiente." Ting!!! I can feel my blood rushing through my body...I just said to myself it's futile to try justifying, let go and let loose. I took a breather, thought of positive things and went to continue doing my job. For a while the tactic worked and then at some point the idea came back and it bugged me a lot. I just had to think back of any scenario me taking on my patients and scolding them like foolish dumb assess! I could not recall one instance I reprimanded any of them. I was even asking my companion of any instance that I was doing the allegation set against me, they too can not call to mind me being such. I was left to conclude that my imparting of education to my patients were all but nags. Poor me, extending gestures of concern, was made to appear the antagonist. I learned now that being apathetic as much as I can will do me good. Damn if I do, damn If I don't!

Move over JUSTICE LEAGUE!

It was only yesterday that i realized the full extent of the consequences of becoming a nurse here in the Philippines. I only hear of anecdotes of some sort on how government nurses go beyond capacity in order to attend to their patients. Fortunate I consider myself because the hospital where I am working now is limited in terms of it's capacity and capability. Our hospital is categorized as Primary, meaning it can only accommodate simple medical, OB-GYN and emergency cases. I do not intend diminish the said hospital but as I mentioned it is categorically "PRIMARY". I just cannot relate this nominal category of the hospital to the functionality the NURSING SERVICE assumes. Where in the world can you see a hospital having nurses assuming the jobs of the pharmacist, cashier, IW's, security personnel and even at times that of the doctor? Move over super friends! talk about multi-tasking! Oh for the love of NIGHTINGALE, these added functions are surmountable. What really pisses me the most are the inconsiderate significant others and even patients that demand a lot. It is quite understandable that they are ill and that they need care yet, they also have to realize that we are individuals, humans just like them. We become tired, hungry and impatient. It is never the fault of nurses when they retaliate back given the above circumstance. How can I become therapeutic if I am all alone to carry out the many functions in the hospital? In my duties I am responsible to man the ward, the out patient department, the emergency room and the delivery room all at the same time (not to forget the above extra functions we get to do in some occasions).This is reality for us...We do not have supernatural powers...and still we deliver!

Of recantations, of taking back

As I have read the many articles that I have written here, it made me realize how frustrated I was with the profession I have chosen to live. And yet, ironic as it may be, destiny has its way of putting things in its right perspective. Yes. I am a practicing nurse now. A government nurse to be exact. It just up to now can not sink into me that after all of the many sacrifices, the free labor, the indulgences to many a gimmick and the eventual frustration, I end up where I am suppose to be, a registered nurse, assuming a PAID JOB in a health care facility. I guess it's just a matter of time that I will be able to have a share in the spot light. It is really indeed dignifying to have remuneration to the services one has rendered. This new development will always remain one major milestone in my career. The task ahead is daunting, it is even frightening, yet I must face it all...Everything is bound to be in its place...just keep the faith...