Home on the Prairies

Home on the Prairies

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Nurse to Patient

So I am one who has never been admitted to the hospital - until recently that is. Okay, so I was in hospital for a while when I was born and then again for 1.5 days when Caeleb was born (but that is different). I remember starting Nursing school and not really having a clue what was done in a hospital. I wanted to be a nurse because I loved to help others and I loved biology, chemistry, anotomy and physiology. I did not have any experience in hospital nursing but I did work as a care aid for 2 summers right after High School.

I must admit, I have felt a little at a disadvantage when I have worked in the hospital. I thought I could relate a bit to the babies in the special care nursery because I was a small, sick little baby myself and I really enjoyed the year that I worked there. However, on the medical unit that I have worked on for the last 4 years, I have had a hard time relating to my patients. I didn't know what it felt like to be stuck in the hospital day after day wanting to go home, unsure of what lay ahead. I didn't know what it felt like to have so many people in and out of my room each day scurrying around trying to get things done while time passed so slowely for me from the sidelines. I didn't know what it was like to have serveral roomates from different backgrounds and with different attitudes. I didn't know alot of things. Of couse the antepartum unit that I am on right now is alot different than a medical unit but I do I feel like I am learning, in a way, what it is like to be on the other side of the scenerio.

This experience has been good for me. I really feel that Heavenly Father has given it to me to help me with my nursing career and with life in general. Of course I do not want to be here. No one wants to be in the hospital! But I have been given a taste of what a patient feels like and this taste will help me as I try to be a better nurse to my patients. I recognize  attributes in some of the nurses here that I already have or that I want to develop. I recognize that I have my own talents that really do help my patients in different situations. I have come to learn that I am not the only nurse who does not have all the answers or struggles with feeling confident at times. I have come to realize that, as a patient, I prefer a caring nurse who does not have all the answers and experience to a knowledgeable nurse who lacks in people and caring skills.

I feel very blessed that I have so many people around me that truly care about what happens in this pregnancy. They want the best for little girl and me!

I am excited to put into my nursing practice, what I have learned during my 2 week stay in the hospital.

2 comments:

  1. I really liked your comments here. I wouldn't have thought about it that way, but your right. You are learning a lot that can help you in the future with your career and just good life knowledge. I'm sad for you that you didn't get to take Caeleb out. I feel that pain! Last night Eric was stuck at work. He got back in time to do the last 3 houses. She just wasn't interested in it for very long. It was a fun night though, and quite a lot more mild than where you are!

    We miss you and think of you every day!

    Love you!

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  2. Wow, that is an amazing experience you've had being on the other side. Sarah and I compared and talked about all of her nurses while she in their for her c-section, she liked the ones that cared and were real as well. We liked the cleaning girl too, she was the friendliest of them all, we hoped she goes into nursing. Her smile everyday made us happy.

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