After months of waiting, that summed up to almost 2 years, I finally took the first step on fulfilling my given profession. I said given not chosen because up to this very moment, I'm still uncertain of this path. I'm thankful and I feel so blessed because I was given the opportunity to be a registered nurse whereas there are those who really wanted this profession but don't have the means so they settle for something else. I think what I lack is the drive and the passion to pursue this career that's why I can't even climb the stairs of professional growth. I remember the words I heard from those people who are so driven with their craft that if you love what you do, it won't feel or seem like work. It's the joy and happiness they get that keeps them going. I think that's what I need to learn and find... to love and enjoy this profession. I'm not the type who plans everything. I want to take the day as it comes and just enjoy. It's not bad, though you really need to set goals for you to succeed and be fruitful. I remember one time when I'm having this serious conversation with my aunt... she said that I'm not getting any younger so I should set my priorities whatever it is. That made me think.
And then comes this Post-Graduate Training Program for Nurses at Tondo Medical Center. I thought this is my chance to gauge whether or not I will be pursuing this profession. At first I was hesitant, but still I did (and also to end all those minor dispute we have in our house). And there I realized that it's not just me who suffers the crisis brought about by the surplus of nurses, the dreaded game called unemployment. Many of us take this training programs as a stepping stone towards a greener pasture. I salute all those individual who really pursue nursing as their calling and embraces the profession with their whole heart.
The training went well. I proved my Nanay wrong when she said that I might forget what I have learned because I'm not practicing nursing. Although at first I was a little bit nervous doing those nursing procedures, I still managed to accomplish them... thanks to my co-trainings and to the helpful staff of TMC. As the days passed, I'm beginning to regain the confidence I loss. I'm very glad that everyday I still learn something new and get the chance to interact with people from all walks of life... doctors, nurses, and common people who make each day a meaningful one. There are days that we may feel exhausted (TOXIC is the term) from all the nurse-patient interaction, endless vital signs & I/O monitoring, IV insertions and the paper works, but at least, we're able to put into practice what we have learned from the books. One supervisor said (to her students) that you may grow tired of the procedures we are doing but the question here is that have you gotten the mastery of the procedure? That left a mark on me. I sometimes feel tired of doing those routine procedures but we owe that to our patient, the quality health care they deserve regardless of their social status.
I'm glad the training went on smoothly. We got along well with the staff and the doctors. We were able to respond to the patient's need as well as with their relatives. I'm thankful we didn't lose our calm when the patient/watcher becomes painfully bothersome (Patience is a virtue), but a simple thank you from them means a lot to us and make us less tired and happy. When they express their appreciation to our labor, it just shows that we are doing or job well and it warms our hearts.
Thanks to my co-trainees who made our duties more happier and less stressful. Although the training has been concluded recently, and some are not going to extend, I'm happy we met and was able to share meaningful experiences with one another.
All early bundy-ins and late bundy-outs were worth it because I've learned a lot and was able to make even the slightest difference to the lives of our patients and co-workers. Looking forward to the next three months of training.
As for now, I'll face the days as it comes and savor every moment and continue to hope and pray for the best.
