THE NIGHTINGALE's PATH
I studied Bachelor of
Science in Nursing in Our Lady of Fatima University, Quezon City and graduated
in 2012. Being a Nursing student is really difficult, and honestly it was not
even my passion to take care of someone who is not related to me. It is not even
in the list of my dream professions, and I didn’t even know how I landed on
this course. God’s plan? I think so. It was 2008 when I enrolled in OLFU. My plan was to take an Engineering course,
and to my disappointment, it was not in the courses the university offer, so I
ended with the Nursing course. First year subjects were so High School, aside
from the added subject which is Theoretical Foundation of Nursing. Second year
is a bit unforgiving; there are those subjects that annoy me particularly Microbiology
and Parasitology, Biochemistry and Nutrition and Dietetics. But during that
school year, the Capping and Pinning Ceremony was held and it entitled us to attend
Hospital and Community duties, which spiced up my enthusiasm over my course. It
became even more exciting when we were dispersed into various hospitals,
meeting patients, Clinical Instructors and staffs who were very nice to us. The
highlight of my third year life was the experience in Mariveles Mental Hospital
in Bataan. We stayed there for a week, and in that little time, I finally
realized that my course is so special that it understands every bit of changes
in the normal physiology and behavior of a person. It is like a supernatural
power that we can actually comfort and improve the health of mentally-ill
patients through communication. Yes, I am referring about Therapeutic
communication :”> It is not the drug that is important, or the daily vital
signs, offering yourself is already enough for the patient. It enable them to
feel that there is someone beside them that is ready to give care, to listen to
their dilemmas and to give them a feeling of security that no one could ever
harm them while they are in our supervision.
I can say that we are one
of the busiest college students. We have jammed pack lectures for 3 days, and
we are in the hospital or community for another 3 days. Apparently, we only
have Sunday to catch a rest but most of the time; we allot our free days to
study for exams. (That’s probably the reason why Nursing students look older
compared to others) Nursing is a ladderized one, you start with the easiest
then it becomes hyper as you step to the next level. The hardest part is undoubtedly the 4th
year! You are like a contestant in a hurdle game wherein you need to be successful
in passing all the obstacles before you reach the finish line. It is not a
guarantee that if you reached your last year, you are sure with your
Graduation. Aside from the Prelims, Midterms, Pre-Finals and Finals, you have
Comprehensive Examination or better known as COMPRE or CA2 Final. If you are
not a passer, then you will have to take the TCAP or the Removals for your
second chance. If you didn’t pass it, then you have to re-enroll the subject
next semester and say “Bye bye” to your Graduation L For passers, they attend the Intensive Practicum, a
special Monday-Sunday review classes until the QUALIFYING EXAMINATION. Failure
to pass that 500 item exam, usually taken for 2 days will not permit you to
take the Board Examination. Nursing is all about critical thinking, examinations, decision-making, prioritization.... what's more?
Luckily, I was able to
pass all the hurdles, but I have a one last difficult step to pass on. It is
every Nursing student’s dream to pass the Licensure Examination for Nursing,
and I keep on telling myself, I WILL PASS THE BOARD EXAM! I have to take the
last step before I get my license and able to add an ‘RN’ to my surname without
a touch of misdemeanor.
I’ve been studying Nursing
for over 4 years now. I already experienced various areas in the hospital and
able to see the real life. Hospital is usually the site where life and death
meet. We are one of the witnesses of that single best creation of life, DEATH.
Though we are not allowed to show much of sympathy to our dying patients, well
at least we could give their life a peaceful ending. Through those years, I was
able to love this course and accept that this is what God wants me to become.
Our Lady of Fatima University-Quezon City
(shot from NBR Building -Regalado)