January 5 Blog

By: Matt P., and Anna B.

Today was our second day of clinical here at MJ hospital. I think we all woke up with much anticipation, while still adjusting to the early mornings to prepare for the day. After eating some delicious breakfast we gathered alongside our fellow MJ students where Aaron, a  CSS student graciously took the role of leading our morning devotion. Next, we gathered into our groups for the day and went to our assigned duties.
Today, several other CSS students and I were assigned to the surgical ward where we really enjoyed working alongside the wonderful MJ students and staff at the hospital, as they were so kind and helpful with our learning experiences. Students on this unit gained more experience with taking manual blood pressure and administering intravenous medications. My highlight of today included having the opportunity with another CSS student to work in the outpatient clinic that hosts the Diabetes Club here in Tondo every Tuesday. We performed many complete blood glucose tests and were able to communicate with patients about their blood glucose readings. We felt so very welcomed there and are grateful to have had the chance to experience the outpatient setting here in Tondo, Philippines.  Some of us were on the Pediatric floor where we took vitals and gave babies their medications.  Those who were on that unit also learned that blood pressure and 02 is not usually taken routinely unless a specific problem is identified with the child.  Others were in the Emergency room, where they performed  several nursing skills where they only had practiced on a mannequin in the skills lab. These nursing skills and interventions include NG tube insertion, foley cath insertion, IV insertion, intradermal skin testing, and more in clinical setting rather than simulation.  A quick shout out to the staff at the ER who were very welcoming and friendly.  I personally was in the Post Partum Unit (PPU).  I learned a lot today; the most memorable moments were watching a newborn being bathed, and assessing the wound and suture of a C-section dressing.  In clinical today, I also learned how to use the charting system, which was a struggle at first because it was on paper form.  It was a struggle at first, using this new charting system, but I got a hang of it pretty quickly.  It was pretty awesome to connect with the Filipino mothers on this floor, and establish a professional nursing rapport with them.  This was not an easy task at first, but as the clinical neared to a close I felt myself become accepted as a nurse to my patients.

Right before lunch the CSS students and the MJ students congregated in the school's chapel, for church service.  The service consisted of introduction, singing hymns, listening to a sermon, the offering, and a final hymn to close out the church service.  The church service occurs three days a weeks at MJ Nursing school.  It also is mandatory for all students unlike at CSS were church service is optional.  The service was very formal, like mass at the College of Saint Scholastica, and it was very fun to sing with our Filipino students/new friends.   After today's duty we got into our "Sunday's best dress" clothing and headed over to meet the President of  Philippine Christian University which is the main campus in which Mary Johnston College of Nursing is a part of. Then, we had the opportunity to go to a restaurant named "Barbara's" that is located in Intramuros.  Our dinner was served as a buffet, and was extremely delicious to say the least!  The food ranged from coffee jello, to salad fixings, to fried and breaded fish.  Sitting with my friends, discussing the amazing food we picked up from the buffet during our dinner was an amazing experience I will never forget.  This is a restaurant that serves a buffet while being entertained by a traditional Filipino dance performance. We learned about the national Filipino dance called the "Tinikling," where two bamboo sticks are used for dancers to jump between following the rhythms of the music. It was a very fun and entertaining show to watch and learn all about Filipino culture. Several CSS students volunteered to perform the Tinikling in front of the audience, which everybody greatly enjoyed.