love forever

Just last December 20, 2010, my parents celebrated their Pearl Wedding Anniversary with us at Cocowhite beach, Saranggani Province..

My parents have been through many challenges in life most often financial. It's very difficult for them to provide our needs because we're six siblings. When I was young I wanted to study at the private school because I know it offers a quality education and it can enhance my potential even better. My parents cannot afford to send me to an exclusive school eventhough I'm a scholar. Despite that i never give up in reaching my goals. I did not complain. My parents guided me through my teenage life until I mature to a young adult. Even though I did not came from a well off family I am not ashamed of it. I am proud that my parents, despite the lightnings and thunderstorms that came to their marriage life, they never give up, they did not separate. I grew up in a big,simple, happy and harmonious family. I will forever thankful for this blessing. May my parents live happily seeing their successful children and grandchildren.

With regards to the beach...

I lily lily like the place,.. haha..It's super new and only few foreigners are visiting the place. First time kong makakita ng beach resort na sa harap mismo may nangingisda,aside from that, some resort owners allow their customers to have bonfire when they like. . Pwedi ka ring pumunta sa kabilang resort para mag pa picture kasi magkakapatid lang naman ang may-ari at saka walang harang... The experience is really memorable. Nandoon din kasi parents ko... at hanggang ngayon matatag pa rin ag marriage life nila,, Merry Christmas sa lahat:)

ENGULFING WISDOM

All roads are not straight

Some are curving great

For a traveler who wander

There is no road to nowhere

One must know where he’s going to

To reach the sky so high so blue

If goal is set, one must always do

What time demands, don’t wait for due

For someone like me who lived simply

And seeks nightly a fresh sunny day

Down the green fields of wheat that yields

Riches and happiness nature yields

For a young bird to fly, it must first learn

To spread its wings with mother’s teaching

There must be guide in every soaring

Against all odds someone is cheering

High school then, I was so excited

In taking the course I’ve always delighted

Sad to say, I won’t become a VetMed

For financially, we are challenged

Back then I dreamt to be a businesswoman

So that I’ll earn money wanted by any man

But God’s so great he made a plan

And called me to become a noble woman

I learned to listen to the knocks of opportunity

I accepted the offer with commitment and responsibility

That I’ll take the chance that he has given me

So that I can make my family happy

Seems like my feet have mighty wings

It carried me here to listen to the ringings

Of golden bells sign of calling

The chosen one to take up nursing

Oh! Time is so fast, I’m already here

Near the finish line I always dear

Oh! How I love to reminisce

Times before which I never missed

They say it’s hard to be in third year

Lots of adrenaline rush you’ve face never

Party, variety show and Cebu exposure

Were so expensive yet you have to explore

The books are huge my shelf is filled

Wisdom I learn never been compared

Reading them makes me overwhelmed

Although memorizing is not my field

Someone is saying in just some time

We’ll happily reach the finish line

But after that what will happen?

Is there space for work? I am thinking

In this profession where many have tried

The competition is not desired

Reality hurts but I have to accept

Somehow my future is looking blurred

I am afraid that it’ a curse

I won’t be able to practice my profession as a nurse

But in god’s grace, I pray hard

He will bless me work even in graveyard

Not just because I want to earn

The money man has always aim

But because I want to share

The noble profession which core is CARE

NOT YET

We’ve known each other for a very long time

But the feelings we have is just like mime

I’m not really sure if you are mine

When will it be our hearts intertwine?

Never had this feeling towards any man

In 18 years I’ve lived that not yet a woman

I cannot explain why you’re always in my mind

In night and day, in my dreams you always bind

Since you have shared your life to me

Your dreams, career and family

I have also learned that you’re a kind of guy

That I can lean on whenever I cry.

Now I’m always longing for you

When I’m happy, even in blue

Oh! How I wish we will be together

In sharing sweetness of love now and forever

You said you love and I love you too
but I’m confused how it is true

What I know is just I’m happy with you

I become lonesome when your message is due.

Just like, I’m also looking behind

To my parents and family to me so kind

With all sorts they sustain my study

So I work hard to give them repay

Oh! How I wish I can commit

To our official relationship

But I’m afraid I’ll get hurted

And my academics will be affected.

You are the man I want to spend my life with

The one to kiss goodnight, cook breakfast with

I admit I want you to be my children’s’ father

You’ll teach them values and also number

Before you go to the office, I’ll fix your tie

Then you’ll say you love me and kiss me goodbye

You’ll leave our home you built and designed

With our son who’s smart and kind

Oh! Hoe I love dreaming of these

But I’ve already set my priorities

Asking me if I’m ready for our hearts to meet?

I’m sorry my answer to you is not yet.

MY DEEP PALS

During my first days here in the university

You’re the one I am with every night and day

During enrolment we struggled together

To get the COR we have to gather.

In the PLH, we spent many nights

Sharing our thoughts and worldly insights

In the second storey of that building

We had lots of fun and  dreadful gaming

In our new home we found a grandfather

Auntie, brother, sister and mommy dear

In all the hardships that we’ve been through

They’re on our side, without subdue

Carren and Claire you are super friends

You’re smart, beautiful and always in trend

But despite those things you remained grateful

Caring and loving in God so faithful

Cyndi and Reg you’re our nightingales

Hollywood or OPM hits you are masters

Aside from that you’re also firm

In your commitment to study and dream

Levie and Cristine the loving ladies

Rich in experience and love stories

Thanks for sharing your wisdom about love

We learned to guard the fragile heart we have

Sarah and Shierra we came from same homeland

Thank you for always offering a hand

With the same dialect we share our thought

Our native tongue to them we also taught

Lady and Kim our groovy dancers

Pop, social, Cheer dance you’re all masters

With your gifts and talents you never forget

To stay humble and kind to every person you meet

Ian and Sid you’re the most creative

In every event you’re always active

Your ideas and plans are very excellent

The results when you lead, amazing, magnificent

Kristofer and Sam you’ve been so close

But now committed to each other’s rose

Eventhough you are not always together

I know you still care for each other

Neil and Christian you’re like number ten

Physically, somehow fat, somehow thin

But your brain is created so outstanding

That you excel always in academe

Rodrigo and Roger, brothers forever

Elementary to college separated never

Sharp in mind, dancing and drawing

In styles and shapes you’re always helping

Gel, Hannah, Elle, and Dessiery

I long for you almost everyday

Even we are not with each other

The memories we shared will last forever

They’re saying we’re the luckiest students

We are sustained with food ,allowance and residence

But the expectations are just so high

That beyond limits we must give our try

Now I’m smiling when I reminisce

The moments we had all these years

From the birthday parties and debut we prepared

To the outing and trips where we gathered

How time goes fast, before we’re shy and innocent

But are now ladies, gentleman so decent

From NBSB and NGSB

Now, “in a relationship” in their FB

It’s funny to think and imagine

Our future when we’re married then

Remember our promises to each other

In every wedding we should gather

But now our focus is our study

May we become successful not just today

May we become superb, extremely happy

In the life journeyed and created destiny

In the long run, I know we will be apart

I hope and pray we will preserve our pure heart

Wherever we go, we will remember

The friendship we had, nothing can pair

Maybe it’s gauche if I didn’t meet you

I’ll be always weary here in MSU

Even we are apart I would like you to know

From the bottom of my heart

“I will always love you”

USE OF COMPUTERS AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE IN CLINICAL NURSING PRACTICE

Computers influence every sphere of human activity and bring in many changes in industry, education, health care, scientific research, social science, law and even in arts, music and painting. In the third world countries the impact of computer technology can be felt only in certain fields whereas in developed countries computers have become part of every man's life.

Although computers have been used in health care since 1960's, the use of computer by Nurses has increased rapidly in developed countries. Computers can perform a wide range of activities that save time and help Nurses provide quality nursing care.

USE OF COMPUTERS AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE IN CLINICAL NURSING PRACTICE:

a) Admission, Discharge and Transfer (ADT)

ADT system allows Nurses to obtain basic biographical information on clients before they arrive to the unit.

When a discharge or transfer is entered in the computer, all the appropriate departments (Eg: dietary, housekeeping, pharmacy) are automatically notified, thus, saving the Nurses from many phone calls. Information about beds and a client's location on the unit is also readily available.

b) Nursing Documentation:

Nursing assessments, clients' care plans, medication, administration records, nursing notes and discharge plans are some of the forms of Nursing documentation that are computerized. Computerized documentation has many advantages. It is typed and therefore legible. The computer can be programmed to identify the data and time of all entries as well as the initials or the name of the person making the entry.

The computer can store standard nursing care plans in a format determined by the institution, to be used by Nurses as the basis for developing individualized client care plan. The computer is often programmed to automatically print a list of medication to be administered at pre determined times, during the day. A Nurse using a printout for a particular client, administers the medication and then charts it on the computer (If the medication is not charted and given within a specified time after the scheduled time, the computer prints a reminder that the medication is overdue). Computer can perform drug dosage calculation faster and more accurately. Nurses' notes can be entered quickly by choosing statements, appropriate for a particular client from multiple pre programmed choices.

USE OF COMPUTERS IN NURSING EDUCATION:

Computer is a useful tool in Education because it allows for an individual a self paced learning. Computed Assisted Instruction (CAI) is a method of teaching that involves interaction between the learner and the computer. The computer takes on the role of a teacher.

There are three different types of CAI programs:

a) Drill and Practice: It is the most common and least complex type of CAI. A learner is presented with a series of questions or problems about materials that have already been learnt. Drug dosage calculation, intravenous drip rate calculation and medical terminology and abbreviations are some. of the topics that drill and practice CAT is well suited for.

b) Tutorial Programs: Display new materials that are similar to programmed instructions. Tutorials present information and provide the learner the feedback.

c) Simulations: Present before learners the 'real - life' situations that are designed to assist learners in developing problem solving and decision making skills in a safe environment. Interactive Video Instruction (IAV) can provide learners. with "true -to - life" simulation. IAV combines CAI with a videotape or videodisc player so that video pictures as well as graphics can be incorporated in the design of the software.

NURSING RESEARCH:

Computers facilitate the research process in a number of ways. Computerized literature searches are a particular advantage to the researchers because they save time and can increase the scope of the search and the number of data base that can be searched. The computer can also help researchers collect and analyze data, prepare research reports, and disseminate research findings.

NURSING ADMINISTRATION:

Computers are useful tools for Nurse Administrators. A number of computer programs are designed to assist Nurse Administrators. Computerized patients' classification system can be used to assign Nursing staff based on how severely ill clients are. Clients are assessed on a number of criteria and their abilities or need for nursing care are rated. A client's total rating score indicates how much Nursing care the client requires. Computerized inventory system keeps track of supplies received and disbursed. They can also be integrated with the client billing system. General computer application software such as word processing, electronic spread sheets and data base management system help Nurse Administrator to prepare reports and letters, create budgets and maintain personnel records and mailing lists. Computers can calculate daily the number of Nurses needed on each unit, computer can be used to schedule Nurses' days off so that an optional number of Nurses are working at one time.

CONCLUSION:

Computers are important tools in Nursing practice, Nursing education, Nursing research and Nursing administration.

Nurses can use computers in clinical practice to document nursing care, communicate physician's orders, receive and send information about admissions, discharge and transfers, monitor clients and also receive lab test results.

In the Philippine setting, the uses of computer software described above is not applicable in all hospitals, since we are in the third world country. Only tertiary hospitals like St. Luke’s Medical Center and Makati Medical Center use those technology and  offer more modern and quality care. In the Philippines most hospitals are still using manual charting, documentation, collaboration with other medical staffs so on…

In my opinion, even though computers make the work easier and pace of  life becomes faster manual means of documentation is still of big help because the nurses chart their own interventions without doubts that other people may forge their work. People are smart in providing privacy to the owner of computer yet some people can still access/ hack the account.

Computer softwares are very much useful in the nursing profession and even in other proferssion rest assured that people can still function well even without computers because in critical actual setting where no high tech equipment is available, nurse’s knowledge, skills and attitude must still prevail.

What does a nurse do?

Assignment:

                Imagine you are in a social situation and someone asks you, “What does a nurse do?”Think about how you will capture and convey the richness that is nursing science in your answer.

        Basically, nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. Nursing includes the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying people. Advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, research, participation in shaping health policy and in patient and health systems management, and education are also key nursing roles. This is according to the International council of nurses.

        When I enter the nursing school, I don’t really have any idea what nursing is. I thought it was just an ordinary course taken up by students because they wanted to go abroad to look for “greener pastures” as the cliché goes. When I watch the demonstration on perennial care, bed making, and stool and urine collection when patient is incapable of doing it, I’m secretly saying to myself “Ew, so gross”. Just like any ordinary people, I’ve also thought that nursing is a dirty job because you have to assist the old patient in voiding, hold your breath when it smells foul and you also have to clean patients’ mess. But there are some roles of a nurse that you cannot read from books and you cannot learn unless you experience it yourself. Nursing is not just all about giving medications, IV therapy and carrying out doctor’s order. The definition of nursing is not only limited to white uniforms, beautiful and tall nurses. Nursing requires knowledge, skills and attitude. 

        As a nurse you have the power to make a difference in someone’s day. You can make them smile, laugh, feel comforted, feel supported, and make them feel not alone. But dealing with people is not all about fun. To see a mother’s smile while cuddling her baby after a painful and critical delivery, to make parents knowledgeable of the advantages of breastfeeding and to promote family bonding through proper newborn care is making difference. Cleaning up the linens of a fully grown man after bowel incontinence and retain his dignity and pride while doing so makes a difference. Positioning an asthmatic seventy two year old woman to alleviate difficulty of breathing makes a difference. To let the cancer patient make you a screaming board after knowing that she only has few months on earth makes a difference. 

         Once I had a patient in the surgery ward. She’s a three day post operative patient from cesarean section and bilateral tubal ligation. When I asked her about her age, she told me she’s twenty years old. I was nineteen years old then so I saw myself in her position. She told me she got married at the age of twelve; she got pregnant and delivered her baby at the age of thirteen. At the moment she already has seven children signifying that she’s getting pregnant every year. She missed her newborn very much since she hasn’t seen her after her delivery. As I listened to her, I felt so touched. I’ve never been pregnant but it seems like her pain is radiating to me.

          The next day, before I enter her room, I observed her from afar and I saw her watching outside the window. When I took  her vital signs I asked her about what she feels and she started opening up to me everything she has in mind, about her dreams not for herself but for her children, about her worries and about her misconceptions. Just listening to her makes a difference. Just holding her hands make a difference. Just teaching her coughing and breathing exercise to alleviate pain from surgery creates a difference. I once explained her the condition preeclampsia which she experienced and she opened up to me how painful it was. During my health teaching, her husband came in and told us that she had ligation. Together with my clinical instructor, I explained to her what ligation is and when she realized that she will no longer get pregnant again, she became terrified because she was not informed by her husband about it. My clinical instructor explained to her that it’s emergency so her husband made a decision in her behalf. Besides, her life is at stake so she really has to undergo the procedure. When my instructor leaved, my patient asked me about her private worries. I explained to her everything and told her that she should not blame her husband instead she should realize that he only did what is proper. At the moment, she should no longer worry about making another baby but focus on the welfare of her children. She should remain steadfast and emotionally strong for her family. 

        I cared for her for four days until she was discharged. One thing I can’t forget about her is when she advised me to study hard and not enter a relationship yet because it’s the reason why she didn’t finish her education, she also told  me that she wants her daughter to become a nurse like me. I felt so happy about it. She even told me “sana ibigay mo sa akin ang number mo para matext kita, kasi di ba ganun naman ang mag bestfriends?” Secretly, my heart rejoiced. I never expected she treated me as her best friend. 

        It’s only one of my experiences but everyday I’m learning and I felt I’m growing up as a person. It takes a very special person to be let into the very private, emotional and vulnerable lives of others. I feel very privileged to have been able to make a difference to so many lives over the years, it is a very hard job that does not always get the recognition it deserves but l would not do anything else in the world.

       I believe nursing is a calling. Nurses can touch lives like no one else. It is like a room full of stressful moments and exhaustion but at the end of the day, it offers self fulfillment. Maybe it’s not considered as the noblest profession but as a nurse it’s up to you how you’ll make yourself a noble one.