At least 4 months ago I (Erin) stated I would be seeking out
a nursing volunteer position. Yet since
then I have not. At the time I lacked
confidence in my language ability and was quite unsure as to where (a local
clinic or hospital) or even how to start.
Mostly though, I was just lazy.
Well, despite my laziness, I have been blessed with an opportunity to
shadow nurses at a local hospital. We
are so thankful for this opportunity for many reasons, though mostly for the
manner which it came about.
John participated in a“Fun Bike” with some friends a week
ago. During this bike ride he met a
gentleman who invited him to visit his office.
After learning the gentleman was the director of a local hospital, John
mentioned I am a nurse. The gentleman,
hospital director, again invited John and now me to his office. Three days later we visited the hospital
director; with our boys in tow as well.
We had no idea what to expect, but hoped to explain my desire to learn
medical terminology and just see how patients are cared for here. As soon as we arrived at the hospital the
Director called four other professionals in to meet with us as well. One was the Nursing Director, another was a
Nursing Supervisor for a specific area, and the other two where directors or heads
also. We chit-chatted a little,
intermingled with some awkward silence.
By the end of the meeting I had communicated my desire to shadow and
they invited me to come the following Saturday.
We then were taken on a tour of the hospital by the Nursing Director and
Nursing Supervisor.
The following Saturday I spent 4 hours at the hospital with
the Nursing Supervisor and her fellow nurses.
Wow, what an opportunity. I
basically can come as often as I’d like, for how ever long I’d like and shadow
the nurses. During the Saturday morning visit
I was able to visit patient rooms with the Nursing Supervisor, look at patient
charts, and talk with the nurses on shift.
This whole opportunity came about by natural, local means. John ‘happened’ to meet the Hospital Director. The Director
was the one to invite us to his office and offered me the opportunity to
shadow. Through it all we didn’t have to
wonder if we were pursuing this in a culturally appropriate way as the locals
were the ones leading.
Lastly, we are thankful for the specific hospital. It is relatively close to our house and is a
pretty typical, simple hospital. I hope this
opportunity will expose me to the typical medicine practiced here and a great
deal of vocab!
