Last Week, First Day

Hey Everyone!

SO this is my first blog post, but all of us have been having such an amazing experience here in Panama! The Chitre clinics gave us such a different perspective, and I know will contribute to all of us being well-rounded, culturally competent nurses. Even though the nurses use different practices when it comes to administering medications, I think it was important to be able to learn how other countries utilize medicine. One of the busiest days last week was on Tuesday, when it felt as though my classmate Kaley and I gave injections to an entire village of children. Of course, there were the criers, but for the most part all of the children were very behaved. It was most interesting to see how the health care providers would pack in 4 to 5 families per room, in hopes to expedite the process of moving people through for routine injections.

The Chitre clinic we were at was always busy, with some patients walking for miles to receive care, only to be waiting in the waiting area for hours. A positive aspect of the clinic was that each patient could receive total care, from gynecology exams to dentistry in the same day... with no appointment necessary! As far as the health care professionals we were working with, everyone was extremely helpful, especially because there was such a big language barrier between all of us. The doctor I worked under in the women's health department was sure to show all of the procedures slowly, to ensure maximum retainability among the students.

This is our last week in Panama :( and we are all back in the Ciudad Del Saber. I am eager to go home and share all of our stories with loved ones, but I can't imagine not wakeing up in this wonderful country!! Ciao for now! :)

Ashley