A look back....

After having a week to settle in and get back to a "normal" way of life....I find myself constantly thinking about the most amazing three weeks of my life. I got to experience some things that I will never have the change to do again. I learned so much from this beautiful country and truly had the time of my life. After being so lucky to have experienced all that we did in Panama, I can't help but feel different after returning home. I will not take things for granted as much as I did before (like hot water, clean beds, AC, alcohol pads, gloves, sharps containers, PYXIS, private rooms...the list could go on and on!). I have learned from the Panamanian way of nursing. One that is not focused on the task, technology, or politics, but on the patient. The way nursing is supposed to be. Like the Dean of UP said "what we lack in technology, we make up for with our hearts". A nurse cannot be so impersonal or out of touch as many American nurses have become. She needs to be connected with her patients and truly care for their well being. I hope after this experience, I will be a be a better nurse. I am so happy that I was able to have this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

At the end.

So our three weeks in Panama have come to an end! I have learned so much regarding both community and public health and life in general. Overall, I realize that we in the United States are very fortunate in many aspects.

The last week in Panama, we visited the children's hospital. It was located near the city district right across from the Santo Tomas Hospital. The children's wards were mostly full. Different departments in the children's hospital were Oncology and Hematology, Orthopaedics, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Pediatric ICU, Neonatal ICU, and a surgical ward. One of the biggest surprises to me, was the level of technology in the Neonatal ICU. They had very up to date machines and equipment. Another interesting fact was that they had almost one hundred beds. That seems like a lot considering the acuity level of the patients in this department. Yet another interesting aspect was the "permanent" patients who have become residents in several of the wards. For instance, there was a twenty-two year old who was a hemodialysis patient since he was a baby. Because the hospital was so far from his family's home, they were not able to travel the three neccessary time per week. Instead, he has taken residence in the hospital so that he can get his weekly treatments. This brings up a dilemma worth considering. What happens as he continues to age? Should he stay at the hospital and continue to get treatments? What are his other options? Or does he have any? There were several other very interesting aspects of this hospital.

At the end of the week, I was excited to go home but sad to leave. It is nice to be back where there is not such a language barrier- everyone understands me and vice versa. However, I miss all the interesting and new scenery and the day-to-day learning experiences. Overall, I had an awesome experience on this trip!

The Last Week

Our last week in Panama was spent with us revisiting the University of Panama and presenting our presnetations. Our information was well recieved not only by the faculty there but also by the students who attended. We were also to tour some of the different hospitals in Panama city such as the Childrens Hospital and the Oncology Hospital. WE enjoyed our last week and we were all sad to leave. It's amazing how our last week flew by and I can't believe that I am already home. This trip has allowed many of us not only to learn from one another but also from the helath care system in Panama. This trip has left us with many experiences and memeories of each other. This trip was amazing and I am very thankful for this chance and experience.

Goodbye Panama

I still cannot believe the trip we have been planning for months is now over. My experience in Panama was absolutely amazing. All of us had the opportunity to accomplish so many tasks we have not even thought about completing at our point in school. After working with so many children throughout the trip, it made me realize how much more I want to be a pediatric nurse. Although it may seem like Panama's healthcare facilities are not technilogically advanced, or they may not be as sterile as our hospitals, but it is amazing how educated the nurses are and how anyone and everyone in the country is able to receive medical attention. There were many instances throughout the trip that showed me how responsible the nurses are. The main thing is the ratio of patients to nurses. Many nurses in the states complain when they have 6 patients for their shift, while Panama's nurses may have up to 30 patients for their shift, yet they LOVE their job! Another situation was in the labor and delivery unit. I was amazed to see the delivery room containing only nurses and nursing students. The doctor simply walked in (while on his cell phone) looked at the patient and walked out. Seeing the responsibilities held by the nurses puts a whole new perspective on nursing in my head. Being in another country and focusing on their healthcare systems the entire time opened up my eyes to the different cultures and communities in our world. Although our country may be extremely advanced in healthcare and technology, it does not mean other countries, less fortunate, don't have as many benefits, if not more, than more advanced countries. Overall, I wish Panama had some healthcare changes, such as the resources to be more sanitary, but their system is very successful for their population.

Panama Experience

The trip is over and although I am very happy to be home with my family, I miss being in Panama. This study abroad trip has been the most rewarding experience and I am truly thankful for being able to participate in the journey. Overall, I believe this trip was a true success even though there were many stumbling blocks along the way. I have come back to America with a greater appreciation for the profession I am becoming a part of and for the kind of healthcare that this country provides. Panama has really opened my eyes with regards to community nursing. I do not think that I truly understood how other countries could have such different styles of healthcare, but Panama proved to me that different is not necesarily worse. Panama's nurses amazed me because of how much responsibility and skills they must have. It was interesting to note that the nursing profession is well respected in Panama, just like in the U.S. Even though nurses do not make the same kind of salary as we do here, they are happy and completely satisfied with their profession. Panama's healthcare system truly amazed me because they make it work with limited resources. I am so greatful to have been able to experience Panama; it was an awesome journey!

7-8-09

Today we went down to St. Tomas Hospital. We took a tour of the hospital and spent time in the labor and delivery room. This was a great experience. I got see a birth and go to the nursery and see all the new little babies! I feel like I am a little more ahead of everyone else in the class because I got to have some hands on experience with pediatrics and OB. It was interesting to see the difference in the health care systems. Women do not have the option here to have a private room. You walk in to the labor room and you see around thirty beds filled with women that are in labor. The men are not part of the birthing process. It was a good day and we saw and learned a lot.

Posted By Sarah Dailey

7-2-09

Today we went down to University of Panama and vaccinated the students. We worked along side the University of Panama students. It was interesting to see how the two different nursing programs are. We finished off our day by going to a barbecue. One of the preceptors in the clinic asked us to come to her house for a barbecue. The food was amazing and the house was gorgeous. It was on the mountain side were cows and horses roamed. The house had a wrap around porch with rocking chairs and hammocks. The food was delicious and the best part is that they let us ride their horses. Everyone down here is warm and friendly. They are all interested in our culture but yet so proud of theirs. The people are so proud of their country and want every one of us to experience their culture.