Wednesday, July 22, 2009
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!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
At the end.
Monday, July 13, 2009
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
Sunday, July 12, 2009
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.
6-30-09
Saturday, July 11, 2009
On our way home
Well the three weeks are up! Its been an amazing experience and we have seen and learned so much! I'm sure that we will all remember this experience for the rest of our lives! This past week we visited a clinic in Panama city, the mental health institute, Panama's biggest and "best" hospital Santo Thomas and the children hospital. While it was very sad in some parts of the children's hospital, the care they provided was phenomenal. The technology at the hospital was some of the best in Panama. We had our last dinner at an amazing restaurant on the Causeway last night. Now its time to leave this beautiful county and take our experiences back to the US. Speaking for myself, this experience has expanded my views of nursing and of the world. This trip has prepared me to be an even more well-rounded nurse and given me an amazing understanding of community nursing.
Our last day
Our last week
Today we are leaving for the airport and I am kinda sad to leave. These three weeks have been some of the best weeks ever. I learned so many new skills and had so many great experiences. I'm going to miss spending everywaking moment with my villa mates!!
Looking back at Panama
Alto!
Now that our final presentations and community clinicals are complete, the experience in Panama has come to an end. The experience in Panama has afforded many new learning opportunities, many which could not have been possible in the States. As I reflect on the course of our trip it is apparent that this trip was very successful and the knowledge that I have acquired has been unfathomable. I have learned that health promotion, prevention and the treatment of illnesses are the essential pillars of community health nursing. The time spent here will be one that I cherish for a lifetime. My most memorable experience was witnessing the miracle of life as one of the patients in Santo Tomas hospital gave birth to her first child. This moment will forever be sketched in my mind. The nurses that I have been fortunate to learn from are truly deserving of recognition for their selfless work. The nurses are few but the hours are long and the patients seem to be endless. The Panamanian healthcare system has broadened my perspective of healthcare. This experience has facilitated my learning tremendously, the lessons learned and skills gained have equipped me to become a competent healthcare professional when I start practicing in the very near future. Overall I would consider myself very fortunate to have experience this opportunity.
Last day in Panama
Friday, July 10, 2009
Pediatric
Maternity
Final Days
I feel beyond blessed to have been giving this opportunity. To be welcomed and embraced someplace outside of "home" and at the same time gain knowledge and experience in a field I love so much. Today we had our final presentations in front of the University of Panama nursing students and I felt there was still so much we could learn from each other. The few facilitated conversations between us and them was like two worlds coming together as one with one common interest; nursing.
This trip has definitely opened the door for more international travels. I can't say they all will be in the interest of nursing, but there will be more. To all of you who have been here with me. We all know it has not been as easy trip. 22 women, 22 different personalities and 1 small bus does not always make the best combination but we have made it and I hope many all of you leave here with broaden perspective.
Pediatric Hospital
Nervous to present!
Today we are all presenting our group topics to the University of Panama and I am a little nervous! My group's project that we will focus on were the differences between American and Panamanian healthcare systems. We mainly will discuss the difference that Panama has universal healthcare, and how the US is run by private insurance. We also compared and contrasted simalarities in the hospitals, clinics, schooling for nurses, and staffing in the hospitals. Although there are many differences in the nursing world between the two countries, nurses are looked up to as respected role models in each country, which gives me pride for our profession.
Tonight we are going out for our last meal in Panama :(. I am sad we will be leaving ALREADY, but I am eager to get back into routine of Tampa life. Panama took all of us in with open arms, and I cannot express what an amazing and interesting time we have had here. I am so happy to tell all of my family and friends of the adventures we went on, and the clinics we we got to practice our skills in. I hope one day I can come back to this beautiful country!
Ciao!
Ashley
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Santo Tomas Hospital
Today we visited the Santo Tomas Hospital. After taking the tour of the hospital we went to the Maternity Ward of the Hospital. Once we got there they divided us into two groups (eleven in each). We first got to visit the nursery where two of the students got to feed and burp a newborn. The most interesting observation was that I recognized was the fact that the infants that were born to mothers with HIV had red biohazard bags tied to the newborns bassinets. We were also informed that red biohazard bags are tied to a newborns bassinet when the mother chart is missing or is not brought up with the patient, for precautionary reasons. Some of the infants were in the incubator beds. One cultural difference that I noticed between the US and Panama is the fact the Panamanians give their newborns their first drink of milk out of a small four ounce cup instead of them being feed from a bottle or breast. The Panamanian instructor really did not give the rationale behind this action, but it is interesting that they did that.
When we first got into the labor and delivery unit of the hospital we witnessed from the hallway of the unit a woman who just delivered a baby being sutured and the nurses were removing the placenta. Then we attempted to see a delivery but the patient did not want us to observe the delivery so we respected her wishes and left the area. We spent the majority of our time in the unit with approximately ten pregnant women who were receiving care from the nurses in preparation for the delivery. Even though we did not have the opportunity to witness a birth having this experience made me realize that I really do not know what I want to specialize in after graduation. I never imagined that labor and delivery would spark my interest as much as it did. I believe that I possibly want to work with newborns due to the fact that I love interacting and caring for infants and children. Fortunately, I have some time to evaluate my options. I love the fact that we get an opportunity to get some exposure to Peds and OB before the upcoming and final semester in the nursing program.
El Valle
It was a very relaxing and adventurous day in El Valle. The morning began around 6:45am. After doing my daily routine I packed my belongings and grabbed 2 cups of coffee before loading up on the bus to go Zip Lining in the rainforest at the Macho Waterfall. Once we made it to our destination we were able to take a brief hike while we waited for the manager to come to negotiate a reasonable price for doing the five platform zip lining course. The original price of this specific course was priced at $52.50 but we were able to get a five dollar discount ($47.50). We also had the option of doing a shorter one (platform-to-platform) for $12.50. I originally wanted to do the cheaper course because of the price but I thought to myself this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m glad that I did because I will never forget this unbelievable experience.
The most tiring aspect of zip lining is the hike to the top of the mountain. I really don’t know if we went to the top of the mountain but we hiked at least twenty minutes continuously without a break. It was worth the hike to the top and if I was given the opportunity to do it again before the end of this trip, I would not hesitate. I would honestly have to say that zip lining is the memorable experience thus far on this trip. I’m usually afraid of heights but I was so excited and I never got scared while doing it. My favorite part of this experience was when the zip line instructor stopped me right over the waterfall for about two minutes. That view was breath taking and it’s an image that I will never leave my memory. The entire experience was so exhilarating. I was so disappointed when the string on my camera broke, so I was unable to take photos while I hung over the waterfall. I could not chance dropping my camera into the water below. No matter photos of the experience will never be as vivid as my memories. I must say that this was the most memorable experience of my life thus far. I cannot wait to do it again.
Clinical Experience
Last Week
We have 2 more nights in Panama. It certainly has been a great experience. There are some major differences between the Panamanian and American health care. I believe one of the biggest difference is that everyone in Panama can receive health care for free, which is highly beneficial. Everyone in Panama has health care. But we have more resources in America. For example, the biggest hospital in Panama City did not offer peritoneal dialysis. Also, the nurse-patient ratio in America is smaller compared to a rate of about 1 nurse to 30 patients in Panama. The amount of patients a nurse receives in Panama is quadrupled compared to America.
Chitr'e
The Miracle of Life!
Maternity
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Panama: Weeks One and Two
The first two weeks in
The second week in
"Conclusion of Chitre Expedition"
Mental Health and the Painful miracle of life
This is week we went to the mental health institution where we learned about the different services offered to individuals with mental conditions or dealing with substance abuse. This institution houses 21 patients and provides them with activities to incorporate them back into the community. Only 5 of those patients count with family support, which I believe is a great barrier for their rehabilitation back into society. These individuals make different handcrafts as part of occupational therapy and sell them to buy more materials; I was able to buy a painting of a mother feeding her child as an angel watches over them. This painting was made by an individual diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder; I had the privilege to meet her and she signed her piece of art for me. This really meant a lot, she was so happy to sign it, especially after one of the nurses told her “they are taking your painting to the US.”
Today I saw a baby boy being born. That was quiet the experience!! It was a very beautiful moment and at the same time very painful. The baby was 37 weeks and had some breathing problems; the mother was in tremendous amount of pain because her placenta broke within her and the doctor had to scrape it out. I have never seen anything as painful and disturbing as this; it made me think twice about having children in the future.
Overall, the mental health clinic and the obstetrician clinic were wonderful experiences and gave me the opportunity to see how Panama handles these subjects. It is a sweet-and-sour feeling to see how happy a mother can be with so much physical pain and to see how a simple gesture like buying a painting can mean so much to a person and at the same time see how society rejects this artist.