Medical Staff Should Set a Good Example: A reaction to the VSMMC surgery scandal

I have seen the video at youtube of that surgery scandal at VSMMC weeks ago and I never posted it here because it’s a shame for us who are in the medical field. But when I saw in the news that the government of Cebu is doing an action for the involved doctors, staff and clinical instructors, I became glad that we are still giving importance for the rights of the patients.

I was a clinical instructor for four years handling students in the operating room. In my four years of teaching, never I neglect every patient’s right to privacy. Taking videos and pictures is a big NO for me. Using cellular phones inside the operating room in the first place is not allowed by our school itself. I was so sorry for the clinical instructor who did not handle the situation well because the students will bear that in their minds for the rest of their lives...(con't) The biggest responsibility I took when I chose to become a clinical instructor is to protect my students and their patients. If I was the clinical instructor involved in the situation, I would take all the blame and I would never involved my students.

Documenting a procedure is not restricted for educational purposes but it should be with the permission of the patient. Of course, for a teaching hospital documentation is sometimes necessary for learning. Hospitals who are accepting student affiliation should make a good standard for the future nurses. As much as possible, they should implement what is the “ideal” set up and practice because that is the responsibility they have to take if they wanted to become a teaching hospital.

Doctors, nurses and other medical staff on the other hand, must also set a good example for the students. They do not know but students look up to them. They respect and idolized them because these doctors and nurses are what the students want to be in the future. I know this because I handled hundreds of nursing students inside and outside the operating theatres.

I hope we could learn something from this situation.

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learning from my students

After working for two years as a Paediatric nurse abroad, I ventured into something I never expected in my whole life. I became a clinical instructor. I have been teaching for 4 years now and just recently I am handling nursing students in a special program. These students are already professionals who took up BS in Nursing as their hope of getting out from this struggling country. Most of them are having a good position in their specific jobs and in the community but chooses to go below their level... as a student again for a brighter future ahead. In my previous blog (nurse with a HEART), I express how tough it is to handle them. How challenging for me to make them listen and follow me as their teacher. Sometimes, at the back of my mind I am scared but I need to be firm and stand above to make them trust me, that I know what I am doing and I am confident that I can give them what they came for. Besides these difficulties, complaints and lots of arguments that I encountered with them, at the end of the day, I always thought that they were my inspirations. These people worked to death during weekdays and go to school, have their duties during weekends. Now, where is the rest day? Where is the time for the family and other activities? None. If it is difficult for me, yeah, I admit it is more difficult for them. Every time I feel down or wanted to give up because I am tired, I think of them. I think that they sacrifices more than I did and yet they don't complain as much as I do. Every time I hear my boyfriend complain how hard his nihongo class is and that he wanted to quit, I always inspire him with my students' stories and things would be different. My students have given too much time, effort, energy, money to aim a solid future. They work their damn ass to sustain their studies and their family's living just to be like me. I bow my head to them for this very reason. They have to admit as well that I maybe their stressor, enemy or their thorn. I make their lives much more difficult but that is my job. This is part of being a student... and that is another story. We make choices basing on what we think is best for us. Although sometimes our decision was a surprising one, it maybe also filled with surprising experiences and learnings. I never saw myself one day as an instructor but here I am, been in this profession longer than I expected. Life really is full of mystical ways...

nurse with a Heart

Teaching really is a commitment, especially if you are handling nursing students from the so called "second courser group" hehehe... At first I was so hesitant on how to approach them whom most of them are a lot older than me and shall I say has high paying jobs in a reputable companies with a stable and respectable position. Well, I am paid for this kind of job as well so I must handle the challenge.

Yeah, it's tough because I need to be very careful not to offend them too much and at the same time make sure of the patients safety. I do believe that "patient comes first" that is why sometimes (most of the time, I guess... hehehe) I cannot control my temper anymore. I really wanted them to realize that nursing as a profession is not an easy gateway to new and broader opportunity for them; it is not just by having the title as an RN is the only important element in reaching their dreams in going abroad. I wanted them to love the profession, to open their hearts to their patients, to see what is beyond the title and the opportunity it might bring to them, I want them to value the vocation that all of the nurses in the world has pledged for. I wanted them to be a "nurse with a HEART"... I am not a good clinical instructor but I believe that my soft heart for sick, unaided, helpless, innocent persons nor animals makes me better with my profession. Realizing that I am one of those persons whom they wanted to be makes me feel so blessed, that I am lucky to be where I am right now where most of them would want to trade places with me gives me strength to do my best at all times. My profession which I hardly earned became my most kept treasure now... And I know deep in my heart if not today, someday they would also... Good luck guys! post taken from my friendster's blog