Archive for the ‘nursing overseas’ Category

Many months ago, the thought ofnursing overseas was just a thought. Something that I dreamed of doing and wasexcited about, a new adventure that the Lord would take me on. I wouldexperience a new culture in a new way, with the foundation of nursing as astarting point. Today I want to share with you just a little about how nursingoverseas has impacted me thus far. I want to share stories with you andencourage all who have a thought right now for something new and challenging. Iwant to encourage you to surrender to the Lord your plans and passionatelypursue Him as He guides you along the journey.
First, nursing overseas provides many challenges with differences not only indiseases but also in the names of common medications. Several months wererequired for me to figure this out, but eventually I have become accustomed tothe common illnesses and treatment options.
The environment that I am nursing in right now is different than from backhome. Although I never worked in a hospital as a full time nurse prior to thistrip, with several hospital placements in nursing school, I do have a base ofcomparison.

One day, as Margaret and I werepreparing medication in the stock room – without even blinking an eye I said toher, “Would you look at that, a gecko is in with the Gentamicin ampoules!” Webroke out laughing at the thought – that we have become so comfortable nursinghere that, even a small animal amongst the medication doesn’t phases us. Agreat memory!
Graduating with a nursing degree has enabled me to work alongside the Matron,Nurse in Charge – a Registered Nurse with further education and much experience.With this opportunity, I have been able to assist in rounds with the doctor andthe other nursing staff, walking from patient to patient in the mornings. Atthe beginning, these moments were very stressful as reading the charts andunderstanding the health situations were new, but now these are memorable timesof the day. We get to interact with staff and patients at the same time – evenencourage different treatments or make suggestions based on previous regimens.
Currently, the need at AICT Makongoro Health Centre is to work on updating datamanagement, thus Margaret and I find ourselves helping with information detailson the computer. We are working on imputing admission, diagnosis, and dischargeinformation for patients that come through the clinic. This will allow themanagement staff to have a better idea of overall patient management and willencourage the Health Department to purchase more computers for the clinic.Using my gifts, even if they are not directly related to nursing, is what I havecome here to do. I am so thankful that the Lord has placed me where I can beused the most. From typing out reports for the HIV/AIDS counselling clinic toorganizing medication on an updated flow sheet, I am learning. I hope to beable to share this knowledge with staff at the clinic and look forward to moreopportunities to share in my gifts in the coming months.