My Story..My Life...

Last Friday marked the end of my one-month placement in AH. Generally, it had a fulfilling experience because it opened my mind to the kind of nursing system we have in Singapore. With the opportunity to compare it to the nursing system in the UK, I am supposed to bring the good things of the system in the UK and see how we can implement it in Singapore. Easier said than done because I have to take into consideration the cultural aspect of patients in Singapore.

When asked which ward/dept do I like the best, I never hesitated to answer Ward 5 and DEM. Even though Ward 5 is a medical ward, where most people associate it with bringing bedpan to the patients or bringing them to the toilet most of the time, but it is in Ward 5 where I gain most knowledge. Thanks to the regular talks and nursing ward rounds they have. Very informative and thought-provoking indeed! Although I saw a lot more procedures done in MICU, such as intubation, insertion of CVP line and arterial line, CRRT etc, I am quite disappointed that students do not have the opportunity for more hands-on activities. It can be boring to just turn up everyday and observe. The attitude of the consultant in MICU is also questionable. DEM was fun with all the different stations (I love the swipecard!)though I seemed to miss all the action. During the first day in DEM, there was a resus case but the dept sister was doing orientation with me. I was so shocked when she opened the door of the resus room to find that a resuscitation was going on. Then again, on my last day in DEM, I missed out on another resus case because I had to go meet the Director of Nursing in AH. Apparently, that guy was shocked six times with futile attempts so it became a coroner's case. Bad luck, not only do I have to endure the meeting (I was really nervous meeting her!), I also missed out on the action :(

The placement this time really had a big impact because the people I met may become my future colleagues. It is different because back in the UK, if I encounter nasty staff in a placement area, at least I would not be meeting them again. However, I am not able to avoid anyone from AH, unless they are not moving to KTPH. Haiz...

- i just wanted to say ...# ;

Tuesday 11 August 2009

Super irritated today...on my first day in ICU.

I know my eyes are smaller than others, but I am not SOME CHINA GIRL! You male chauvinist pig can just keep that comment to yourself! It was really uncalled for and totally unnecessary. I know I looked different as compared to the other nurses because I am wearing a polo shirt, but I cannot help the fact that I am not allowed to wear the nurses' uniform or my student nurse uniform. Do you have to ask who I am and what am I doing near YOUR patient in that accusatory tone as if I am trying to harm your patient? For goodness sake, I wasn't even touching your patient!

Just when I thought it was just my problem, towards the end of the shift I heard something shocking. THAT same comsultant was bitching to his MO that the nurse feeding his patient medication was trying to kill his patient (btw, it was not me he was referring to). The problem was, as discreet as he wanted to be, that comment could be heard throughout the entire ICU.

Way to go! This is the kind of environment that I will be working in the future...anyone congratulating me?

- i just wanted to say ...# ;

Saturday 8 August 2009

Thanks to Thuy, I am seriously addicted to this song now :) Enjoy the lyrics, they are really meaningful!

- i just wanted to say ...# ;

Rong has said it..."update, woman"...so here I am again.

Things had been a mad rush ever since I left Manchester. Many thanks to Rong who helped me with my luggage to the airport and locating the correct terminal, I was able to board the plane back home safely. Perhaps I felt more experienced flying back home alone now. Or perhaps it was the nightmare I had to face last year. For some reason, I actually felt fear as I left my room in Manchester. Not a good start...

Then it was two weeks of jet lag, housework, essay rushing, class chalet, kbox outing, flu vaccination and booking of holiday to Taiwan. Phew! The Kbox outing was fun...met a few good friends of Kwanie and Kai Hong's girlfriend. Have not K for a long time...felt good to sing again. As usual, my singing ability is not up to standard yet...so sorry to those who had to endure my singing :D

And finally it was the beginning of my placement with AH. The nurse educator had it arranged such that I will be spending a week each in surgical unit, medical unit, intensive care unit and A&E department. I thought I would be more confident during the first two weeks since I had already done a medical and surgical ward placement back in Manchester. However, this confidence was totally crushed when I found myself having trouble adapting to both wards in AH. Rather than blaming it on the culture difference, everything from work routine to equipments used are also different. If you can imagine me fumbling with the obs machine, not knowing where the switch button was, you can tell how bad the situation was. When I first opened the dressing pack to do a wound dressing for a patient, there were no sterile gloves in it. Instead, I got three tweezers. o.O But the most shocking thing to me was the use of restrainer jackets and straps on the patients here. I have always thought such things belonged to the last century because they are an infringement on human rights, regardless if the patient has the mental capacity to think for himself. Such a great topic for my critical incident essay...too bad my elective placement was not done in Singapore.

Fast forward to today. National Day's eve. Went out with Koh Yu for a lunch at Raffles City Shopping Centre. Have not seen her for nearly two years, so I was really looking forward to meeting her today! Think the both of us have changed in appearances but certain characteristics in us remain unchanged. Surprised to find that her favourite animal is still a pig! The lunch was really enjoyable, more so because of the company than food :D We did a lot of catching up which, of course, included lots of gossiping :P While today's lunch was short but sweet (coz she had to meet up with her boyfriend late afternoon), I will be looking forward to meeting up with her and Wan Jou next time!

- i just wanted to say ...# ;