Week 3: Real-life
A Day in the Life of a Student Nurse in the OB-Pedia Ward
In the world of maternal and child health, most people think the most intense part is the delivery - but few realize that the real work happens after the baby is born. As a student nurse assigned to the OB ward, your primary focus is postpartum care - ensuring the mother's recovery and the newborn's health.
Today, I'm taking you behind the scenes of a typical day in the OB ward for a student nurse in the Philippines. From assisting mothers with breastfeeding to monitoring postpartum bleeding, every moment is a learning experience.
Pre-Duty: Preparing for the Shift
5:00 AM: Your alarm goes off. You quickly get ready, making sure your white uniform is spotless and your hair neatly tied. You review your notes on postpartum assessment - BUBBLE-HE. You never know when your clinical instructor will test you.6:30 AM: You arrive at the hospital and join your group for the shift. The OB ward smells like antiseptics, but there's also a warmth in the air - the warmth of mothers holding their newborns for the first time.
─────────────────────────────
6:30 AM: You arrive at the hospital and join your group for the shift. The OB ward smells like antiseptics, but there's also a warmth in the air - the warmth of mothers holding their newborns for the first time.
7:00 AM: Endorsement Time
The night shift nurses begin giving their endorsements. You quickly jot down notes, trying to get all the important details as much as possible while feeling a mix of excitement and nerves, wondering which patient you'll be assigned to.
─────────────────────────────
The night shift nurses begin giving their endorsements. You quickly jot down notes, trying to get all the important details as much as possible while feeling a mix of excitement and nerves, wondering which patient you'll be assigned to.
7:30 AM: Assessing Postpartum Mothers
Your clinical instructor assigns you to a specific bed, a mother who delivered via Normal Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery (NSVD) just 12 hours ago. You approach her bedside, introduce yourself, and begin your assessment.
As you assist, she smiles and says, "Salamat, nurse. First baby ko kasi, kaya di ko po alam and mga ganito." You feel proud - you're not just assisting; you're empowering a new mother!
─────────────────────────────
Your clinical instructor assigns you to a specific bed, a mother who delivered via Normal Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery (NSVD) just 12 hours ago. You approach her bedside, introduce yourself, and begin your assessment.
As you assist, she smiles and says, "Salamat, nurse. First baby ko kasi, kaya di ko po alam and mga ganito." You feel proud - you're not just assisting; you're empowering a new mother!
9:00 AM: Newborn Care
You hear a baby crying from one of the beds. The mother seems overwhelmed. You step in and say, "Tulungan ko po kayo, Ma'am." You demonstrate how to hold the baby properly and assist her with breastfeeding techniques.
The baby latches successfully, and the mother lets out a relieved sigh. You document the baby's first successful feeding and report it to the nurse.
─────────────────────────────
You hear a baby crying from one of the beds. The mother seems overwhelmed. You step in and say, "Tulungan ko po kayo, Ma'am." You demonstrate how to hold the baby properly and assist her with breastfeeding techniques.
The baby latches successfully, and the mother lets out a relieved sigh. You document the baby's first successful feeding and report it to the nurse.
10:30 AM: Ambulation Time (for post-CS patients)
You're now assisting another patient - a post-Cesarean section mother. She's hesitant to get up because of the pain, but ambulation is crucial to prevent blood clots and speedy recovery.
You gently say, "Kaya nation 'to, Ma'am. Dahan-dahan lang po tayo." Holding her arm, you slowly help her sit up. You explain the importance of moving around despite the pain.
After a few steps, she smiles through the pain and says, "Thank you, nurse. Akala ko di ko kaya bumangon." Moments like this make you realize - nursing is more than just procedures, it's about giving hope.
─────────────────────────────
You're now assisting another patient - a post-Cesarean section mother. She's hesitant to get up because of the pain, but ambulation is crucial to prevent blood clots and speedy recovery.
You gently say, "Kaya nation 'to, Ma'am. Dahan-dahan lang po tayo." Holding her arm, you slowly help her sit up. You explain the importance of moving around despite the pain.
After a few steps, she smiles through the pain and says, "Thank you, nurse. Akala ko di ko kaya bumangon." Moments like this make you realize - nursing is more than just procedures, it's about giving hope.
12:00 NN: Lunch Break (sort of)
Lunch time! - if you can call it that. You scarf down a sandwich in less than 10 minutes because you know you still have patients to check on. The other student nurses joke about how cold lunch is "part of the training."
You laugh it off - but deep down, you're already falling in love with the profession.
─────────────────────────────
Lunch time! - if you can call it that. You scarf down a sandwich in less than 10 minutes because you know you still have patients to check on. The other student nurses joke about how cold lunch is "part of the training."
You laugh it off - but deep down, you're already falling in love with the profession.
1:00 PM: Documentation & Charting
You finally get a moment to sit down and complete your nurse's notes. Your hands are sore from all the assisting, but your heart feels full. You take note of everything you've done thus far in the ward and document all necessary information on each patient you've handled.
You realize that documentation is just as crucial as bedside care - because it ensure continuity of care for the next shift.
─────────────────────────────
You finally get a moment to sit down and complete your nurse's notes. Your hands are sore from all the assisting, but your heart feels full. You take note of everything you've done thus far in the ward and document all necessary information on each patient you've handled.
You realize that documentation is just as crucial as bedside care - because it ensure continuity of care for the next shift.
2:00 PM: Preparing for Endorsement
It's almost time to go home, but not before giving your endorsement to the incoming shift. You relay every detail carefully - because you know what you could say could affect a life.
You also thank the mothers you assisted. One of them gently squeezes your hand and says, "Salamat po, Nurse. Malaking tulong kayo." You smile, holding back tears - this is exactly why you chose this profession.
─────────────────────────────
It's almost time to go home, but not before giving your endorsement to the incoming shift. You relay every detail carefully - because you know what you could say could affect a life.
You also thank the mothers you assisted. One of them gently squeezes your hand and says, "Salamat po, Nurse. Malaking tulong kayo." You smile, holding back tears - this is exactly why you chose this profession.
3:00 PM: End of Shift but Never Ending Learning
As you change out of your white uniform and step out of the hospital, you feel exhausted - but also deeply fulfilled. Today, you didn't just learn about the real experiences behind the OB ward - you witnessed resilience, strength, and the beauty of new life.
And tomorrow, you'll do it all over again.
─────────────────────────────
As you change out of your white uniform and step out of the hospital, you feel exhausted - but also deeply fulfilled. Today, you didn't just learn about the real experiences behind the OB ward - you witnessed resilience, strength, and the beauty of new life.
And tomorrow, you'll do it all over again.
Reflection: Why This Experience Matters
Being a student nurse in the OB ward is not glamorous. You'll change bloody pads, assist in painful ambulations, and get scolded by your clinical instructor - but you'll also witness mothers finding their strength, babies latching for the first time, and families embracing their newest blessing.
And in between the chaos of charting, ambulating, and checking lochia - you'll realize that you're not just learning procedures; you're learning compassion!
─────────────────────────────
Being a student nurse in the OB ward is not glamorous. You'll change bloody pads, assist in painful ambulations, and get scolded by your clinical instructor - but you'll also witness mothers finding their strength, babies latching for the first time, and families embracing their newest blessing.
And in between the chaos of charting, ambulating, and checking lochia - you'll realize that you're not just learning procedures; you're learning compassion!
Comments
Post a Comment