Week 8: "Salamat Nurse"
The First Time a Patient Made Me Cry
In a Good Way <3
.jpg)
We’re used to stories of stress, pressure, and pagod during duty. But sometimes, in the middle of all that, there’s a moment so unexpectedly kind, it breaks you — in the best way.
This week, I’m sharing the first time a patient made me cry… not because I was overwhelmed, but because I felt seen.
The Story
It was a busy morning at the OB ward. Postpartum beds were full. I was rotating between fundic checks, pad counts, and trying to keep my charting in order.
One nanay — quiet and reserved — was due for discharge. I had been checking on her for two days. Every time I approached, I greeted her with a smile and explained gently what I was doing. She wasn’t very talkative, just gave a soft “sige po” each time.
On her discharge day, I helped her understand her meds, explained cord care again, and reminded her about signs of infection. As I handed her the instruction sheet, she looked at me, smiled for the first time, and said:
“Salamat ha. Bihira lang yung gaya mong estudyante na mahinahon at may malasakit.”
I didn’t know what to say. I just smiled and nodded. But when I stepped out of the ward, I cried a little. Not because I was tired — but because I felt like I did something right.─────────────────────────────
“Salamat ha. Bihira lang yung gaya mong estudyante na mahinahon at may malasakit.”
Why That Moment Mattered
As student nurses, we often feel like we’re “just students.”
We hesitate. We second-guess. We wonder if we’re even helping.
But in that moment, I realized:
Even as students, we can make people feel cared for.
And that is the heart of nursing.
─────────────────────────────
As student nurses, we often feel like we’re “just students.”
We hesitate. We second-guess. We wonder if we’re even helping.
But in that moment, I realized:
Even as students, we can make people feel cared for.
And that is the heart of nursing.
Lesson From That Encounter
💜 1. Tone matters more than skill sometimes
I didn’t do anything extraordinary. I just treated her gently. Sometimes, kindness is the care.
💜 2. Postpartum moms need emotional support too
Many OB ward patients are physically healing and emotionally adjusting. A calm presence can make a huge difference.
💜 3. Our presence is already therapeutic
The way we speak, listen, and respond — even as students — impacts our patients more than we think.
💜 4. You might not always be thanked… but when you are, it hits deep
And that “thank you” stays with you, even when duty ends.
─────────────────────────────
💜 1. Tone matters more than skill sometimes
I didn’t do anything extraordinary. I just treated her gently. Sometimes, kindness is the care.
💜 2. Postpartum moms need emotional support too
Many OB ward patients are physically healing and emotionally adjusting. A calm presence can make a huge difference.
💜 3. Our presence is already therapeutic
The way we speak, listen, and respond — even as students — impacts our patients more than we think.
💜 4. You might not always be thanked… but when you are, it hits deep
And that “thank you” stays with you, even when duty ends.
For My Fellow Nursing Students
If you’ve ever felt like you’re not doing enough — you are.
Every time you listen patiently, hold a hand, or explain something with compassion, you’re nursing in the purest form.
“Sometimes, the most healing thing we offer isn’t a medicine — it’s presence.”
If you’ve ever felt like you’re not doing enough — you are.
Every time you listen patiently, hold a hand, or explain something with compassion, you’re nursing in the purest form.
“Sometimes, the most healing thing we offer isn’t a medicine — it’s presence.”
Comments
Post a Comment