Kori's Nursing Observation at La Loma Luz Hospital

Kori
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

I spent my two weeks of Nursing observation at the privately owned mission hospital in nearby Santa Elena called La Loma Luz Adventist Clinic and Hospital. This was such an incredibly new experience, which exposed the inner workings of the health care system to me in a helpful and friendly way! Although for one week I was sort of assigned to the hospital side and the other week to the clinic side, the entire internship felt relaxed and we were able to float around where ever if there was more activity some where else. I was able to pop in on some ultrasounds, x-rays, EKGs and nebulizer treatments in the ER, and doctor consultations). I was privileged to come into work each day on the good old public transportation (which only failed me one day out of the 13) and spend an eight hour working day with the nurses, technicians, physicians and other important staff. I learned through actually practicing as well as observing. I felt much more comfortable by the end of the two weeks on how to take patients vitals (blood pressure, pulse, respiration rate, etc.) I got to observe the nurse's administering many IV's and even was asked to help in some parts of the process which was a little alarming that they allowed me this but exciting! My first week I saw two deliveries and a minor surgery done for a patient who had an expulsion and the second week I sat in on a hysterectomy which was so neat to watch for two whole hours. Reflecting back on my experience, I am so thankful for two things. Number one in being exposed to the health care system in Belize; seeing good practices that reduce on the about of waste such as sterilizing equipment and re-using dressings, bed linens, etc. Number two, to be out in the culture and off of our farm, meeting and interacting on a daily basis with the people of Belize was great and left me with faces I will remember and miss.
Kori Shelden
Messiah College