AUBREY AT LA LOMA LUZ

I am Aubrey Fulmer, a nursing major at Messiah College. The past two weeks of my time here in Belize, have been spent at La Loma Luz private hospital. It has been quite the learning experience about a developing country’s healthcare and myself. A majority of my time was spent sterilizing tools and cleaning operating rooms with the incredibly entertaining employees. On my first day, there was a surgery of a cyst removal. Unfortunately I ended up on my own hospital bed staring at a ceiling fan due to passing out. But, I was not discouraged, really laughed it off. I went in for the next two weeks and was able to experience a hysterectomy, natural birth, C-section (amazing!), D & C, and a few other minor procedures. On the busy ER days, I saw split open skulls, scooter crashes, inhalation of toxins, and a few other accidents. It was an extremely exciting time in which I learned many things and was also able to practice taking vitals and give IV injections. Practicing Spanish was also a huge part of it since a majority of the time the employees and patients spoke it to one another. One of the biggest things I learned was to be extremely proactive and jump into situations; it will most definitely build your confidence. Overall, my nursing observation at La Loma Luz was an excellent one and I highly encourage you all to take this opportunity!