Don’t Let the Pain Remain (Hospital Nursing)
Category: Filipino Nurses, Filipino Nurses' Stories, Posted on December 1st, 2009 by adminNo Comments
I have had the opportunity to become an Emergency Room nurse at our local hospital for about three months. And one of the most routinary procedures done is IV insertion. It’s easy to do with adults because there’s almost zero resistance. There are some who have needles-or-anything-sharp phobia (whatever that is called) but they’re left with no other choice than to cooperate. Needle’s inserted, tube’s left in place, site’s secured with plasters and we’re good.
It’s a different scenario with kids, though. The moment you have them lie on the ER bed, the battle begins; screaming, wailing and temperamental extremities. But that’s not what strikes me coz it’s expected. It’s the different ways parents respond to it. Some are very approving, others skeptic. Some become almost hysterical, while others seemingly apathetic. One of the beauties of nursing is to experience these all in action. I’ve witnessed a thousand distraction techniques that mothers have. Sing preschool songs, point to bright colors, recall every spiels Dora the Explorer has. They try to do everything to divert their child’s attention as far from the pain as possible; strength-draining for children, heartbreaking for parents. A whole lot of them say the same thing, “Had it been possible, I would have taken the pain instead.” With too much love for their children, I can’t blame them; after all physical pain is much more tolerable than emotional….
Lady in Red