Being a nursing student in a Zambian children's hospital is an interesting experience. I had no expectations of what my time would be like, this just definitely hasn't been one of the scenarios I envisioned.
Overall, this has been a very enlightening and extremely lesson-filled experience. I have seen some things I've only read about or seen pictures of in books. I've seen horrible wounds that have no place being on children. And, worst of all, I've been feet away as two babies have passed away. Since our time walking the floors there, they've lost 10 babies in ONE hospital ward. I'm not used to being in a hospital where the majority of the patients are not getting better or at least discharged. We have a superb nursing instructor, Joyce, taking us around every day and she is a wealth of information. Nursing is the same here with the same theory and process, but the way it's carried out and the resources used are different. It's not bad, it's just different.
But, if you're keeping score- we really haven't done much. We took some vitals, washed some beds, sat in on a diarrhea conference (which only makes sense to people in the medical profession- when we told people, they looked at us really funny), and asked a LOT of questions.
And then today happened.
Last night, the Shoreline people at VBS were telling us about all the kids just ruining themselves playing games and things at the school. Scrapes, bruises, cuts- they get INTO it! They were like, "You should come with us and do first aid!" So we did.
The two other nursing students and I went to the ART (anti-retroviral therapy) clinic in the morning to learn more than we ever will in nursing school about HIV drug therapy, and then we were dropped off at VBS. Where we had our first case within 20 minutes. It was awesome.
We tended to some pretty good scrapes, kids stub their toes playing the games because they kick off their shoes (that are too big to begin with) and then bang the crap out of them. I tended to a toe nail that will most likely fall off, that was my major one. And I took out a splinter. I had an audience of about 25 Zambian kids for that one. I think he was very proud of his bandaid afterwards.
Anyway, the VBS time was so much fun. The kids are so into it and have the best time. They have smiles, they laugh and sing, good times all around. But it is DUSTY! It has taken my waning cough to a new level. And oh, the boogers....
On a somber note- the Zambian president, Mr. Levy Mwanawasa passed away today. He suffered a stroke on Saturday, was flown to Cairo (or Paris, I've heard Paris too) and he passed sometime this morning. Thankfully, the country has not plunged into chaos, as what happens in a lot of neighboring countries. But, I am told he was an honest, well-respected man that was well liked by the people so it is a loss. The Northrise students said that this is the first time anything like this has happened, so they weren't even really sure who takes over in a situation like this. Apparently, the vice-president does not take over, but control is handed over the the Chief of State (?) who presides until a new president is elected, and that election date will be announced after the week of mourning. Presumably.
And that's about it for now. Our trip is winding down. We're going back to the hospital tomorrow morning and then back to the VBS to patch up more wounds. Saturday, we will be doing health screenings for the Northrise students and staff and their families- which I'm pretty excited about. Practical medicine!!
Well, we're late to dinner, but at least I wasn't rounded up with a whistle.
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2 comments:
did anyone attend the women's conference?
No, but I heard it was very good. A lot of information covered in a short amount of time. And some very opinionated US women that had far too much to say at our little debriefing session. Just a hint, if you're responding to every topic, there's a chance you're talking too much. Ah, bitterness...
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