NR725A_MaglaCh_Wk5_ServiceLearning

NR725A_MaglaCh_Wk5_ServiceLearning

8th February 2014 - 4 hrs

I woke up today feeling refreshed but a bit anxious. I wondered what would it be the cause of such anxiety. Then, I realized, today is not just another day but today is a special day - I will start my first service learning activity at ORMC. 

ORMC has a very special place in my heart. The hospital does not only provide healthcare services to different communities of Central Florida and its neighboring communities, ORMC is where I started my full engagement as an ICU nurse.  I worked there as an ICU nurse for at least seven years, taking multiple roles as ICU shift manager and rapid response. There I met a lot of patients and families coming from different backgrounds, and there I learned helping patients and their families is not only a job, rather a commitment to myself to serve the nursing profession - especially critical care nursing, and a passion to serve others and make a difference. Passion that was instilled from my parents, and a passion that I developed throughout my nursing career.

I arrived in the hospital thirty minutes earlier than my scheduled service learning hours. I went and logged in at the volunteer services department and did not waste any time, and went directly to my assigned post – 5B Multi-system ICU waiting area. There, I saw patients` families and friends eagerly waiting to hear about their loved ones` conditions. Some were just there to be supportive of their families and friends, but no matter what their reasons were, they were there to be served and I to serve them to the best of my abilities.

I started asking questions of whom they were there for/which patient are they visiting for, any needs/help they needed while I was there, etc. I started bringing families and friends to the ICU after I had given permission from the bedside nurses. I have noticed mixed emotions between patients` families the first time they saw their loved ones – delight and sadness. Based on what I have witnessed, I gathered no matter who you are, how prepared you are and educated you are, in terms of knowing your loved ones are laying in the ICU bed with debilitating condition (s) and fighting for their lives, you are not ready and no one can tell you that they know how you feel – because they cannot and they will not.

NR725A_MaglaCh_Wk4_ClinicalJournal1 (posted initially at NR725A drop box)

NR725A_MaglaCh_Wk4_ClinicalJournal1

Your Name:  Cherry Lynn Maglangit

Date, hours and objective addressed

24^th January 2014 – 08.30-10.00 Orlando Regional Medical Center

-       To meet with the Volunteer Services Manager

-       To have agency contract signed

-       To have facility orientation and training

Clinical Activities Description

I find it today`s day is quite important and exciting as I will be meeting the Volunteer Services Asst Manager regarding my desire to volunteer. This is not my first time of meeting her - I already met her last week for an hour, but in ways I find it very exciting as we will be finalizing my agreement and contract between myself and the agency (Orlando Regional Medical Center) to start with my volunteer hours.

I arrived 30 minutes early of our appointment time ( I am not sure if it is due to an excitement or just the thought of being stuck in traffic in I-4!). But in the end, it worked for me as the Asst Manager really saw that I have the interest to volunteer. Being an employee of ORMC, I did not go through with all the background check, references and physical exam that will normally take weeks to accomplish. She just updated me of recent changes of the hospital and gave me a pamphlet to read regarding volunteer services department. The pamphlet talks about HIPPA, infection, my responsibilities as a volunteer and the like. The end of the pamphlet has an exam (which I didnt expect for an orientation) to determine if I understood what I was reading. I am glad I passed - I got 18/20. I think not too bad at all! She reviewed what I missed etc and we spoke about what volunteering is all about and the population I will be serving. We also agreed on which times and dates will I be starting my volunteer hours. I was also given a shirt to be my uniform (red shirt and black or dark blue khaki pants). Also, I was asked to go to security department for my volunteer badge.

After I got my necessary documentation done for my volunteer hours, I went to 5B Multi-system ICU to check my area to be and introduce myself on what I will be doing there in a few weeks. I saw the excitement of the ICU nurses and the lady at the waiting room knowing that they will have extra help during those hours in helping and meeting patients and families needs while they are in the hospital, especially in the ICU.

On my next documentation will hopefully be the start of my hours. I am looking forward to that day.

Reflection and Future Plans

Being able to finally meet the asst manager and getting the approval to start with my service learning experience in a few weeks is great, but knowing that I will start serving our patients and families is even better.

Service to the vulnerable population like ICU patients and families to me is not only meeting them but connecting with them in terms of providing their needs while they are in the hospital.

My plan on my first day next week will be familiarizing myself with the hospital and/or unit`s set-up, knowing the staff and the unit`s routine so I will be ready when patients and families ask me of the hospital and unit`s whereabouts, as well as I will be able to guide and direct them correctly.