As a patient
In another country
I have been the medevac nurse and delivered patients to my
health care colleagues in Australia (AU) but this time I was the patient. I
have nursing experience and experience as patient in a wonderful hospital in
the Midwest USA. Therefore I would like to simply share about nursing in the US
and in AU. To clarify some of this will be only understood by nurses.
I received very good care.
No floor nurse likes a blood pressure under 90 diastolic.
Yes, nurses recheck, push fluids, place in Trendelenburg and call the doctors
for low blood pressures. I have done this as a nurse in the US and experienced
it as a patient in AU.
 |
·
I am going to get your tablets (medications)
·
Ready for the scratch (poke)
·
Can you be 5 minutes? ( be ready in )
·
Let me get your obs (vitals)
·
Sing out (
yell or let me know)
·
Way out (exit)
·
Rubbish (trash)
I learned to drink hot tea. It was offered mid-morning,
afternoon, evenings and
along with the meals. They also offered milo- a type of hot chocolate drink made
with barley. I was served for breakfast a hard roll, cereal similar to raisin bran or hot oatmeal. The other meals consisted of a variety including chicken sausage, curry, and cooked pumpkin. Most of the meals I enjoyed, they were just different than what I was used to eating.
along with the meals. They also offered milo- a type of hot chocolate drink made
with barley. I was served for breakfast a hard roll, cereal similar to raisin bran or hot oatmeal. The other meals consisted of a variety including chicken sausage, curry, and cooked pumpkin. Most of the meals I enjoyed, they were just different than what I was used to eating.
The male nurses wore shorts as their uniform. I was informed it
was allowed because the hospital was on the coast and considered in the
tropics. They always looked professional. The female nurses wore business type skirts.
As a patient, I was allowed to leave the hospital in a wheel
chair and sight-see by the ocean.
When I was admitted I was placed in an isolation room until
they ruled out TB or other contagious respiratory diseases. I found it funny
that many of the nurses who cared for me were float nurses.
As a patient, I listened to the noise in the halls,
remembering the many times I walked confused patients around and around.
As a nurse, I enjoy giving good care.
As a patient, I am grateful for the good care I have received.
I am most of all thankful to God who brought healing in my
life and in my patients’ lives.
 |
| still using oxygen |
 | ||
view from my window, the other side had the ocean view |
