Change has always an essential part of one’s life. For everything that is worth, change has been there to help modify the way people perceive daily struggles in order to improve craft. Nursing is one of the most sought after careers in the world, and the demand for such has allowed us to become more prepared for the future. Such has led me to go on and do some researches about the necessary change needed in the upheaval of health. In so doing, I got the chance to interview Melinda, a nurse manager in the Philippines.
She handles the three floors in the hospital, specifically the OB-GYNE area, with 40 nurses and 3 supervisors in one shift. From the start of the interview, I made sure that everyone would become comfortable with the questions to be asked. Basically, I explained to Melinda what the purpose of the interview was, and how it would affect my life and those concerned. I asked Melinda how she felt about constant change being a condition in the nursing profession and in the workplace. She did not need time to think about her answer.
I was surprised at how prepared she was for change to occur in their workplace. To give me a more detailed background, she explained how life in the Philippines was. The ratio between the nurses and the patients was estimated in 1 nurse:8 patients. Quite a big number to follow, but they have no choice for poverty has stricken them. Due to the economic crisis experienced by the whole world, they had to change the style of working. Nurses were reported to attend to work for 8 hours only, and had to work double.
There were times when the nurses had to extend hours of work, especially when the next shift does not come on time. Melinda made sure that even if there was scarcity in man power; each patient was cared for and attended by nurses accordingly. She also explained the importance of shifts and schedules, for each nurse was not concentrated into one area only. In her own manner, Melinda believes that the nurses should be given different opportunities, so that they may be able to expound on their knowledge and reach higher goals. Moreover, Melinda also explained the importance of budget in every work force.
In order to limit the expenses, she made sure that she took the initiative to fill in some of the vacant slots of the nurses who could not make it to work. She was the direct superior of many of the nurses, but she made sure that she would be able to oversee everything else. Whenever patients needed some assistance, she was there to comfort them and cater to their needs. It was her belief that in order to become a good leader, she has to be a good follower. Such humble thoughts would touch the hearts of many, and follow her example.
In addition to this, Melinda was also focused on the improvement of the nurses. With her own initiative, she would encourage nurses to study and review their specializations while at work. Whenever permitted, she would allow nurses to take cases unknown to them. Equipped with the knowledge gathered from books, she allows the nurses to participate and experience first hand the difficulties of their chosen profession. In this manner she would be able to utilize the workforce that falls under her, at the same time make sure that all learn and improve their craft while under her wing.
As she was explaining her side, I could not help but be left in awe at Melinda’s goals in life. She made sure that everything was in order, and that each and every one of the nurses were given equal opportunities. She does not believe that the current economic crisis experienced by the whole world should affect in any way, the way health is being dealt with. I must say that the interview has opened numerous queries from my end. I asked Melinda how she felt about the kind of life that she lived, and how she could still find reasons to strive harder.
She answered me by saying that, “life is not just about money, but how we could help make a difference”. I was impressed with such honesty and dignity accompanying her simple lifestyle. I was happy at the same time fulfilled to see that there were people like Melinda who work because they love what they are doing. Change is necessary in any chosen profession. However, change in the medical field is quite difficult and costly to achieve. In her own way, Melinda was able to show the world that innovation is not bad in the upheaval of life.
Furthermore, Melinda’s ways do not make use of much money. Instead, she makes use of what is present and how she could form a routine that would benefit everyone. Personally, I was inspired to follow Melinda’s footsteps in the future. As a member of the allied health team, I have the obligation to make sure that everyone is given the ample attention and care. Melinda allowed me to see beyond my knowledge, and instead become geared to humanitarian purposes. Regardless of the problems experienced by the world, we still have the moral obligation to make sure that everyone is treated accordingly.
If given the chance, I would want to make sure that I would be able to limit the expenses incurred by my department. In so doing, I would be able to contribute to the most needed adjustments. Most importantly, I was opened to how life could be simple yet complicated. In a competitive world like ours, we should all learn to strive hard and become equipped to vie with others. Change is inevitable—yet it would help us to become better people in the future. Life is short, and we should make sure that we live it to the fullest so that there would be no regrets.