NURSE
AIDE
TRAiNING
What I Learned at
Sibley
Memorial
Hospital
BY
Joseph
Djomini
BY
MARIA
OLAVARRIETA
I
t was a wonderful idea for our teachers, who decided to give us two weeks
training in Sibley Hospital. I learned a lot and discovered many things that I did
not know before. Sibley Hospital opened my mind and allowed me to love the
new career that I hope to start. The thing that I most loved was the contact with
real patients. I was so glad to help them, to practice what our teacher taught us
in the class. It was so amazing to operate the equipment that we had only seen
in the book. Patients were very kind. I loved taking their temperature, respiration
and pulse. I found myself becoming a complete nurse assistant.
T
he first day I had two patients who were very nice. The first day at the
hospital I helped one of my patients take their food tray out and also dump
their urine in the toilet. I also helped my classmate change the bed of her
patient. When you’re at the hospital you learn so many things. I learned how to
use the machine that helps it with the swelling (ice) then you place it around the
wound. I also helped my patient brush her teeth, ambulate to the bathroom and
helped one of the nurses do perineal care. One of my patients also wanted me
to help her change into her night gown. I provided fresh water to all my patients
every day. The thing I would never forget is the last day of one of my patients
(before he was discharged) showed me a magic trick with some cards. That was
the best memory for me. This was an unforgettable experience for me and I was
so thankful for this experience.
I
BY
LINDA
CUNNINGHAM
68
learned a lot at Sibley Memorial Hospital. It started with an orientation where
everyone had to sign a resident right abuse policy. The head nurse showed
everyone around the area of the hospital, like the clean supply room, and the
dirty supply room. We had to use the code to get in the room. They also have
private rooms for the resident. I took the vital signs, pulse, respiration, and blood
pressure. I have high fall risk patients so I made sure that I was very careful with
my residents so they would not fall. I assisted them to the bathroom when they
needed it. I asked them if the needed anything and to call me. The next night I
gave my patients foot care which both of them enjoyed it so much they told their
family about it. It made me feel so good about what I did.
On week two we switched rooms where I met other patients. Patients and family
said I was doing a good job. I learned how to take their blood pressure with a
small cuff. I enjoyed my residents very much at Sibley Hospital.
IN OUR OWN WORDS