Republic of the Philippines

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY

Don Severino de las Alas Campus
Indang, Cavite
(046) 415-0010 / (046) 415-0011
www.cvsu.edu.ph

COLLEGE OF NURSING

NURS 10 – B : CARE OF MOTHER, CHILD AT RISK OR WITH PROBLEMS (ACUTE AND

CHRONIC) – RLE

ASYNCHRONOUS ACTIVITY:
REFLECTION ABOUT RETURN DEMONSTRATION WEEK

SUBMITTED BY:
MARY ANNE V. NARVAIZ

SUBMITTED TO:
MS. KAREN LOUELA RINT – HERRERA, MAN, RN

DATE:
April 5, 2023
 Return Demonstration Week:
A Reflective Journal from an Aspiring Nursing Student

“FROM THE MUD OF ADVERSITY COMES THE LOTUS OF JOY.”

– C. Marsden, The Buddha’s Diamonds

Being a nursing student is difficult as it is, but to be a newly elected class representative
of Section 2 is even more challenging. I am not ashamed to admit that I am still in the process
of embracing my responsibilities and balancing my academics to effectively manage our class
simultaneously. But through it all, we managed to survive the whole return demonstration week
alongside our proposal defense and other subjects.

First and foremost, we were tasked to review our nursing skills regarding the process
of catheterization (insertion and removal), administering parenteral medications, and the
essential intrapartum and newborn care (EINC) during the weekends. With this, I have decided
to thoroughly review my skills and prepare all the equipment prior to the start of the week.
Though it may seem that I am fully prepared, reading through my notes were not merely
enough to ensure a high score. It was my first realization that I still have a long way to go.

As the official day of the return demonstration (Tuesday, March 28) commenced, all
class representatives from sections 1 to 3 were responsible for the list of students who will
perform their skills. To say that it was difficult was an understatement. Many of my classmates
were not confident enough to volunteer as the first batch of students to perform. Yet, by the
end of that day, we were able to accomplish more than what we have expected. It made me
realize that if we put our mind into something and genuinely believed that we can do it, then
we know that we can do it. During the first day, I was able to perform my EINC with Ms. Ederlyn
Destura who made it clear that knowing the checklist is not enough, and understanding the
rationales behind each step and knowing its importance could save the lives of both the mother
and the newborn.

The second and third day of our return demonstration week (March 29 and 30) was
tiring, yet it was beyond fulfilling as we experienced how welcoming our clinical instructors are.
During my skills performance for the parenteral medication, Ms. Daisy Cupat shared her
experiences as a community nurse and stated that being able to directly help her people is
her oath and passion. Initially, my plan after graduating and passing the exam is to work
overseas, but the way our clinical professor talks about how she interacts as a community
nurse made me think twice. The second most important realization is that I would like to be a
community nurse and experience the bliss of taking care of others, and to remind myself that
our country badly needs more dedicated nurses. Pursuing this career is more than money-
making, it is about giving others a chance to live a quality life.

Upon the continuation of our return demonstration week, from Monday and Tuesday
(April 3 and 4), the dissemination of information has been a lot easier and the flow of the
students were quicker than it was before. This was due to the fact that everyone is eager to
complete their tasks and the pressure of not being able to do so is stressful. With this, I was
able to accomplish my last demonstration (Catheterization) with Ms. Vanessa Rodil. Among
all the clinical instructors that I have met, Ms. Rodil have taught me to actively interact with my
patient (the dummy) and to strongly picture that I am within the hospital setting observing the
sterile technique throughout the process. It was a moment of realization that I am not merely
playing a game nor am I playing pretend with a doll. A part of me was terrified that soon I
would be dealing with an actual person, but was immediately replaced with the excitement of
having to experience and apply my skills once I am deployed on duty.

In all honesty, the week is undeniably physically, mentally, and emotionally draining,
yet it holds a lot of lessons for us future nurses. It was the best kind of simulation closest to a
hospital setting as we do not know what lies behind those doors when we enter to perform our
nursing skills.

To summarize, I have witnessed many doubtful eyes, heard a lot of hushed voices,
and felt many fearful hearts throughout the week. All of these negativities slowly became
enlightened, as most students have gained their confidence with the support and guidance of
our clinical instructors as the week went by.

Sleepless nights, headaches, the scorching weather itself, and the amount of stress,
all of which were all worth it. It was indeed a week to be remembered.

Just like the quote from the beginning of this reflection, “from the mud of adversity
comes the lotus of joy,” it is true that we can only be able to genuinely appreciate the joy of
being a nursing student only if we accept and overcome these kinds of challenges.

To all of our Clinical Instructors who have given their time and effort to honing our skills
and correcting us during the span of the week, we thank you for your dedication.

I am looking forward to be shaped and molded even more to become the best version
of nursing student that I could be.

Mary Anne V. Narvaiz