A WALK TO REMEMBER

Throughout my time as a student nurse, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what I want to do, who I want to be and how I want to use my nursing skills. Initially, I thought of trying my luck to work abroad to earn dollars for my family. But when I experienced community health nursing, I already knew where I wanted to go. Community health nursing captured me because it provides an
opportunity to work with a population and build long term relationships. Providing health education and focusing on prevention to interest me.

Pursuing a career in community health nursing allows me to celebrate, advocate learning from
people in different life stages and working with people in their everyday environment. After a years I spent my study and become a nurse, I found myself in the rural area serving the community. I was assigned in different barangay’s of my hometown under the Human Resources for Health with
Department of Health. For a decade, I learned to enjoy the bumpy ride when I go through as a community nurse. The bumpy ride with clients and people I am working with.

People in different community allow me to grow professionally to enjoy my personal life and career too. After a decade I was working as a community nurse and made me realize that health problems are inter-related to socio-economic, politics and culture. We needed to cross language, cultural and literacy boundaries to shape the well-being and health of our clients. I have learned more about our culture, religious lifestyles, medical conditions and the various ways to treat them. Vulnerable population’s health like children is still threatened by accidents, injuries and preventable diseases.

Morbidity and mortality among infants, pregnant women and other vulnerable populations is being
influenced by many factors including strong cultural beliefs. I learned to improve health outcomes by strong partnership with different stakeholders. Partnership with agencies and institutions are willing to help other people who have particular health needs to help together; we develop and implement wellness programs thereby supporting health and productivity of vulnerable population. Working with diverse partners and providers helps in addressing complex challenges in the community.

As a community nurse, I learned that adaptability and willingness to provide care in many settings allows us to provide comprehensive care to our patients. Living in a dynamic community, taught me how to adapt for me to be able to provide patients with whatever care they needed. Furthermore, I should have a broad understanding of health issues and be comfortable with autonomy, change and uncertainty. Life is a journey and becoming a better person every day is a goal. Life comes with plenty of challenges but the lessons learned through the process improves us, build us and define us. As I witness the birth of a child and the death of a patient, different feelings and emotions are aroused, it made me realize to enjoy and to be always thankful to our Creator how
wonderful life is.

RN Rachel L. Baniqued

Amianan Balita Ngayon