R-Chian Jose D.

Germano 05/01/20

2NUR-4 NURSING INFORMATICS: Reflection

In this unprecedented times, they’re the ones who risk their lives just to save others. They’re the
ones behind those masks and suits and they’re the ones who selflessly poured all their hearts to ensure
the well-being and health of the affected. They are nurses and they are more than just people in scrub
suits. Truly, what the world is experiencing right now is unmatched by any phenomenon nor event in the
past decades and in moments like these is where our faith is truly tested. A lot of people lost their loved
ones because of the devastating consequences the disease has brought to us. Despite all of this, now
more than ever, we witnessed the solidarity, love, hope, and unity emerging in the pandemic. Lead by
our frontliners, they’ve shown compassion and bravery at its most beautiful state. Among these
frontliners, nurses all around the world have never been more challenged than in today’s events and I
think it is relevant enough to show our support, even in our homes, to these group of workers for what
they’ve shown throughout the world. A social media event called Nursing Informatics Tweet Jam from
the UST’s College of Nursing took place last April 3, 2020 that talked about the crucial role of nurses in
this time of pandemic. It was really nice for the Nursing Informatics Instructors to create an activity like
that, that at first I thought wasn’t going to be successful because maybe only few will participate, but it
turns out to be a beautiful reminder to all the people that Nurses, Midwives, and other frontliners out
there fighting the disease should be respected and praised as they risk their lives for our sake. A lot of
students participated and used the twitterverse as a platform to show their appreciation and admiration
on nurses and on all the frontliners. A lot of personal stories have been shared, opinions that have been
voiced out, and recognition that have been given to nurses and I know some might say that they’re just
doing their roles and responsibilities and that it shouldn’t be filtered and over layered with excessive
appreciation but this type of people are just looking at a keyhole when in front of them, there is an open
door. What they’ve missed is looking at the bigger picture. It’s not just about the nurses performing
their duties, it’s about being unable to take care of their own families just to take care of others, it’s
about sacrificing the hugs and kisses from their families and children, it’s about missing breakfast, lunch,
or dinner because of long duty hours, it’s about them giving their all without hesitation and second
thoughts, it’s about providing care and support while in the inside they’re emotionally and mentally
exhausted. It is more than just performing what you’re assigned to do, it is about how much change you
can bring to someone and how much sacrifices you have to make even though you’re physically and
emotionally burnt out. During the past few weeks, there have been reports of acts of discrimination
specifically towards nurses. One nurse got his skin burned from the bleach that was thrown at him.
Some nurses weren’t allowed to pass the checkpoint areas of their barangays as the barangay officials
were scared they might get infected. This was just really annoying and really frustrating because instead
of lifting each other’s worth and dignity, some are just cruel and insensitive enough to choose the other
way around. The same frustration can be seen with most of the tweets from the tweet jam activity. We,
student nurses, share the same disappointment on people who chose to act that way and it is true that
sometimes fear get the best of us but in times like this, we need to be more vigilant, be more informed
and conscious on what truly matters.

For me, what I learned from the tweet jam was that we truly need one another in a sense that
for the activity, it will never be successful if not because of the majority of the nursing students who
participated and showed their gratitude towards nurses through tweets that at the same time true to
what the world is experiencing right now. The meaning of solidarity has never been more expressed
than ever before. As they say, help will always come to those who deserved it. From the healthcare
workers, military and police officers, janitors, security guards, delivery men, and those who work at
grocery stores, they helped those who deserved it and those who are in need. After this pandemic, I
think nothing should go back to normal. Normal wasn’t working and if we go back to the way things
were, we will have lost the lesson. Let’s come back with a better knowledge of our world, changing our
personal choices and habits, a new reinvigorated you, but able all, a kinder, more generous, gracious,
and caring you.