Learning is a continuous process. We learn not only within the confines of a school but also out of it. In other words, we learn everywhere. Oha, how’s that for an introduction?
Last January 26-28, 2012, I attended a 3-day Basic Intravenous Therapy Training held at Aquinas University Hospital. The training is a continuing education program offered by the Association of Nursing Service Administrators of the Philippines (ANSAP). It is offered to all registered nurses who wish to improve their skills.
The law actually mandates nurses to undergo such training. Article 5 Section 27 (a) of The Philippine Nursing Law of 1991 (RA 7164) states that intravenous injection is within the scope of nursing practice. This means that nurses have the privilege to administer treatment intravenously. And because it is a privilege, one has to have a card to certify that one is trained – a license that is.
So what now is intravenous therapy (IV)? Intravenous therapy is the insertion of a needle into vein based on the physician’s written prescription. The needle is attached to a sterile tubing and a fluid container to provide medications and fluids. Being a trained nurse gives you the permission to do that stuff. It also increases your chance of employment.
The training had two parts. The first part consisted of 12 lectures about IV therapy. The topics ranged from the historical background and ethico-legal aspects of IV therapy to administering chemotherapeutic drugs and managing complications of the therapy.
The second part of the training was the return demonstration or the practical exam. We had to perform five procedures. The first one was the insertion of an intravenous line to a dummy arm. I kind of sucked at this procedure. Being the first out of the five procedures, I was still nervous. The second procedure was blood transfusion. I got a perfect score on this one. Nuff said. The third procedure was administration of medications and the fourth was administration of parenteral nutrition. I got acceptable marks on both. The fifth and last procedure was again insertion of an intravenous line. The only difference this time was the line was to be inserted on a partner, a live human partner. You only have one shot. Another shot would mean deduction of points and a fee of one-hundred pesos for the cannula. Let me just brag but I got it in one shot! HA!
one shot (courtesy of zaza)
Now, this means that the training has ended. Wrong. I still have to acquire my 3+3+1 cases: 3 IV insertions, 3 medication administrations and 1 blood transfusion. Keri ko ito. Haha!
For now, let me share you this realization: I’m glad that I learned a lot during the three-day training. I know that it is indeed a privilege and a great one at that since one mistake could mean another person’s life. That one misstep could mean the end of my career. That I should always aim for perfection and zero errors to assure the good quality of care that the client needs. And that I should remember that a mutated superhero’s uncle once said, ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ Sa wakas naidugtong ko din. Yehessssssssssss!
