2010 Mission Trip to Guatemala
from: Natalie Eaton, Megan Oakley & Beth Higney
Hello from the nurses! Sorry we haven’t updated lately, we couldn’t get to the computer last night but hope we got your attention with the title. No, there was no emergency but we did spend Thursday working in the emergency room at the Children’s Hospital.
After utilizing the translator we were able to meet with the director of the hospital and arrange the opportunity for us to work in the pediatric emergency room on Thursday. The translator was so helpful and made it possible for us to finally express how much we really want to help. Yesterday was the first day that we were asked to really jump in and “do” something. I think it took a couple of days for them to warm up to us and really see how much we know and how much we really can help. The nursing roles here are a bit different compared to the states. For example, nurses do not do any assessments on the patients; in fact, we have yet to see one use a stethoscope. Luckily, we had a translator and one of the doctors in the ER spoke English. We were able to help with assessments and initial diagnosis as the patients came in. We administered medications, started IVs, and drew blood. Like we stated earlier, things are done a little bit different here but it is interesting to see how their hospital units function.
Today was filled with many surprises. We had many schedule changes and had to be flexible.
Bonswa tout moun! (Good afternoon everyone)!
Belmont University has recently learned that 100% of graduates who received doctoral degrees from the School of Physical Therapy in 2009 have successfully passed, on their first attempt, the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). This is the second time in the history of the program that an entire class has passed the exam on their first attempt, although Belmont graduates have achieved ultimate pass rates of 100% on the exam for the past 8 years. Individuals must pass the examination to receive certification or licensure as a physical therapist in the United States.
Dr. Mike Voight, Professor of Physical Therapy at Belmont, has been honored by the American Physical Therapy Association as a recipient of the Turner A Blackburn Lifetime Achievement Award from its Sports Physical Therapy Section. The award signifies a lifetime of positive contribution to education at both the university and continuing education levels. Dr. Voight received the award at the recent APTA Combined Sections Meeting in San Diego, CA. Pictured with Dr. Voight (gray suit) are SPTS president Tim Tyler on his right and past president Tab Blackburn on his left.
The public is invited to join A Dialogue to Build a Healthier Community, part of the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing Diagnosing Our Future speaker series. Admission is free.