In Life, Love and Longing

Comment allez-vous, m 'amis? (Translate: How are you my friends?)  I happened to drop by my site a while ago and I realized that four months have already passed since I made some posts and maybe, blogger misses me already.  Why haven't I made some updates really?  I was kinda busy with work and dealing with a lot these months is also bothering me.  First of all, my grandpa passed away.  Then, I've dealt with relationship problems, stressful workplace and a lot of Mycobacteria Tuberculosis.  Yeah, the past months were crazy!

FYI, I am now officially a Staff Nurse at a nearby hospital and I am loving my profession even more.  Everyday is a challenge.  Every shift gives me the chance to improve.  I want to learn, explore and see where the universe will lead me.  Who says I'm not destined for greatness, huh?

Me and my friends from Pulmo Ward and Mangyan Wing

How can I really describe my career path these days?  Oh well, I am somehow proud of my achievements so far.  Imagine, I've been in charge of the Pulmonary Ward after a month at the Medical Ward.  I'm making my own mark, slowly but surely.  Most of my colleagues may know me as 'the Mayor's daughter' or 'Caselle's girlfriend' but I am sure that they already got to know me past that.  

By the way, my ultimate dream in life is to travel the world and I've been checking out blogs about cruise ship and travel nursing for a couple of months already.  I figured out that those may lead me to my dreams but then I also came to realize working at Intensive Care Units is more of my thing.  I can travel the world once I retire but the adrenaline boost that critical situations bring cannot be equated with anything else.

at Rave's birthday party

Hence, I am currently waiting for my eligibility for the NCLEX- RN exam and I also have the opportunity to apply at St. Luke's once I'm officially a USRN.  I definitely have a long road ahead of me but I know that God has a plan for me.  No matter what that is, I'll keep on praying and believing because everything will happen in God's time.

Lovelots,
Maica Angelle

 Credits:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1771899982942.2091668.1402537049
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.250982384918228.82374.100000194049730

Maica's Ongoing Love Affair with Pen and Paper

I haven't considered myself as a good writer until my end-of-term project got praises from my Communication Skills professor way back in college.  Well, who would have thought that the girl who barely got As on her high school compositions will be able to produce a praise-worthy book review by a professional writer?   Never in my dreams have I thought I will be considered as the best writer in my class.  It was surreal!

It has been six years since then but the memory is still crystal clear in my mind.  During that time, I discovered  my passion for writing.  I may not have gotten myself involved in writing at once but that love  was still in my heart.  I decided to focus on my studies that time but I have not left my passion behind.  I just set it aside for a while.

Well, the story does not end there.  As I've established my career as a Registered Nurse, I got the chance to blog and share a part of me to the world through my site http://gettingthere-angelle.blogspot.com/.  I've been  managing my site for 9 months already, constantly updating whenever I get the chance to write.  However, I wanted to explore the writer's world and got myself into a writing job instead.  

I've been a web content writer for 3 days already and although it pays not-so-well(I get P43.00 per a 500- word article), it makes me happy.  In fact, I can just smile whenever my mom and sister ask me how much I get compensated for all the writing I've done these past few days.  Crazy, right?   

I don't really want to give this job up for now because this is the first job I got hired for.  Imagine, I've been working like a carabao when I was volunteering my services as a nurse at a nearby hospital and I didn't get anything.  Plus, I've been spending some time with my blog for quite a while and I don't gain a cent for what I was doing.  Other than those, this job is very rewarding.  Since I started, I go to bed with a warmth in my heart, knowing that I've been able to beat my employer's deadline from time to time.   This job may be something I started out  of curiosity, but I never expeced that it will be this fulfilling.

Anyway, I got accepted by another writing company, which guarantees more monetary compensation, as a web content writer.  I'm not yet loaded with writing tasks but I'll do my best to write high quality articles.   I  want to learn how to  spend my time wisely.  I'll dedicate my free time to writing.

FYI, I don't intent to be the next J.K. Rowling or Nicholas Sparks as of today and although my dream is to be the next New York Times Bestselling Author someday, I am content with what I have right now.  I may have a couple of writing jobs and an upcoming nusing work(yes, one that is not 'voluntary!') which cannot pay me A LOT today, but I believe that every one must have humble beginnings.  Right now, I am a budding writer and a neophyte nurse but I won't allow myself to be stuck here.  I'll  be working hard and someday, I'll  be at my best.  Who knows, I might get a million worth of paycheck per article someday.

Lovelots, 

Maica Angelle

22 in 2011

Newsflash: As of March 2,2011, 12 midnight, I am officially 22 years old.  Yeah, the former chubby, cute girl who barely wore jeans has now turned another year older.  I am older, braver, wiser, and definitely more youthful(in my dreams).  I am finally 22 in 2011.  What a way to start the summer!

March 2, 2011 as I remember it...
(Wait, if it was summer already, why was it gloomy?)

What makes this birthday different from the previous ones I had?  Well, this is my homecoming birthday celebration.  Yeah, after spending fours years of college in Lipa City, Batangas, almost two years of review (for the local boards, IELTS- International English Language Testing System Exam and for the NCLEX- National Council for Licensure Examination) in the Metro, I am finally home.

20th Birthday at Flavors of China, Robinson's Lipa

21st birthday at Trinoma

The said occasion also served as our celebration for the success of our five-week training at the Philippine Heart Center, which is located in Quezon City.  It was a very refreshing, fun-filled and delicious date.  On March 2, 2011, Maica Angelle ate a lot.  What's wrong with that, huh?

Let me refresh the events that has transpired on my birthday.

5:00 a.m. - My cellphone alarmed.  I had to wake up early because of a French homework left undone.  I spent almost two hours translating a news article.  It was a mind-boggling way to start the day!

7:00 a.m.- I was done with the homework so I decided to check my phone, e-mail and facebook wall.  Frankly, I was overwhelmed when I saw a wall full of birthday greetings.  I never thought that lots of people will remember me and my twin sis on our birthday. It was surreal.

8:00 a.m.- French Class with Mara... It was a memorable one because it was raining so hard.  It's the one of the few rainy birthdays I've had in years.  May be its God's ways of showing His tears of happiness for the 22 fruitful years I've spent on this beautiful earth.

10:30 a.m.

• We've come home.  I spent the entire day chilling up at the house.  Mama and the rest were busy cooking.  I was also busy eating some goodies.  I pigged out and  it was kinda gross (Laugh out louds).

• I received this text message from Papa:

              "Happy Birthday! God Bless. :)"

• Mara had this meaningful message on my facebook wall:

               Bon Anniversaire ma cher souer jumelle! wishing you all the best!! :)
               Translate: Happy Birthday, my twin sister ;)

2:00 p.m.- I watched 'The Biggest Loser Asia Season 2' at the Diva Channel.  I'm really getting addicted to this show these days.

3:00 p.m.-  Papa and his 'alipores' a.k.a. body guards and driver came to visit.  He brought some ice cream and we started eating.  Mom prepared baked mac, pancit, puto, fruit salad, pizza, and chocolate cake.  It was a fun-filled afternoon.  We were finally reunited and it feels so good.

our Birthday feast

Papa starting the party with a bang!

my twin sister Mara grabbing her share of our birthday goodies

5:00 p.m.-  I attended the Holy Mass at the Cathedral with Mara.  It was our way of thanking God for giving us another year on this world.

at the Cathedral

Calapan City Cathedral

by the river beside Citimart

6:30 p.m.- I, together with my twin sister, stopped by at Citimart.

7:00 p.m.-  We got home at last!  I ate dinner.  I also gave Mara a present.

my birthday presents to my twin sister

When the big day has finally come to an end, I came to realize how many priceless treasures I have in my life today.  I may not have all the money and luxury in the world right now, but as long as I am surrounded by the people who love me, I must go on and live life to the utmost.

Hence, before ending this blog post, let me first share my fave stanza from a poem made by a very close friend on my birthday celebration:

As I woke up, the rain has approached my day,

I yawn and sit for a while, as I close my eyes and pray:

"Thank you God for this day, for this is a special one,

This was the day, twenty two years ago, a blessing to me has began."

All cheers for my upcoming 22nd year on this earth!  May it be filled with lots of hope, love, and opportunities for the future.

Lovelots,

Maica Angelle

Banner Photography

Into Your Veins

 What comes next after passing the boards, the oathtaking ceremony, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Exam, the National Council Licensure Examination review, volunteerism and the Cardio Pulmonary Nurse Training Program, really?  For me, the answer is simple: the Basic Intravenous Therapy Training.

Basic Intravenous Therapy Training conducted by the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital

Maica, the trainee

Well, after almost a year of passing the boards, we were finally able to undergo an Intravenous Therapy Training.  This took place at the Benedictine Monastery in Brgy. Salong, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.  It was a three-day basic program with didactics, return demonstrations, and duty.

the Calapan Bay as seen on the monastery

the cute bonsai tree

the Grace Park

The first day of training was all about the necessities of Intravenous Therapy.  We had a pre-test, and various lectures about the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system, the intravenous therapy itself and its complications, Total Parenteral Nutrition and the Nursing Responsibilities in Intravenous Therapy.  It was great that it was held at a quite, serene place, such as the Benedictine Nuns Monastery in my hometown.  Also, it was so refreshing that after a five-week training at a busy city, we are finally home doing the things we miss the most. We are, once again, working on a familiar place, mingling with the people we've missed.  It was a memorable day for me and my twin sister.

me and my co-trainees on our lunch break

have break, have a camera shot!

my trainee buds

The second day, however, was all about lectures, post test and demonstrations.  I can still remember that during the lecture, I was scheming through the pages of my manual because I nervous about the upcoming return demonstrations.  After the post test, we commenced with the twelve return demonstrations about inserting intravenous cannulas and the like.  At first, I was worried that I might not have prepared enough but in the end, I became too exhausted that I saw myself struggling towards the demos.  Imagine, we had to memorize 12 procedures, deal with 12 preceptors and recite while demonstrating those.  I was exhausted. afterwards.  I was so relieved at the end of the day that I was finally given the chance to breath, relax and rest.

our preceptors doing some demonstration

at a return demonstration station

our preceptors

The one-on-one intravenous insertions marks the third day of the course.  It was held at the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital. It was February 27, 2011, a working Sunday for all of us. We saw our colleagues and they were surprised to see us, knowing that we were away for a while because of our training.

In the one-on-one, my partner was my twin sister Mara.  I noticed that it was hard to insert the cannula on her because we had thin veins. Our preceptor even said that Mara's veins are better because those are bigger.  I am proud, though, that I made it in just one attempt.  Mara, however, had to do it twice on me.  It was so painful but I'm glad that she managed to insert the cannula in my veins.

The training doesn't end there.  We had to do it in actual situations.  As for me, I have not completed my cases yet but I'm optimistic that I'll get certified someday.  I may be a novice in intravenous insertion but I believe that someday, I'll be good.  All it takes is trust, hope, and faith.

at Grace Park

Lovelots,

Maica Angelle

Straight from the Heart

Hey there, Bloggerbuds!  It's been a while since I've gotten the chance to update my blog.  My last post is about Christmas and inasmuch as I want to update my site from time to time, I have been busy with my training at Philippine Heart Center.  Yes,  you read it right.   I am now a certified Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support practitioner and I will become a Certified Renal Nurse soon.  In an month's time I will become Maica Angelle E. Feraren, RN, CRN, IELTS passer (hopefully).  How does that sound, huh?

Anyway, I want to share my experience at one of the most prestigious healthcare institutions in the country: the Philippine Heart Center.

I was volunteering my services to the Provincial Hospital of our Province(Oriental Mindoro) when I felt the desire to uplift my career.  Well, when you're in the hospital, work becomes a routine.  Hence, I wanted to get away from all the stress at work and learn something new.  Then comes the Cardio-Renal Nurse Training Program at the Heart institution of the country and the rest, as they say, is history.

According to http://www.philippinenursingdirectory.com, the Cardio-Renal Nurse Training Program  is a five-week Cardio-Renal Course designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide dialysis treatment and efficient care to renal patients.

At the end of the course, participants should be able:

• To discuss the principles of Hemodialysis/Peritoneal dialysis/CRRT;
• To operate hemodialysis machine/cycler/reprocessing machine and water system;
• To practice infection control in dialysis setting;
• To identify the renal patient needs based on a comprehensive assessment;
• To discuss the duties and responsibilities of a dialysis nurse;
• To formulate a nursing care plan based on the needs identified.

Intended Participants: Registered Nurses
Number of Participants: 50
Registration fee: Php 20,000 (requires at least 25% down payment)

This is me in front of Heart Center

As for me and my twin sister, we left our beloved hometown for a while to see what this training has in store for us.  The training may have lasted for five weeks only but the learnings, experiences and the friendships gained there will forever be in our hearts.

H.E.A.R.T. Foundation

At first, Mara and I thought that the training will be a serious one.  Imagine, we paid P20,000.00 each just to be certified in Basic Life Support, Basic Electrocardiogram Reading, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Dialysis.  We can not just waste resources just by being lazy beings.  Hence, we had to work our way through this training.

9th floor, Medical Arts Building, Philippine Heart Center

Cardio-Renal Bulletin Board

The first two weeks of the course were the most stressful weeks.  Imagine, we had lectures, quizzes and return demonstrations about Electrocardiogram and Advanced Life Support compressed in two weeks.  It was really hard and challenging at the same time.  Every lecture seemed lengthy.  Every quiz made us all nervous and every return demonstration challenged us.  However, we were able to make fun out of the situation.  We may have been asked to interpret 20 Electrocardiogram tracings for 20 minutes, intubate dummies, whack our brains with all the megacode data but we made it.

Me and Mara wearing our lab gowns for the 1st time

with our Heart Colleagues

picture-taking in sunset

the future Certified Renal Nurses

jump, jump, jump!

Passing the Megacode return demonstration supervised by Cardiologists is the most challenging one in this training. Megacode is not just a simple topic.  I mean, you have to have basic knowledge and understanding about Electrocardiogram reading, Basic Life Support, Intubation, Defibrillation, Transcutaneous Pacing and the Pulseless Arrest, Tachycardia and Bradycardia Algorithms in order to make it.  In my case, I barely passed the written exam(which is a prerequisite for the Megacode return demonstration).  During the code, I was able to convince the Cardiologist that I'm worthy to pass after a while.  It wasn't easy but with hardwork, some amount of pressure and determination, you might just get certified in MEGACODE.

After the first two weeks of lecture, we all went our for a drink.

Say Cheese :)

strike a pose!

Me and my Heart Center Colleagues after a stressful bunch of lectures, ret dems and quizzes.

The last three weeks of the training were not so hectic.  We had 16 duty hours at the Dialysis Unit and return demonstrations about Setting up of the Dialysis Machine, Intravenous Cannulation, and Access Care.  It was hard and fun at the same time because we had a lot of time to chitchat during the duty and ret dems.

Me, Denise, Gil, Mutya and Mara at PHC Rooftop

Mara, Me and Denise beside the Dialysis Machine

my Dialysis groupmates

at the storage room (our hangout place at the Dialysis unit)

Mara, Gil, Mutya and Me at a purple PHC sign

me and my groupmates at PHC

Mara and Me at the Heart Center Landmark

Mara, Denise, Me and Mutya striking a pose in front of PHC after a 12-hr. shift

Well, as they say, all things come to an end.  After the five-week duration of the course, we finally bid goodbye to dummies, green scrubs and lab gowns.  Now, the lengthy lectures, chaotic electrocardiogram tracings, nerve-wracking defibrillators and complicated dialysis machines are all but memories away.

CRNTP Graduation Teaser

Me and My Groupmates

I graduated, Yes!

handling our diplomas with pride

pizza, anyone?

Through it all, I can now say that the H.E.A.R.T. (Health Educational Advancement for Research and Training) Foundation and the Philippine Heart Center did not only help us gain more knowledge in our chosen field.  They also allowed us to become nurses with hearts of gold.  We may have paid some amount of money just to get ourselves into it but all the learnings, friendships formed, laughters heard and experiences made there will be with us all throughout eternity.

Let's all take care of our Hearts from now on!

Just LIVE, LOVE and LEARN =)

Lovelots,

Maica Angelle E. Feraren, RN (soon to be CRN)

Credits:

http://www.philippinenursingdirectory.com/2010/09/07/heart-foundation-cardio-renal-nurse-training-program-october-18-november-19-2010/

http://www.facebook.com/paolabianca?sk=photos

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1618786113&sk=photos

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?profile=1&id=1214490534

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=100000059564883&aid=51765

the girls of Cardio- Renal Nurse Training Program Batch 18

Cardio-Renal Nurse Training Program Batch 18