Thursday, March 20, 2008

Like . Real

While going through my hard disk in preparation for a format. I came across my sud-group's latest ICA presentation video on self esteem. The style of the video was inspire by the Channel News Asia's documentary 'Get Real'. So after much thought to the title of our 'show', AZ, with much pun intended, came up with the name 'Like Real'.

Though not the longest video I've made, it the most difficult and time consuming to me. The most ambitious on my to to come up with something resemble the real TV show, but using the bare minimum equipment and software.First we have to come up with the script that somehow fit into our case study: Joshua, 21 years old, contracted STI (Sexual Transmitted Infection) through a one night stand. As a result, his self-esteem was greatly affected. Discuss how STI affects Joshua's self-esteem and how his parents may help to improve his self-esteem.



I know, i know the quality of the production sucks. But hey, it's meant only to look like the real thing, nothing fancy okay...

So, here's my list of equipment and software I've used for producing this video:

  1. A regular digital camera for filming.
  2. My Sonyericsson W850i for voice recording.
  3. Office Powerpoint for imaging 'cause I don't have and don't know how to use Photoshop.
  4. Some wave editor to convert the sound recording.
  5. Microsoft Windows Movie Maker for piecing everything together.
I'm not gonna talk on how I use them 'cause I'm too lazy to explain, but trust me, it would be easier if I have the proper training and equipment for this kinda things (I'm a future nurse, you see). Anyway, I like to thank all my dear sub group member. They have been very supportive for my wacky ideas. Thanks Peeps! AZ's girlfriend watched it and commented that it is so 'over'.

Well, it's suppose to be 'like real' what...

Monday, March 17, 2008

Familliar Ground: Delusioned Menace

It seems that I always around when the security guards are activate to assist in handling difficult patients. This time, we got an alcoholic came in for seizure. During his first day of admission, he seems rather fine to me. Other than having an unsteady gait and sleepy for most of the day. We did not get any trouble from him.


As the days gone by, he became delirious. On the second day of his stay, he threatened one of the staff. Using the IV spikes from his drip, he told her not to touch her, or else. During the weekend, he absconded from the ward. He was found by a passer-by somewhere within the hospital's premise, asking around where he was. To prevent any injury to the staff and himself, a body restraint was order by the doctor to be worn on him.


During my shift, he would ask anyone for cigarettes. He would also find all sorts of excuses to get out of the bed and body restraints, be it logical or down right senseless. Once, while I'm attending to the patient opposite of him, he beckon me over.


'Hey... There's something at my hands...' he slurred.

'There isn't anything there, sir,' I replied, knowing he's up to his old trick again.

'No... There is... Take it off from me...' he said, while struggling with the restraint.

'What did you see?' I asked, patience slowing draining from my body.

'I cannot see la! Take it off...'

'Then how would you know something is AT for hands?' trying to sound as calm as possible.


Sometime I wonder whether he is really delusion, playing punk or acting. Towards the evening, a physiotherapist came to assess his walking ability. After the assessment, he refused to return to his bed. I went over the help coaxing him back, but without success. At one moment, he demand to see the the doctor. Then the other, he wanted to get out of the ward to smoke. After a while the ITE student came to aid. However, the patient stands his ground. This time, he wants to call the police. The CISCO security guards were activated. When they were on their way. The delirious guy turned to me and said, 'I don't want to talk to you. I don't want to talk to my enemies.'


'Now I'm your enemy?' said, feel a bit amused.

'Yes, you are my enemy.'

'Why is that so?'

'Because the sky is high.'

'Because the sky is high...' I repeat after him, perplexed by his reply.


Once the guards arrived, he demanded to go to the toilet to pass motion. Along the way, he again asked for cigarettes. In the toilet, he kept asking for a smoke despite the guards warn him that smoking is not allow within the hospital premise. Not getting what he wanted, he tried to threaten us that if he can't get to smoke, he'll beat us up. One of the guards counted the number of people in the toilet (six of us by now) to him and challenged him to try it.


Finally he gave in the went on doing his business. It took him more than half an hour to finish and he slowly fumble with the toilet paper. The guards who ran out of patience ordered him to quicken whatever he was doing and get back to the ward. The whole incident last for almost an hour. What make use most frustrated was that he choose the busiest period of the day, where medication needed to dispense, parameter to be taken and dinner to be serve.


Later the security guards told us that we're the well known ward for this kind of situation. Almost every week they're activated to come to this ward. Well, now at least you wouldn't be running out of job, I thought to myself.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Familiar Ground

For the past three weeks (plus one additional weeks before exams. I consider it a 'refresher course' week), I was posted back to the same C class ward that I've been during my year one, semester two.

For more information on my previous experience there, please click here, here and here.

One thing's for sure, working there is like a love-hate relationship. Love it because there will not be short of things and opportunity to do and perform. Hate it because of the exact same reason for loving it: I can never finish my work. Still, working there has been fruitful and enjoyable for the most part.

This time round, I'm no more the headless chicken I've use to be. Of course, I still have to run around the ward to find the one-and-only pulse oxymeter. Most of the staff there are still as friendly as ever and I'm able to adapt the ward routine easier and faster. Although I'm unassigned to a different room, I'm still able work with one of the cute staff nurses from my previous attachment there. But then again, there are more cute nurses in the ward now.

Hahaha...

For the first 2 weeks, I have a 'Shadow' following me and the other Nursing Student around the room. You might ask why do I quote this person as a 'Shadow'. That's because she follow us around but do nothing significant and speak little for most of the time. Though she relates to the patient quite well, she makes bare minimal communication with the staff and students.

From time to time, I'll see her either flipping through the case notes and the clinical charts, or stand beside someone whose doing a procedure. She's like some inspector or manager who was posted to the ward to either spy or keep an eye on us. Once, one of my classmate came over to mt room to look for some stuff. The first thing he said to me was 'what is she doing? Posing ar?'

Maybe she trying to redefine the meaning of 'Contact Precaution'.

There was one time when I'm helping out serving medication with a Staff Nurse, she just stood there and observe. So I turn to her and ask, 'Have you learn to serve medication in school'

'Y-Yes.' She replied, sounded a bit startled.

'So do you want to give it a try?' I offered.

'..........'

I give her some time to consider it. However, the next time I turn back to her, she was gone.

She went for break.

I wonder why she bother to join nursing.

That's all for now. Maybe I'll write more when I got the mood.

Ciao.