For 2 days, this past Thursday and Friday, I was back in "my element." To a degree, I should say. With the help of a fellow nurse in my home Bible study group I was able to arrange a couple days to shadow her at work. This was my inside glimpse into the Swiss medical system and also a chance to see all of the gaps I had in my French medical lingo.
A few things really stand out to me from my experience there......
1. The hospital/medical system in the Western world is the same the world over. Just switch up the language, depending on the country, but the terms, politics, policies and procedures are basically the same.
2. People (patients especially) are the same the world over! It just reminds me again how we all have the same basics needs, no matter what our background or nationality. There will always be those that pull out their IV's, the confused patient, the non-compliant patient, and those that just want you to sit by them and hold their hand after they received shocking news.
3. I realized how much I missed being "a nurse." I've spent almost 18 months in language school and completely out of my element and have felt like I have the brain of an 8 year old. To be back in a world that I knew well was quite overwhelming and my emotions got the better of me after I was done working that first day. God gives each of us gifts and areas that we love working in and I think that is a way we can truly serve and glorify the Lord in our every day lives. Granted, it was still very challenging since it was all in French, but many of the medical terms are the same.......you just have to say them with a French accent! That part made me laugh.
4. I miss working in the Hospice environment. That area of nursing holds a special place in my heart and I hope I can get back into it someday.
So, I know I will have a lot to learn once I get to Africa......but it will be a nice change of routine to "work" in that way again!
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