Unspecified challenges in clinical

Clinical in Uganda has met me, and my students, with some challenges. Though I am the teacher, I am also a constant learner, particularly at the clinical site. Students, 22 in all, are split between 4 wards (as a comparison, in the US I would normally only have 8 students). I rotate between all these wards trying to understand the layers of culture and clinical practice clinging to every surface of this experience. In the midst of directing students, I find myself trying to understand the different levels of expectations and boundaries that reside with my presence on the ward (both for the students and the staff). Such complexities fluctuate my emotions throughout the day, impacting my perceived success. Grace, of course, is required in such tricky situations and I am very thankful that God's grace and love manage to overcome self-degradation!

The more I teach, and the more I see at the hospital, the more I understand how important it is to develop nurses who are willing to do something about the problems they see in practice. When they see other health care workers accepting bribes or not showing up to work or ignoring patients, I want my students to be the ones to break this cycle. I want them to be leaders in their work place, to be knowledgeable nurses who care for their patients with the grace and love of Christ.

My students after their first day of clinical.

Please be praying for my students as they finish this last half of the semester. Also be praying for me and my Ugandan colleagues, that we would be strong examples of what nurses and nursing care can be.