Hospitalito

I had the absolute pleasure and opportunity to work at 4 different units at the Hospital of Zapopan: ER, Cardiology, Gynecology, and Internal Medicine. It’s hard to say which I prefer more because each was a great learning opportunity. Its also known as hospitalito (little hospital) because of its small size in comparison to other hospitals. The nurses were so nice and super patient with me. Though I could speak Spanish well, when it came to medical Spanish it was more of a challenge. The nurses would also have to speak slow for me to comprehend them. Some words thankfully were similar in Spanish as in English (such as Amlodipina and Amlodipine) while others I learned for the first time. Some hospital staff could speak some English as well, but of course I was there to practice and feel more comfortable using Spanish.

In the ER, I got to take vital signs, administer medications, and speak to a few patients and read their charts. In Cardiology, I learned how Holter monitors are used ( this involves 24 hours of monitoring heart activity), how EKGs are analyzed, and sat in on a few doctors appointments. In internal medicine I administered meds, changed beds, took blood sugar, and cannulated IVs. And in Gynecology I was with mothers and newborn babies.

Some things were quite a culture shock there. For one, all the nurses (except the ER nurses) wore white. This is in contrast to the navy blue scrubs we are accustomed to in the United States. I was always afraid of getting them really dirty and we were asked to change into our scrubs once we got in the hospital. This makes sense though! Another thing that stood out was technology. Nurses really don’t have access to computers and would document things on paper. When taking blood pressure they would use arrows on a paper to list the blood parameters rather than automatic on a monitor. They also would send labs and orders by foot all the way around the hospital. Computers would be found in maybe some nursing stations and doctors offices, but it wasn’t something seen everywhere in the hospital. A third thing was PPE (personal protective equiptment). Besides masks, I think supplies such as gloves and gowns were in low supply and I almost rarely had seen anyone wear these. Surgery was were most of the hospital staff would wear more PPE.

With all these differences, I didn’t pass any judgement on how things were handled but rather kept an open mind. It was very hands on as well, surprisingly even more than what I even did in my 1 year of nursing school. They would teach me things on real patients such how to cannulate an IV, taking blood sugars, diluting medicine and even administering meds through IV lines. This is in great contrast to practicing on mannequins and simulations. I even had a chance to feed and bathe babies, which disappointingly we weren’t even allowed to be in maternity clinics in Nursing school due to the COVID-19 situation. I think caring for the babies was one of the easier parts and one I enjoyed a little more. I think pediatrics was the only part of the hospital I didnt get to take part in, and I wouldn’t be surprised if even that was more hands on!

Most patients that I saw in the hospital were admitted for fractures, GI diseases, and 2 shockingly were admitted due to reactions from the COVID-19 vaccine. It wasnt Moderna, Pfizer, or J&J but some other vaccine. The patients weren’t able to speak and were paralyzed! It was a frightening scene to say the least.

It was refreshing to see some things similar to how we practice in the states. For example, they use the 24-hour time system as well as utilize the same measuring units including ml and kg when dosing medications. Taking vitals however differed slightly (they use an automatic cuff and pulse ox machine but no stethoscope). Paracetamol I noticed was a common analgesic used for pain as well as antibiotics such as Ceftriaxone and Methimazole. Antibiotics had to be diluted into a solution because it could irritate and burn the patient.

Overall, the experience was worthwhile and I would highly recommend for those eager to pursue a career in Nursing or Medicine. I would also suggest before you do it to learn some medical Spanish, as this is a must!