Community Nursing at Cayapes, Kapangan, Benguet

Jayfer Tomas, another SLU nursing student shares his experiences.

Community Health Nursing is based on the worth and dignity of man, this is what I have internalized during our community exposure at Cayapes, Kapangan, Benguet. We all know the principles that were taught and discussed inside the four corners of the classroom, but then we realized that putting these into action is not as easy as we thought it is.

When we arrived at the area, I was very excited because the place was so beautiful and it caught my attention so much. The place takes pride in its mountains, and rivers. The place is so peaceful and the people are very hospitable. Most of the community folks smiled as a sign of their respect and warm welcome.

Our first task was the ocular survey, it was very stressful but our stress was relieved by the ambience of the place. We found people who were industriously working in the fields. Their life is very simple and they seem contented and happy of what they have. Service to the people was our goal in our community duty so we planned everything that we did to give the best of care that we can. They considered us as bearers of accurate and correct information. The trust and confidence that they put in us is high.

Though the distance from one house to another was very far, we did our best to accomplish what we were supposed to do. We taught at the Cayapes Elementary School about “Sight Saving” to grades one and two pupils, helped in the scheduled immunization at the Barangay Health Station, monitored the health status of vulnerable patients at the different Sitios of the Barangay and shared our knowledge regarding health. We also enjoyed the Clean Up Drive in the community and the rehabilitation of the Barangay Herbarium. Our knowledge about the different programs of the Department of Health and implemented by the Barangay Health Center was also enriched.

We also learned how to value everything that we have, since we can’t deny that some people in the community have financial problems and yet they are able to appreciate and be contented of what they have. We also learned to apply the skills that we have learned and have practiced in the classroom.

Some people did not believe in what we have been teaching them. Though their beliefs might not be correct we must be sensitive and cautious enough in addressing these misinformation or misconceptions. We must also be patient in dealing with the community members and let them know that we are sincere in our delivery of care.

It was a successful community service and one of the unforgettable experiences in my life.