Nothing in life is constant, all things evolve and change. It has been two years since I stepped foot in Riyadh and worked as a NICU nurse. It was my first experience working in a foreign country and got really scared of the thought of serving other nationalities. It was hard for me at first, being away from my family and friends, but I was able to overcome all the challenges with the help of my colleagues and new-found friends. The two years I have spent in this place is truly worthwhile. I just didn’t gain vital knowledge in my career, but I also learned a lot of things about myself.
Saying goodbye is always the hardest thing. I have mixed emotions during our Maasallamah Party, I cried because I will definitely miss working in NICU. I will miss waking up in the morning and preparing myself for work. I am going to miss riding the bus with the unpleasant-smelling driver whose scent and driving skills give me a groggy and nauseated feeling. The crazy and fun endorsement time like a market place is definitely on my miss-list.
I took some pictures of the things I will miss in the unit.
First, this file cabinet that has been part of my everyday life in NICU. It has been redesigned by my diligent and artistic co-workers every 2 to 3 months. I also did one in external before but it didn’t last long. Anyways, nothing last long in NICU J
Secondly, the ventilator and cardiac monitor that gave me headache and tested my patience. The ventilator that is always alarming with VT low, VT high, MV low, MV high and others. Sometimes, it could have given me a heart attack knowing that something happened to my patient. While the alarm for this monitor is likened to a fire alarm. It won’t stop even though the vital signs of the patient is already normal. The worst thing is that I can still hear these alarms in my sleep. I, sometimes, woke up wonder-struck with palpitation because I thought my phone was alarming. I do believe now that alarms are the nurse worst nightmare.
Third, the nurse’s notes and all the papers that need to be filled. I like doing bedside care but I am not enthusiastic in writing it especially if I have 3 or 4 babies to take care. Not just the nurses’ files that I dreaded the most, but all things that involve writing, photocopying medication, IVF and TPN sheet and printing of invoices and xrays or lab tests request. Though, I will miss writing in this notes but I really do hope that my next workplace would provide each nurses with laptop to enter patient’s data.
Fourth, I will miss my colleagues who made my life fun and memorable in KSA. Everybody knows that Saudi Arabia is a strict country. My life here is a cycle of work-home. I found comfort and fun bonding with them while working and partying. I am grateful to have known all of them. NICU BB Gelz will always have a special place in my heart. Ms. Rasha, my head nurse, has been nice to me from the start. I will definitely miss her smile and angelic face. Ms. Nour, my charge nurse, who is cool and approachable. I will miss her smoky eyes with those gorgeous eye shadows. Ms. Rose Ann Aguinaldo, my favorite team leader, who always helps me in everything that I asked. I will miss Dr. Mustafa and Dr. Jasim’s rounds. I hope I will meet a clever consultant like them.
Lastly, I will surely miss taking care of these small, fragile and cute babies. Though it is very tiring to take care of them but it is rewarding to see the smile on their faces when they are satiated and comfortable. It is makes my heart fonder to see the joy in their parents’ faces. A simple thank you from the my patient’s folks makes me happy and inspired. I love my patients like my own. I will miss baby saleha (my mikka) and baby khaldah (the last patient I have for 1 month). I hope they will survive or if not they will be my little angels.
To my NICU family, thank you for this 2-year memorable, worthwhile and fun experience. My deepest and sincerest gratitude to all of you.
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