Volunteer Experience

Last night, my nursing school friend and I spent three hours at a free clinic helping to do vital signs on patients.  Most of the patients were Indonesian and did not speak English.  There were two interpreters to help communicate.  We think the volunteering is a requirement of our next course, but we wanted to sign up regardless to get a little experience before we start our clinical in two weeks! 
This clinic is run by nurse practitioners.  We had the opportunity to see the intake process and then take over the intake process.  I had to ask the patients why they came to the clinic, if they took their medications and then get vital signs.  I took their temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, height, weight and calculated their BMI.  Everyone was so friendly and seemed to be appreciative of the services they receive at the clinic.  I learned from a volunteer nutritionist that many Indonesians are diabetic, overweight and suffer from high blood pressure.  Most of the people I interacted with had high blood pressure and, according to their BMI, were overweight or obese.  I also had the chance to sit in with a nurse practitioner while she examined a middle aged woman.  The NP had been seeing this patient for the past six years, so she had developed a rapport with her and her 12 year old son.  Her son was quite the charmer, so adorable and friendly.  As I watched the examination I noticed the NP do the techniques we have learned in school.  I also noticed how she asked questions understanding the cultural differences.  One example, when the NP was asking about the diet of this patient, she asked if she eats a lot of fried foods or if she ever cooks with a wok.  The NP gave this woman a few brief examples of how to cook and not always fry her food (to help manage her weight and help lower her blood pressure).  This was a brief experience, but I was able to interact with patients and gain just more confidence with vital signs.  I am fortunate to have had this opportunity, especially before starting in the hospital in two short weeks!!