A Rite of Passage (To Nursing)

We just had our demos on intradermal (ID) and intramuscular (IM) injections in our NCM 100A (R.L.E). We were not actually informed that we will be having the demos today that's why we were really surprised! I was, of course, nervous and what's really scary is that, we had to choose a partner and inject each other! It's like the blind leading another blind!

I chose Ryza to be my partner. By the way, Ryza is part of a trio which we call the "Tres Marias" or sometimes the "Tres Mujeres". While waiting for our turn, my hands were starting to feel cold as ice. We first had the intradermal injection by performing a skin test. We made use of sterile water instead of a real drug. For those who are not aware, skin test is really painful! Luckily, I have high tolerance to pain. Don't you know that I'm "Painkiller Jane"? I did well on this demo since I managed to make a good wheal on my partner's forearm. But my partner didn't, since some of the sterile water scattered in the tissues inside my skin.

"My Left Forearm"



The red dot beside (or inside) the circle is the injection site.



"A Closer Look"



Words written: "due 8:30pm"

While waiting for our turn for the demo on IM injection, I was observing the reactions of my classmates and most of them were in pain. Some even cried. And then, it was our turn to perform IM injection in the upper arm. I won't tell much about this because I kinda suck! Thanks to the clinical instructor who was rushing us while we were having the demo! At least, this time my partner did well. Again, I didn't feel much pain, probably because I already experienced IM when I had my Hepatitis B vaccine last summer.

Honestly, I was more scared in administering injections than receiving them, because I fear that I might injure my partner. But even though I suck with the IM injection, I'll make sure that I'll do better next time, because next time I'll already be doing it with an actual patient!

This whole activity is like a rite of passage, especially to those who felt so much pain. I'm actually starting to feel like a real Nursing student! Through this activity, we experienced what it feels like to be a patient who receives injections. We all know that a lot of people are afraid of injections, and now, it is easier for us to deal with such patients. I really learned a lot from this scary and exciting activity, and it made me think that learning is not only about knowing, but it's also about experiencing!