Sitting at the airport I look around at everyone about to leave for their first mission trip wondering if they are prepared for what they’re about to do. No one really knows what the trip involves, or the amount of time and effort that needs to be put in. I’ve been to the Dominican Republic twice already and still remember my first trip and the doubts that I had when we arrived.
We got our luggage and walked out of the airport to three buses. One was packed with our suitcases and the other two with about 65 Registered and Student Nurses. It was so hot, two of the buses had cracked windshields and the one bus carrying the luggage had the air conditioning!
I remember watching the paved roads turn into dirt roads and undeveloped roads. My eyes grew wider as we arrived at a gated area, our living quarters. The buses stopped and waited for the gate to be opened and after the buses pulled in the gate was shut behind us. This is where we would be staying when we weren't in the clinics.
The sleep rooms consisted of rusted bunk beds with mattresses that were old and about two inches thin. The bathroom stalls were at the end of the room with three shower stalls across from them. Each shower had a slow steady stream of cold water that felt good considering it was so hot there, but you had to be careful not to get it in your eyes or mouth because you'd run the risk of getting sick. The water is not safe to drink unless it's bottled or from the water cooler where we stay.
After I dropped my bag off at our sleeping quarters and claimed my bed I walked to the dining hall for lunch thinking, "Oh no, what did I get myself into!" There were many of us thinking the same thing. After we ate we unpacked and started to prepare and separate the medications and supplies.
We were in the Dominican Republic for five days and three out of the five days we spent working in the clinics. Each day we split up into two groups and went to two separate clinics to work. We got up early, ate breakfast, and arrived at the clinic site between 8:30-9: 00 am and left when the last family was seen. One would spend the day with an interpreter if you didn't speak Spanish while discussing concerns, doing health education and assessments, and distributing health-care kits to families.
The clinics were usually held in churches, and in order to provide privacy, we created individual rooms by hanging bed sheets. The number of patients one would see over the course of the day was incredible; we hardly took breaks, just a quick lunch and then back to seeing patients. Here we weren't just seeing one patient we were seeing one patient and their family, so we would take turns eating so people could continue to be seen. It was amazing to see how many people were there to help. The people from the town that the clinic was held in come to volunteer, translate, interpret, direct people where to go, or make coffee to keep everyone energized. The people were so grateful that the nurses were there in the Dominican Republic to help.
People come from all over the Dominican Republic, some walk half a day and sit waiting for hours to be seen by the nurses from the United States. For some, this is the only healthcare they receive. They are so appreciative of the care that we give and the time that we spend with them. By the end of the trip, it was hard for me to leave, for me this trip made me realize that we have so much more to give.
Specializes in psychiatric, UR analyst, fraud, DME,MedB.
As a young nurse, I went on a Medical Missions Trip to Guatamala, in 1986. I will never forget it and wish every nurse could have this opportunity. I saw diseases that we vaccinate children for, and how they kill babies, who don't get the vaccine. I saw a man tortured and left to die on the edge of the road, by civil war guerillas. But some of what I will never forget, are not just the people, but the living conditions. I went to very remote areas, in the jungle, where people don't see a doctor their entire life. The ride into that jungle, took 8 hours, on a dirt road along cliffs that you could see cars and buses over the edge, in the ravines. Once, our car was stopped, after coming around a blind curve, by soldiers holding their guns toward us. They shouted for us to get out of the car and stand spread eagle against the car. Then they started to frisk us, one by one. I was scared to death! The Guatamalan doctor we were traveling with talked to the soldiers the entire time, explaining that we were all doctors, nurses, and dentists setting up clinics in remote villages. I was praying the entire time and by the time they got to me they stopped and said we could go. I thank God they did not lay a hand on me. All of these experiences gave me an appreciation for my country, and I never again complained about bad road conditions, traffic jams, dirty toilets, etc. A missions trip will give you an appreciation for the "little things in life". For me, it was an opportunity to do something for my Lord, Jesus Christ, but as He always does, He gave me much more than I gave Him. :paw:
Thank you for sharing such an experience and your perspectives. I do admire you coming out and to "witness" . There were times in my life of which I would not have made it if not for my faith in God , and yes in Jesus. Nowadays , in most places the exhibition of one's faith , especially Christianity is forbidden, or the in "God we trust....." was taken down! It is so crazy, and yet they would allow other subject matters in school , to our children of which we "normally " will not allow ....in the old days. What I am saying is thank you for the witnessing, and pray that God may help us! I too , even though I am not that young anymore , but I am not sickly, would like to experience what you did! . Advice to young nurses---if you are interested in this, do it before you have families and other obligations to free yourself to do this admirable thing !:redpinkhe
Yup this is nurse missionary...is amuch than welcome all over the world. Is not about excitement is to give back what tou received. Just I love it! Good for you!
How is the missionary work included into the care? Do the nurses preach to the patients? Or does a preacher do this? Is it done while giving care? After? Before?
I found out about this mission trip through the college I got my BSN at. They go each year around the same time it is such a rewarding experience if you can, try it at least once, I bet it won't be your last!
Thank you! While I am young-ish, I don't have a family yet, many nurses I go with do, don't count yourself out! This year I'm hoping to take my 16 year old brother on the trip, he's going to help with heights and weights!
Specializes in psychiatric, UR analyst, fraud, DME,MedB.
Thank you! While I am young-ish, I don't have a family yet, many nurses I go with do, don't count yourself out! This year I'm hoping to take my 16 year old brother on the trip, he's going to help with heights and weights!
oooh , you are such a nice big sister! good way to expose him to this kind of volunteer work. It sure will oen up a lot of hindsight , foresight and even side sight ! ;0):heartbeat
It sounds like a great and worthwhile experience! I hope to go to Cambodia when I am done with nursing school but perhaps any country that needs my help would be great as well.
a good thing to take with ya to buggy places is flea powder which you put around the bed to keep bugs from crawling up the bed legs. and put it on the mattress in questionable places and then put sheets back. mugwort root is good to keep parasites away :)
:) It was a treat to read this because I am Dominican and I know exactly what you are talking about. Sometimes I forget what its like over there too. It's important to be aware of how lucky us Americans are here: clean water, paved roads, health, money, etc. Thank you for this story. Please go there again even if you don't know Spanish. They need all our help and encouragement to lead better lives. :)
MaritesaRN
427 Posts
Thank you for sharing such an experience and your perspectives. I do admire you coming out and to "witness" . There were times in my life of which I would not have made it if not for my faith in God , and yes in Jesus. Nowadays , in most places the exhibition of one's faith , especially Christianity is forbidden, or the in "God we trust....." was taken down! It is so crazy, and yet they would allow other subject matters in school , to our children of which we "normally " will not allow ....in the old days. What I am saying is thank you for the witnessing, and pray that God may help us! I too , even though I am not that young anymore , but I am not sickly, would like to experience what you did!
. Advice to young nurses---if you are interested in this, do it before you have families and other obligations to free yourself to do this admirable thing !:redpinkhe