THINGS are so DIFFERENT here

Orientation is done. I have so much to still learn. I am on my own as a nurse tomorrow. The wards are very busy. My patient load is bigger than at home, needs are different, but my assistive help is less. I am the IV team, physical therapist, nurse aid, lab team, secretary, dietary, and occupational therapy. I have to be very creative, which isn't hard for me, but so different when you would rather not have to figure out what your patient may vomit in, or what to use when you have no tape or saline to clean a wound. It is going to take some time for me to figure out what is important to do for my patients and what I need to let go of. The care here is safe and the worst I could do for these patients is better than they could ever hope for, but I aim to give 110% and to do things thorough and well, others I work with do not. The time is not available for me to do things the way I would hope because everything else takes so long. One of my patients tonight called me America because he couldn't remember my name and he asked me to take him to America. My heart breaks. The wards are serving many patients. The mom's stay in the same bed with their baby and the babies are beautiful. A lot of my patients have burns all over their bodies from war, things blowing up, and from accidents or falls into their cooking fires. Their need is intense and their strength is incredible. They will rarely complain of pain and a Tylenol makes them content and comfortable. THINGS are so DIFFERENT here. Pray for my continued adjustment, strength, and ways to connect with a Bible study group or spiritual support team because my shifts often conflict with schedules for these activites. Thanks for all of your love and for reading about what I am doing.