(VOVWORLD) - The nursing staff accounts for 70% of the workforce of hospitals. They are the medical workers who have the most frequent contact with patients and care for them. Despite the heavy workload, nurses remain dedicated to helping their patients recover as quickly as possible.
 Nurses at Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Hospital assist patients with medical check-up and treatment procedures. (Photo credit: Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Hospital) |
The 30-bed Intensive Care and Anti-Poison Department of the Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Hospital is almost always full.
Most of the patients are elderly and are in the hospital for a long stay. As they are critically ill, the nurses have to take care of their medication, mental health, feeding, and personal hygiene. The nurses here are gatekeepers, fighting to keep the patients out of the clutches of death.
“The daily work of a nurse is very demanding. They start a workday with a handover meeting from the previous shift, then take care of patients’ personal hygiene and assist the doctors with medical procedures,” Nguyen Linh Chi, the Department’s chief nurse, told VOV.
During the day, 10 to 12 nurses care for the patients. At night, only 5 are on duty. They work without let-up.
Le Van Huong, who has more than 30 years of experience, says the pressure is constant.
“Most nurses suffer from varicose veins and stomachaches because we don’t have a fixed eating schedule,” said Huong, adding, “Often, we have to rush to a patient emergency in the middle of a meal or right after eating. Sometimes our dinner is delayed until 9 or 10 p.m. We have to wear reinforced stockings for the varicose veins and treat ourselves for the stomachache. We divide our meals into snacks to be eaten whenever we find a little free time.”
 A gathering of diabetic patients at Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Hospital. (Photo credit: Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Hospital) |
According to a study, a nurse in Vietnam performs more than 100 tasks a day in response to doctors' orders and patients’ needs.
Doctor To Hoang Duong, Deputy Head of the Intensive Care and Anti-Poison Department, said the nursing staff plays a crucial role. They are the bridge between doctors and patients, following medical treatment instructions, monitoring developments, and evaluating the patient's response during treatment.
“In the intensive care unit, the patients’ condition may change hourly, so the nurses must monitor them closely and give the doctors timely feedback,” said Duong.
Every nurse puts themself in the position of the patient and the patient's family to understand and sympathize with their situation.
Therefore, they feel happy when they can help someone escape the “more-dead-than-alive” period and regain consciousness.
Nursing is a challenging profession. When patients overcome their illness and return to normal life, it’s the greatest joy for the nurses. It’s what motivates them to keep working day after day.