7 Survival Tips for the Manila Affiliations

Studying Nursing is not easy, we all know that. Through the course of our study some may have experienced panic, diaphoresis or even temporary amnesia when confronted with questions like “What chemical compound activates muscles in the PNS, and is a major neurotransmitter in the autonomic nervous system?” Fortunately, studying nursing is not all that. One of the perks is the Manila affiliations. For some time, students will be sent to hospitals like the National Center for Mental Health, Philippine Orthopedic Center and San Lazaro Hospital while staying in some fancy hotel during their free time. Hold it! Although this may sound exciting for most students you must not forget that you’re there for supplemental learning and not for a Caribbean vacation. In a new environment and set-up, here are 7 survival tips that would hopefully guide Nursing Juniors in their sojourn:

1. PRAYS- Prepare & Recheck All Your Stuff. Before leaving, make sure that you have all the things that you need like your personal articles, your books, group supplies, bond paper, crayons etc. A checklist of items to be used would be provided by the Department during an orientation before your departure so be sure to bring the prescribed items. It might be difficult to look for that in Manila considering that you’re new to the place and going out is limited by curfew!

2. GAP- Guts, Assertiveness and Patience. These are the values that you need to bring with you all the time, why? Let me give you a dose of reality: You would see dozens of naked people and some violence in NCMH; you would eventually smell odors that put the letter F to the word FUNKY; and you would be exposed to patients with advanced stages of PTB not to mention their hemoptysis. Just remember that you’re a future nurse, those encounters are part of your job.

3. PALOT PA- Put A Leash On That Party Animal. O yes freedom! Time to party?! Calm down party people, drinking alcoholic beverages and making a bar-casino out of your rooms is prohibited. Some may or had gotten away with it but some also get caught. You may consult the Mission Impossible team.

4. PASS- Plenty of water, Antipyretics, Sun protection and Sleep. The climate of Manila is hot and humid all year round and temperatures could rise up to 83ºF (28ºC), that’s hot. Let’s not forget the traffic jams and massive influx of people. Imagine how you’d feel especially after shopping at Divisoria. Based from experience, it also helps if you‘d bring some antipyretics for relief of fever. Also, don’t forget to rest your worn out bodies. You’re gonna need lots and lots of energy.

5. BACK- Bring A Condom Kiddo! Let’s face it; sex can happen anywhere especially if you’re in some hotel feeling cozy and all that. All the lectures on reproductive health were already given so it’s the students’ choice if they’d engage in such activity. Just make sure that you won’t get caught and the next pregnancy results would be negative or else, there would be more crying mothers and enraged fathers.

6. RIB- Resist Impulsive Buying. Divisoria, Tutuban, Greenhills, MOA, Greenbelt etc. retail oases of the land! You’re almost hypnotized by a variety of 200 peso stilettos, Prada and Gucci imitations, 50 peso Havaianas etc. Before you know it, you have spent all your money during your 1^{st week} while there is still another week to go. Remember that there is a Grand Socialization Day at NCMH where most of your money would go so lock that wallet for a while then shop ‘til you drop when all activities are done.

7. CATS- Cajole, Appreciate, Tolerate and Support your group mates. Tensions can rise during planning, unmet deadlines and when some of your group mates pretend that they’re zombies while you’re working like a carabao. During the San Lazaro Affiliation, my group mates and I once had a shouting match that made me feel uncomfortable the whole day. I learned that there are really insensible people at times but you can’t do anything about it. You just have to confront the situation as it is, think of a better solution, perform deep breathing exercises and drink a glass of water, and then it’s back to normal. At the end of the day, you’re still one group and when you talk about it after a long time, you’d laugh about your silliness.

C’mon Ultimate Survivors! I know you can do it. I hope these tips would help you to not freak out. Good luck to your journey as student nurses! Keep moving forward. Toxicity is in the eye of the beholder:)