Text by MAE LORRAINE S. RAFOLS
Private duty nurses (PDN) offer more than exclusive care for the sick. They are also a source of moral support � the kind that stems from knowing and understanding the physical pains a critically ill patient goes through. They become confidantes, personal �secretaries�, even friends.
In the case of private duty nurse Louella Duque, being a PDN is her way of giving hope to patients she care for.
"There are patients who only need to hear my voice, and they immediately feel fine," she said.
This confidence, of course, is brought about by the fact that nurse Duque has been in the private nursing profession for many years. Her established medical training is complemented by her positive outlook in every situation, allowing patients to be at ease even in dire conditions.
Private duty nurses work on a "one patient only" basis. They are not part of the regular hospital staff, although it�s the hospital who also recommends them to patients who need their services. They tediously see through the care of every patient�s medical needs � from administering medicines, going through physical exams, to overseeing arrangements for the patient depending on the doctor�s diagnosis.
Many of the nurses are part of the Association of Private Duty Nurse Practitioners Philippines (APDNPP), an organization recognized by the Security and Exchange Commission, where nurse Duque is a member.
To be a PDN, one needs a degree in nursing, two years of hospital experience, and attended numerous medical workshops.
APDNPP makes sure that private duty nurses follow a strict code when it comes to their duties. To be a member, nurses need to undergo various examinations, interviews, as well as practical tests.
Nurse Duque is considered one of the best in her field. She has been the president of the society for many terms. She now acts as one of the chief advisers.
With burgundy-colored hair and long fingernails with red polish and glitters, one can be skeptical about her dedication to the vocation. But nurse Louella can give an instant retort to the wrong notion.
"It�s not my nails which are working, it�s my hands."
One of the secrets that she�s well-known in the PDN circle, is because she treats each person equally � whether young, old, expats, politicians, showbiz personalities, or just the common Joe of the street.
Nurse Louella has many stories to share when it comes to her nursing job. She relates how all of her patients never forget her even after years of her duty.
Nurse Louella also explained that there is a different kind of discipline to be in the calling. Those considering the profession do not just go through the technical duties of the field � they also need to consider bedside courtesy, and the fact that they will face not just the patient�s physical ailment, but their emotional turmoil as well.
"Some of these patients are really just emotionally sick. In a way, being a private nurse means you become a shock absorber for all their ventings. You have to gain their trust and confidence, sometimes all you got to do is listen to them, and they start to feel fine," she said.
And since patients see them as a professional companion, private duty nurses are regarded with a higher sense of credibility.
"What separates the private duty nurses with staff nurses lies not in the nursing process, but how they approach their job.
We get our fulfillment from taking care of a critically ill patient and bringing them back to health. In the long run, what you�re doing is not actually for you, it�s for the patient," she said.
