A reflection on my time in Nepal 

We have been in Nepal for almost two weeks now, and it has been nothing short of an amazing experience being immersed into a culture that feels much different from my own. I have felt so much hospitality and kindness from Nepali people, and I am grateful to experience it with these travel buddies. In the midst of adventurous hikes, good food, and interesting conversations, I am learning about the intersection of faith, culture, and medicine from a new perspective. 

While spending a week at the Tansen United Mission Hospital, I followed Nepali nursing students in the Medical, Surgical, Maternity, Orthopedic and Pediatric Wards. I learned about the role of a nurse including how to make the beds, administer IV meds, change wound dressings, and I saw my first delivery. There were many things that were the same, but also things that were quite different. I noticed how involved family members are in Nepali culture. Patients receive all food and meals from family members, and they aid in patient care. There are also many hospital beds within the same room, either not separate at all or only momentarily closed off by a curtain. There is no privacy here, but the patients do not seem to mind. They will watch each other’s echocardiograms or listen in on doctor’s rounds and medication administration. Nursing students also completed handover or report in the middle of the ward. Anyone within earshot can hear; this is normal and acceptable. I was also able to learn about diseases, illnesses, and conditions that are not normally seen in the United States. COPD, TB, HIV, vehicle accidents, major electrical burns, are a few things my patients received care for in this hospital. Nursing students also delivered education to anyone in the ward who wanted it. I greatly appreciate this because it was an effective way to educate patients and family in health promotion and prevention. The students set up posters and shared about a variety of things including the safety and security of children, the importance of hydration, and signs and symptoms of common illnesses. I think this is such an asset to the community as it encourages them to take ownership of their health and bring more overall awareness. 

Another interesting thing I noticed was that the patients are charged for the tools and materials that are used to take care of them. At first, I was confused because it seemed to make their stay more expensive. However, the mission of this hospital is to give good care and be able to provide it for more people. By doing this, it encourages the workers to use materials sparingly. I was impressed by the amount of things this hospital reuses as well. I am learning that the most fancy buildings and up to date technology are not needed to fill hospital beds and promote healing. In reflection, the nicest hospital would not do well here because people would not be able to afford it, they would not come and they would not get better. The healthcare providers or mission workers are willing and eager to work in conditions that might not be the most efficient or require some additional problem solving. In the grand scheme of things, this allows the hospital services to be available to more people. Healing and recovery is being done, and it is a cool thing to witness and experience here!

I have been able to meet new people and contribute to many conversations during my time here. What brings people to work in Nepal is interesting and admirable. It is remarkable to talk with doctors from Australia who developed an anesthetist training program, or to meet a Pediatric nurse from Sweden who has done amazing work for Pediatric Pain management. It is obvious their work is full of passion and guided by their faith. Their contributions to this community have allowed for safer procedures and advocate for the rights of the child. It is eye opening to hear how they were called to come to Nepal and how their faith has impacted their work. They make mission work sound so worthwhile and fulfilling! People from Nepal have much to offer as well—to welcome us into their country to celebrate and learn from our cultural differences through dance, language, clothing, etc. They have stories where both joy and hardship are so evident, and I appreciate their willingness to share so openly. It has also been special to greet some of them with “jaimashi,” something only Christian’s say to each other here. Participating in Christian worship services, while also admiring the Hindu and Buddhist traditions has made evident how integral religion is to one’s culture. 

How are my experiences here transforming my vision for the future? To be honest, I am still not sure. Nursing is such a broad field with many options in terms of how I can use my skills or areas I could focus on. The variety I have seen has shown me my interests still lie in many areas. However, my time here has taught me to be open to God’s calling and understand the value of new experiences. I think there is much importance in understanding a culture outside of our own. Being in Nepal has shown me the importance of who we are as relational beings who can work together as a team. I have seen how much people truly care about one another and are willing to sacrifice time or efficiency to prioritize a relationship. It’s a healthy change that could be implemented into my own work when coming back to America. In sum, my time in Nepal has included some of the most unique and valuable experiences in my life so far, and has contributed to a more well rounded global perspective that I can take back with me.