Treating Your Patient Like Family

Mati is a special nurse because she grew up at NPH El Salvador.

Reported by Carmina Salazar
Communication and Project Coordinator, NPH El Salvador

April 12, 2016

The following is Mati’s story told in her own words.

I came to NPH when I was 13 years old. Living here was a great experience for me and my brother. When I began studying in school, I soon discovered what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wanted to be a doctor, but I was aware it would take a lot of time and it was going to be hard for me. However, I learned about nursing school and I fell in love with nursing. When I began studying to be a nurse I felt that it was the right place for me. I knew early on that I had not made a mistake when deciding my future. I was really happy about it. I graduated from nursing school on February 17, 2012, and I felt very proud of myself.

I have always wanted to work for NPH because I believe in the philosophy that our beloved Father Wasson lived and taught. He wanted his pequeños to work at NPH once they finished their studies from university. However, I never thought I would have that opportunity. In May 2013, I began working at the NPH El Salvador clinic as a nurse. It felt great being here again, and having that contact with my dear pequeños. In nursing school I learned that one has to treat the patients as if they were one’s relatives with the same quality care and dignity. That is exactly what I do in my job; however, treating my patients like relatives is very easy for me since that is what they really are – my little brothers and sisters.

During my time working at NPH I have had a lot of meaningful experiences. There is one particular case with my special friend whose name is Jeannette*. She had been in the clinic for a while due to her illness, scoliosis. She needed to use oxygen to breathe better. When I came to work at NPH, she used the oxygen permanently. I tried to encourage her to take it away for moments because I knew that she could take it off and be fine breathing by herself. However, she was afraid to do so. I continued to talk to her and motivate her to give it a try. Eventually she found the courage and decided to try. Currently, Jeannette is using the oxygen just when she sleeps at night. It makes me feel really happy to know that she is now able to walk around the clinic and the home without using the tank. Helping Jeannette made me realize that all the goals I set for my life are reachable; it all depends on how hard I work to achieve them. One of the things I love the most of being a nurse at NPH is that I get in contact with the patient. I now believe there is a closer relationship between the nurse and the patient, and especially when the patients are from my NPH home.

*Name changed to protect privacy.

Related Information:
• NPH El Salvador
• How Your Help Makes an Impact at NPH

• More News

Photo above: Mati with Jeannette*
Photos below: Mati (center) on her graduation day with her classmates; Mati with a patient

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