A year after the lockdown due to covid 19, I thought of something that could be beneficial to my neighborhood. As a nursing student, it became an initiative of mine to offer and provide simple nursing procedures about which I am knowledgeable (i.e., most frequently taking vital signs) to bridge the gap between the health and safety concerns of my clients upon going to the hospital for check-ups and culturally congruent, accessible, and efficient nursing care even in the comfort of their homes.

The neighborhood has numerous incidences of hypertension, and I, myself, embodying the spirit of altruism and a genuine interest in helping others, volunteered to monitor their health by checking their vital signs on a regular basis, despite the constraints the pandemic imposes. They would usually knock on our doors saying, "Kuya, mapakuha BP gali si mama karun," "Nong, mapacheck sang vital signs si tita kay du galingin ulo niya," "Ibe, palihog ko to abi kay Tita, i-check lang siya." Upon hearing these, I can say that I have already established trust and rapport with my clients. It warms my heart and fulfills my greatest responsibility, which is to serve my community in a way that I can and know how.

In addition to the nursing procedures performed, I also give health teachings in response to the client’s queries about health or their disease and offer ways to alleviate their situation or improve their way of living. Debunking the myths and presenting factual and accurate information can prevent fake news and misinformation from circulating about health, as well as increase awareness within my community.

There was one time, my neighbor fell down the stairs because she accidentally stepped on her cat. Her husband, knowing that I am a nurse, immediately called me to help her after she had fallen head first. With knowledge of first aid and concepts and theories about head trauma, I rushed to their house along with my paraphernalia to somehow alleviate the pain she was experiencing. I took her vital signs, elevated her head while still stabilizing both head and neck by placing my hands on both sides of her head, applied a cold compress, assessed for any discharge from the ears or nose, and referred her to the nearest hospital for proper medical attention. Today, she is selling snacks at her stall in Pana-ad Park and Stadium together with her husband.

In conclusion, these efforts will not be possible without the help of my amazing clinical instructors and their training of us to be world-competent nurses. This initiative can create small ripple effects that can produce a macro effect. Let us create bridges, not walls, in helping one another amidst this pandemic, so that even in the darkest times, there will always be a light and kindness will prevail.