Let me share one of the most unforgettable mornings I’ve ever had as a Clinical Instructor in the Delivery Room in one of our local hospitals. I was bringing in my Level 4 nursing students, who were all new to the DR setting (still part of the pandemic babies). I was already expecting the usual anxiety and confusion of my students since it was their first exposure in the Delivery Room, but nothing could’ve prepared us for what happened that day.
It started like a typical busy DR morning. Two (2) mothers were already on the delivery tables, and I had assigned my students simple tasks like monitoring vital signs, assisting with newborn care, and observing clean techniques during deliveries. I was trying to balance teaching while overseeing them all when one of the midwives called for help because a mother who travelled for more than 30 minutes from a Municipal District Hospital was rushed in due to a retained placenta. The patient was bleeding, pale, with cold, clammy skin, and confused. The not-so-good thing is that aside from the Head Nurse and the Midwife, the Staff Nurse on duty on that day was also new to the area. Our alumni, actually. She looked just as overwhelmed as my students. I could see the panic building up in the room with 2 mothers still at the delivery tables holding their babies. I quickly stepped in, even though technically, my role was just to supervise students. But in that moment, the priority was saving a life. I instructed my students calmly, “Just observe muna and stand by. Do not make any procedures until I am with you.” Then I assisted in managing the patient with the retained placenta. We were finally able to expel it, but just when we thought we were stabilizing the situation, the mother started bleeding heavily, and her blood pressure was dropping fast. It became a full-blown emergency. The new Nurse had to coordinate transfer to the Operating Room and was calling the OB consultants, preparing some medications… as she was overwhelmed with the whole scenario. I helped start IV fluids and monitored the patient’s vitals while trying to coach the new nurse. I could tell she was scared, but she was trying her best. Meanwhile, while the whole room was in chaos, in the corner of my eye, I saw my students watching quietly, standing at the side of their assigned postpartum mothers. I made it a point to remain composed because they were absorbing not just clinical skills, but how we respond under pressure. Long story short, a lot of interventions were made, and the mother was saved. When we had the chance to discuss what happened, I also called in the new NOD to join us so we could all learn from what happened. We also reflected on the importance of communication, staying calm, and knowing when to ask for help.
That day reminded me that as Educators, we’re not just teaching procedures but we are modeling professional behavior, decision-making, and advocacy. It wasn’t a perfect day, but it was one of the most powerful learning experiences for both me and my students.