ON GIVING THANKS, AND GIVING BACK...RANDOM THOUGHTS

By Carmen Calisin

I recall a time when we lost power while i was working in one of the most wired hospitals in the country..Everyone was almost in a state of emergency mode when the incident happened. One of the nurses was so worried about the entries she placed on the computer, she almost forgot to give a medicine to her patient..(She recovered in a timely manner)..In our instant gratification society, some of us experience a "meltdown" when we don't see results stat, or is thoroughly "bummed out" for simple inconveniences, when they are really not problems...( i bet some nursing students have never heard of a Wangensteen set-up and the time it took to assemble the equipment for this procedure!)

My Aquinian colleagues, have we reflected on the blessings that came our way since we left our Alma Mater several decades ago? Some of us reminisced on the endless list of changes in our practice, and the current innovations in Nursing. We all agree that to be effective caregivers, we need to use our "heads, hearts, hands," and now, it's high tech, high touch..We remember the instructors who made a difference in our "cerebral journey"; we think fondly of our mentors who were not as smart as Ms. X, but we loved nonetheless because they understood a beginner's angst when faced with unfamiliar situations. So many masters and legends guided us in our professional journey; we've got so little time to thank them for their gifts..(or do we?)

Since its inception 17 years ago, The AUL College of Nursing alumni's response to 'giving back' to our community and Alma Mater has been fragmented and sporadic.We do need to be more engaged and have an ongoing commitment to achieve the goals of our association. Owen B. Escalada, (Class 1977) , after she was elected president last 2005 was so full of enthusiasm , had a vision and achievable goals to make a dynamic alumni association. We need to support the officers we elect to lead us. Sure, we may not agree on all things, but we should learn how to agree to disagree.

Here are some excerpts from writers Howard Chua-Eoan and Ishaan Tharoon on Time Magazine's Nov. 16, 2009 issue   "The meaning of Manny"...(on Filipinos).." Some spend decades abroad, away from the ones they love, for the sake of the ones they love...Everyone in the Philippines knows a person who has made the sacrifice, or is making it.." We as nurses know this... love of family is a given in our culture. Do we extend that generosity to our community, our Alma Mater?  Giving back has been a part of who we are..We MUST continue to do so...WILL WE?

Some of us have experienced "caregiver burn-out" one time or another in our attempts to meet the extraordinary pressures of our ordinary lives. Do we have the grace to imitate that woman in the Bible, who gave 2 coins, everything she had....? Do we ask for the courage to take that leap of faith and trust, and give with joy, because the ULTIMATE GIVER will always provide for our needs?..ONLY YOU, can answer that..some food for thought, as we give thanks for all our blessings this Thanksgiving Day...

P.S.

We may not have Manny Pacquiao's "cardiomegally" and trademark generosity, but here are some opportunities for us, "lesser mortals," (or inotropically challenged nurses) to give back

I.Educational Opportunities

Conduct seminars, symposia, simulation classes for AUL faculty/ Students on your areas of expertise
Theresa Diamante, (Class '75} shares some photos during one of her visits to AUL)

Donate Education materials/ computers for the College of Nursing/ AUL libraries

II.Community Outreach

Medical Mission to underserved areas

Fund-Raising to support patients in charity wards...(Cancer pts on chemo, radiation therapy who can't afford this treatment, or supply Diabetics, pts. with HTN, CHF,etc, who can't afford medical regimen..coordinating classes for this population..

III (Martha ways)..Bake, cook, bring a dish to feed volunteers during fund-raising and medical Mission days

Massage, PT sessions might also help?

IV. Write that check! (you decide how much to give , or how many zeroes to add after that number!)..send to your Class Treas. or the AULCNAI treasurers..

WE have the Nursing expertise, many dedicated and impassioned nurses! Be generous with your time, talent and treasures so our alumni association will have a positive impact in our communities in the Philippines!!! TOGETHER, WE CAN DO IT!!!

AULCNAA/AULCNAI TIMELINES

1st Grand reunion- July 25-26, 1992
Los Angeles, California
Guest Speaker- Father Ramon Salinas, Founding Father, Aquinas University of Legaspi College of Nursing

2nd Grand reunion- July 21-23, 1995
San Antonio, Texas
Guest Speaker- Debra Townsend
Internationally renowned author, speaker, nurse entrepreneur

3rd- August 3-5, 2001
Seattle, Washington
Host Class-1976
Speaker- Father Jessie Lorrete, O.P.

4th- July 31-aUGUST 3, 2003
LA, CA
Ensenada, Mexico- cruise
Host- Class 1978
Ida L. Guerrero, 1st Aquinas University College of Nursing Dean

5th- 2005
Aquinas University of Legaspi, Legaspi City, Philippines

AULCNAA/AULCNAI Projects/Activities

1972- AULCNAA original constitution and by-laws drafted in Aquinas University of Legaspi
 Conrado Bootan Jr., Adviser

1992-Constitution and by-laws adapted by AULCNAA North America alumni

Spring, 1995- Spring, 2003
Alumni Newsletter/ Alumni website
Provided reunion news/alumni updates and financial report for alumni members

2003- AULCNAA incorporated, and renamed AULCNAI

2001/2005/2007
Educational Assistance to AUL College of Nursing for faculty Projects and development
Financial assistance given, educational aids provided for the Nursing Demonstration Room of the College of Nursing

2005
Community Outreach
Medical Missions in Legaspi
Financial Assistance for the AUL Scholarship Fund to support deserving university scholars

2007
Fund- Raising, Texas Alumni
San Antonio, Texas
For Typhoon Reming Victims , College of Nursing