Abstract:
The study was conducted using the qualitative- descriptive method to identify the extent of postoperative care rendered to postoperative patients along the physical, psychological, social; spiritual and psychological aspects. Also, it identified the extent to which student nurses render care to postoperative patients when student nurses are grouped according to gender and ethnic affiliation.
The findings of the study revealed that the extent of care rendered by Benguet State University student nurses to postoperative care rendered by Benguet State University student nurses as they perceived themselves. Specifically, it sought to determine the extent of care to postoperative patients when student nurses are grouped according to gender and ethnic affiliation.
The findings of the study revealed that the extent of care rendered by Benguet State University student nurses to postoperative patients is outstanding along the physical, psychological, and physiological aspects of care while very satisfactory along the social and spiritual aspects of care while very satisfactory along the social and spiritual aspects. Meanwhile, the extent of care rendered to postoperative patients by Benguet State University Nurses according to gender revealed that female student nurses provide social, spiritual, and physiological care significantly higher than male student nurses provide social, spiritual, and psychological care significantly higher than male student nurses. Lastly, results showed that highlanders provided spiritual care on a significantly higher extent than lowlanders when student nurses were grouped according to ethnic affiliation.
Student nurses should not only relay doctor’s orders but also discuss with patients and/or their family members the orders given by the doctor, the laboratory findings, and institutional policies on visiting hours, as well as problems that concern their patients, and explain about their patients’ health condition. Furthermore, student nurses should foster nurse-patient relationship by engaging in pleasant conversations using a good sense of humor to perk up the energy of the energy of their patients.
Student nurses should at all times uplift their patients’ faith in God and in the performance of their spiritual activities by sharing words from the Bible and words of hope, praying with patients as well as their families, relating with them their spiritual views regarding their illness or health condition, and giving them time to engage in their spiritual activities.