Heart Center Experience

Monday, March 3, 2008. I have been preparing myself for this particular day for about a month in line with the registration of the IV Therapy Training at the Philippine Heart Center. First, I expected that a lot of nurses will be present on the morning of the 4th for the registration, so I went there the night before. Next, I thought of spending the night at the lobby just to secure a spot of the most coveted IV training center in the country. Lastly, I drank a Grande Non-Fat Hot Caramel Macchiato to "psych" myself for the said event. Prepared and all that, I made my way to Philippine Heart Center along East Avenue in Quezon City for a night to remember.

I was so unprepared.

When I arrived at around 22:00, about 160+ individuals were there waiting for the morning registration. Flabbergasted, I made my way towards the early birds (or so to speak) to have my name listed in their unofficial and informal "list" just to calm my nerves. Bummer.

I took this one when I arrived at the Phil. Heart Center at around 22:00. By some strange reason, a number of individuals devised some sort of a scheme to put themselves ahead of everyone else by virtue of the time they arrived. Person no. 1 surprisingly arrived at 7:10 in the morning. I was no. 156. BLAH!

Bored and sleepy, a number of nurses preferred to pass the time via a number of peculiar ways. And, in this case, card games tend to be very fun and entertaining. I, on the other hand, took the liberty of reading Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice."

Of course, some were obliging and thrilled when I asked them for a souvenir photograph. Obviously, they were trying to muster a smile amidst the uncertainty of the morning's registration. Say "Heart Center!!"

This one was taken when I was in the line. Tagged as person no. 136, I was losing hope of making it inside the registration hall by 6:00. I just sat there and waited for the sun to shine and leave the area for UST.

Luckily, around 5:00, I saw Kuya Nat (former Vice-President of the NCBS) walking by the lobby on his way out for a cup of Taho. I followed his pace and seriously asked him to help me out with the registration. Grabbing my arm, he pulled me towards the ER ignoring the security personnel, passed a number of stairs and lobbies before leaving me in front of the registration hall. Of course, I am forever in his debt. Thank you so much, Kuya Nat.

In short, I cheated my way in. Haha. :)

By 8:00, the organizers announced that only 15 individuals will be entertained for the March 11-13 training. I was no. 14 so I was very lucky enough to made it through. Yipee! The majority, most of which were way earlier than I was, were furious about the situation stating that most, if not all, of the 15 were not in their "list" of early birds. Some were very emotional about the fiasco and vowed never to return to the institution. Others, just shrugged the whole thing and left.

Unfortunately for them, the organizers clearly pointed out that the said "list" of early birds was an unofficial and informal list of individuals who waited at the lobby and that the true registration for IVT training will be held inside the registration hall on a first come first served basis. No more. No less.

Nevertheless, I will be taking the IV Therapy training next week at the Philippine Heart Center. Work people, work!

Coffee, anyone?