May 12, International Nursing Day. Be careful that previene and save lives. The example of Chus Azcona
Nursing is not only a basic pillar in any health system, but also in any society. The motto chosen this year by the International Council of Nursing is "Our Nurses. Our future. By caring for nurses we strengthen the economy", which highlights the fundamental role of nursing, also in the economic aspect.
Promotion specialists of health and disease prevention, are capable of guaranteeing care based on care, support and active listening.
Everything that describes the profession in general is what our colleague personifies. Maria Jesus Azcona, Chus, the nurse that the Mutua's own Prevention Service has, whose work we have approached to learn more and better about their daily tasks and as a tribute on this day.
With his always friendly, approachable and smiling gesture, the first thing Chus does is value the importance of his profession, in general, and in particular, to occupational nursing. “We are a fundamental pillar of healthcare, both public and private, and even more so at this time when there is such a lack of healthcare professionals. This lack is motivating nursing to assume tasks that require greater involvement, something that should be valued economically.”.
Curiosity leads me to ask you how you landed in the world of nursing. “I am not a vocational nurse. I have always liked being able to contribute to society. As I was a good student and wanted to enter the world of work quickly, I considered this option and also that of teaching. In the end I decided on nursing and I studied in my homeland, in Navarra.”.
They were intense years. She studied nursing between 1985 and 1988, and to the significant workload of teaching hours, internships had to be added throughout the entire degree. “The last year we did them in specialized units and we followed the rhythm of the nurse's shift that had been assigned to us, morning, afternoon or night, in addition to classes. It was very intense, but I learned a lot and soon knew that I loved what I did, that I had chosen well”.
After finishing studies, it was time to look for work. “My professional journey began at the Reina Sofía hospital in Córdoba, in the hemodialysis unit. Then I went to the Valle de los Pedroches hospital and later to Madrid, where I also worked in hemodialysis at the San Carlos Clinic and at Jiménez Díaz."And there, from the mouth of a colleague, she learned about a new possible work scenario.
He told me about mutual insurance companies, which I didn't know about, and I began, sporadically, to work at what was then La Fraternidad. He made extractions from the workers.
Since it seemed like a good place to work, she expanded her training to what work in a Mutual Collaborator with Social Security is based on: occupational nursing and occupational risk prevention.
“In '96 I took the company nursing course at the Complutense, which in 2008 was approved as a specialist in occupational nursing. I also started the master's degree in Occupational Risk Prevention, first in one of the specialties, and remotely in the other two. In 2000, the prevention service was created at Fraternidad-Muprespa, made up of professionals who had appropriate training.”.
While we talk about his daily work, he transmits security and firmness, typical of many years of experience, but also of a lot of knowledge of the profession and the 'psychology' of someone who is used to dealing with very diverse people.
“My day is dedicated to preparing and carrying out medical examinations for the staff in Madrid and the province, as well as other neighboring ones. They are both initial and periodic recognitions, based on which letters of aptitude are prepared.” “In addition", he adds, "We also do systematic reviews of colleagues who are exposed to ionizing radiation”.
His work also includes “the health and assistance care of the partner who needs it. We can resolve the doubts of colleagues who require it.That is, she is the person we turn to if, while at work, we feel unwell or unwell.
Chus is clear, and thus conveys it, the importance of each of the prevention campaigns developed in the SPP, from hepatitis B or flu vaccination, to blood donation, prevention of colon cancer, prostate cancer, annual gynecological check-ups or training in back workshops, first aid or the use of defibrillators.
Occupational nursing is largely unknown and we do many vital things. We have had cases in which serious diseases have been detected at an early stage.
"Thanks to the medical examination, treatment was given quickly and everything was a shock. Those colleagues remind you of this every year."”.
The prevention of occupational risks leads your department to look for new scenarios for action. “We are waiting to develop courses focused on reducing or eliminating harmful habits, for example, smoking cessation. Also take care of cardiovascular health or avoid a sedentary lifestyle and have a healthy diet. Another idea is related to the aging of the population. We want to provide training and information linked to active lifestyle habits for that stage”.
Chus clearly expresses why his profession has such transcendent social importance.
I think any colleague will agree with me that the word nursing is linked to the word care. Both aim to improve the quality of life for everyone, who doesn't want to do that?
“Being a part of it is something very comforting, sometimes it is not easy but, in general, it is more rewarding than anything else.””.
Quick test to get to know Chus a little better:
- What are your hobbies? I love playing sports, dancing, walking, talking, cooking, traveling, reading and meeting friends.
- How are you as a patient? I think I am a good patient; I am obedient, respectful, I ask a lot to resolve possible doubts and I tolerate pain well.
- Do you follow any male or female nurse on social media? No. I am totally analog and I don't have social networks. WhatsApp only.
- Is it common for people outside of work to come to you to consult about something that happens to them? Yes, and I do it with great pleasure.
- What differences have you experienced between your work before and now? In addition to all the technical advances, I greatly appreciate the existence of GPS. I went to the associated companies and had to look for the address on street maps. I have gotten lost more than once and I have had to call to see if they would help me find the company.
- Is there a time when it has been especially difficult to do your job? In 2001 I had to go to administer the tetanus vaccine at a garbage recycling plant. I had been before and although the smell was unbearable, I knew that it would go away after a while. But that time it wasn't like that: I had nausea, discomfort... I was pregnant and I didn't know it, that's where I suspected it..
- What would you recommend to someone who wants to study nursing? Let him try to be a sponge, let him not be afraid or ashamed, let him try to expand his knowledge in all the specialties of medicine to find the one in which he prefers to work.
