• A good teacher-learner relationship leads to a more likely successful overall performance in a student's chosen career

My fingers were shaking as if I was holding an icicle instead of a syringe. My wrists weren't of any help either as they were as stable as gelatin.

It was my first time to administer insulin to a patient and my clinical instructor was right behind me, doting, like I was about to commit the dumbest subcutaneous insulin shot in the history of the nursing profession.

• Clinical Instructor: Miss Garcia, ano na klase nga pangapyot sang syringe man? Daw ginakuyap imo kamot. Abi tadlunga.
• Me: Yes, sir. Sorry. Nakulbaan ko, Sir. First time ko bi.
• Clinical Instructor: Matuslok ka lang guid, kulbaan ka pa. Ka nerbyosa sa imo.
• Me: Sorry Sir, Ma-inject na ko.
• Clinical Instructor: Ako inject-kan mo haw? Nga-a ako hambalan mo. Hambali ya ang patient mo.

I remember feeling both annoyed and intimidated at the same time. I remember mentally telling off my clinical instructor that I would be less anxious if he wasn't around criticizing my every step. Yes, I remember how I wanted to be left alone, unaided and independent but it never occurred to me until I started to work as a beginning professional, how I actually would constantly wish for my instructor to be around and tell me what to do.

One simply does not pass through college without intentionally or unintentionally demanding more freedom from the restrictive eyes of teachers. The desire for autonomy even heightens while being chained to monitoring and evaluation. But trust me when I say, when you are finally deployed in the real world, alone and unguided, there will be several instances when you would wish nothing but to retreat. Trust me when I say, you will have bulks of unanswered questions and loads of inhibitions to overcome. The worst part is, unlike in high school or college, wala na si Maam kag si Sir para pamangkutan, para pangayuan bulig.

Many psycho-social studies have been made to prove that a good teacher-learner relationship leads to a more likely successful overall performance in a student's chosen career. This does not necessarily have to be at the level of being a teacher's pet. Appreciating the presence of your teacher and taking in every piece of advice no matter how far off it may be from being a constructive criticism, is already enough.

You may have found it as a hemorrhoid-like pain in the rear when Ma'am sent back your term paper endlessly. Not to mention additional corrections, haphazardly scribbled in red ink, each time you pass a revision. But you will be thanking Ma'am someday and you might even regret not getting her phone number because you could have called her up for some tips to brush up your sales report to the manager. You may have found it as a maddening ring in the ear when Sir constantly picks you to recite in front of the class when he very well knows you barely studied your lessons. But you will be thanking Sir someday and you will be surprised how the trauma of humiliation set you straight, urging you to become more responsible and dedicated in your work, which is why you also got a promotion.

A few weeks ago, I lost track of how many insulin injections I have given since my very first. My fingers shook no more and my wrists were way more stable, but I still suck at badminton. I know I was doing the injection right, but I could not help looking over at my shoulder for someone to nod and assure me that indeed, I was. I miss having an instructor around.

• Patient: Nurse, kanami sa imo mag-inject no? Daw indi ya sakit. Ka-swabe.
• Me: Kanami bi sang C.I ko sang una nga nag tudlo.
• Thank you Sir. Thank you Ma'am
• Mabuhay ang mga guro.

My Labor Day 2012 is for you.*

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