The Movie “Wit”
The Movie “Wit” introduces us to a woman by the name of Vivian Bearing, who is an English Professor.  She teaches 17th century English poetry and specializes in interpreting sonnets. She is able to reflect back on her life after she was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer. In relating and adjusting to the results of her sonogram of her ovaries or Pap smear the Doctor relays everything in medical terms which can be quite confusing at times to someone who is not in the medical field. He did not use any empathy, but went onward talking about her treatment without letting her make her own decision to what she wants.
We look at the people who are involved in her care Jason Posner who really begin to believe that it is faith who brought him to be a former student and now a Doctor. His compromising behavior during the examination, not having a female present and when exiting the room to find one, exposes Vivian’s nakedness by forgetting the door open for a split second. As he finishes the examination, he speaks to himself using medical terms that Vivian can’t understand Dr. Kelekian whose motivation is seeing results in the treatment offered produced an unprofessional behavior and operated far below the standard that should represent what the medical profession brings.
As I continued watching the film “Wit” the Nurse Susie Monahan who showed true emotion and concern in the care of Vivian Bearing, sets the standard in advocacy for patients. It is important as a Nurse to come forward and make a solid statement, even though your true thoughts and suggestion may be rejected. This teaches me as a nurse to be more assertive every day. As you work with Patients and see their progress and growth, we are better able to relate to what they are going through and can prevent doctors from making a decision that can have a negative impact on the patient. The Treatment that is recommended is a very aggressive course of Chemotherapy which was given with Vivian’s consent. As Vivian was a person who has made so many solid decisions in her life she follows through with her treatment alone, at some point realizing that she needed someone all along.
While she began her journey into her treatment of chemotherapy, Vivian engulfs the embarrassment of being a guinea pig and having open examination in front of a few of the doctors on morning rounds. Again patient confidentially was compromise. Also with it goes noncompliance and lack of caring for the patients feeling. The Patient relaxes and allows the Doctors to do what she thinks is best, because she believe it may be in her best interest. When in fact what was done was awkward and without respect. This film shows us every day the humiliation that residents go through, while in a medical setting for comfort and care. I believe that many people in the medical field are not caring enough, because they are not able to relate to the humiliation a patient may go through.  It is good to understand that although it’s not an immediate relative, the same type of thought and respect should be provided but it does not happen
The Nurse Susie Monahan represented a professional who cared enough to go above and beyond in her line of work. She was able to produce the professionalism and true characteristic that is expected in the medical field. She was able to show the true spirit of Nursing and the professional background that she carries behind her name. This is a true depiction of the Watson Caring model in real life. The comfort she gave and her presence in times of loneliness, helped Vivian become less anxious during the time of her treatment just taking time out to listen to the patient helped in so many ways. Susie the Nurse was there when it seem as though Vivian was at her lowest moment after she continued to vomit, she offers her a Popsicle and explains why. In this part of the film, it truly represented what Nurses do every day advocating for their patients. She intervened when the doctors wanted to raise the dosage of chemotherapy given
What is impressive is that Susie cared enough to explain the progress of the treatment rendered and the end of life care the patient would want. Susie took time out to explain the difference between DNI/DNR letting her know the decisions was hers. She provided information that made sense to Vivian. What I truly relate too is when Vivian coded, that she stepped forward and made her voiced heard about what the patient wanted “No Resuscitation”.
As I look at this film, it truly brought me back to being a Nurse Technician and patient feeding, What I remember is that I worked with a patient sometime in the past and the patient had to be fed . I enjoyed feeding this patient everyday while I worked my shift. Even though the patient spoke another language, she always smiles when I did her care. One day I overheard a doctor on the unit telling a nurse that he will recommend that a GT tube will be placed in the patient and that he wanted family consent. I intervened and said Doctor Can I say something, and he actually listen the patient never had any peg placement. I am happy I choose this profession; I am able to reach people at all different levels
Presently I am a Registered nurse and I am in charge of a Unit of 74 Residents. I feel proud when I can advocate for my resident. When I make a difference in a patient’s life it makes me feel worthwhile.
