I had my first hospital rotation last week on the medical floor. I was assigned my own patient for three days. On Day 1 I met my patient and gathered information on her present medical condition, her health history, her medications and anything else relevant to her care. She was still assigned to a nurse, but I was there to help. On Day 2 and 3 I took all her vitals, did her full assessment and passed her medications. In my free time I DC’d my first IV and stood in on a Thoracentesis procedure that was done by a PA (Physician Assistant) and two nurses.
Thoracentesis (THOR-ah-sen-TE-sis) is a procedure to remove excess fluid in the space between the lungs and the chest wall.
It was fun being in the hospital and familiarizing myself with the medical floor, the computers and how to chart, the vital signs machine, the med room, etc. I go back to Wyoming for another 30 hours of clinical rotation October 2-5. I have two more weeks on the medical floor, three weeks on the surgical floor and then one 40 hour week in the operating room and then… finals and winter break!
The first quarter of the semester has ended. I have a high B in one class and a 100% in the other. Not bad so far! I’m doing my best to keep up with juggling school and having a job. It gets exhausting sometimes, but I successfully made it through my 17 day streak and for that I am thankful 🙂
| jenn at home | 