We got out of our hospital orientation early, so more time for blogging! It was so strange going back to Salem Hospital today and winding my way up through that huge parking garage... like I never left! I've discovered that my only advantage so far in nursing school is that I am familiar with the hospital and don't find it terrifying or overwhelming. A lot of my fellow students have tons of clinical experience working as CNAs at nursing homes, but they have never been to the hospital and were a little intimidated. I found my second calling today as a tour guide! (These students promised to return the favor for me tomorrow during our long-term care facility orientation, when I'll be the intimidated one.)
Anyway, I had my first milestone today during the orientation... I made someone else bleed! Not much, of course - just a tiny drop so I could test her blood glucose level using the hospital's equipment. We used those little "press and stick" needle devices that prick your finger, and even though it did all the work for me, I was still shaking! When I decided to become a nurse, I was focusing only on the aspect of helping people, and it didn't occur to me until later that helping sometimes involves hurting, a concept I'm not as comfortable with. My partner was a good sport and didn't complain at all when I punched a hole in her finger then squeezed and twisted it until I finally got some blood out, and she did a great job testing my glucose too! So even though this was very MINOR in the scope of things that I'll be learning, I still feel a little triumphant that I was able to stick someone else's finger and keep my cool.
I volunteered to administer flu shots to middle school students at a health fair in November, so that will be my first true test. I'm sure I'll be shaking then too, but it will be such great practice! If I can successfully give shots to kids, I'll know I can handle this!
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4 comments:
After giving crabcakes 2 shots a day for many years, I can attest to the fact that it gets easy really fast! Good luck!
At least MOST of your patients won't have to be in a WWW hammerlock to get a little blood. That is, unless you get into pediatrics. I once had to hold down a 2 year old daughter with a thyroglossal duct cyst for a blood draw, and she put up as big a fuss as the average Chihuahua. A concept much more difficult to accept than causing your patient pain is that ultimately all your patients die, some prematurely and in spite of your best efforts to the contrary.
I love reading your stories--I am soooo happy for you. Sounds like you're having lots of fun. thanks for sharing.
By the way--the last comment was from your dear ol' friend, Valerie. Love ya Sars.
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