First Day of Clinical

img found at http://zablogar.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/a-generation-of-snoozers/

5 AM-6:40 AM: Its 5 AM the alarm goes off first instinct… hit snooze. However, I still managed to wake up at 5:30 AM, so in a way I had some success because I gave myself enough time to cover a 27 mile trip to Riverside County Regional Medical Center. So at around 6 AM I started the commute to Moreno Valley and arrived at the hospital at about 6:40 AM.

img found at http://rcrmc.org/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=2

6:40AM- 7:15AM: As soon as the hospital came to view a feeling of excitement overcame me and I was glad to be a part of this experience. My clinical group met up in the cafeteria, went over goals of the day, and proceeded to the fourth floor of the hospital to start our first day of clinical.

Definitely an important skill to know! Quick video on bed making found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwYJLnDentk

7:20 AM – 10:30 AM:  First impression of the floor was that the providers were deeply immersed into their tasks assigned to them. Most providers were going over patient charts outside the patients’ rooms and were in and out in brief moments. We walked around the floor we would be servicing and shortly after began our scavenger hunt.  We were able to find the majority of items on the list throughout the floor and regrouped about thirty minutes later. It was about 8:30 AM and now we were assigned to go trail nurses and aid them. Unfortunately, the nurse my small group was supposed to be trailing was out on break, but we still had patient contact. We knocked on doors and asked the patient if anything was needed, in two of the rooms I had to use Spanish to ask what the patient needed. Most patients did not need anything but they were willing to talk. The main skill required for that day was proper bed making. Some beds with patients in them needed their beds made and they were grateful afterwards for the increase in comfort. The day ended at 10:30 AM, we debriefed downstairs, and headed back to school. The first day of clinical was an exciting one and the small amount of skills we were able to use will increase over time to better aid the patient.