First Med-Surg Clinical

It was a start and my first patient managed to survive the night intact.

Guess that is as good as it gets for a newbie.

No, really. It was a good start to the semester. All those hours of Intro, Foundations, and Health Assessment paid off. I was proud of myself for stepping up and getting it done. But I have to admit I was nervous as hell.

My night started out fairly well. I received report, got the MAR, and the nurses notes. Then I grabbed the blood pressure machine and AWAY I went to introduce myself to my first patient (but not forget to take vitals and assess, of course).

She was a sweet little lady but her room was a furnace! Not only was I nervous but the patient liked to keep her room temperature a balmy 84 degrees. I was sweating more than any fat man should be legally allowed. I probably lost a pound or two in sweat alone.

1600 meds were not a problem. Hung my first IV piggy back... with a little instruction.

2000 meds ended up a little more complicated. The PO meds went off without a hitch but I had to also clean my patients central line catheter dressing and change IV tubing. Oh boy.

My instructor was there with me and thank god she has a sense of humor. Her words to me were, "Now that you have primed the IV line I need you to twist the cap off the end of the line, hold onto the cap and wait for further instruction." I was so nervous that I twisted the cap off and immediately tossed the cap into the trash. Beat... beat... "Well, at least you listened to the important half of my instruction," she remarked to the patient with a grin.

"Now hand me one of the alcohol pads out of your pocket that I told you to get at the beginning of your shift." Ah yes... redemption. Here is my chance to make better on my earlier mistake. I proudly reached into my pocket and handed her one of the alcohol swabs I so proudly stocked in my pocket from the stock room.

"Okay. Betadine will work but next time I want you to get me an alcohol swab." What? Damn it! I grabbed betadine swabs instead of alcohol swabs. I'm not finishing my first shift on a good note with this instructor. Fortunately both she and the patient had a good laugh... at my expense.

After all was said and done I did accomplish what I wanted to accomplish. Although I goofed a bit at the end I did have time to change her bed linens. That made me feel good to at least leave her in a more comfortable environment... it was still 84 degrees.

I've never sweated or been so tired in my life. If I sweat that much next week my plan is to have my fellow students start a Lactated Ringer IV on me so I can take it with me as I go on rounds. I'm joking of course... maybe.