Medical Surgery Observation/ GC Garden Bridge- Nursing Home

Responsibilities:

• Observation

New knowledge or skills:

• Learned patient discharge procedures
• Learned how vaccinations are administered
• 
  

Best thing that happened:

• Brought a patient in a wheel chair to their vehicle during the discharge
• The nurse that I was shadowing was really passionate about her job

Worst thing that happened

• There was a lot of computer charting

This week was: Good

I had more hands on work the nurse was will share her knowledge.

Technology Experience Record:

The technology I observed was patient charting and discharge procedures on the computer at the nurse's station.

Diagnostic Procedures Observed:

None 

Therapeutic Procedures Observed:

Vaccines

Medical Terminology Abbreviations Encountered:

None

Medical Surgery Journal:

I did not know what to expect with the Medical Surgery Unit last week. I was very busy with hands on work and patient interaction.  I observed the nurse in charting and discharging a patient. I asked the what the nurse to patient ratio was in medical surgery. I was told one nurse to five patients. I learned that when a patient is given medication, there has to be a witness. During discharging the patient the nurse has to explain the medication and prescriptions to the patient. The nurse must make sure the patient understands what medication they are prescribed and the dosage required.

After the patient filled out all of the discharge papers, the nurse and I went to get a wheelchair and a cart. I helped load all of the patients belongings and the visitor's belongings. I was able to assist the patient into the wheelchair. Then the nurse let me escort the patient to their vehicle. Even though the patient was not fully well, they were happy to leave the hospital.

The nurse I shadowed was eager to teach me about her duties. She taught me how to chart patient information, how to administer a vaccine safely and discharge procedures. I learned how to send a patients request to change the room temperature or if they needed more blankets.

This rotation was a success. I learned a lot. It was enjoyable. I attribute the overall success to the nurse's enthusiasm and willingness to teach me her duties. Of all of the rotations that I have been involved with so far, this nurse was the most passionate. She made the education value worthwhile. I feel I had the best experience that was available.

GC Journal:

I was assigned to the Garden Bridge area of the nursing home. I was assigned the task of socializing with the residents. I tried to get the residents involved in exercises and games. None of them were willing to participate. Our group sat with one resident while she watched a horror movie. I was shocked at her interest in this movie. But, she was happy and had a great sense of humor. It's difficult to get the nursing home residents to get involved. I am not sure if they just don't want to socialize or if they are unhappy. I wish I could ask them about their situation and try to connect with them, but I feel it is too personal and probably inappropriate. We have been told that they enjoy our visits and they look forward to us coming to socialize with them.  Overall, my GC experience has been good.

Emergency Room Observation / Dining Hall- GC Nursing Home

Responsibilities:

• Observation

New knowledge or skills:

• Emergency Room workers have to work as a team in a crisis situation
• The emergency room nurses need and use a lot of supplies
• Attitude is important in dealing with situations in the emergency room

Best thing that happened:

• I observed an EKG performed on a patient
• Lots of blood drawn

Worst thing that happened

• The employees unprofessional behavior

This week was: Fair

The emergency room was not busy.

Technology Experience Record:

The technology I observed in the emergency room was the EKG machine. I also observed patient charting on the computer at the nurse's station.

Diagnostic Procedures Observed:

Although I observed the use of the EKG machine, no diagnosis was given. The technician sent the results to the doctor. 

Therapudic Procedures Observed:

One patient was having trouble breathing and was given Albuterol breathing treatment.

Medical Terminology Abbreviations Encountered:

EKG- electrocardiogram

ABG- aterial blood gas air

ER Journal:

This past week I was able to visit the emergency room. I observed the emergency room technician. This technician was responsible mainly for drawing blood and operating the EKG machine. The EKG machine measures how the heart is working. I learned that the emergency room uses a large amount of supplies.  the nurses are always replenishing and ordering supplies due to the urgent nature of the patient's situations.

A patient was having respiratory issues and the technician ran an EKG. This was my first time to see this test. I found it very intereting. The tecnician also replaced the patient's IV and did some blood work.  I saw many IV's replaced and blood drawn from many patients. The blood was sent to the lab for testing.

The only thing I found shocking was how some of the staff behaved unprofessionally because the emergency room was not busy.  Some of this behavior included gossip about patients and shooting rubber bands at other staff members.  I did not participate since I would not want to be treated at an emergency room where the staff did not take their jobs seriously.  I learned that this behavior is an example of what not to do in any medical profession.  Overall my experience was fair. The emergency room was not busy.

I think that emergency room nurses have a tough job. They have to be able to think on their feet and adapt to any situation based on a patient's condition.  The emergency room staff has to work as a team even in a crisis.

GC Journal:

Last week at GC I was assigned to help in the dining hall.  I have done this before so the tasks were familiar to me.  I know that it is very important to wash my hands often.  Our main assignment was to set up the dining hall for lunch. I folded napkins and placed menus on the tables. I also set the tables with silverware and glasses.  I delivered food and drinks to the nurses stations.  After everything was done my partner and I were offered to have some ice cream.  I could not say no.  It was very good.