anyways…

This was my fourth day on the job. I spent from 7a until 3p with Rescue 1. Brian was my preceptor. We talked about what EMS does with the patient before they come into the ED. They don’t use squat for aseptic technique and there are certain protocols that each kind of patient would get (e.g. a cardiac patient will get nitro paste, BP, aspirin, maybe fentenyl, then EKG, etc.). I got a tour of the back of the rig and even went on 2 calls. I would have gone on more if there were morHe, but it was a really slow day. There were no calls. I did get to know the culture of the fire department and rescue. They are potty mouths and I felt uncomfortable being around them. The two calls I went on included a transfer from a nursing home to the hospital for blood in urine. The other one was a syncopal woman with new antihypertensive meds. I am amazed that the fire and rescue staff are so not used and rather unrespected.

I went to work at the ED after that. EKG’s were my deal. Except that I didn’t actually do any until the end of the night, where I did one. I felt like I was fumbling over myself. It was kind of like I was in clinical all over again. Oh well, I will get used to it. The ED was really slow too. Barely anybody getting hurt. That’s good, but bad for me. I was however able to get into meeting people in the ED and feel out the culture a bit. One nurse, Naomi who has been a nurse for 10 years is very opinionated. She said that emergency nurses should be in med-surg first. However, she does have faith in Nancy in that Nancy says they can train a new grad. Any new grad. I feel fortunate to be in the ED. It’s an honor. I also get it that they take a lot of patients who shouldn’t be there. Sore throats, dental pain, bruises. I am nervous. Can I do it? Yes. I can…but, it’s hard.