Taste of Clinical

This month we started our first round of clincials. In the first semester they give us a taste of what clinical is like. This way we don't show up to clinicals the first day of Adult Health and look completely terrified and confused.  I am so thankful I have experience in the hospital and have had clinical before, so for me this round has been a breeze. We have been working with a local nursing home where we are partnered with the Techs for our 6 hour shift. I can't lie, nursing homes are not for me nor are they for the faint of heart. I have been so lucky to work with some great techs at this nursing home. It truly takes a special person to work at a nursing home. The tech I was assigned to really changed my perspective of the nursing home staff and environment last week. This particular tech really knew his residents. He knew how the women liked their hair, and how they preferred to be moved and changed. He knew their routines and knew each one of them by name. He knew their morning and night routine and took the time to make sure each resident he was assigned was taken care of just how they like.

Now a here's a thought. How many of you techs or nurses take the time to really know your patients. Do you find your self referring to them as the hip replacement or the stroke in room 105? I know I know- A hospital is different than a nursing home. Trust me I get that. But there is a disconnect at the hospital. What if we took 5 minutes, just a few, to learn our patients names and maybe how they like their blankets or what their nightly routine is. If we took this short time to ask them how we can make them comfortable maybe less patients would be cranky, yell, cry, or complain. Something as simple as making sure the patient can follow their nightly routine (to the best of our ability in the hospital) can do wonders for their sleep- which we all know is important with healing. This can ease anxiety, fear, and can make their stay a tiny bit better. You are the one with your patient for the most time, not the doctor. You know their illness, their medications, their treatment plan, and prognosis. Patients are people. They are more their their illness and diagnosis and They are more than a hospital room number. Treat them that way and I know you will have less patients yelling and complaining which we all know would make a much better 12 hour shift. 

Lastly- Nurses thank your techs. So many times they are ragged on and felt to be so much smaller and insignificant then they are. They are more than willing to help and take care of patients but should not be dumped on with only the tasks you do not want. 

Techs- respect and thank your nurses. They are the advocates for their patients and are many times behind on meds and struggling to keep up in the shift. Nurses have one of the hardest jobs and many times could not get it all done without you! 

Until next time! 

Kelsie