i have not contributed to this blog in quite some time. since my fall quarter began in september time has moved at a rate that may not depend on the moon. greater powers have been at play.
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in the early fall i spent some time at the san francisco veteran's administration medical center working in the movement research clinic. many veterans suffer from disorders such as parkinson's, dystonias, essential tremors and other movement disorders. the va clinic provides amazing care and is staffed by an unbelievable team. because the specialists are truly some of the best in their field, patients consult them and come to see them from all over the country. while at the va i was invited to sit in on several live feed video consults. in these visits the patient and their medical team are able to view the sf va medical team and conduct a full physical exam and care conference (all from their home facilities). this technology is simple and has the potential to revolutionize patient care. care no longer has to be limited by the number of specialists in a geographic location. the sf va movement research center is also one of few medical centers that corrects movement disorders with deep brain stimulation surgery. in these surgeries patients are awake and experiencing the effects of electrical simulation on their tremors. the neurosurgical team invited me to observe a dbs but i was unable to because of my course schedule. instead they pulled me into the operating room to watch the removal of a tumor from a patient's spinal cord.
my experience at the va was very grounding and a great way to begin my medical/sugrical nursing quarter. the va has a reputaiton for being below par but from what have i experienced the va provides better care and has more resources than any other medical facility (including ucsf). they serve such an important population and do it with respect and honor.
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from september through december, for my medical/surgical nursing clinical, i worked on an intensive care step down unit at ucsf medical center. there is no honest way for me to articulate this experience.
i began the quarter with a complete bundle fundamental nursing skills under my belt and ended the quarter responsible for complete care of three high acuity patients.
some of my patients went into respiratory or cardiac arrest, had just lost their ability to speak, were newly brain damaged, waiting for a life saving organ, going through serious alcohol withdrawal, fighting not to loose a damaged limb and coping with their final moments of life.
i spoke my mind to medical teams, advocated for my patients, told friends/family that there loved ones were in fact about to die, held people's hands, made mistakes, cried in the bathroom and experienced every range of thought, emotion and energy possible.
i fell in love with strangers every day.
the student with me on the floor, my clinical instructor and the floors nursing/medical/support staff became my community. they pushed me and were incredibly supportive. i learned so much and do no think that the experience would have been the same had it been with anyone else.
leaving the floor was bitter sweet. after 12 weeks with 13hr clinical days i was pooped, but saying goodbye to my unit was very hard. it reminded me of that feeling you have when you first leave home.
i miss med/surg a lot and adult acute care is beckoning me.
i have decided to differ my acceptance to the ucsf masters program to take time off and work as an rn (if can get a job). during this time i hope to explore, with the professional advice and support of my professors, which field of clinical nursing is most fulfilling and best suited to my skills set. when I return to ucsf i plan on completing both a health policy and advanced practice clinical masters. depending on my choice (acute care np, critical care/trauma cns, family np or adult np) i will have a varied number of months tacked on to my time in school.
i am so pumped for this adventure and cannot wait for all the learning to come.
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in the early fall i spent some time at the san francisco veteran's administration medical center working in the movement research clinic. many veterans suffer from disorders such as parkinson's, dystonias, essential tremors and other movement disorders. the va clinic provides amazing care and is staffed by an unbelievable team. because the specialists are truly some of the best in their field, patients consult them and come to see them from all over the country. while at the va i was invited to sit in on several live feed video consults. in these visits the patient and their medical team are able to view the sf va medical team and conduct a full physical exam and care conference (all from their home facilities). this technology is simple and has the potential to revolutionize patient care. care no longer has to be limited by the number of specialists in a geographic location. the sf va movement research center is also one of few medical centers that corrects movement disorders with deep brain stimulation surgery. in these surgeries patients are awake and experiencing the effects of electrical simulation on their tremors. the neurosurgical team invited me to observe a dbs but i was unable to because of my course schedule. instead they pulled me into the operating room to watch the removal of a tumor from a patient's spinal cord.
my experience at the va was very grounding and a great way to begin my medical/sugrical nursing quarter. the va has a reputaiton for being below par but from what have i experienced the va provides better care and has more resources than any other medical facility (including ucsf). they serve such an important population and do it with respect and honor.
------------
from september through december, for my medical/surgical nursing clinical, i worked on an intensive care step down unit at ucsf medical center. there is no honest way for me to articulate this experience.
i began the quarter with a complete bundle fundamental nursing skills under my belt and ended the quarter responsible for complete care of three high acuity patients.
some of my patients went into respiratory or cardiac arrest, had just lost their ability to speak, were newly brain damaged, waiting for a life saving organ, going through serious alcohol withdrawal, fighting not to loose a damaged limb and coping with their final moments of life.
i spoke my mind to medical teams, advocated for my patients, told friends/family that there loved ones were in fact about to die, held people's hands, made mistakes, cried in the bathroom and experienced every range of thought, emotion and energy possible.
i fell in love with strangers every day.
the student with me on the floor, my clinical instructor and the floors nursing/medical/support staff became my community. they pushed me and were incredibly supportive. i learned so much and do no think that the experience would have been the same had it been with anyone else.
leaving the floor was bitter sweet. after 12 weeks with 13hr clinical days i was pooped, but saying goodbye to my unit was very hard. it reminded me of that feeling you have when you first leave home.
i miss med/surg a lot and adult acute care is beckoning me.
i have decided to differ my acceptance to the ucsf masters program to take time off and work as an rn (if can get a job). during this time i hope to explore, with the professional advice and support of my professors, which field of clinical nursing is most fulfilling and best suited to my skills set. when I return to ucsf i plan on completing both a health policy and advanced practice clinical masters. depending on my choice (acute care np, critical care/trauma cns, family np or adult np) i will have a varied number of months tacked on to my time in school.
i am so pumped for this adventure and cannot wait for all the learning to come.
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