Conflicts and Awe

6th August (Wednesday) - Second day in the ward, And I still have to prove myself to the hospital that I'm capable. Which means I have to do all sorts of funny things: Being a receptionist, assisting patients, being a concierge, a runner, a pharmacist, an admission clerk, even working in the *gasp* LAUNDRY. No, I'm not allowed to complain, it's the policy of the place. Everyone told me the only key to get through it's to stay patient.
Let's see, the CI said we needed to refresh all of our skills (big surprise, since I was out of commission for about a month) and so she asked us to assist her in NG insertion. Oh yes. Back in the days when I was a student, you don't get these procedures easily. But S.T.O., Bone Marrow Aspiration (BMA), Lumbar Punctures are very common. Back to the point, she showed us how to insert an NG tube for a stroke patient and he was kind to let us perform. This is the first time I get an in-depth look to care for a stroke patient and it's a nice feeling. A simple thing like comforting the patient and just changing his pillow over makes him so happy til his wife gave us a large bag of M&Ms.
After lunch, I was given my task to be a receptionist til Saturday, so I was asked to try reading medical records to get the feel of it. Can I just say whatever I learnt in the past 3 years, it feels like I have to throw them all into the bin. NG tube procedure... No gloves needed. Inserting cannulation... Forget about the IV Tegaderm. We use only a small piece of tape. Clamping the tubing... There's no clamp. You have to press on the needle as you spigot it otherwise you'll end up getting sprayed with blood.
Even though I'm still a newbie, I seen really interesting cases. A Japanese child going for a burrhole (Brain surgery), a lady with Uterine Prolapse, stroke -and as I was going down to fetch some patients-, mentally ill patients (YES! It's like Tanjung Rambutan all over again!!!) and many others. They even have patients with open heart Surgeries but I have yet to see one.
Okay, off to bed now. Tomorrow I'm going to be busy filing and answering phone calls til I go nuts.