Coming in today, I was a lot more relaxed. Last night, I got to put in some quality piano practice time. I played some new pieces and old ones and just de-stressed. I got some good sleep because I knew that I would be out late tonight (because we have the Greenville Drive Game tonight).
GTech Rotation
Today, we went back to GTech for our final tours and lectures. We started out in Radiology, then Nursing, and finally we had an overview lecture.
In Radiology, we got to see abnormal x-rays and see how an x-ray is taken. It was cool to see how every case was different. I asked if there were any special circumstances because they mentioned that all jewelry or other material that could show up on the x-ray had to be removed. I understand where they are coming from because you want to take the most accurate x-ray possible; however, I also know that a lot of people wear specific jewelry that they don't take off for religious or sentimental reasons. The instructor explained that under those circumstances, they would highly encourage a patient to remove it; however, they can never force the patient and would just have to write down that the patient chose to wear the jewelry. I wear a necklace all of the time (and have since about the 8th grade). It is a Star of David with a treble clef embedded into it. I have taken a couple of x-rays since I received the necklace (as a Bat-Mitzvah gift). Sometimes they made a huge fuss over my necklace, so I took it off just to get them to stop being so rude about it, but other times, they were very kind about it and just maneuvered it to not impede with the x-rays taken. I liked that the new radiology students seemed to be understanding of a patient's choice and also made me realize that I would have to do the same thing in a clinical setting. I may disagree with a choice one of my patients makes; however, even if it makes it harder on me, I must respect my patient's decision.
In Nursing, we got to take manual blood pressures, up on sterile gloves, and listen to infant heart rates. All three things I had done in my health science class, but as my mother says, "it's always good to keep your skills up." Before we started the activities, we had a short lecture on the nursing program at GTech. I am definitely considering GTech as a backup option if I don't get into a 4-year program. Near the beginning of MedEx, we had a lecture from a CRNA. Before that lecture, I didn't even know what that was, but now I am truly considering it as my career. I can't get over how interested I was during the lecture. During the nursing lecture, the instructor talked about being a CRNA as an option after nursing school. I thought that I had moved away from the thought of anesthesia because I didn't think that there was a ton of interaction between the patient and the anesthesiologist; however, as a CRNA, I could have all of that patient interaction, and as the CRNA lecturer said, "have an amazing work to life balance." I know that I want to get my nursing degree at Lander, but that is really how far in the future I have completely planned. Since these tours started, and MedEx in general, I feel like I have been considering so many new options and even moving on from old options.
Quote of the Day
“Remember, even that which seems impossible at first can be overcome by strength of mind and heart.” - Natasha Ngan, Girls of Paper and Fire
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, we went to the Greenville Drive game. It was fun to see everyone relaxed and having fun. It was great to have a chance to bond with some new people (and share a common confusion about what was going on during the game). I was smiling on my drive home and couldn't wait to tell my parents about my day. MedEx has truly given me the opportunities I didn't know I needed to ask for. I have so many new friends and new ideas. I can't wait for day fourteen. I give day thirteen 4 out of 5 stars.
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