This was the year I first set foot into an operating room. This was the year I spent 12 hours in an emergency room. This was the year I toured more medical facilities than I ever thought were local. This was the year I met executives, began networking, enhanced my skills and learned how to make the most of every opportunity. If I had the chance to go back and relive every day of this program, I would.
Shadowing
Shadowing a PA in the St. Luke's emergency room. This was meaningful because I got on very quickly with my mentor. She was very open about her job and in sharing every step of what she did throughout the morning. She was also open about her home life and how her husband is in the military. I appreciated her transparency because of my future career and life goals.
Shadowing at the LVHN heart station. This was also a meaningful experience because I was able to observe some very interesting procedures, but also observe the hierarchy of the workplace. I saw someone receive shock therapy to restart their heart rhythm. I also saw how the nurses acted around each other versus when the doctors came by. It was fascinating to observe the well oiled machine at work.
I made a great connection with Ms. Kocher. She was the PA I shadowed in the ER at St. Luke's. She was incredible to observe and had wonderful insight into my future endevours.
Speakers
She was phenomenal. Ms. Ehert worker for the St. Luke's Crisis services. she explained not only her job but also how essential her position is within the hospital. She told really engaging stories about her time there. She was very nice and open to answering all sorts of questions. She was honest about the good, bad, and the ugly which is commendable.
Tours
This tour was meaningful for an out-of-EHP reason. My grandmother worked in the pharmacy there for many many years. What made this tour memorable was that I got a great tour explaining the inner working of the facility as a whole including how the pharmacy played a vital role. Once I informed our tour guide that my grandmother had worked in the pharmacy, he made sure to take us to it as well as look into my being able to shadow in it. I learned a lot about the history of Good Shepherd which was very fascinating too.
Skills
This was my least favorite because it is out of date. Since I spent all year training to be an EMT, we were always taught to use the new technology for taking a temperature. A glass thermometer is now not only deemed a safety risk, but it takes longer and can be less accurate. I felt that this unit was not helpful to real life as it is today.
This was my most favorite because These two lists are skills that every healthcare provider should do but might not know to or forget to. With these catchy acronyms, I am sure to remember these always and ensure to start and end my treatment with a good rapport with the patient. These ensure the patients and my physical as well as medical safety.
Shadowing Hours
I managed to log a total of 29 hours of clinical shadowing this school year. This is amazing as a 17/18 year old to have spent 29 hours in a clinical setting during my senior year.