This semester, I’m in the ER for my clinical rotations. Right now, I’m about halfway through my clinical hours, and I’ve seen a ton of stuff!
- One patient had a GI bleed, and I was able to insert a nasogastric tube and do lavage. He lost so much blood that he needed blood transfusions, so I was able to monitor blood products, too.
- I’ve been involved in 3 patient codes and did chest compressions. One of them was an infant. Nursing school did not prepare me for dealing with patients dying.
- I got to set up continuous bladder irrigation and care for a tracheostomy.
- I watched a doctor intubate a patient. Another patient had a spontaneous pneumothorax, and I got to watch the doctor insert a chest tube.
- Not to mention the broken arms, motorcycle accident, broken legs, mangled fingers, chest pains, threatened abortions and various other things.
Every shift, I get to practice a ton of skills. If I only get the opportunity to start 5 IVs, it’s a slow night. Toss in a few tetanus and rocephin shots, IV piggybacks, and foley catheters and I’m a happy student nurse!
If you have the opportunity to spend some time in the ER during your clinical shifts, I highly recommend it.
