Like a doctor!!!

So on my last week I have been eager to do some suturing or something that really gives me some hands on. Osborne has been fighting to get me to put in a cannula but every time I went to A&E no one needed one. However on Tuesday we had a BBQ and Osborne came and before he left he pulled out a catheter set. He taught me how to insert a catheter using a water bottle. Ha very funny visual right? Well on Thursday it was almost to the end of day in minor theater and no one had come for catheter change. Finally with a 30 min left a man came in and I got to do the whole procedure. I took out, cleaned, and put in a new supra pubic catheter!!!! It is simple but man I felt like I actually was doing something. It was a huge accomplishment for me. I did another of the exact same procedure right after so I got to do to in a row. Big day!!

Friday was my awesome day. A woman had come in and had a lipoma on the outside of her foot she wanted to remove. I observed and assisted slightly in the procedure. But when it came time to suture the incision guess who got to do it?! Me. Andrew one of my fellow interns did the first one and showed me how to do it and then I got to take over and do the second stitch. For my first time Andrew said I did so well and would have never guessed it was my first time. It felt so good to actually do something to help the patient and be directly involved with their care. This is how I know I am pursuing what's want to do. 

 

After stitches I went to A and E to try a cannula. Anton, the doctor we work with just took me to a patient to do it. I was doing it well but with two people holding the skin taunt I lost sight and went on the side so I put it in but missed. I did not get a chance to retry but instead I got to draw blood directly from the gentleman's vein. I did very well and it was so exciting. Makes me very happy to get my phlebotomy certificate in the spring. 

Monday on my last day I got to do my final procedure. Give an injection. I got to prepare all supplies and do everything by myself under guidance of course. But I injected into the deltoid and didn't even make him bleed. I felt so accomplished even though it was a small procedure.

I believe a lot of this internship was for building my confidence in myself. The first day I was so unsure of what to do or say or look for but after seeing then doing thanks to Osborne, I became confident in asking history and doing physical examinations. I think that is a huge thing; mind over matter. The thing I am really taking from this is the experience and confidence so when I am in school and learn how to do histories and procedures I have a background and can be confident in my practice of them. 

My confidence coach Osborne. 

Cecilia another mentor