Things learned from Clinicals

Today was my FINAL day having clinicals as a student. I'm done!!!! no more of those awful scrubs that I've hated along with those terrible white shoes that have brought me no support all these shifts. But in honor of no longer having the comfort of student clinicals allow me to share some knowledge I've learned through clinicals:

-How to steer with your knees while choking down breakfast aka cereal in a cup while driving to get there on time

-the gorgeous hilarious cath lab tech goes to lunch at noon or 12:30 on Tuesdays : )

-how to get ready and be in the car and on your way within a half hour

-VH1 is the only channel worth having your tv on to 4 in the morning. They actually play music videos while every other channel is sales pitches and advertisements.

-wear decoy wedding rings. otherwise nurses will try to set you up with their sons, doctors will try to set you up with patients, or patients will try to set you up with themselves

-Dr.Pepper can be used as an alternative to diet coke but only at dixie hospitals

-Care plans are the devil, and I will forever cringe at those words

-Be a happy nurse, welcoming of students. Always scope out things for my student to see or do

-pack snacks. eating breakfast at 4 in the morning makes me ready for lunch by oh 8am. although, never plan on being able to eat those snacks, or better yet don't even plan on a lunch break majority of the days

-the computer screen can actually be switched by holding Ctrl and which ever one of these arrows <-, ->, or the up and down. Whichever way you plan on moving it

-what happens at clinicals, sometimes stay at clinicals. ex: code blue room 135. Lonna will never know...

-chest compressions are HARD!!! you will sweat. you will be sore the next day.

-gloves are not needed when hanging IV piggyback medications. thank you for making us paranoid lonna!

-don't leave your stethescope unattended at the desk, even if only for a few minutes. still have yet to see my 1st stethescope again.

-classmates are lifesavers. at times the only thing that gets through a clinical is looking over the floor or unit to see your friend just as miserable and sleep deprived as you : )

I've had some amazing experiences and learned much more than what's listed. I've met the most amazing people, sickest people, funniest people, and weirdest people that have probably taught me more than I've taught them. I've laughed, I've cried, I've loved, I've lost, and I've definitely learned. Look out real world, this girl ain't gonna have her student badge for much longer!!!

PS. this week success was measured Sunday night at about 3 am in Salt Lake's ER when I got a forearm IV stick without nurses supervision on my first try!! talk about a self esteem booster!! I know I'm messed up...