Finally!

Finally, I was able to start interning today at Willamette Valley Medical Clinic. After spending some time "shadowing" another Linfield student who volunteers at WVMC, I learned my duties consist of checking out rooms to see if they need any supplies/cleaning up, talking with patients- asking if they have any needs, and being there for any requests by nurses/doctors. Although I have an evening shift, which you would imagine would be a busier time in the ER, I was warned at the beginning of my shift today that it had been a slow day. I was okay with that; looking forward to just getting to know my way around the place! Well that didn't last long. A few minutes later, a cardiac arrest patient was being transported in. I watched from a close distance as doctors and nurses from all over the hospital responded to the code. I'm sure they all knew exactly what they were to do, but from an outsider's perspective, it looked like mad chaos. Probably about 15 people were crammed into a small patient room with more nurses running in. The CPR and shocks lasted for over 20 minutes, but it was successful! I was able to help clean up the room with nurses, talking with them about what had happened. They way they talked about it seemed to be an enthusiastic rush they feel every time a code is called. To me it seems scary and intimidating to be in such a situation. Already I was thinking today how I would not like to be an ER nurse. Of course, that feeling could change. Besides observing, my favorite part of today's experience was talking with one particular patient. She was the first and only patient I was able to ask if they needed anything. We ended up talking for about 30 minutes, until the end of my shift and the end of her stay at the hospital. I quickly realized she just wanted someone to talk to. She reminded me of my grandparents: able to fully recreate stories with amazing details and have every story end with a life lesson. I love talking and hearing stories from especially older generations. There is so much to learn from them. She wanted my name and made sure to tell me that "we would see each other again soon...she was sure of it." I certainly wouldn't mind...