[nurseshanti]

Hi!

Starting in about 2 weeks, I'm going to be doing a 6 week clinical placement on the Burns and Plastics unit at a major tertiary care centre here. I'm just finishing up 3rd year of nursing school and this is my fourth big med-surg rotation. I'm really excited to be going to this unit (and a wee bit apprehensive I have to admit!) and I'm wanting to prepare myself before I go. I have the next 2 weeks off from school, so I have time to do some reading. I looked at the internet resources listed in the thread above but I'm wondering if anyone has any suggested print resources as well..... I would really appreciate any suggestions of reading to material to help me prepare myself!!

Also, what exactly does the Plastics part of the unit mean? I hear different answers from different people and I'm a little confused. Is it for people who've had skin grafts and such?

Thanks so much in advance for your help. It's my last med-surg rotation until my senior clinical placement in a year (we do mental health, peds and community in our last year), so I really want to make this an excellent experience!

[suzanne4]

Good luck on your rotation.

Plastics service is used for skin grafting as well as the reconstruction surgeries, as well. Most of these patients will have multiple surgeries, first for debridement of the burns and initial placement of the skin grafts, then usually many surgeries to follow to help in preventing contractures in the skin, etc. They are extremely prone to infection as they won't have their own skin for a protective covering. You will definitely learn your dressing skills here. Hopefully, you will enjoy your rotation there. I always enjoyed working in the burn unit, once I had enough nerve to go in for the first time. That usually is the scariest, making that first step.

Keep us posted on how you are doing with that rotation. I am sure that others would like to hear about it.

[redwinggirlie]

Be prepared in your knowledge of pain meds.But most of all, what your patient's are taking. Know what works for your patients. Know that almost every dressing you will do will hurt. Practice your skills in distraction. It works. Be well!