The good, the bad, the ugly - your first real patient contact - Page 3

I don't remember my first pt contact (as a CNA fifteen or so years ago.) I took a loooong break from pt care and worked as a supervisor in the lab, so my second "first" pt contact was two years ago in nursing clinical, and I remember that clearly. I was only slightly less awkward than my clinicals partner (not enough pts the first day for all of us to get one pt.) It was a young guy in an isolation room for MRSA or some such thing. I pushed my partner to go in first and do everything because I had done it all before (the first couple clinical days are basically CNA work.) I think we spent 2 hours taking vitals because the guy didn't want a bath. It was just ridiculous, but I'm happy to say that I have regained my pt care skills....

I'm an EMT, and during the program, we went on a number of ride-alongs with local fire departments (I actually ended up getting hired by one of them later ). On my very first call (during training), we went to a man who'd fallen and possibly dislocated or broken his hip. The paramedic I was assisting took off one of the man's socks to assess for a pedal pulse, and I'm afraid I did not hide my shock and disgust very well when I saw one of the gnarliest, grossest feet I've ever seen. Horrifying toenails and what seemed like inches of scaly calluses everywhere. The worst part was, as the sock came off, a cloud of dead skin chunks came flying out, all over the first-in bag I was holding, and all over my pants. I am proud to say I didn't vomit.

Since then, I've had a lot more pt contacts, and it really does get less awkward with time and practice!

I dont actually remember my first patient contact but I do remember feeling absolutely terrified at the idea of going into a pt room and having no idea what to expect when meeting patients for the first time. That was until I got an externship during school, that was immensely helpful with just making me feel comfortable in the hospital and with patients. Now its second nature, they're just people like you and I. And I've seen enough penises that they're now like seeing an arm LOL (I work at the VA with like a 95% male population). I second the idea that imagining them as a family member would make things worse! Sure it can be awkward at first with a stranger, but picturing them as my uncle naked doesnt make it better! haha. Just know that you'll probably make really simple mistakes like putting on a brief backwards that will seem humiliating at the time, but hilarious later. We've all done it, its all part of the nursing journey

a cloud of dead skin chunks

hilarious but really gross!