Pre nursing student gets an exciting opportunity

meggo · Mar 12, 2011

I'm glad you are so excited! I think I would have been a little nervous lol. I graduated in Dec with my BSN so I can only give you a new nurse's perspective. Honestly I've never relied on my cadaver experience directly when dealing with patients or when learning about pathophysiology. Our cadaver was old, shriveled, and everything inside was grey so it was difficult to tell exactly what you were looking at unless you got very up close and personal with it. To be honest the smell and color freaked me out a little bit. I'm not sure how "fresh" your's will be but a newer cadaver will be much different.

I related a lot to the very colorful plastic organs that we used to study with, their purpose, and especially their placement. Major muscles are also important. When you are in nursing school you will get a much more detailed explanation of what organs do and complications that can arise.

I'm sorry I don't have any details that I would recommend you focus in on physically but see how the whole experience makes you feel. If you enjoy it a lot you may want to consider shadowing a surgical nurse. You could have the advantage of knowing what you love before you even begin nursing school! (Not to say you won't find more than one passion in nursing) My school had a surgical elective so we were able to work in the OR an entire semester instead of the usual 2 or 3 clinical days most of the other students got. Good luck, I hope you learn a lot and enjoy the experience!

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 12, 2011

I think that you should just take the experience in, and not try to "make a point to get a good look at" any one thing. Eat a good breakfast before, to decrease the chance of nausea. Try not to personalize the cadaver.

Since these are skilled dissectors, you will likely be kept busy just watching. Don't try to prioritize any one system or organ. Don't interrupt the dissectors unless they advise you in advance to stop them with any questions.

Oh - and don't plan to eat chicken or ribs immediately after.

BrookeeLou_RN · Mar 12, 2011

I think it is an awesome opportunity,, not every one would want it but awesome nonetheless. As I have been RN for 23 yrs and never even seen a cadaver..I would think it would be best to go with the flow, ask questions as they arise if permitted.

Yes, this could open your eyes for what your future might hold.

I would heed the above posters warning on eating afterwards but would add my own of eating prior. Just to be sure, as the smells and sounds may affect some people..

Enjoy and come back and tell us what is was like please.

Guest27531 · Mar 12, 2011

Isn't this a normal part of your nursing education? Anyway, if this is not normal then you are having the opportunity that used to be routine.

The one thing I would recommend is to learn something about the patient before he/she died. For example, if the patient was hospitalized, ask if you can see the medical record for the days just prior to the death. Then, make an educated guess as to what the problem is...then, during the autopsy, you will be on the alert to those things you suspect...

tiroka03, LPN · Mar 12, 2011

I am glad you have this oppertunity.

I have never seen one. But, I remember getting to observe a few surgeries. I was totally shocked at the strength of my own feelings. It was a shock to my system to see this happening. I had head knowledge, but no personal experience. I figured it would be interesting and easy.

It was extremely interesting, but very difficult to watch. I don't know if it was because in surgery, the person is alive, and I had a difficult time wrapping my mind around what I was seeing, or not. It's years later,and I still feel somewhat tramatized. I would say to spend some time in prayer and for goodness sake - don't eat just before you go.

Remember in your heart, this person has agreed to let you see them in this way. It is a gift, but might be a times hard to recieve.

Good luck.

Guest27531 · Mar 12, 2011

Hello Everybody!
I just got some really exciting news! My A&P class is going on a field trip to a surgical training facility, a member of the Anatomic Gift Foundation. My peers and I will have the opportunity to watch skilled professionals dissect a cadaver. I was so thrilled at the news because my program does not provide any type of dissecting in the class room environment. I am hoping that the nurses of this forum can give me suggestions! What should I make a point to get a good look at? Is there specific anatomical structures in the body I should ask the dissector to point out or pay particular attention to? How should I prepare my self for this experience? Has anyone had an experience similar to this field trip? What did you like/dislike, find interesting/disgusting, or inspiring/disturbing about this experience?
I look forward to reading your responses!

I just re-read the posts others have made and I will make my posting clearer. Your upcoming experience is an awesome opportunity and your excitement is appropriate and indicates you will, likely, learn alot. As far as what you should make a point to look at?

1. Notice the liver and see if it is smooth and evenly colored all the way to the edges. An individual can have problems with their liver long before liver enzymes start to rise.

2. Notice the mesentary and see how it connects the entire colon. Realize that if there is a blockage in the mesentaric artery it could affect everything that comes after (the entire colon) and cause serious problems.

3. Notice the color and consistency of the lungs. Notice, in particular, if there are blackened areas.

4. Notice the heart and, if you are close enough, how it is connected to the lungs.

5. Marvel that the mass of tissue we call the brain could be such a powerhouse

6. Notice how the small gall-bladder sits under the liver

7. Notice the pancreas, the spleen, and the thyroid

I'd love to go with you. When I was in nursing school not only did we have an interesting autopsy experience but we were also allowed to scrub in on surgery. Interestingly, I found the experience to be very different and opposite of what one might expect. In the autopsy, I was keenly aware that the patient had complained of a stomach ache the night before and when his body was opened the gas that was trapped in the colon expanded like a huge balloon. I felt tremendous sympathy for him in the hours before his death. No wonder he had a tummy ache. When I was in surgery, knowing the patient was alive, asleep, not in pain, and in the capable hands of the anesthesiologist, I was able to concentrate on the anatomy and didn't really identify much with the individual. It was such an interesting experience I took an OR job as my first job out of nursing school and worked there for two years. I see all my anatomy and physiology experiences as education that has helped me in one way or another care for patients.

Have a wonderful time!

CBsMommy · Mar 12, 2011

I just re-read the posts others have made and I will make my posting clearer. Your upcoming experience is an awesome opportunity and your excitement is appropriate and indicates you will, likely, learn alot. As far as what you should make a point to look at?
1. Notice the liver and see if it is smooth and evenly colored all the way to the edges. An individual can have problems with their liver long before liver enzymes start to rise.
2. Notice the mesentary and see how it connects the entire colon. Realize that if there is a blockage in the mesentaric artery it could affect everything that comes after (the entire colon) and cause serious problems.
3. Notice the color and consistency of the lungs. Notice, in particular, if there are blackened areas.
4. Notice the heart and, if you are close enough, how it is connected to the lungs.
5. Marvel that the mass of tissue we call the brain could be such a powerhouse
6. Notice how the small gall-bladder sits under the liver
7. Notice the pancreas, the spleen, and the thyroid
I'd love to go with you. When I was in nursing school not only did we have an interesting autopsy experience but we were also allowed to scrub in on surgery. Interestingly, I found the experience to be very different and opposite of what one might expect. In the autopsy, I was keenly aware that the patient had complained of a stomach ache the night before and when his body was opened the gas that was trapped in the colon expanded like a huge balloon. I felt tremendous sympathy for him in the hours before his death. No wonder he had a tummy ache. When I was in surgery, knowing the patient was alive, asleep, not in pain, and in the capable hands of the anesthesiologist, I was able to concentrate on the anatomy and didn't really identify much with the individual. It was such an interesting experience I took an OR job as my first job out of nursing school and worked there for two years. I see all my anatomy and physiology experiences as education that has helped me in one way or another care for patients.
Have a wonderful time!

I have just one more thing to add to this list, which is amazing by the way.

Depending on the age of the cadaver, look to see if you notice if the patient had any surgeries, such as pins in the hips or artificial joints.

Have a great time. I know I did!

steelydanfan · Mar 13, 2011

Those colorful charts and models are good learning tools, but seeing it up close is something else entirely.

Firstly, before going in, say a little thank you to the spirit of the person whose body you will see. It helps, for whatever reason.

I would concentrate on heart, lungs and abdomen. Seeing those structures in situ makes SO many diseases more understandable.