What's the coolest thing you have done or seen so far?

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Specializes in PICU/Pedi.

I was just wanting to hear from you guys about the coolest things that you have seen or done since starting clinicals. I am almost finished with my first semester of nursing school, but we don't do clinicals in the Intro classes. I am scared s%^&less sometimes when I read your accounts of clinicals days! I wanted to balance that with some good, fun stories. I realize that clinicals are going to be overwhelming and stressful alot, but I know there have got to be some good moments. And I would like to hear about them :).

TIA!

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Specializes in PICU/Pedi.

bump!

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Specializes in Home Health, Case Management, OR.

Coolest thing I have seen so far is a C-Section and a Vag birth. Having no kids myself I was utterly facinated!!

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Let's see...the day I observed in OR, I saw a left radius/ulna fracture repair. After the patient was anesthetized, the circulating nurse took the splint off and it looked like Harry Potter's arm after Gilderoy Lockhart vanished all his bones (the patient had slipped backward while going up some stairs and put out her arm to break her fall, basically shattering the last 1 1/2 inches of both bones). The surgery had been booked as a closed reduction with percutaneous pinning, but as soon as the surgeon took the first x-ray he said, "okay, we're going open!" then the circulator brought in a proverbial boatload of trays, each with hundreds of screws, plates, drill bits, and other assorted repair equipment. There were two med students assisting, so the surgeon was asking them questions and explaining things in great detail. Did you know the plates and screws are different colors, depending on the type/size/manufacturer? I was expecting plain metal.

This week I went to an OB/GYN clinic and got to see a LEEP procedure. Also finally got to see just HOW FAR the doctor cranks the speculum open during a pelvic exam--no wonder it hurts!

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Specializes in LTC.

I would say a vag and c-section birth also. I have no kids so that was very fascinating to me !

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I'm in my Preceptorship now in the OR and I see exciting surgeries day in and day out. Yesterday, I observed a breast augmentation on a 65 yr old.

But the most exciting thing thus far? I had my first code blue experience on April 1. It was MY patient that I got from Pre-op, interviewed, took back to the OR, sat through her 3 hour surgery, and then took over to PACU. She got a colonstomy takedown, something that is a routine surgery.

I was the last person to do chest compressions on her before the doc called the code. She literally died in my hands.

It shook me up for a couple of days afterwards. I cried right after I stepped into the hallway when the code was over.

Yesterday, I helped lift a patient to the OR table who was a CABG (Cononary Artery Bypass Graft) who had literally died on the OR table. They brought her back and left her chest open. She had bilateral chest tubes going, was intubated, and literally in a coma. She was being brought back from ICU to the OR to close up the chest.

Then there was surgery for a mom who had to have an emergency C-Section due to a car wreck. The fetus was a 31 weeker and doing fine, however, the mom is in a coma and her body is starting to posture (decoricate). She was brought from the ICU to the OR to repair a fractured pelvis, and she was also intubated. Mom most likely won't wake up.

I'm learning so much in my Preceptorship. I will be an OR nurse, but will work the floor (hopefully Renal/Transplant) FIRST to learn hands on skills.

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Specializes in ICU.

My second day of clinicals ever. I had a choice of having a long term care patient, or going down to the vent unit. I said vent unit and got a patient who coded and I got to help by bagging him. It was awesome!

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Specializes in Ambulatory care, OR.

Too mant to list!

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Specializes in PICU/Pedi.

Thanks! I am enjoying reading these.

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One of the coolest things I got to see was a bedside thoracentesis (it's amazing how much fluid a person can accumulate around their lungs!). I've also observed a heart cath (really cool!), and most recently being in my maternity rotation I've witnessed 4 births. I had boring births comparing these to mine! It really hits you how fragile life is when the babies come out not able to breathe without a lot of stimulation or cpr. Scares the bejeebers out of you!

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coolest thing: lady partsl birth followed by the amnioinfusion gushing all over the floor, my shoes. definitely wear the booties over your shoes. babies are just amazing. i have no interest in maternity nursing, but i have to say that rotation gave me confidence.

grossest thing: placenta, it really reminded me of liver.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
My second day of clinicals ever. I had a choice of having a long term care patient, or going down to the vent unit. I said vent unit and got a patient who coded and I got to help by bagging him. It was awesome!

I'm sorry, but how in the world is it "awesome" when someone codes??

Wow.

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