Trauma Hawk Day

This week we visited the Trauma Hawk- (helicopter that transports very sick, very injured patients to the hospitals.) There we sat in a classroom and had a short lecture on mass cassualty triage (how to quickly assess a large number of injured patients). Then we had a tour of the facility and the helicopter. After lunch, we had a lecture on decon procedures (decontamination) which included practicing getting suited up (see the first pic below). It was a fun day and we still learned a lot.

This week I am working on my trauma nurse certification, stroke certification, crisis prevention intervention training and triage training. Next week we are finishing up the trauma certification and we may be doing pediatric trauma training but that part is up in the air. We should find out this week if that course is going to happen. Then I have my final test on the 23rd, and then classroom training portion of my program is over. Two weeks left!

Here are some more pics from our trauma hawk day:

Here is me and the other 3 people from my hospital in the training

programwith the Flight RN-Paramedic (middle). The guy on the left is in

our program, too, but another hospital. He just jumped in the pic

Me. In a flight helmet.

The 4 of us from my hospital with the helicopter

PALS

For the last two days, I've been taking my PALS certification course. PALS is Pediatric Advanced Life Support. Today I took my written test and my skills test and I am officially PALS certified!

Something REALLY cool that I have never learned how to do before, although I am certainly NOT remotely even comfortable doing since I have no practice-

Intraosseous (IO) access. What is that? Its like an IV, but instead of into a vein it is into the bone.

Pretty hardcore.

Not that I'd really want to have to do one, but I think being able to do them, and do them well, would be pretty awesome.

Anyway, tomorrow is a day at the Trauma Hawk. We're going to be taking a tour, getting to see the trauma helicopter, and also be doing some Hazmat stuff. We're doing almost everything we need to be certified in that, too, but since we are not doing one component, we can't get officially certified in it. At any rate, it will be really interesting to learn.

I'm still amazed at all the stuff I've learned so far. Amazed at all the stuff I didn't realize I didn't know. Amazed at how much nursing school DIDN'T teach me.

One of my most favorite things I've learned so far- which is kind of strange because it's one of the most terrible things to happen to someone?

Shock.

It just fascinates me. The whole body- the way it works, they way it compensates when it doesn't work, the way one little thing can throw it all out of whack- it's all just amazing. I wish I could put it into the proper words to really explain it, but I'm not that good at explaining.

Anyway......

I can't wait to get on the floor. I'm excited.

I'm also terrified.

2 1/2 weeks!

Tomorrow

I have one of my big tests for the Emergency Nurse Training Program. There are 2, and one is tomorrow. After that, for the next 3 weeks, I will be working on my certifications. I will be working on my PALS certification this week. PALS is Pediatric Advanced Life Support. After that, I will be working on TNCC (Trauma Nurse Core Course), Stroke, CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) and possibly ENPC (Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course- which is the pediatric version of TNCC).

Simulation is still going well. We learning tons. I am learning, besides the obvious stuff I should be learning, that I need to trust my gut instinct more, and that just because someone in my group has more healthcare experience than me that they don't always know everything, or they are not always correct. Granted, they probably do know more in some instances or situations. But not always. Example: I thought my simulation patient was in septic shock and my gut instinct was to give him 2000mL of fluids initially. As I started to say that I wanted to give the patient fluids, I was asked how much I wanted to give, and a couple of people on my team started suggesting amounts. I- afraid of being wrong- second guessed my self and I went for a lesser amount.

I need to stick to my gut. I have just as much of a chance of being wrong if I trust it then if I don't. Three more simulations left. I can't wait to learn more from them.

That also means my time until I am let loose on the floors of the ER are fast approaching. December 26th begins my first day as an ER Nurse.

I'm still in my own state of shock. I'm not sure 2000ml of fluids will help me on that though. Well maybe alcoholic fluids. Ok, ok, just kidding, not really that either. I might end up a patient myself with that much alcohol. But really. I'm being let loose soon. Crazy. And exciting.

Word of the Day

Penumbra.

Doesn't that just sound cool?

Is It Just Me

or is shock one of the most interesting subjects ever?

I Can't Even Begin To Tell You

how much I love Coldplay.

Just love them.

My favorite band.

I know it's not really related to nursing, but I am listening to them as I study, so they are indirectly related :) Just thought you should know.

Week 2

Well, I've reached the end of week 2. I have to say that while some parts of this week were long, drawn out, and boring, parts of this week were not.

Today, for example, was great. I had simulation this morning and this afternoon I had a lecture on sepsis. I swear, I've learned so much today alone. Six simulation scenarios, two mini-lectures and then the sepsis lecture. Chock full of knowledge. These instructors are geniuses. They know SO much. It's hard to imagine/see myself knowing even half of what they know.

I am still trying to wrap my head around the amazing information I learned today about sepsis. The body just amazes me. When you sit and really think about everything that happens, its just.....amazing. Well, not with sepsis, but in general. There's just so much detail, so many compensatory mechanisms, its really just awesome.

At anyrate, I won't bore you with my fascination with the human body any longer. The six simulations went well....er, mostly well. Two of the six simulations ended up with a dead patient, but that's what the simulations are for- for us to learn from our mistakes in a safe environment so that we don't make those mistakes in real life. The instructors were really impressed with the morning groups in simulation today (there are 4 groups of 4). They said that we all had great communication with our teams and that our level of anxiety was decreased from last week. They also said we looked how the groups usually look on week 4. I really enjoy the simulations. Especially when they end well. :)

That's all for now. Next simulation is Wednesday. I can't wait. I love it, and the best part is, I get paid for it! How great!