Week 1 Blog #2

Week 1 January 4-10
Saturday, January 9, 2016 
4p-8p 4 Hours Interned

On the weekends Sue Bland is not at work and should probably describe the shifts at SCN which are:
6a-2p
2p-10p
10p-6a
Based on my class schedule and availability, I will be interning during 6a-2p and 2p-10p shifts on weekends and half shifts (4p-8p) after class during the week or on weekends. Sue Bland works Monday-Friday 8a-4p so anytime our times overlap we will be touching base on my progress towards achieving my objectives, ask questions, and plan the next plan of action towards achieving my objectives. During the time that I am there and not with Sue, I will be under the supervision and guidance of other nurses who have also been more than willing in helping me! So far so good, everyone has been great!

So back to my time on Saturday, January 9, 2016. This day was more hands on activity with the Sisters. Similar type work to which I have done in the past as a CNA at other facilities. Getting familiarized with the Sisters, their routines, watching, following, and learning what the staff did for the Sisters, etc.. We served the Sisters supper, administered supper time meds (nurses pulled the meds  from the medcart and then I was able to physically give them under the nurses supervision to the Sister's. Never able to do this before!), gave baths, helped the Sisters to bed, and administered bedtime meds. After that, we had some down time in which I asked questions about things I had observed, how to do certain tasks, and other general questions. Since I have been at SCN, I have only interned half shifts (4p-8p) so it is a bit difficult to learning how to fully administer (pull from med cart, check the medication administration record, chart, etc.) during this small time frame. I was told that as soon as a did a full 8 hour shift, either during 6a-2p or 2p-10p we would go into greater depth then. Cant wait!

On a side note, it was interesting that the Sisters called dinner time "supper time". They start their day with breakfast at 8am, have "dinner" at 12pm, and "supper" at 5pm. I just found it funny lol! They have "dinner" at what most others would call lunch. I guess supper and dinner can be used interchangeably, so that's not too out of the norm, but found it funny them calling lunch "dinner".

Anyways, after all the Sisters bellies were filled, drugged up, tucked into bed, and had questions answered, the rest of the night I tried to organize my objectives. Although I only have 3, there are many "subsections" to them. So to balance them out over the 15 week (16 weeks if you include finals week) semester, I tried to break the objectives up over the allotted time frame. So hopefully if all goes as planned, this is obviously subject to change, but this is a rough breakdown of what to expect from my blogging over the Spring 2016 semester (plus its a good outline for me to keep tract of what I'm suppose to be doing!):

Week 1: Introduction to SCN and duties
Week 2: Background of insulin. What is it? What is it used for? Why? Anatomical sites for                            administration.
Week 3: Steps to proper administration of insulin.
Week 4: CMP test. What is it? What is it used for? When is it taken? What does it evaluate? The                  tests functions?
Week 5: CMP test results. What are the tests range norms?
Week 6: CMP test results. Abnormal values.
Week 7: CMP abnormalities related to the disease process. What do these abnormal values                        indicate?
Week 8: CMP abnormal values. Signs and symptoms the patient may demonstrate.
Week 9: CBC/diff test. What is it? What is it used for? When is it taken? What does it evaluate?                   The tests functions?
Week 10: CBC/diff test results. What are the tests range norms?
Week 11: CBC/diff test results. Abnormal values.
Week 12: CBC/diff abnormalities related to the disease process. What do these abnormal values                  indicate?
Week 13: CBC/diff abnormal values. Signs and symptoms the patient may demonstrate.
Week 14: Pharmacotherapeutics and pharmacodynamics of the first 6 (of 12) most commonly                        prescribed drugs at SCN.
Week 15: Pharmacotherapeutics and pharmacodynamics of the remaining 6 (of 12) most                             commonly prescribed drugs at SCN. Drugs adverse effects.
Week 16 (finals week): Reflection of internship. Drugs adverse effects.

As said in an earlier post, because SCN is not ran by the state I can do particular duties under their supervision. Along with these objectives, I will be getting the opportunity to learn many other skills! So during these blogs in the weeks to come, I may add some other interesting experiences in addition to the objectives listed above! This is going to be an exciting semester!