Holy hanna, what an incredible rotation! I feel like it's been non-stop go go go since day 1. I just came off a stretch of nights, and think I've finally switched over... if you consider a 1pm wake-up normal.
Burns ICU is sorta something that's difficult to explain unless you are in it. Everything looks different, smells different, is done differently. Our patients can look like mummies, often bandaged head to toe. It can smell pretty gnarly, especially during dressing changes with a lot of blood (fresh or dry) and surgical fluids. Speaking of which - these dressing changes can take hours, or be so painful that sedation is required. My tolerance for 'gross' things has exponentially grown these past few weeks as well... skin that is healing, burnt, rotten, falling off, grafted, sutured, staples, stretched, debrided, or removed can take on all sorts of sights and smells. I'm positive my stomach and nose have taken on an iron layer.
My stress level is also on high, all the time. Not a bad stress, but like: "my lanta, I have one job - to keep this patient alive". It's pretty intimidating. Although I've worked as a UNE all the summer, there is a minimal amount of knowledge of skill that is transferable from that environment to this. It's my responsibility to monitor pH levels, electrolytes, output to the single mL's, fluid balance, and blood gas values. That's a whole heck of a lot more than I've been juggled before, especially on top of regular patient care tasks.
In a previous post or two, I mentioned how I struggle with looking after young patients. Well guess what - 90% of our patients are young men! But it does make sense - the most common reasons for admissions include: workplace/farming accidents (ie: exploding gasoline or diesel), reckless behaviour (ie: ATV vs. truck), excessive drinking or drug use, suicide attempts, or lighting fires (ie: burning garbage). So I've gotten over that pretty quickly! It still is tough, but I have learned to kinda section that part off of my mind, and get down to what needs to be done.
So now: just a month and 1/2 left until I graduate. HOLY HANNA. I'm gunning to get a position on this unit, so here's hoping! I can certainly see myself here. But on that note... the medicine itch, an idea I thought I had successfully squashed, is still bugging me. What a love/hate relationship I have! I still have time to mull it over these following weeks.
Happy November!
D.
Burns ICU is sorta something that's difficult to explain unless you are in it. Everything looks different, smells different, is done differently. Our patients can look like mummies, often bandaged head to toe. It can smell pretty gnarly, especially during dressing changes with a lot of blood (fresh or dry) and surgical fluids. Speaking of which - these dressing changes can take hours, or be so painful that sedation is required. My tolerance for 'gross' things has exponentially grown these past few weeks as well... skin that is healing, burnt, rotten, falling off, grafted, sutured, staples, stretched, debrided, or removed can take on all sorts of sights and smells. I'm positive my stomach and nose have taken on an iron layer.
My stress level is also on high, all the time. Not a bad stress, but like: "my lanta, I have one job - to keep this patient alive". It's pretty intimidating. Although I've worked as a UNE all the summer, there is a minimal amount of knowledge of skill that is transferable from that environment to this. It's my responsibility to monitor pH levels, electrolytes, output to the single mL's, fluid balance, and blood gas values. That's a whole heck of a lot more than I've been juggled before, especially on top of regular patient care tasks.
In a previous post or two, I mentioned how I struggle with looking after young patients. Well guess what - 90% of our patients are young men! But it does make sense - the most common reasons for admissions include: workplace/farming accidents (ie: exploding gasoline or diesel), reckless behaviour (ie: ATV vs. truck), excessive drinking or drug use, suicide attempts, or lighting fires (ie: burning garbage). So I've gotten over that pretty quickly! It still is tough, but I have learned to kinda section that part off of my mind, and get down to what needs to be done.
So now: just a month and 1/2 left until I graduate. HOLY HANNA. I'm gunning to get a position on this unit, so here's hoping! I can certainly see myself here. But on that note... the medicine itch, an idea I thought I had successfully squashed, is still bugging me. What a love/hate relationship I have! I still have time to mull it over these following weeks.
Happy November!
D.
