Day 2

Before I keep writing on here, let's get one thing clear... I am not a writer by an means. I write like I talk. Not eloquent or professional sounding or even smart sounding. You should be able to tell by that last sentence. I just wanted to throw that out there before all the judgements come in.

Now we can get to the good stuff..
Today was my first day at the hospital. The morning was spent on hospital orientation, getting our badges and getting fit tested. We didn't get to the units till 2 pm. So that's 5 hours of orientation and I am back tomorrow with my own patient load!! yeah you read that right. After 5 hours of shadowing I am going to be responsible for my own 3-4 patients. Grown up adult patients. I haven't done that in like 3 years. The anxiety is real! When I first got to the floor and my preceptor starting talking about COVID patients and how they can go down hill really fast, I thought.. yeah this was a mistake. Why did I, the nurse who hates respiratory cases, come to take care of patients with a serious respiratory disease.  The nurse started talking about her patient who this morning was on 5 liters nasal cannula and got up to go to the bathroom and he O2 sats dropped to 87%. In my mind I was thinking okay big deal. 87%. Thats nothing, he will pop back up.. She, on the other hand, said she talked with the doctor and they wanted to switch him over to a venti mask with 12 liters of oxygen and 50% FiO2. Now family I know you are like what does all this mean.. and see that's the issue... I don't know either.  I mean I do but usually respiratory therapists are there to help with this. At this hospital the nurses go ahead and initiate this stuff. Luckily, all that venti mask stuff is color coded and easy to figure out!! I am praying that I can handle this. It will for sure be a learning experience.

Also, all the media is real, the N95 masks HURT. It is constant pressure on your cheeks, just below your eyes. I only had it on for 5 hours, I can not imagine how a 12 hour shift will feel. While we are talking about masks, lets go over my full attire for work. I will now be wearing a jumper/coveralls that go over my scrubs, then a washable backwards lab coat looking thing. And on my face is a N95 mask, then a regular surgical mask over that, and either my glasses or science lab type glasses then a face shield. In addition to all of that I have booties over my shoes and a very classy hairnet. Of course gloves are also part of the assemble. Needless to say, there is zero point in putting make up on or doing my hair for the next 6 weeks. Even though I am making fun of the look, I am so very thankful that this hospital has supplies to keep all of its healthcare staff safe.