Shift #5: Part 2 – Fingerprints and Nurses
My next shift at the hospital was a new story, not entirely different, but a new experience. I was shadowing a different nurse. I was eager to see how she worked in comparison to the previous nurse. Would she work similarly? Or would her approach be completely different? Regardless, I hoped she liked me and that the shift would go as smoothly as my last one did.
As soon as she came in, I immediately read her demeanour. She had one of those faces where everything is said in their face, without any words needing to be said. She was friendly and calm, but very focused and organized. Her precision was a bit intimidating to be honest. She moved through various tasks with such efficiency that I found myself chasing after her, endlessly in pursuit.
Even though I was assigned to shadow a different nurse today, I was on the same unit as before. The day unfolded much like my first shift. We received report in the morning, woke our patients — who all seemed to have similar conditions to the ones I met last time, administered meds (morning, lunch, and dinner), and tended to various patient needs throughout the day— charting and documenting in between. Although I had only completed one shift so far, I already felt more prepared for what was to come. Oh God, thank you for routine!
Compared to my first shift, this nurse was a wow factor. She was on another level. Of course, the nurse I was with before was organized, but the one today was not only organized, she was fast. Her movements were so swift, it was like watching a well-choreographed dance routine. She had a strict to-do list and completed each task in a systematically organized manner. I was so impressed. Still, I couldn’t shake my nerves. I was trying my best to observe and learn as much as I could while staying out of the way. However, as the day progressed, my apprehension quickly transformed into admiration. This nurse encouraged me to gain more hands-on experience and trusted me to perform a variety of clinical skills to learn as much as possible.
During this shift in addition to giving the oral meds, I got to help with giving injections, flushing and priming IVs, and even assisting with a wound dressing. These were all skills I had only ever practiced on mannequins, so performing them on real patients was both intimidating and exciting. But I did it! Each time, the nurse offered helpful advice on how to improve, which really boosted my confidence. For example, when giving injections, she explained the correct angles for intramuscular versus subcutaneous needles, and how to make the process as comfortable as possible for the patient. The most helpful suggestion was, “Don’t close your eyes, patients don’t like that!” Kidding, my eyes were wide open the whole time!
She also encouraged me to begin charting on my own and taught me how to accurately document assessments and procedures…and Sumerian! I gained so much hands-on experience in just one shift. It was eye-opening to realize how much I had learned and how that experience was translating into self-confidence.
As I said, learning these skills in a lab and practicing on mannequins is one thing. But applying them in real time, on real people, and being trusted to do so, was an entirely different experience. It was nerve-wracking, yes, but also incredibly rewarding. Rewarding, because I could see a metamorphosis from ‘kid at school’ to ‘nurse’, well ‘student nurse’ – but, still, I was getting there!
I also realized how much of a difference it makes to have a supportive nurse near you and available. The nurse I worked with on day 2 was enthusiastic, engaged, and genuinely wanted me to learn and get as much practice as possible. For that, I was truly grateful. I practiced more in those 12 hours than I ever imagined I would. Nurses and fingerprints have similarities. All fingerprints are unique, but so are nurses, even though nurses are all trained in the same skills, it is the unique individuality that is so fascinating.
The day went by fast, as expected, but this time, my feet and legs didn’t hurt as much. To be fair, I did wear a different pair of shoes today. I think this will ALWAYS be important to report!