I am officially a week into my first rotation!
It got much more intense than that first day very quickly, and I discovered a) how to successfully forget every important thing we were taught in class and b) that 800 bed hospitals are very, very confusing to navigate. At this point I can fumble my way around the three towers to get back to the pharmacy, and maybe up to the cafeteria if I'm lucky.
On my first official day, I got to go on a STEMI code - a basic heart attack. I followed the pharmacist to the ER, and was allowed to help calculate doses for some of the medications. We then followed the patient to the cath lab (where they stick a wire through the femoral artery, snake it up to the heart, and inject flourescent dye to find the block). Here the pharmacist decided to quiz me on drugs that were given to the patient before we'd gotten there.
I froze. Something about aspirin? And morphine? Isn't there an acronym for this? I went into semi-panic mode - oh god, I don't know anything, I'm going to become one of those pharmacists known as Angels of Death, I'm never going to graduate or get a residency.
Luckily the pharmacist remembered being a student and, probably recognizing the look of horror on my face, laughed and supplied the acronym. I was able to fumble partially through at that point.
I can safely say I've never felt more stupid.
The rest of the week went much better, so I think the rest of the rotation will be fine. If occasionally terrifying. I had a great day in the IV hood, and another following the pediatric clinical pharmacist.
I'm also really grateful I'm not one of the students that had a much more clinical rotation as the first one. I can't imagine the anxiety I'd be having if that were the case.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Rotations
You're probably aware that I have moved to Reno for my last year of pharmacy school.
It's been a surreal experience thus far because I have never lived in a big city, nor have I had a roommate. Also, coming from the uber conservative land of Southeastern Idaho, it's a joy to see that stores are open past six. And I can apparently buy liquor in the grocery store.
Today was the first day of rotations. My first rotation is hospital - meaning I'll be spending the next six weeks learning how hospital pharmacies work. Turns out, though, that I technically wasn't supposed to start until tomorrow. I was given a tour with my fellow students, then told I was free to go.
Huh.
Months of vague apprehension, weeks of nervous panic, a morning in which I likely drove my roommate insane by pacing around staring at lab values (in case you were wondering, a normal potassium level is 3.5-5.5 mEq/L. You're welcome) and it culminated in two hours of hospital tour and a free afternoon.
My instinct was to return to the apartment and study. It's been my go-to move for three years. Problem is, I have no idea what to study. I have no hospital experience. Do I memorize various IV dosage forms? Do I fumble through two-year-old notes on fluids? Do I continue this morning's frantic reading of the pharmacokinetic textbook trying to re-learn equations for dosing antibiotics?
I settled on a continued review of lab values and working on the doom sweater.
Also baking french bread for tonight's spaghetti dinner.
I figured it's better to relax on this last possible day before going in at 7:30 tomorrow for the start of my rotations. And hope I'm more relaxed tomorrow morning than I was today.
It's been a surreal experience thus far because I have never lived in a big city, nor have I had a roommate. Also, coming from the uber conservative land of Southeastern Idaho, it's a joy to see that stores are open past six. And I can apparently buy liquor in the grocery store.
Today was the first day of rotations. My first rotation is hospital - meaning I'll be spending the next six weeks learning how hospital pharmacies work. Turns out, though, that I technically wasn't supposed to start until tomorrow. I was given a tour with my fellow students, then told I was free to go.
Huh.
Months of vague apprehension, weeks of nervous panic, a morning in which I likely drove my roommate insane by pacing around staring at lab values (in case you were wondering, a normal potassium level is 3.5-5.5 mEq/L. You're welcome) and it culminated in two hours of hospital tour and a free afternoon.
My instinct was to return to the apartment and study. It's been my go-to move for three years. Problem is, I have no idea what to study. I have no hospital experience. Do I memorize various IV dosage forms? Do I fumble through two-year-old notes on fluids? Do I continue this morning's frantic reading of the pharmacokinetic textbook trying to re-learn equations for dosing antibiotics?
I settled on a continued review of lab values and working on the doom sweater.
Also baking french bread for tonight's spaghetti dinner.
I figured it's better to relax on this last possible day before going in at 7:30 tomorrow for the start of my rotations. And hope I'm more relaxed tomorrow morning than I was today.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Apparently I'm Stylish!
SquidinkSarah has nominated me for a stylish award! Hooray! Thanks, Sarah!
Her comment about me not updating enough is also completely apt. According to her blog, I now have to do some things.
(This is quite a nice distraction from the paper I'm supposed to be writing on Idaho's proposed medical marijuana bill.)
1. I am in love with science and chemistry, specifically organic mechanisms. To me, it's the ultimate form of truth. You can't get much more pure than the exact way everything works at the smallest level. I love that kind of certainty.
2. I have two kitties named Beaker and Threepwood. They're both a little insane.
3. I learned to knit because I found a stuffed penguin pattern and had to make it.
4. My first job was putting books away in a public library - because of this, I have a freaky knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System. Name a number and I can tell you the kind of book you'll find there.
5. The only dance I can do is polka. I only know how to do that because I went to Norwegian Camp.
6. I am unable to make lemon-y treats. Lemon meringue pie refuses to solidify. Lemon bars are lemon soup on top of shortbread. It's my kryptonite.
7. I am a certified video game nerd. I own every playstation console, a DS, and regularly play Xbox, 360, and Nintendo's various iterations.
As for the other requirements. . . I don't think I read enough blogs. I suppose I can't just re-nominate Sarah.
An aside: in an attempt to get myself to post more, I was kicking the idea of answering questions you people may have about drugs. If you have any. It obviously wouldn't constitute medical advice of any sort, but I take great joy in explaining things that fascinate me. Comment with a question!
Her comment about me not updating enough is also completely apt. According to her blog, I now have to do some things.
(This is quite a nice distraction from the paper I'm supposed to be writing on Idaho's proposed medical marijuana bill.)
1. I am in love with science and chemistry, specifically organic mechanisms. To me, it's the ultimate form of truth. You can't get much more pure than the exact way everything works at the smallest level. I love that kind of certainty.
2. I have two kitties named Beaker and Threepwood. They're both a little insane.
3. I learned to knit because I found a stuffed penguin pattern and had to make it.
4. My first job was putting books away in a public library - because of this, I have a freaky knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System. Name a number and I can tell you the kind of book you'll find there.
5. The only dance I can do is polka. I only know how to do that because I went to Norwegian Camp.
6. I am unable to make lemon-y treats. Lemon meringue pie refuses to solidify. Lemon bars are lemon soup on top of shortbread. It's my kryptonite.
7. I am a certified video game nerd. I own every playstation console, a DS, and regularly play Xbox, 360, and Nintendo's various iterations.
As for the other requirements. . . I don't think I read enough blogs. I suppose I can't just re-nominate Sarah.
An aside: in an attempt to get myself to post more, I was kicking the idea of answering questions you people may have about drugs. If you have any. It obviously wouldn't constitute medical advice of any sort, but I take great joy in explaining things that fascinate me. Comment with a question!
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