Semester Countdown

1. 3 clinicals left
2. one paper (geriatric project)
3. 4 exams (2 final exams)
4. one day of phlebotomy instruction
5. 4 days of lecture

This is all in the next 3 weeks, then I start my internship from April 28th to graduation. I don't know where I'll be yet, but I put in a request to work in the Burn unit at Valley Med. I never wrote about my experience in the burn unit, but it was an amazing experience that I would like more of. One of my favorite patients there was a little boy named Julian. I was there the day the reporters were doing a follow up story on him. There is a slideshow link in this article with audio that's pretty interesting. But for those who are a little squeamish, you might just want to listen. I think my forehead is in one of the pictures! (And here is a recent news clip from ABC that is really good.) Even though his situation is incredible depressing and horrific, I was inspired by him and the other patients there who are going through life altering experiences. If I do get my request to work here for the next month, I'm hoping I'll be able to handle it and not run away screaming every day. Another reason why I choose the burn unit was because I'll get to practice all the things I need: starting IVs, IV therapy with PICC lines, changing dressings, wound care, care of naso-gastric tubes, caring for both adults and children, end of life care and family support. I'm also drawn to this unit because a lot of the patients stay there for long periods of time and I'd get to know them and their families well. My second choice for my internship was medical-surgical (what I've been doing for the past two semesters) and my third choice was pediatrics. I'll keep you updated - I should find out in the next couple weeks.