I'm BAAAAACK!
Hello again my blogging friends- sorry for being temporarily MIA. I started my job last week and my head hasn't stop spinning since. Luckily, I worked yesterday and today so my two days for this week are behind me and hopefully I can recover now from all the "deep brain things going on inside my head" (that's another Madagascar quote. FYI: I don't think it's Disney, Jaime, but it's totally worth seeing!!) So far I've been training in acute care and it is so different from anything I've ever done. Plus the hospital I'm working in, is an inner city teaching hospital so most of our patients have multiple complications- not just one diagnosis. One patient I evaluated today had like 20 previous medical conditions. (Oh and Mel you'll be fascinated to know that another patient of mine had gangrene..you guys could start a support group!)
The thing that has been really tough is trying to learn all the medical abbreviations, it's like learning a foreign language. And then even when I do figure out what the letters stand for it's a whole different thing to know their relevance. Here's an example to enlighten you: I have learned that 2LNCO2 means the patient is getting 2 liters of oxygen through a nasal canula (the little tube in their nose) but I have no idea what difference that makes. Is 2 liters a-lot? Well, I'm glad you asked because according to my co-worker, oxygen can range from 1-8 liters "so if someone is on 8 you need to ask yourself why the heck can't this person breathe?" Now, don't you feel smart. I'm sure you smarty pants nurse types already know all this, but my expertise is more on re-teaching someone how to put on a shirt...I'm not so good at memorizing lab values.
Anyways, I am very grateful for this job and I know it will be perfect once I get more comfortable in this particular setting...hopefully that won't take too long. Several of the therapists on my team are pregnant or have little ones so I'm fitting in nicely. Anyways, I got to sign my name and title for the first time today since being licensed. It was surreal because I used to practice writing it all through OT school, kinda like when your engaged and you doodle your future married name over and over. I'll sign off with it for your viewing pleasure :)
Christina Jones, M.S. OTR/L (It looks so official doesn't it!)
P.S. Those of you (APRIL) who keep harassing me about birthday pictures will have to be a little more patient. We took them with Nana's camera and so she's mailing us a disk. Stay tuned.
The thing that has been really tough is trying to learn all the medical abbreviations, it's like learning a foreign language. And then even when I do figure out what the letters stand for it's a whole different thing to know their relevance. Here's an example to enlighten you: I have learned that 2LNCO2 means the patient is getting 2 liters of oxygen through a nasal canula (the little tube in their nose) but I have no idea what difference that makes. Is 2 liters a-lot? Well, I'm glad you asked because according to my co-worker, oxygen can range from 1-8 liters "so if someone is on 8 you need to ask yourself why the heck can't this person breathe?" Now, don't you feel smart. I'm sure you smarty pants nurse types already know all this, but my expertise is more on re-teaching someone how to put on a shirt...I'm not so good at memorizing lab values.
Anyways, I am very grateful for this job and I know it will be perfect once I get more comfortable in this particular setting...hopefully that won't take too long. Several of the therapists on my team are pregnant or have little ones so I'm fitting in nicely. Anyways, I got to sign my name and title for the first time today since being licensed. It was surreal because I used to practice writing it all through OT school, kinda like when your engaged and you doodle your future married name over and over. I'll sign off with it for your viewing pleasure :)
Christina Jones, M.S. OTR/L (It looks so official doesn't it!)
P.S. Those of you (APRIL) who keep harassing me about birthday pictures will have to be a little more patient. We took them with Nana's camera and so she's mailing us a disk. Stay tuned.
posted by Christina at
9:48 PM
5 Comments:
So glad to hear all is going well... so what exactly does your abbreviation mean?
It won't take long for abbreviations to take over your life. I hang out with doctors and they speak in shorthand and leave me behind all the time. Glad you fit in at work.
But you've still left us in suspense about the TiVo. Did you get it? Was it worth it?
I'm glad that you know to give yourself time to get ued to your job. I know that you'll end up being a pro. It's interesting to hear about the kinds of things you're having to learn and deal with.
So do you work the same days each week, or do you have a rotating schdule, or. . .? Looking forward to the b-day pictures and to more stories about work and your boys.
Sounds like the job is perfect for you I am happy you found your spot. BUT BOO HISS HISSS about the pictures. I want a refund!!
I know what 2LNCO2 means!! Nanny, nanny, boo-boo!! :)But I am with you on the "whole other language" bit. I speak it now so I don't notice it as much. I feel so cool when doctors are having a conversation and I can translate!! My question is why do we have to say it in Latin when we can say it in English?!? I think the first Doctor of the world way back when got together with his other Doctor friends and decided to do it all in Latin and make up funny abbreviations so they could talk about stuff and feel smart b/c nobody knew what they were saying! You know, like a medical igpay atinlay...or should I say ig-A-Pay aTinLay? (wink, wink)
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home