When I went to the hospital the second day, I was not as excited than the first for some reason. It probably was because that the adrenaline rush from the first day was completely gone. I was assigned to be with the charge nurse. She had a patient that had a traumatic injury with several broken bones and another with psychiatric issues. At this point I was able to see how much a nurse’s job is medication administration and how much is actual “nursing.” A majority like 80% of a nurse’s job is to give medications.

 

Much of what I did this day involved taking more vital signs, observing the nurse administer medications and keeping our patients comfortable.

 

Honestly, I wasn’t really impressed by the charge nurse. She seemed more willing to give up on one of the patients than the doctor, which left me disappointed and conflicted. I clearly remember one of the patient’s doctors tell her “we have to give him a chance.” That nurse wanted to put a patient on palliative care, which is care that is used only to prevent further pain and suffering, but not to necessarily treat a patient’s medical illnesses.

 

After this day, I left the hospital a little frustrated about the care that should be given. This day reminds me that I have to make sure that when I get to start second semester or my nursing career in general, I am able to provide the best care possible and not give up on my patients…….ever.

 

This concluded our Mentor Days and intro to being in a hospital care setting.