Comments on: Wow. It’s been busy!

By: Courtney

Courtney — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:01:52 +0000

Glad to hear you’re surviving school.

“if you’re going to kill someone, I’ll stop you.” Shesh!!

By: medic22

medic22 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:16:22 +0000

thanks for the replies. Greg, I usually find those veins ‘by feel”. A nurse told me to “close my eyes and let my fingers see the veins.” She also said don’t just stick what you can see… always feel for ‘em. i know the anatomy, and most of the time I’m pretty good. Some days though… whew. It’s difficult to the Nth degree.

And that’s why this blog is good… it’s a great way to share my thoughts and feelings with others. as HM mentioned, it’s rather therapeutic.

By: WVmedicgirl

WVmedicgirl — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:06:14 +0000

“I felt like a complete F@#$ Up for a good portion of the day and I needed to vent a little. But that’s what being a medic student is all about.”

I have been a medic in the field for 2 1/2 yrs now (and been at my current job for a year) and there are still days I feel “like a complete F@#$ Up”

We all have good days and bad days, just have to hope the good outweighs the bad, and remember to come away from everyday learning a new lesson.

Keep your chin up, and thanks for blogging for “info-tainment”

By: Greg Friese

Greg Friese — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:02:16 +0000

Visualization. Great reminder. Also visualize where the veins should be. So you are palpating in the right places.

As an occasional preceptor your post is a great reminder that my attitude and interest in the student’s learning experience can make the difference between a so-so day and great day.

By: the Happy Medic

the Happy Medic — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:12:35 +0000

I laughed out loud at your first paragraph! I get what you mean, I was just curious as to the thought behind it. Clearly the blogs are different than the PCRs and the “tainment” portion of info-tainment, as you said, comes first most times. That is the joy of blogging.
Keep venting!

By: medic22

medic22 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:54:30 +0000

Honestly, the “no dice” expression wasn’t intentional… and after I reread it, I agree, it sounded like I was rolling the dice and hoping to hit something big. Your comment brings up an interesting point. As I grow in this profession, I really must be clear and concise as to how I describe situations. It would have been much cleaner if I had written, “I attempted to visualize the cords, but had difficulty due to the patient’s anatomy and rather than traumatize the airway further, I deferred to a senior medic to attempt to place the tube.” That’s what I was thinking, but “no dice” was quick and easy. And as you mentioned, it kind of works on the blog. And the blog is ‘info-tainment’.

As for the “no veins”, I know that’s a cop out. I mean, really… EVERYBODY has veins. It’s up to us to find ‘em and cannulate them. I also will never use the “it was deep” or “it rolled on me” excuses. if I miss, or can’t find a vein, I own it. And, I usually don’t go sticking blindly. (It’s just poor form, don’t ya think?) I’ll admit I am new at the starting an IV in the back of a moving truck game. But, when it’s me, and two other medics hunting for something, ANYTHING… it’s pretty fair to say “she had no veins.” It took a heat pack and 15 minutes of looking just to get that 20 in the hand.

And yeah, this post really was a “get it off my chest” kind of post. I had a not so great day on the medic unit. I felt like a complete F@#$ Up for a good portion of the day and I needed to vent a little. But that’s what being a medic student is all about.

HM, thanks for taking the time to read and comment on my blog. I truly appreciate the feedback.

By: the Happy Medic

the Happy Medic — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:34:28 +0000

I am curious on some of your terminology and wouldn’t mind a quick discussion on it. You use two phrases I find interesting, and perhaps it is just a regional thing.
First “No dice.” Seems straight forward enough, but brings to mind playing craps and trying with multiple outcomes to reach a narrow goal. It sounds as though you relied on luck instead of your training. “I couldn’t find a vein” is what I use, but it is far less interesting. But the phrase makes sense in this context, I’m just wondering if you think “no dice” or just type it.
Second “Had no veins.” Again a straight forward phrase but one I hear a lot from folks unclear on starting lines. I hear that phrase all the time or people saying, “it rolled” or “They’re deep” All excuses. We all miss and some patients do present with unique vasculature but the phrase “had no veins” will get you dirty looks from hospital staff who have the luxury of sitting still with bright lights to get the access you tried. But again, I get what you meant and the phrase works on a blog, just not on your PCR.

GREAT post and I think almost as therapeutic as informational. The description of the second preceptor who wanted nothing to do with you is a classic and there are those in every service for sure.

Keep posting, fun to follow along.

By: medic22

medic22 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:26:04 +0000

Yeah, I did ask for a 3. The reply, “You’ve got a Mac 4. Go for it.” Afterward, the medic agreed that a 3 might have been a better choice.

I’m still just learning. The next one will be will be better.

By: CB

CB — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:41:16 +0000

It’s YOUR tube. You want a 3, ask for a 3!