The Emergency Room

*There are some sensitive issues talked about in this post, please don't read it if you don't wish to*

For clinicals the other day, I was in the Emergency Room.  It was very interesting to see what some people thought constituted an emergency.  The following are reasons why people came into the ER:

• A cold sore that was "tinglin" on the upper lip
• An anxiety attack (caused by stopping medication)
• Dropping a bookshelf on the great toe with only a pair of socks on
• Starring the windshield in a car accident because of not wearing a seat belt.  

Now while some of these actually do constitute coming in to the ER, the cold sore was my favorite.  It was fun to see the ER from the side of the nurses and doctors for an entire day, instead of being a patient there.  I had to go to the ER about a year ago for cracking my face open on another kids face while playing basketball (it helps you get in a little faster if you leave the blood running down the side of your face).

  I now understand what causes some of the long waiting in the ER.  I also understand that as a nurse in the ER, you have to keep a good sense of humor.  If you don't, you will get weighed down and not be able to do your job in some cases.  

I've talked to a lot of ER nurses, and most of them feel like when an 80 or 90 year old person dies, there really isn't an extreme amount of sadness/grief.  They feel like they have lived a good life, and been able to spend many, many wonderful years with those that they love.  There is another reason why this is though.  That's because they also have to see babies and little children brought in who, unfortunately in many cases, were horribly abused by their own parents.  In cases like these, the baby or child sometimes do not make it.  It's a whole different world when this happens.  The staff will sometimes have a meeting together and have to work through the immense grief of such cases together. 

It's so terribly sad when something like this happens, you really never know what or who is going to walk through those admitting doors next.  It could be a mass murderer or rapist from prison that you have to provide excellent care for or it could be someone who looks like or reminds you of your own parents or family member.  

It was a great experience learning from the excellent nurses in the ER.  I am so excited because I get to go back there again next week again for my last clinical of the semester!

If you want to read an interesting article from the Reader's Digest, click on the link below.  My dad told me about it, it is titled, "50 Secrets Your Nurse Won't Tell You."  I found most of them to be true, but some of them did not seem very accurate to me.

http://www.rd.com/slideshows/50-secrets-your-nurse-wont-tell-you/

Thanks for reading!

An Evening on the Farm...

My wife and I took our baby girl to wheeler farm tonight!  It was really just an excuse for us to go, we loved it!  We went on a wagon ride pulled by a tractor, and saw lots of farm animals.  We love the fall!

Claire Beth

Hey everyone!  Sorry it's been awhile,  we've been a little busy having a baby!  Sweet little Claire Beth was born on October 13th.  She was 7 lbs 8 oz and 20".  She is so cute, and is my little princess.  More pics to come later!

Seinfeld...

I just have to make a post about my favorite show.  I don't know how anyone can not love watching Seinfeld.  It doesn't matter what episode is on, if it is playing, I will watch it.  I have never been able to decide who my favorite character is, because I love both Kramer and George so much.  I also love it whenever Kramer and Newman get together.  And you can't forget about Kramer's friend, good old Bob Sacamano.  In a perfect world, they would still be making Seinfeld episodes.  This show is the ultimate of classics!  What do you like most about Seinfeld?  

My Happy Place...

This past Wednesday night, my friend Nate and I went to watch the former BYU baskeball All-Star Jimmer Fredette All-Star game.  There were 20 newly drafted NBA players all having a scrimmage against each other.  It was probably the most talented group of players to ever play on the Marriot Center baskeball court.  It was full of lots of dunks, and very little defense being played.  It was awesome!  

Then, on Friday night, my wife and I went to watch the BYU football team play against Central Florida with my friend Clint.  They had just come off a tough loss to utah the week before, but they were able to beat Central Florida, and it was a great Friday night!

Awesome seeing "Jimmer" as one of the teams!

Jimmer's brother TJ rapping during half-time

Death, Code Red, and Getting Hit On...

Yesterday was my first day of clinicals for this semester. I gave lots of shots, prepared and hung a lot of medications, and was able to learn a lot from all the staff. I have to say that it was a very full day. We reported to the hospital at 6:30 am sharp and were there till about 7 pm. During that time the following events happened:

• A patient died right in front of me.
• A Code Red (Fire) was called.
• My patient started hitting on me and asked me for my phone number.

While it's true that most days are very busy and a little crazy at the hospital, this is not the norm. I am way excited for my clinical days coming up where I will be able to be in the operating room standing over the surgeon watching operations all day long. I will also be able to spend entire days in endoscopy and the ER. This is going to be an awesome clinical semester!

This is how i felt when i got home:

And The Winner is....

The Hungry Runner Girl! Congrats! Just email me an address you want your $30 Dick's Sporting Good's Gift Card sent to. devinvholt@gmail.com

Stay tuned for more giveaways!