Suture & Local vs Different Specialties

As I rotate through the different specialties during my orientation I am noticing the differences between suture & the order it’s used & what it’s used for. I also noticed the differences between when local is used & when it’s not used.

The longer I scrub & have to pull suture & put the extra suture back, the more I remember where it all is & what it’s used for. I will share what I have learned so far.

I always have my pile of suture I need & then a pile with 1 extra for each suture pulled, as well as any holds/availables. Gyne is one I have learned you grab more than one extra for! Once you use the last one you always make sure to ask for another!

Week 7 as a CST

Week 6 as a CST

I set up & scrubbed my first Laparoscopic Sigmoid Colectomy!

This week I had some firsts. I set up & scrubbed my first sigmoid colectomy. Then we had an emergency colon case after we came back from lunch. I had to rush to set it up. I was super nervous because I’m not used to these cases since they’re newer. I made a few mistakes & the surgeon snapped at me once, but they told me after that I handled it really well & the way she handled it was uncalled for since nothing bad happened.

Later I set up for a Lap. Chole. I was grabbed my laparoscopic instruments & sat them on my table & when I was grabbing my graspers to set up on my Mayo stand I found a hair!!

We had to tear down the whole set up & start over!!

Week 3 – Working in the O.R.

Monday was a Holiday, so we were off. Tuesday I was off to take my NBSTSA and don’t get my results until our instructor submits our diplomas. Wednesday I scrubbed 2 ENT cases, scrubbed out a tech for a catheter case & scrubbed a cysto. bx with fulguration. I was so off on Wednesday. Pretty sure I have a sinus infection. My vertigo has been really bad the past few days. Thursday (today) I woke up in so much pain. My throat felt swollen. I could barely talk. My head & nose were hurting so bad. I called off & left a message for the doctor to call me back. They couldn’t get me in until Friday. So, now I have to take off Friday as well. I’m just hoping I don’t have COVID and I can get some meds & feel better! I hate being sick. We will see what happens tomorrow!

Hope everyone is doing well!! ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Before the NBSTSA, hoping to kill it. Didn’t feel so confident after! None of us did. 😦 Just waiting to hear back about our results. (SHEIN outfit! Love SHEIN!)

I Survived Week 2 Working in the O.R.!

This second week went really fast! I thought being new and learning all these new things, it would drag by so slowly, but it went by like a flash! Friday ended early since we only had 5 cases, 4 of them being mine. Then my coworkers invited me out to lunch, which lasted for several hours. It was fun getting to hang out with them outside of work & get to know them a bit better & just relax & have fun.

I Survived Week 1 Working in the O.R.!

I survived my first official week in the O.R. What a crazy week. I was so nervous. By the end of the week, my preceptor was so impressed by how far I’ve already come with my progress. She tells me something once & doesn’t have to tell me again. I’m moving quicker. Communicating more. Using my critical thinking more. Keeping one step ahead of the doctor as much as I can. Continuing to always keep moving… Working on all those little things that I have struggled with. It’s crazy how far I’ve already come in only 5 days.

Clinical. Week 2. Semester 5.

This week we had 3 days of clinical since our instructor had a meeting & we did not have class on Monday. It was a long week, but I got a lot of cases done & was able to finish out 5 of my specialties for 1st scrub. I only have a handful of cases left until I’m to my 120 cases goal.

It’s crazy how time flies. It feels like we just started our clinicals and now we are almost done! We are more familiar with our surgeons and the cases and we are setting up and scrubbing by ourselves…

Clinical. Week 6. Semester 4.

It’s been quite the week. Day 1 I started at my 1st clinical site & day 2 I switched clinical locations. I feel like I got comfortable & was in the zone & doing awesome & building more & more confidence & then BAM! I just have to remind myself that I got this & I have to adapt & overcome! I will not let this get me down. I will keep going & prove to myself that this will only make me stronger & better. 🙏🙌