Week 12 as a CST

This week was all ortho except for Tuesday, I did a few general cases. I do enjoy general cases. I’m also starting to really enjoy ortho! The ACLs & knee scopes with meniscal repairs have been a favorite. I’m starting to get better at Gamma Nails so I’m enjoying those more & more. I’m learning their trends & what they’ll need next & am able to be more proactive with helping out with holding the leg or knowing when they’ll need an instrument by what they’re doing. It’s exciting when you start to get familiar with their techniques & can have what they need before they ask for it or when they ask for the wrong thing & you have the right thing in your hand & they’re like, “Yeah, that’s what I meant… thanks!” Always makes me laugh. & they compliment me on knowing what they needed when they didn’t. Makes you feel more confident, too. I’m just trying to learn all the gamma instruments. I can put them all together pretty well & know the order pretty well & when they’ll need a mallet or when to switch the wire driver out for the drill bit, etc. Sometimes the rep will try to tell me what they’re asking for or go to instruct me on how to assemble something & I’ve already got it & he’s like, “Yes, you know what you’re doing. Nice job!” That always feels good, too. I’m getting there!! I think I’m finally comfortable with all the cords & pretty quick with them! I remember when I first started & it took me forever & I was fumbling & might accidentally throw off too much or drop one, etc. Now I can do it super fast & have it all ready for them. I can hold a leg with one hand & dis-assemble & re-assemble an ablader, etc. or grab an instrument sterilly without setting something else down. & it’s always nice when your surgeon or someone else in your room compliments you. There’s nothing worse then feeling like you’re improving or doing well & being told you’re not being effecient enough. I’ve definitely had that previously & it makes you feel so crappy.

Anyways, on to what I did this week & some setup photos!

Grad Photo Ideas. Part 2.

I don’t think you can have enough photo ideas! I look for new ideas every day & switch photos in & out.

I’ve been taking photos of the campus when I’m there so my photographer, as well as myself, can get an idea of where we want to take photos.

I can also look at my ideas and get an idea of where I’d like to take each of them.

I’m hoping it will help things move along more smoothly & help us get as many photos as possible!

Now for some more photo ideas!!…

Clinical. Week 7. Semester 5.

Well… it was fun while it lasted…

Clinical. Week 3. Semester 5.

A DAY IN THE LIFE – CLINICAL: SURGICAL TECH STUDENT

3 more weeks down. 7 more cases to go! Holy moly!

My tech is having me do it all like she’s not there. Most of the time she doesn’t even scrub in. She’s making it SO REAL for me. I appreciate her so much. I wish everyone was able to have the same tech every day & an amazing one at that. I’ve been so lucky to have her!

Not all my classmates have had an easy go at their clinical.

-So here’s what I’ve been doing at this point…

Clinical. Week 1. Part 2

And just like that, my first week of clinicals is over.
What a week!
It’s been a great experience so far and I’m looking forward to seeing what next week brings!

It’s hard to recall every single detail, but I’ve been trying to do my best! It’s a lot to take in when you’re just starting.

Here’s a synopsis of what I can recall…

Week 1. Semester 4.

Hello everyone!!
I’m super excited to be back in class!
We started the 23rd.
It’s crazy to think we are already on our 2nd & final year.
You don’t realize how fast it will go, but it flies.
In a few weeks we will be starting clinicals…
I’m nervous but really looking forward to it!!

A little update on things first before I get into it…

Week 11. Semester 2.

Hello all!

It’s great to be back in class this week. 1 week off & 2 weeks online was way too long!

What a busy day. This week we finally started wearing our surgical caps! That was exciting. I went overboard & purchased 12 different scrub caps!~

It felt weird putting everything on together but after a short period of time it just felt normal.

I think everyone always worries about not being able to itch. Honestly, though, I’m so busy concentrating on the task at hand, I don’t even think about having to itch or anything most of the time.

Surg. Tech – Semester 2

Hello all! It’s been awhile since I last posted. It’s been so busy since I started my 2nd semester of the ST program, but it’s been so much fun! I’m just taking it all in & practicing as much as possible!

It’s been super exciting since we started doing labs & really getting into all the hands on stuff we have been anxiously waiting for! Our instructor has always told us how quiet we are, but more and more we have been getting to know each other this semester, which is awesome. We are getting more comfortable with each other and really talking and helping each other out. I love having a small group that is always there with you as you move along from semester to semester.