Organizing Cords is Crucial

Organizing cords can be so difficult & nervewracking! BUT it’s a really important part of surgery to master!!

Here’s how I go about tackling my cords!!

Laparoscopic Jejunostomy – On Call

✂️This was a first for me: the procedure & working with the on call Doctor. I had to ask her what she needed for gloves, which scope she preferred, suture, etc.
✂️We grabbed extra supplies/instruments we thought she might want or need later on in the case, just in case she asked for them. We did, however, forget an extra pair of bowel graspers! 🤦
✂️Normally for these we wouldn’t use laparoscopic scissors so I didn’t grab any. I should have brought some in the room just in case. We did open a pair because she had to suture the jejunum up & used the knot pusher & needed lap. scissors to cut the suture at the end. It was cool to see, since I had never seen one done before. And it’s always intersting to see how every surgeon does it differently. I had not used laparoscopic needle drivers before, so that was interesting!! 😂

Laparoscopic Appendectomy – On Call

Our emergency Lap. Appy from our Holiday call. I finally had the chance to break out & get a good photo of one of these for my binder!! We don’t do them too often, but when we do it’s usually an emergency case.

I thought this would be a great opportunity to share my photos & some tips/tricks…

Week 14 as a CST

Total Knee – this was my first. My preceptor set it up & let me take things apart & put them back together. I watched her pass it. She was so amazing. I don’t know how I’ll get the hang of these!

9/17/22:
on call> Suction D&C

WEEK 14
9/18/22:
on call> ORIF L. Distal Lateral Femur (6:22am-11:30am) covid +

Week 13 as a CST

This week was a long week, but I think was still a really good week & I learned a lot! I’m communicating more with the doctors, I’m able to realize when a case isn’t pulled correctly, and communicate to SPD & have it fixed… I’m just working on knowing how many instrument sets we have & when we have a long line-up when I need to call & have them one trayed, etc. I’m working on that! I feel like I’ve come really far, though, since I started! I’m so proud of myself & everyone keeps complimenting me (my boss even emailed me that she has heard nothing but positive comments about me from others) & it feels so great!

Week 11 as a CST

This week was quite busy. Monday started with a sinus infection. Wednesday I had to call off to see the Dr. for meds. Friday all the cases were running long & we had a trauma come in. Everyone was scrambling. Our boss was roaming the halls in a panic trying to pull people from where she could. We all came together & helped out wherever we could.

Week 9 as a CST

With 2 months of orientation down, I’m feeling a lot more confident in the O.R. My communication is getting stronger each day. I’m more confident in setting up. I’m remembering previous cases & what they need next & am able to have most things ready before they ask for it. I’m conquering cords one day at a time! HA. We are getting there.

I was super nervous to start ortho but I think I’ve really been enjoying it. That mini c-arm gets me, though. I struggle to get it draped but am getting better each time.

Having a Rep is really nice because they help you find what you need! They open things up to you that the surgeon will need & they explain what to do with it, etc.

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.

Pre-Clinical. Week 14. Semester 5.

Hello!! I wanted to do a pre-clinical post.

Tomorrow is my final evaluation. So, I’m doing one last case & I’m done with clinical, for good!

I’m going to Rock Island, IL to do a Lap Chole in the morning.

I have NEVER scrubbed at this campus…

Clinical. Week 5. Semester 5.

My 2nd clinical site does DAVINCI robotic surgeries. These are not my favorite. I think a lot of people like them because they’re longer & you don’t have to do as much… I don’t know. I would prefer to do surgery the regular laparoscopic way or open. But we all prefer something different. I think one of the CONS of possibly getting a job at this hospital, for me, would be the robotic surgeries. It’s a lot to set up & having to drape the robot. Once the surgery is started it’s not so bad, but each hysterectomy took around 3 hours doing it with the robot! For me, it’s just super long & boring. I would rather do a bunch of smaller surgeries that keep me more involved.