Escondido, California

This semester I have had the opportunity to be in the intensive care unit, telemetry, interventional radiology/cath lab, and trauma step-down unit. The ratio number of patients varies depending on the unit. I have been able to see and apply what I have learned in class. This semester we focus on critical care and I am thoroughly enjoying both lecture and clinical.

San Diego, California

For this clinical rotation I had the opportunity to be at the psychiatric unit at Balboa Naval Medical Center. This was a very different experience than what I am used to because this type of nursing requires different kinds of skills. We learned how to use therapeutic communication and the different kinds of therapeutic methods. We learned how to perform mental status exams on clients. I got to see clients with a variety of mental health problems like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, personality disorder, adjustment disorder, PTSD, and depression. I was able to participate in the different therapy groups. I also was able to attend the treatment teams for my clients where the psychiatrists and social workers were present to develop a plan of care for the clients.

Escondido, California

This semester I had the opportunity to be at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido. The majority of the time we were on 4 East which is a medical surgical floor. The ratio is 1 nurse to 5 patients. During this rotation I started by assuming care of one patient and then two, and towards the end I took total care of three patients. I was able to practice many skills and sharpen my assessment skills. I was able to learn how to chart using Cerner. I was able to place a foley catheter and attempt a few IV insertions. I was able to administer medications via multiple routes. I was able to care for patients of different ages and with a variety of conditions. I was able to spend a day in the intensive care unit where I helped take care of two intubated patients. I was able to see how they did spontaneous breathing trials (SBT) for both patients to see if they were ready to be extubated. I did get to see one of the patient's get extubated but he required biPap afterwards. I was able to administer medications via an NG and G-tube. In the ICU I was able to learn a lot about the pathophysiology of certain conditions and I also was really encouraged to critically think. I also got to spend a day in the emergency department. The majority of the day I was able to be with the cardiac/float nurse who is the one that responds to all the high acuity patients. I was able to help run multiple stroke codes and a STEMI. I also got a spend a small amount of time with the nurse in the radio room and was able to see her run multiple high acuity calls. I really enjoyed my time and experience at this hospital and I had a great clinical instructor who helped prepare me to be a great nurse.

San Diego, California

I had the opportunity to be at Kaiser SDMC for my pediatric and OB rotation. I was able to experience multiple aspects of obstetrics. I was able to be in the labor and delivery unit and help take care of high risk pregnant patients. I learned how to read the electronic fetal monitoring and how to identify problems and complications during labor. I was able to care for a patient who had pre-eclampsia and had to be on a magnesium sulfate drip. I was able to witness a vaginal birth on a high risk patient who had a history of post-partum hemorrhage. I was able to do a full newborn assessment including the APGAR sore. I also had the opportunity to work in the postpartum unit and care for mothers and their newborn babies. I also had the opportunity to work in the pediatric unit. I helped care for kids of various ages. I learned how to care for a chest tube on a pediatric patient and witnessed a blood transfusion on this same patient. I also had a very interesting case of a 10 year old boy who had periorbital cellulitis and required the intervention of multiple specialists like ENT, infectious disease, plastic surgery etc. Overall, I had a great clinical experience and really enjoyed this rotation.

Oceanside, California

I am currently doing clinical at Tri-city Medical Center. So far I have only been on the Med-Surg floor. I have been able to head-to-toe assessments, administer medications via all routes, help with wound dressing changes, and vital signs. I have been able to care for multiple patients who are Spanish speaking only. I am fluent in Spanish and I am a Spanish medical interpreter at the hospital where I work. In the coming weeks, I will have the opportunity to have a shift in the operating room and with the wound care nurse.

San Diego, California

I did my first clinical rotation at Balboa Naval Medical Center. I had the opportunity to work in the ED, ICU, and Med-Surg units. During my shifts I was able to work along with the nurses and corpsmen and care for multiple patients. I practiced doing head-to-toe assessments and was able to administer medications. I was able to assist a nurse with administering medications via a g-tube. I did blood sugar checks and administered insulin as needed. I also took vitals and put patients on the cardiac monitor. During my shift in the ICU I took care of a patient who had a subarachnoid hemorrhage and I learned and practiced doing neuro checks. I also used the pupilometer to get precise measurements of my patient's pupils. I had a great time during at Balboa Naval Medical Center.