One Students clinical experience observation at CFMH
Below is an observation that was shared with us at CFMH by a student nurse who was completing her clinicals in the Emergency Department. This note from her is such a fantastic testament to the kind, professional and compassionate care that is provided here at CFMH.
This note serves as an example to the importance of preparing those who are working towards a career in healthcare and also serves as a reminder of just how significant our interactions can be around others. Thank you CFMH ED for showing your kindness, compassion and professionalism....thank you for showing this student that she has chosen a great career path, thank you for showing her that there is skill in kindness.
Student note:
"The Carilion Franklin Emergency Department provided a positive and educational clinical experience for me. All of the nurses that I worked with were kind and compassionate towards their patients, each other, and myself. The charge nurse on this shift was constantly offering help to the nurses and was kind when people asked her for help or asked her questions. One of the most memorable things about this experience was when the charge nurse handed out tiny potato key chains to her staff. They came with a note that said, “Emotional Support Potato: I may be a tiny potato, but I believe in you. Go do your thing. Tiny potato has your back whenever you need a pick-me-up.” She included me when she handed them out and told me where to put it on my badge to help get me through nursing school. The physicians were also kind to the nurses and the patients and encouraged me to ask them questions.
It is a small department with only 12 beds. However, at one point while I was there, they were treating about 50 patients at one time. They did this by opening a room for “fast track” care that could hold about 10 patients and treating patients in the waiting room. The patients in the waiting room could be given an IV, given medications (unless the medication was high risk and required a monitor), lab work could be obtained, taken to get CTs and other scans, assessed by the nurse and physician, and discharged after treatment. Basically, all acuities that were 4 or 5 got treated in the waiting room, acuity 3 patients were treated in the fast track or waiting room, and acuity 2 or 1 patients were treated in an actual ER room. For all of these patients to be triaged, treated, and discharged or admitted in a safe and efficient manner, the pace was very fast in this environment.
This clinical contributed to my professional development by showing me how an ER can be when all of the nurses remain calm and show compassion no matter how hectic the unit may be. All of the nurses on this unit did that and not only was it a great work environment but it was also better for the patients. Out of all the patients I met during my shift only one was rude or confrontational with the nurses and that patient was altered due to drug use. The kindness that the nurses showed to the patients made a huge difference in how the patients interacted with them and calmed patients in life threatening situations. I need to work on my facial expressions as a nurse. When I am concentrating or critically thinking my face can appear angry or unfriendly when I am not trying to portray that.
Overall, I really enjoyed my clinical experience at Carilion Franklin Emergency Department. I want to be able to hold on to the level of kindness and compassion the nurses there have in the most stressful situations. It really showed me how a nursing unit can be when everyone has respect and shows kindness to everyone around them. When I graduate nursing school and look for where I want to begin my career, I am going to look for a unit that provides competent and compassionate care the way this one does.
