Way out of my element

So, I started on the unit today. I wish that I could tell you that I got right in there and kicked some tail.

That's not how it happened.

I walked in at 7am with a nervous smile and donuts in my hand. (Hey, I will be the first to admit. I am NOT above bribery. Nurses love food. And if some sugar will make my new coworkers like me, it was worth the $7!)  I was greeted with a shocking experience... literally. A 74 year old man having a cardioversion. They put the patient to sleep, shocked his heart into a normal rhythm and his body lept off the bed. Sure, I've seen it on ER all the time, but never in a laboring patient! Welcome to cardiac nursing!!

After that, I saw another cardioversion, some hip repairs, an elbow wound drainage, a knee repair, a femur repair, and some shoulder repairs.

None of them needed their cervix checked.

I felt so out of my element all day. It felt just like when I was in nursing school and had no clue about all that was going on around me. I just stood there watching the other nurses and looking for ways to help and feel useful. But, I didn't even know how to use the fancy thermometers that they have, so I couldn't even take a temperature! Over the course of the day, I found out that I did know how to clean equipment, get ice and fax orders. So, I did those three things to the best of my ability! :) I also tried to spend time with the patients, reassuring them as they woke from their anesthesia. 

Once or twice today, I may have stood against the wall with my eyes as big as saucers. I may have said  multiple times that "I want to go back to the pregnant women". I may have almost passed out mid-morning from the stress of it all and have to sit down and eat juice and crackers. But if I did that, I would certainly never tell you. That would be really embarrassing.