Whoo! Where to start!?
I guess, the best and happiest thing that has happened . . .
I Finally SWITCHED PRECEPTORS!!!
My new preceptor's name is Blake, and I couldn't be more excited to go to work every day! Man, it is a night and day difference! Pretty much, he tells me every day that the truck is mine, and that I am to take it over. There have been several calls where he hasn't even put gloves on. One patient didn't even know he was in the ambulance with us! Cause he lets me do everything! It rocks! And, if I have a question, we talk about it right then and there, and he makes sure that everyone is comfortable and that things are going smoothly. But, somehow, he always still knows exactly what is going on, and he gives me immediate feed back, and whenever I feel like I really messed up, or I just fell a little short, he always turns it right back around, makes me analyze it in a different light and makes me feel better about the situation. And sometimes I do get the 'okay, what happened there'? look. But, then get the 'alright, let's work on this part, and go get us another one!' chat.
But, what's funny is, I mess up and get jumbled on the patients that are just fine. And basically using us as a glorified taxi service . . . "Ok, so why are we here today? What's different that made you call the ambulance?" Those ones confuse me like crazy! But then, I'll have the patient that's on the ground, not breathing, and know exactly what to do! Tell everyone exactly what they need to be doing, and take complete control of everything that is going on. So . . . I am doing great! All of my evaluations are very positive and I feel like I am deserving the high scores that I am getting! So, pretty sure, I am gonna pass the internship! And, I only have 4 more shifts left. Which, is such a bitter sweet! I am so excited to get home and see my family! But, I am going to miss the people that I have come to love out here, and that have helped me become even more of what I need to be. But, it is time, I have learned way more than I ever thought possible, and am so excited about everything that is going on!
Let's see, I had a 56 year old drunk patient this week where the conversation went a little something like this: And Blake just laughed the entire time, I had to laugh along to, because, this conversation got repeated 3 TIMES!!
Little background first though, set the scene. Very run down home, no siding, just plywood, all windows boarded off, foundation showing about 3 feet above ground from the dirt being washed away around it, garbage everywhere. The only food, grapefruit peels. The man hasn't eaten in 3 days, wants a sandwich (reason for the trip to the hospital) and has been drinking everything he can get his hands on; besides water. He has to be the one to close his gate, it takes him a good 5 minutes, cause he can hardly stand up straight from being inebriated. And, when we get him to the ambulance, he put his hands on the hood of the truck, like he was getting arrested. Baha! So, he obviously knows the drill. We get him in the back of the ambulance, I ask him to sit down and lean back, and he gives me the most bone-chilling glare I have ever received from a drunk man. So, I say 'please'. And get the response "I don't like you" and the conversation proceeds something like this:
"You look way to young to be doing this! Do you even know what you're doing?"
(as I'm holding a needle to his arm) bahah!
"How old are you?"
"I'm 20"
"Yep! you're definitely to young! What do you get paid!?"
"I don't get paid, I'm a student" (now up to this point, We've been in the ambulance about 5 minutes. I have been asking questions, finding out a bit of history, and I was still getting the evil eye from him, and I thought I was seriously about to get smacked, but, something about this time, softened his heart)
"You need to find a different job! They're not payin you enough! You're way to nice."
Still a very inquisitive look. He was in awe that I wasn't getting paid, and that I would put up with this sort of stuff, and actually want to make it my profession.
"Are you married?"
"Nope, I'm to young remember?"
"You're not married!??! . . . .
"Well, are yah gay?"
we all chuckle at that one.
"No."
(inquisitive stare down to see if I was lyin)
Well, do you wanna be married!?"
"Eventually, one day, yes."
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"Nope."
(Which I prolly should have said yes at this point)
"Well, why not?"
"I dunno, I just don't"
"Well, you sure are purty!"
"Well, Thank you."
"Don't say thank you! You're way to nice!"
"What am I supposed to say?"
"Well . . . I dunno! Nothin I guess!"
"Humphhg! . . . Well . . . Do ya wanna Get Married?"
"No."
Throughout the 30 minute transport, we had a lot of good laughs, and I didn't feel to threatened. I made him cry at one point and then he asked me to marry him again, then he would tell me to find someone really nice and get married, that I am going to be a great wife, and that I really need to find a different job. He even made a couple comments such as "I'm old enough to be your father!" and "I have a son that is 23, but you're not meetin him!" how funny of a call this really was. And told me to go into the army, and then told me that I needed to get some food. Because he asked me if I had a sandwich, and i told him i didn't, and he said, are you lying? and I told him I wasn't, cause if I did, I'd be eaten the other half. So, needless to say, got him to the hospital. Had some good laughs, and he placed an order for a sandwich the second we got there. And then we told him that the nurse that was taking care of him now, does have a wedding ring on, so she's taken. Haha! He chuckled. Then pointed his finger at me and told me "get married", then we left.
So, life is pretty stinking funny!
And my preceptor is stinkin awesome!! We have way to much fun! And he is way to smart for his own good! And he asks me the most ridiculous questions, that I go and ask the nurses, and they don't even know. He won't tell me what the answer is, ever, until he knows I have chewed it over a good 20 times in my brain. So, we definitely learn a ton, and we definitely have a lot of fun! And, the best part is, he treats his patients like they are actual human beings! He will let us stay on scene for about 2 hours, if all the patient needs is someone to chat with. And we have. Too much fun! I love it! And he freaking rocks!
I have one week left here. And I am going to miss it . . . a lot. But, I have learned so much! And have definitely made my stay here worth it. I am very excited to see my family, to finish up schooling; I am graduating from BYU, Idaho in July. And I'm really excited to see where the wind blows me from there.
