(no subject)
Dear National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
(for those who don't know, I have designated NASA as my imaginary therapist)
I started working at a new hospital this week; St. Louis University (SLU) Hospital--a trauma one center and teaching hospital (means it has the most innovative stuff and see all kinds of blood and guts). It is by far the biggest hospital I've been at: eight xray rooms, three portables, twelve students, two student techs, thirty licensed techs!! So many people, I'm still learning names and seeing new faces. It's almost intimidating--I'm so glad I am a second year student. I know I have grown up a lot this year; I'm adjusting far better to unfamiliar things.
Cons: 1) It was terrible the first four hours of my first day--the tech in charge of me didn't have any papers prepared for my arrival as a new student, and constantly asked me if other techs/students have shown me around (no, they didn't; THAT'S YOUR JOB).
2) My ID barcode still won't work--I cause holdups in the parking garage trying to leave.
3) I hate parking garages; I can never remember where I park since they all look the same and its hard to see inside.
4) The patients that come in are actually really sick and banged up. Gone are the days of "Ow my back hurts but here I am walking just fine." Now, it is "OH GOD STOP THE PAIN JESUS HELP ME SAVE ME OH GOD"--if they can talk. Most of the time they are either sedated and bandaged up, but all of them are bruised and bleeding and generally fucked up. Now THAT is what is intimidating and frustrating; actually sick/hurt patients. I know I'm not experienced enough to help them. I want to learn more! I need to experience more! I want to help!
Pros: 1) I'm terribly thrilled that EVERYONE is so eager to teach me things. Teaching hospital aside, I don't even have to ask whoever I'm with; they're so quick to offer up information. A neuroradiologist spent a full half hour with me one-on-one explaining myelograms and reviewing spine work with me. I'm still dazzled, because neurorads have my utmost respect: they go to school for 15 years AFTER college, making them the smartest of the smart! So for him to go out of his way and teach a lowly little radiography student is soooo cool, I'm seeing stars *_*
2) I have been to film sites thus far, so I'm amazed at the differences and improvements SLU has by switching to digital radiology. People were right, it kind of does make you a lazier tech, but it helps by exposing the patient less to radiation!
3) The employees are beautiful. And since it's a teaching hospital, we have rad residents (baby docs)! I can't help but chuckle to myself every time a resident comes in to do a procedure. I have to stop myself from going up to them and asking "Now, what grade in high school are you in?" They're so young compared to the sites I've been to. I'm beginning to realize how much I have missed and value youth.
----
In other news, I have started a part-time job at Kmart. I'm not liking it. I need to keep it though while I search for a new job. On an application, can I leave out certain jobs I have worked?
A couple of techs at SLU have stressed the importance of getting a hospital job instead of Kmart (well duh). But, they made it seem like it was vital for me to work in a hospital for me to move on and be hired as an xray tech. So I'll be keepin' an eye out.
I wish Rudy Giuliani was still running for president. He'd have my vote. Mainly because of this.
And this concludes one hell of an update.
(for those who don't know, I have designated NASA as my imaginary therapist)
I started working at a new hospital this week; St. Louis University (SLU) Hospital--a trauma one center and teaching hospital (means it has the most innovative stuff and see all kinds of blood and guts). It is by far the biggest hospital I've been at: eight xray rooms, three portables, twelve students, two student techs, thirty licensed techs!! So many people, I'm still learning names and seeing new faces. It's almost intimidating--I'm so glad I am a second year student. I know I have grown up a lot this year; I'm adjusting far better to unfamiliar things.
Cons: 1) It was terrible the first four hours of my first day--the tech in charge of me didn't have any papers prepared for my arrival as a new student, and constantly asked me if other techs/students have shown me around (no, they didn't; THAT'S YOUR JOB).
2) My ID barcode still won't work--I cause holdups in the parking garage trying to leave.
3) I hate parking garages; I can never remember where I park since they all look the same and its hard to see inside.
4) The patients that come in are actually really sick and banged up. Gone are the days of "Ow my back hurts but here I am walking just fine." Now, it is "OH GOD STOP THE PAIN JESUS HELP ME SAVE ME OH GOD"--if they can talk. Most of the time they are either sedated and bandaged up, but all of them are bruised and bleeding and generally fucked up. Now THAT is what is intimidating and frustrating; actually sick/hurt patients. I know I'm not experienced enough to help them. I want to learn more! I need to experience more! I want to help!
Pros: 1) I'm terribly thrilled that EVERYONE is so eager to teach me things. Teaching hospital aside, I don't even have to ask whoever I'm with; they're so quick to offer up information. A neuroradiologist spent a full half hour with me one-on-one explaining myelograms and reviewing spine work with me. I'm still dazzled, because neurorads have my utmost respect: they go to school for 15 years AFTER college, making them the smartest of the smart! So for him to go out of his way and teach a lowly little radiography student is soooo cool, I'm seeing stars *_*
2) I have been to film sites thus far, so I'm amazed at the differences and improvements SLU has by switching to digital radiology. People were right, it kind of does make you a lazier tech, but it helps by exposing the patient less to radiation!
3) The employees are beautiful. And since it's a teaching hospital, we have rad residents (baby docs)! I can't help but chuckle to myself every time a resident comes in to do a procedure. I have to stop myself from going up to them and asking "Now, what grade in high school are you in?" They're so young compared to the sites I've been to. I'm beginning to realize how much I have missed and value youth.
----
In other news, I have started a part-time job at Kmart. I'm not liking it. I need to keep it though while I search for a new job. On an application, can I leave out certain jobs I have worked?
A couple of techs at SLU have stressed the importance of getting a hospital job instead of Kmart (well duh). But, they made it seem like it was vital for me to work in a hospital for me to move on and be hired as an xray tech. So I'll be keepin' an eye out.
I wish Rudy Giuliani was still running for president. He'd have my vote. Mainly because of this.
And this concludes one hell of an update.