PCS Dream list

HRC finally contacted me yesterday! My branch manager asked me for my dream list from her list. Here's mine:

1. 212th CSH - 3 Year assignment (Germany baby!)
2. Fort Lewis- 47th CSH (I can get my deployment patch)
3. West Point, New York (it's an hour away from New York. Bu-yah.)
4. Ft. Irwin, CA - (really don't want)
5. Ft. Benning, GA (really really don't want)

If I were to PCS in 2012 my top 5 duty locations would be:
1. 121 Brian Allgood Com Hosp, Korea
2. 212th CSH
3. Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany
4. Fort Carson, Colorado (Would love to snowboard out there)
5. Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington (JBLM - Formerly Fort Lewis)

The 47th CSH is asking for immediate fills so I figure I'll be going there rather than Germany. I'm really salty that Korea isn't an option. I had a buddy of mine in Korea tell me that slots for the hospital have been filled up and that they don't need any more personnel. I'm like, wah?! Korea doesn't need any more medical personnel?! Outrageous. Unheard of. Those are the same reactions I've been getting from my command when I tell them about Korea. They are more confused than I am.

I've been praying for God's will for me in my career in the Army. I'm also thinking about things I want to do if I get out. We'll see what happens. Either way I'm starting to become more hopeful about the future.

Surgical ward to PACU - part 2

I'm still currently on orientation to PACU but I've seen and learned a lot during my first week.

PACU's role in the care of the patient is important after surgery. Patients can have different reactions to anesthesia intraoperatively and post-operatively. The PACU nurse is responsible for maintaining the patient's ABCs, obtaining a tolerable pain level, and control any nausea/vomiting. Also it's important to look out for any post-operative complications such as excessive bleeding and notify the surgeron across the hall.

The flow of the PACU is dependant on the flow of the operating rooms. When OR cases start finishing up they notify our charge nurse of the time the case has finished. The PACU charge nurse can prepare the staff for the arrival of the next patient. When that patient arrives it's important to look at the patient (assess ABCs) then attach the patient to the vital sign monitors. Report is given by the nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist at the bedside. From here care of the patient is performed by the PACU nurse.

I'm told that if there are any pain or nausea/vomiting issues the nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist is responsible for giving orders. If patient decides to go south the nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist is across the hall and comes immediately. When I was on the surgical floor it was difficult during the day to obtain orders pertinent to my patients because the surgeons were in the OR. In the PACU I have almost instant access to them.

Patients have different reactions to anesthesia. I've had a couple of humrous cases. I had a patient that was coming to when he stated that he needed to go to the party, the Kid Rock party. He said that the staff were invited to come as well. Later on the patient said he had the coolest dream being at Kid Rock's party and that the staff was there. I've got a feeling I'll be seeing a lot of these reactions frequently throughout the week.

My experience in the PACU so far has been a great learning experience. I do miss working 12hour shifts. I just can't seem to get my body to wake up Monday to Friday for work. I've been working shift work for the past 2-3 years and that's all I know. My body was dying at day 3 last week.

More anesthesia reaction stories to come...

P.S. Here's a photo from my farewell at Joe's Crab Shack by 2N. Ms. Murray was another nurse that left 2N to be the head nurse of the ortho clinic. I'll miss the crazy times we had.

Surgical ward to PACU

I transfered to the PACU last week from being on the surgical floor for a year and two months. It's interesting to see what happens to patients prior to them coming to me on the surgical floor. I've always wondered why my patients are always nauseated and in pain prior to them coming to the floor. Now I know.

I've got photos from my farewell and more thoughts about PACU coming to a post later this week.

P.S. I'm glad the Army has gone back to patrol caps. I hate wearing my beret.