We started the morning in a simulation ambulance (a simbulance), and that was one of my favorite parts of the day. It gave me a chance to see what emergency care could feel like and what skills I would need to go into that field. We were able to explore what the inside of an ambulance looked like, including cameras that record the inside of the vehicle in case the patient tries to accuse the paramedic of malpractice. Walking through and talking about the work that they do made me realize how important communication is and that every second matters when it comes to saving a life. We learned about the different types of ambulances that can be dispatched depending on the emergency. It was cool to see how organized the systems have to be in order to be efficient. For example, there are different emergency bags that paramedics have to grab depending on the situation at hand. There could be bags for babies, children, or pregnant women. It reminded me that in healthcare, we as nurses have to be prepared for any kind of moment and work as a team to accomplish the tasks.
After that, we worked on bandaging and wound care skills. That was one of the moments where I felt the most like a nursing student. We learned the proper way to clean and dress the wounds. I honestly did not realize how complex and sterile the process had to be. We learned that there can be medical maggots used to help wounds heal by removing dead tissue and preventing infection. The maggots are in a block in a gauze bag that is placed inside the wound, and then they secrete enzymes that digest the material (no “eating” actually occurs). It made me think about how quickly I am to judge certain treatment options, but sometimes the ones that sound strange are actually very useful and have an important purpose.
We then had lunch, which was needed after a busy morning. As we were passing the coffee shop, the lady gave me a free matcha that someone had ordered and never picked up, which was a highlight of my day. Lunch at the university has been a good time for us to unpack and talk about what we learned that morning and get to know each other a little better.
After lunch, we learned about catheters and NG tubes, which were a little more intimidating than the wounds. Watching the demonstration videos of the male and female catheter process made me realize how many steps are involved and how carefully it needs to be done. Our instructor made sure to emphasize that we needed to follow the steps exactly, or there would be big consequences. She described that during a catheter insertion, it is important to have another nurse in the room so that if something were to happen, they could vouch for you. These are procedures that can feel very vulnerable or uncomfortable for the patient, so providing compassionate and trustworthy care is extra important. As nurses, our technical skills are important like our instructor talked about with the law behind malpractice for patients. But the emotional side of nursing is just as important, where you can make someone feel safe while receiving care.
Later that day, we did a historical ghost tour of Birmingham, which was a fun way to end our day. It was interesting to hear the stories about the city’s past in a more humorous way. We walked through some of the areas that we have already spent time in this week, but I gained a whole new perspective while on the tour. The tour was able to mix the history and storytelling very well, and it made Birmingham come alive for me. This trip is not just about healthcare but also the culture and history that tie the people together.
Overall, today was able to remind me that healthcare is a combination of technical and personal attributes. There are skills and procedures that you have to learn and practice, but also a human side to everything we do. Whether it was practicing the bandaging on someone’s ankle or learning how to insert a feeding tube, we have to remember we are preparing to care for real people. Days like today make me even more excited for the future and how I am going to be able to learn and practice everyday.