Williamsport Hospital School of Nursing - Oak Yearbook (Williamsport, PA)

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Scared to death! That ' s what I was. My next stop was the Operating Room, one of the most dramatic places in the hospital, where each precise moment may mean the difference between life and death. Everything about it is unusual; the work, the atmosphere, even the attire, of white turban, green scrub dress, and insulated shoes which must be worn because of explosive anaesthesia. Mv first dutv as part of the surgical team was that of circulating. I was responsible for putting the patient into position, adjusting the lights, and keeping the scrub nurse and doctor supplied with neces- sarv materials during the operation. From circulating 1 advanced a little farther. With a capable instructor, I was taught to put into practice the procedures I had 20

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You see . . . this was my first specialty and since 1 had just received mv first stripe, I was feeling quite proud of myself. However, 1 was terrified at the thought of cooking breakfast for fifty patients, for I had had no previous ex perience in cooking. With mv first stripe feeling smaller and less significant by this time, I started on my first assignment. I soon learned from the dietitian in charge, that, ol all the special diets: gall bladder, low salt, bland, sippy, low residue, etc., the student ' s main responsibilitv was for the diabetic trays. Mv work consisted of getting the trays ready to serve, preparing salads and desserts, serving the food and, of course, washing the dishes. Although I worked hard, 1 also had fun . . . much to the dis- ma) of the dietitians. Some of mv misfortunes included hard boiling the soft-cooked eggs; scalding myself with coffee; getting caught with a milk-shake in mv hand; and finding myself locked in the food freezer! At the end of the four weeks I must have looked as if I needed a change because I was sent to mv next specialty . . . Central Supply. To mv delight, I found it was a place where I could work while lis- tening to the radio, just like home. While in Central, I learned to appreciate the many tasks performed to provide the entire hospital with sterile supplies. Little had 1 realized the intricate preparation required to provide the sterile equipment I used to take for granted. STUDENT GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Seated, Left to Right- Patricia Gentry, President; Arlene Quimbv, First Vice-President; Mary E. Meyers, Faculty Adviser; Eloise Mattem, Secretary; Emily Reynolds, Treasurer. Standing— Catherine McCaleb, Roberta Woods, Gloria Zuchowski, Bette Vll, Charlene Hart, Sen. ml Vice-President; Elaine Justice, Beverly Schriner. 19

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learned in the classroom. As a scrub nurse, I was expected to be the doctor ' s right hand man ' ' in preparing the suture, passing the correct instruments, and trying my best to anticipate the surgeon ' s needs. Then the long awaited dav came ... I was ready to be on my own as scrub nurse. I was expected to use my own initiative in doing everything within my power to make the operation a success. I [ere for the first time, I had the feeling of being needed by the surgeon and of being a truly important part of the surgical team. Last but not least were the two other duties which concluded my two months in the O. R. . . . night duty, where I set up the cases for the next day; and the recovery room, where immediate post- operative care is given. Scared? Yes I was, but I knew when I left that I had gained a valuable experience, through theory and practice as an O. R. nurse. Having my second stripe, I found myself spending time, between specialties, on the north and south floors. My responsibili- ties had increased and I was expected to take complete charge of a ward, pass medications, assist doctors, change dressings, and see that all treatments were done properly. The new probie class had arrived in September and I now felt that 1 had gained another step toward my goal. It seemed years since I was first a probie . It was wonderful to have onl two classes a da and two nights ol stuck a week. Some of ni subjects were: Pediatrics, Obstetrics, 4uaaflH,6 IS+tfUE 21