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

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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

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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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E. E. N. T., and Dermatology . . . accompanied bv another inter- esting course in Orthopaedics where the two stripers were taught to be observant. I also had rav first chance to see the real delivery of a baby and to attend our pre-natal clinic. Care studies, which were detailed descriptions of a particular patient and disease, took much concentrated time and effort. During my three years, six of these studies were written. While in my Intermediate year, I started mv fourth specialty . . . Obstetrics. This included floor duty, nursery, labor and deliv- ery and my second seige of night duty. My first impression of Obstetrics was through the observation windows of the delivery room as a new-born baby was arriving. In the labor and delivery suite, I spent four weeks observing patients in labor, assisting with deliveries and doing general clean-up. To help with the birth of a baby gave me a feeling of warmth and satisfaction, for I was helping with the miracle of life itself. I also spent four weeks caring for the post-partum patient. This included observing the new mothers until they were discharged. Again I spent time in O. B. clinic assisting the doctor while examining patients, taking necessary information, and helping to educate the expectant mother. Mv last four weeks were spent in the nursery, fully caring for the newborn babies, feeding the premies and teaching the mothers to care for their new babies. O. B. was a specialty which would benefit any girl, be she nurse or mother. 22