We're half-way done!
I can't believe I've just finished week 5 of CPE. It's been a crazy summer so far, with lots of ups and and several downs, but I think the hardest part is behind me. You know, the "Oh no, I have no idea where I am or how to find my way around this hospital or what to say to this patient, and I feel like I'm in the way of the nursing staff" part. Here's my list of how I know things are getting better...
1-I haven't gotten lost on the way to the cafeteria in almost a month.
2-I can identify that frightened look in a patient's eyes, when THEY'RE trying to find their way to the cafeteria!
3-Once I see a lost person, I can usually help them find where they're trying to go.
4-I can suit up into the apron-gloves-mask combo for contact precautions in less than 10 minutes.
5-I can help a patient order lunch from their room. (Think roomservice...)
6-I've learned that if a nurse asks me if MRSA freaks me out, they're referring to the bacteria, not some person named Marissa.
7-I'm able to communicate to nervous patients that they don't need to be dying in order to get a visit from me: I can do more than "Last Rites."
8-I don't feel like I'm cheating when I use the "Clergy" parking pass to park at the hospital.
9-I spend more time charting my patients than trying to remember my passwords to get into the charting programs.
And....
10-The lunch lady doesn't give me the 3rd degree before giving me my free "Chaplain coffee."

So you see, there is hope! Good luck to all my other CPE friends out there. See ya in August!