Tools of the Trade

"Do you wanna hear my latest conspiracy theory?"

It's 2230 pm and I'm in the middle of a 1600-0400 shift when my nurse turns to me and asks me this question. I cannot help but smile, not because I am as into her conspiracies as she would like, but because she and I are close. When you work as long of hours as often as we do in the medical field, you become close. The colleague you simply talked boy talk with in the beginning suddenly becomes your sister, the nurse who answered all of your questions from how to cook certain meals to how to draw blood becomes your mentor and the doctors become your brothers. You become a family, and you learn to love them, crazy as they may be.

For those of you who keep up with my blog, you have come to understand that working in medicine is a roller-coaster ride unlike any other. However, tonight I have time to sit back and look around me, to study the tools of my trade. The things that make us the professionals we are.

My scrub pockets are loaded down with various items, I have sticky notes in my back pocket, pens in both front pockets and in my side pocket on my thigh I have a pair of trauma shears, two markers, a highlighter and more pens. In my chest pocket I have the patent's information, as well as any other odds and ends I may have picked up while in a patients room. Hung around my neck is my stethoscope, the same old tool I have used since I was in CNA school, almost 5 years ago now.

Scattered around the desk behind me is more tools. Medicine cups, gloves, gauze, adhesives and lots of medical tape. Our center focuses on Ortho, on bones, on muscles, on joints, so the tape ranges anything from scotch tape, so simple IV tape, silk and so many more. It seems as if all the doctors do in our unit is ace wraps and tape, but its effective, so we keep it on hand. Needles are hidden in the cupboard above, and all ranges and sizes of them, from the butterfly's (25 g) to the regular 18 gauge needles. Oddly enough, ultrasound gel is also placed in the same cupboard, but not for pregnancy as many would assume, but for anesthesiology (to help place nerve blocks).

In almost every unit of the hospital we give patients the basic essentials to help them feel more comfortable during their stay, however, they may not always like these items. Usually this includes a big basin, a kidney basin, a kleenex box, lotion, baby powder, comb, toothbrush and toothpaste, socks, a water mug and an incentives spirometer. These are also stored nearby and some of these things are simple needs with understandable explainations, but as I study these tools I smile as I come to the incentives spirometer. Its the simplest of any tool you will come across in the hospital, designed like a game, and has so many purposes to help you with your health. Who would think that this tool (pictured left) would help you with your pain management, let alone assisting your body in preventing blood clots?

My job has become a family business. I take care of the basic needs and odds and ends, while my sisters have become pro's in medication administration, IV acess and treatment needs. They take care of the wound care, and I'll assist. In the family business we make things work, and for the best, because our patients live, and while their in our care, usually are extremely happy.

I call that one hell of a job well done.