A new semester means finally getting to experience what I applied to Health Science Clinical for: working in the hospitals.
Over the next few months, our class will be rotating six hospitals across Frisco and Plano. What surprised me is that within each hospital, we’ll rotate through various departments, experiencing something new every day. To capture my journey, I’ve decided to document my thoughts and feelings about each department and see how my initial impressions compare to my experiences by the end of the semester.
I’m most excited for the emergency department (ED). The ED, formally known as the emergency room (ER) is where all the ambulances and other critical patients come to receive immediate medical attention. I’ve always loved a fast paced environment where I get to experience new conditions every day which is why a career in emergency medicine appeals to me. However, as a student, it is important to be assertive to get to watch these unique procedures as oftentimes the physicians may forget to involve you in the middle of these fast-paced situations.
I’m also excited for the women’s health department which focuses on postpartum (after birth) recovery. Since this is a more specialized area of care, I haven’t been exposed to it from the perspective of a healthcare provider before which is why I’m excited for this new learning experience. Also, I have the potential to be able to see births and cute babies!
The last department I’m looking forward to is the orthopedic department which only one of the hospitals we are rotating at offers. This is also another potential career choice I am leaning towards. While I have been exposed to this field a lot outside of the United States, I am excited to see how orthopedic physician practices may vary in the United States.
Even though these are the three departments I am currently most interested in, I am making sure to keep an open mind as I explore the different areas of care. After all, I may come out of this semester with new interests within healthcare.
