Stack what?!

Sweet Moses. . Today was by far the most challenging clinic session that I've had-- I strapped on my big kid shoes and went to work.  We learned the Patient, Operator and Light Positioning PE today, and learned how to use the mirror/instruments.  It was so hard for me to get used to the different "clock positions" and how to hold the instruments correctly.  We learned that your hand/fingers should be. .  "stacked". . ??  Growing up on a farm, I thought only hay bales could be stacked!!  Lesson learned, your fingers can be too!  My pinky was having a party anywhere and everywhere, (totally ignoring the stacking rule), and my fulcrum was a wee-bit shaky to begin with.  (You'd think after playing the piano for 12 years my fingers would be strong and able to do what I told them to. . this is a different kind of muscle memory I suppose!)  However, it was fun to dive into our typodont's mouth and get used to the different ways of instrumenting.  Luckily, my "patient" came home with me today and has given me the permission to work on him/her (I haven't decided yet) for the next.....while.  :)  I can't wait until I feel very certain about what I'm supposed to do with this and where I'm supposed to be with that. . patience is a virtue!   Confidence came back when I successfully passed off the Set-up and Take-down of our unit PE at the end of our clinic session-- praise the land!  Well folks, this is what has been happenin' in hygiene. . . cheers!

Set it up, take it down. . .

Clinic was a riot today.  It totally felt like a Monday, but then got better as the day went on.  I absolutely love the people in my pod, we all mesh well together, (heaven forbid your shoes be made of such a thing!  That's one thing I've learned so far!) We were able to pass off our PPE process evaluation (which went well), and learn the new PE's that consisted of the setting-up and tearing-down of our unit.  We also had the pleasure of practicing on our partner, using the A/W syringe and different forms of suction.  It was nice to be able to learn what methods work better than others, and how to position your hands to make it more effective.  I really enjoyed using the Blue Boa, and I feel like I need a lot more experience using the HVE, because sometimes I sucked the life out of my partner's cheek.  Oops!  I love, however, that we are already getting "hands-on" experience, and learning for ourselves how to perform proper procedures.  Radiology lab went well today, and I was overall thrilled with my BWX.  I need to familiarize myself with some terms a little bit more, but overall, today was a successful [long] day!          

Mask, eyewear, THEN glove :)

Today was such a blast in clinic- I always go into it not knowing what to expect, and it always turns out great!  Today, we were introduced to the inventor [a former Weber State DH grad] of the Blue Boa, how legit is that?!  It is such a great tool to help make a hygienist's life easier-- we were able to experiment with it using our typodont and also get a feel for the A/W syringe.  Our TA was Michelle, who was SUPER awesome and she helped out so much.  She is a very confident, beautiful girl and I could tell she works super hard and is very successful.  We were able to pass of our first PE today, and that ran smoothly.  We also learned our upcoming PE, which involves appropriate clinic attire, hand washing, eyewear, and mask use.  However, I just listed those all [backward] when comparing it to how it really should be done-- Mask, eyewear, and THEN glove yourself.  That's the key folks, that's the key!  Over and out. . .

Day One:

Today was my first day of Clinic and Radiology Lab. . . I felt like I was in preschool again, nervous and excited and not knowing what to expect.  However, it turned out to be a great day!  We all got settled in our "pods" this morning and learned how to use the Eaglesoft program.  It was fun familiarizing myself with my surroundings and getting to know the others in the program!  What a great group we have!  I feel so comfortable with everyone and the instructors and classmates are so helpful.  Today made for a long day, because after Clinic, I had Radiology Lab which went very smooth.  We learned about different x-rays and got familiar with the Radiology Lab area. . Although I am exhausted, today was very reassuring that everything will be okay, and to take it one day at a time!  I know we are all going to work hard and have fun!  I can't wait to learn more!

It's Happening!

Yes, It's true . . Hygiene information overload has hit me hard in the face, but I'm still smiling.