Who Knew I Would Like Acute Care?

For the last 8 weeks, this is where my second home has been.

My last internship at the University of Utah in Acute Care.

4 days a week. 7AM - 5PM. Orem to Salt Lake City.

For the first half, I was taking the bus every day, because "someone" told me it was a great idea. That bus took 1.5 hours in the morning and 2.5 hours in the evening. I sat next to strangers who thought I wanted to talk with them. I got no sleep on the bus. I did no studying on the bus (car sick). And best of all, by the time I got home, IF I went to bed right away, I MIGHT get 8 hours of sleep.

For the last half, I was SO HAPPY to drive instead. The downside was: from our place to the hospital was almost exactly a 90 mile round trip. I literally watched the needle go down by a quarter tank every day. But that was 90 miles of blasting my music, NOT talking to strangers, and being in control of what time I got there and what time I left.

Was it all worth it? Absolutely. Having this internship at the University of Utah Hospital was the best thing for my future career, whether I work there or not. I gained valuable experience, confidence, and a sense of what it takes to heal someone. There are things you learn in a hospital you just can't teach in the classroom. I worked with some outstanding coworkers, met some amazing patients, and somehow escaped without getting thrown up on, pooped on, or peed on. Ok, I did get peed on, but not directly.

All in all, I'm thankful for the opportunity, but man am I glad that's over!