I’ve finally started my summer job.

So far I’ve had one loooong, boring day of orientation and three days of training. I’ve had a drug test, a TB skin test, and an MMR test. Yes, they really make sure you aren’t trying to bring any more disease into a hospital than there already is.

My first day actually working: “Knock, knock….It’s Dietary.”

That’s what I said…all day...as I wandered around the hospital, peeking into patients’ rooms and asking them:
“…a few quick questions for the dietitian.”

Apparently the position that was described to me last month as “Well…you’ll be delivering some meals, maybe talking to the patients…you know…” (yes, great description), is actually more like “Well, you’ll be walking into the patient’s rooms all morning, and then finishing the ones you missed in the afternoon, and taking call-in meal orders, and working with our computer system.” That would have been a MUCH more accurate description. In fact, it would have been right on the dot.

It has been so long since I’ve been in a hospital.  Due to the fact that a family member of mine works there, some assume I’m familiar with the building, Wrong. It’s not exactly the type of place you meet up for a family dinner or a night out. In fact, the last time I was there was in high school, to visit a friend. Ehhhh, long story.

Anyway! Where was I? Oh, patients’ rooms? Walking in. Uninvited, and mostly likely very unwanted. In all honesty, I just felt like I am invading their space. They are sick, they have doctors and nurses in and out, they have nothing to do in that little room all day but lay there and maybe watch some TV here and there, or chat with some family.  Oh, if it were me….my attention span would battle me to my death.

On top of everything else, they are sick. They are vulnerable and exposed. And here I come, waltzing in like it’s nothing and asking a few questions. I realize this is completely harmless, and they likely think nothing of it, but it just feels weird. By the end of the first day I was a little more desensitized. Good thing, because I have to do it again, every day.

All right, on another note, there are some pretty cool people hangin’ out in those rooms. I met one Korean lady, who at first seemed so fragile and ill, but as she woke up a little bit and answered some questions I found out something pretty cool…..she shares a birthday with me. And she was born in 1931.

And one guy said that he was so impressed by the hospital food and service he’d rather just come live here and eat all day. (Possibly a bit of a stretch, but we’ll take it buddy!)

Posted by Claudia Allen at 06/10/2008 03:27:20 PM |