Marcy Brabander - Region 9

Hello, my name is Marcy, and I am from Akron, OH. I am currently in my last week of my clinical rotation. Clinical rotation has taught me a lot about caring for patients and myself. It was also a lot different than I expected it to be. For one thing, I liked it a lot more than I thought I was going to, but on the other hand, it was a lot more challenging than I expected it to be. I enjoyed learning about the different diseases and seeing first-hand the impact nutrition has in treatment.

​Being in a hospital provided me with a greater understanding and appreciation for our hospital system and all the various aspects that go into patient care. I am not going to lie; it was daunting at first seeing patients. I was so nervous about making sure I asked patients the right questions and provided the appropriate care to them depending on those answers. However, after the first couple of weeks of seeing patients on my own, I gained a lot of confidence. I realized that I needed to stop being so nervous and to just take it all in. I am an intern, I do not know everything, and I am not expected to. By accepting that, I could shift my focus away from my anxiousness and redirect it to learning, not being afraid to ask questions, and saying yes to the opportunities available. I appreciate my preceptors for continuing to push me: pushing me to see one more patient than usual, pushing me to take on more difficult patients, pushing me to be more concise in my charting, pushing me to be better. Yes, it was tough at times and a little overwhelming, but it helped me become more comfortable and confident. It also helped to know that my preceptors were always there for me if I needed them.

As I finish my time at the hospital, it is bittersweet. I am sad to leave seeing/helping patients and the relationships built. However, I am excited to move on to the next rotation and the new experiences and learning opportunities it brings. I know now not to set expectations, keep an open mind, and not to forget to take care of myself. This is a time full of changes and growth. It can be hard and overwhelming, but little by little it gets done. Time goes by a lot faster than you think, don’t forget to enjoy it along the way.

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