Hi there! My name is Bre Thomas, and I am a distance intern from Littleton, Colorado. I remember, prior to orientation being SO nervous for this journey. As I stop to think about my experiences thus far, I am in shock by all that I have accomplished in such a short amount of time!
I started my rotations in patient services at Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree, Colorado. I had plenty of experience working as a diet tech at this hospital, but to see operations from a different point of view was so interesting to me. After my patient services rotation, I completed clinical management. During this rotation I was able to see how management from every department in the hospital works toward providing the best care for our patients.
Now, with basic clinical already behind me, here I am in my intermediate rotation! I have enjoyed my clinicals the most out of the rotations I have completed thus far. Each day brings something completely new, and I am amazed at how much I learn with each new patient I see. Each case is so unique, and I am able to build my clinical confidence day by day. I am making connections between disease states, lab values, medications, and of course nutrition recommendations. I finally feel like everything I have learned up to this point is coming full circle. My favorite part of my clinical rotation is watching a patient’s progress from admit to discharge. It is so rewarding to be involved in this process!
If I could give any advice regarding clinical rotations it would be to ask questions. Do not just ask questions to the dietitians (although we know they are excellent resources)- ask questions to any member of the interdisciplinary team. They want what you want—the best for the patient. Working together as a team will allow for a collaboration of expertise and provide exceptional care for our patients!
I started my rotations in patient services at Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree, Colorado. I had plenty of experience working as a diet tech at this hospital, but to see operations from a different point of view was so interesting to me. After my patient services rotation, I completed clinical management. During this rotation I was able to see how management from every department in the hospital works toward providing the best care for our patients.
Now, with basic clinical already behind me, here I am in my intermediate rotation! I have enjoyed my clinicals the most out of the rotations I have completed thus far. Each day brings something completely new, and I am amazed at how much I learn with each new patient I see. Each case is so unique, and I am able to build my clinical confidence day by day. I am making connections between disease states, lab values, medications, and of course nutrition recommendations. I finally feel like everything I have learned up to this point is coming full circle. My favorite part of my clinical rotation is watching a patient’s progress from admit to discharge. It is so rewarding to be involved in this process!
If I could give any advice regarding clinical rotations it would be to ask questions. Do not just ask questions to the dietitians (although we know they are excellent resources)- ask questions to any member of the interdisciplinary team. They want what you want—the best for the patient. Working together as a team will allow for a collaboration of expertise and provide exceptional care for our patients!
