Hi everyone! My name is Dekeira. I am a region 4 intern from Jersey City, and I am currently completing my intermediate clinical rotations. Clinicals have been extremely challenging but have also been very rewarding as I am able to see myself progress from basic to advanced. Prior to starting basic clinicals, I felt very prepared on the general material that was expected of me to know for this rotation. When I actually started basic clinicals, I realized that although I may know all of this information, I needed to figure out, “How can I apply this knowledge here?” Clinical dietetics is all about critical thinking, prioritizing your focus on what’s more important & applying knowledge. It’s one thing to know information on a disease state, but as a clinical dietitian, you have to be able to seriously multitask and focus. You are going to have to counsel patients who come from all different backgrounds with extensive previous medical/surgical history and you, as the dietitian, will have to use your clinical judgment in order to figure out which problem is the most prominent issue at the moment that you can address and provide a solution for in order to complete your ADIME.
Currently, I have been seeing 4-5 patients a day by myself and overall, it has been a very positive experience for me. I enjoy collaborating with healthcare staff such as therapists and nurses as it has enhanced my communication skills. I love meeting with patients and getting to know them on a more personal level while they’re in the hospital, while also being there to assist them at a very stressful time in their lives. I’ve noticed that when I talk to patients on a more personable level, they are more willing to open up and talk with you. Most times, it is usually a pleasant conversation that leads to building a rapport with the patient while they are in the hospital. It is nice to be able to have a positive influence on someone during their hospital stay, especially if they request to see you again. Throughout clinicals, I have experienced and seen a lot of things for the first time, such as a bedside swallow evaluation, using interpreter services for non-English speaking patients, complicated ICU cases, telehealth counseling sessions, wounds, colostomy bags, and much more. It has been a very eye-opening experience to see what really goes on behind the scenes in a hospital. It can be a little intimidating at times but forcing yourself to break out of your comfort zone is the only way you are going to be able to learn as much as you can.
A few tips I recommend for clinical rotations:
Currently, I have been seeing 4-5 patients a day by myself and overall, it has been a very positive experience for me. I enjoy collaborating with healthcare staff such as therapists and nurses as it has enhanced my communication skills. I love meeting with patients and getting to know them on a more personal level while they’re in the hospital, while also being there to assist them at a very stressful time in their lives. I’ve noticed that when I talk to patients on a more personable level, they are more willing to open up and talk with you. Most times, it is usually a pleasant conversation that leads to building a rapport with the patient while they are in the hospital. It is nice to be able to have a positive influence on someone during their hospital stay, especially if they request to see you again. Throughout clinicals, I have experienced and seen a lot of things for the first time, such as a bedside swallow evaluation, using interpreter services for non-English speaking patients, complicated ICU cases, telehealth counseling sessions, wounds, colostomy bags, and much more. It has been a very eye-opening experience to see what really goes on behind the scenes in a hospital. It can be a little intimidating at times but forcing yourself to break out of your comfort zone is the only way you are going to be able to learn as much as you can.
A few tips I recommend for clinical rotations:
- Study or read over your notes every day! Especially before you start a new rotation. You may encounter a new disease state almost every day and you will not have time to do personal studying or research during your shift.
- Take as many notes as possible during your rotations & keep them organized! You will probably receive a lot of handouts at your internship. Get a binder, section it based on your rotation level & add all of your notes and handouts. Review them every night.
- Keep a to-do list & set reminders/alarms for all of your assignments/task’s due dates, class days & meetings in order to stay on top of all your internship (and/or masters) assignments.
