Hi there, my name is Jessica Dominguez. I am a region 7 intern in Pensacola, Florida. Prior to starting the internship, I worked as a lead WIC nutritionist and had been in charge of over 4 off-site clinics. I received my BS in Food and Nutrition from the College of Saint Elizabeth, currently known as Saint Elizabeth University. During the first 3 months of my internship, I completed and defended my thesis leading me to receive my MPH with a concentration in Health Administration from Monroe College. My goal prior to starting the internship was to become a Certified Diabetes Educator. However, the internship has made me realize how much I truly enjoy clinical. The rotation I was most terrified of became the one I enjoyed the most.
I started clinical in February, as scared as can be, only to realize how fascinating this rotation was. I saw numerous complex diseases which helped me improve my critical thinking skills. In my first week of basic clinical, I was seeing four patients daily and charting. By the end of the advanced clinical rotation, I was able to see 12 patients daily and chart. During my time in the clinical rotations, I observed ECMO, CRRT, bronchoscopies, TPN, PICC lines being placed, MBSS, wound care, and so many other fascinating things. I strongly recommend saying yes to all of the opportunities offered as well as requesting to observe as many procedures as possible during your time in clinical. Interning during COVID has been personally difficult but professionally strengthening. I was able to take care of patients with this diagnosis while observing first-hand how COVID impacts nutritional needs as well as the overall body. I was fortunate enough to have stayed in the hospital interning during this time. Sodexo has been extremely supportive during these difficult months; it really has felt like I had a second family.
Furthermore, I did enjoy my community rotation. The hospital where I interned has four outpatient clinics, and I was fortunate enough to intern in all four. Their outpatient clinics are: bariatric, oncology, CHF, and cardiac rehab. I was able to teach heart health classes, counsel patients receiving chemo/radiation, and educate many on fluid/sodium restrictions. I created numerous handouts for the clinics, which helped better understand the needs of the patients in these clinics. I highly recommend doing community in different clinics as I did in order to gain as much knowledge regarding different population needs as possible. It was an amazing learning experience to be able to intern during this time.
I started clinical in February, as scared as can be, only to realize how fascinating this rotation was. I saw numerous complex diseases which helped me improve my critical thinking skills. In my first week of basic clinical, I was seeing four patients daily and charting. By the end of the advanced clinical rotation, I was able to see 12 patients daily and chart. During my time in the clinical rotations, I observed ECMO, CRRT, bronchoscopies, TPN, PICC lines being placed, MBSS, wound care, and so many other fascinating things. I strongly recommend saying yes to all of the opportunities offered as well as requesting to observe as many procedures as possible during your time in clinical. Interning during COVID has been personally difficult but professionally strengthening. I was able to take care of patients with this diagnosis while observing first-hand how COVID impacts nutritional needs as well as the overall body. I was fortunate enough to have stayed in the hospital interning during this time. Sodexo has been extremely supportive during these difficult months; it really has felt like I had a second family.
Furthermore, I did enjoy my community rotation. The hospital where I interned has four outpatient clinics, and I was fortunate enough to intern in all four. Their outpatient clinics are: bariatric, oncology, CHF, and cardiac rehab. I was able to teach heart health classes, counsel patients receiving chemo/radiation, and educate many on fluid/sodium restrictions. I created numerous handouts for the clinics, which helped better understand the needs of the patients in these clinics. I highly recommend doing community in different clinics as I did in order to gain as much knowledge regarding different population needs as possible. It was an amazing learning experience to be able to intern during this time.
