Extra Credit - S01 E09

8 months ago

Extra Credit - S01 E09

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 9

Calista

The familiar, sterile scent of the hospital wafted over me as I exited the break room. Nurses and doctors whizzed by as Linda, my mentor, and I sped through the corridor. Someone nicked me in the shoulder as they jogged by, mumbling a half-sincere apology. Witnessing the hustle and bustle of the floor made me grateful that I was only going to be here for a few hours that day instead of a full shift. At least it would give me some time to mentally prepare. Apparently, according to Linda, this was "much more relaxed" than normal.

As we walked, Linda analyzed a chart. Her taut ponytail was pulled high on her head, a puff of unkempt curls held together by a thick band. There were deep circles etched under her eyes that were reminiscent of someone who hadn't slept properly in days––maybe weeks. She mirrored what I felt like while working night shifts during my last practicum in the NICU. The day shifts were difficult with early morning starts, but I'd take them over night shifts any day of the week.

"Okay, so you'll be covering day shifts with yours truly." She pressed a hand to her chest. "I'm sure you're well aware of what that schedule consists of—you are in your senior year after all—but I'm going to briefly run by what a typical day will look like here in the ICU."

She weaved around a nurse and a gurney without peering up from her clipboard.

Impressive.

"You should aim to arrive here no later than 7:00am. Get changed into uniform, pop your food in the fridge, all of that good stuff," she started. "Your shift officially starts at 7:15. You will be assigned to a team of patients. This could be anything from one patient to three depending on the level of care required." She paused then, peering at me from over her reading glasses. "I would expect it to be on the higher end most days. We've been stretched a little thin lately."

She cleared her throat, using the pen resting at the top of her clipboard to mark something on the page. "Around 9:00am we meet with the doctors and from 9:30 to 11:30 we have our morning tasks—those differ depending on the day. If you can find fifteen minutes during that time, take a break. It's the only one you get until later in the afternoon."

Linda lifted the page she was reading, scanning over the next one. She rattled on. Listing off a series of tasks and forewarning me about how demanding the workload on this unit could be.

"Don't be surprised if you don't get around to eating your lunch closer to the end of your shift. I swear, I lost twenty pounds my first few months working here."

My mentor droned on. The outline of my day to day schedule going in one ear and out the other. I made a mental note to get something printed out before my first shift the following week.

Without warning, Linda took a sharp turn into one of the hospital rooms. I stumbled, barely avoiding another nurse before I trailed after her. Unlike the corridor, the private suite was dimly lit—a nice break from the harsh, fluorescent lighting in the rest of the hospital.

Linda was standing by a hospital bed with a ventilator next to it. It was only then that I registered the hissing of air being pumped through clear tubes. She regarded the glowing screen for a moment before turning her attention to me.

"Calista, I'd like to introduce you to your first patient, Mr. Hans Eslner."

I regarded the elderly man in question. His long, pale lashes dusted his angular cheeks. For what it was worth, Hans appeared at peace as he lay in the hospital bed. His gaunt arms were outstretched down the length of his sides, tubes and wires running across various parts of his upper body.

"Hans lived on his own, his children are out of state and aren't able to visit often. He had a fall while out in his garden and the brain injury he suffered was causing swelling," she said with her hand wrapped about his. "He was placed into an induced coma shortly after he arrived here."

"How long has he been here?" I asked, stepping closer to his side.

"This will be his second week here."

"Has anyone come to visit him? Family, friends?"

Linda gave a grave shake of her head. "No. Unfortunately, not everyone has that kind of privilege. From my understanding both of his children have young families over on the west coast."

I noted the rise and fall of Hans' chest. "What kind of care would I be providing?"

Linda moved to the other side of the bed as she spoke. "When dealing with this kind of care there are a few essential steps that you'll have to take while you're here. Most of it revolves around keeping patients comfortable, providing medication, and monitoring equipment to ensure everything is in working order." She focused on another screen before making notes.

"But don't worry too much about the specifics just yet. Even though you're in your senior year, I'll be accompanying you in everything you do."

The sentiment gave me comfort before another intrusive thought came to mind.

"What are the chances of him coming out of it?" I whispered.

"Slim," Linda replied. "Very slim. But I try to come in here when I can. There have been some studies that show that speaking to a comatose patient can help with brain activity."

I peered at Hans' sleeping face. The pulse oximeter continued its slow, high pitched beeping. It was heartbreaking to know that he didn't have anyone to come and visit him. I wondered if he was aware of what was going on––if he ever got lonely.

"I'd love to come in and read to him for a little bit on the days that I am here," I offered.

Linda gave a kind smile. "I'm sure Mr. Eslner would appreciate that very much."

As Linda wandered off to the other side of the room, I placed my hand over his. I gave it a gentle squeeze, hoping to let him know I was there. His skin, while weathered, felt warm to the touch. "Did you hear that Hans? Looks like we're going to be reading buddies."

author's note:

Phew, that was a difficult chapter to write. Sorry to anyone who does work in a hospital. I really did try to do my research with this one. But also, thank you for the work that you do.

On a side note, thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes yesterday! They meant a lot to me. I also wanted to stop and thank those of you who have been reading, voting, and sharing this story with others. As someone who would like to do this full-time, every little bit helps.

I appreciate every single one of you.

Thanks for reading!