In A Student’s Words…Amanda (Entry 4)
I have really enjoyed my time at the Long-Term Acute Care (LTAC) facility. I have been here for five weeks now and I could see myself working for a facility like this one day. My rotation before this one was an acute rehab facility in a big hospital. I really enjoyed that rotation as well but I have found that this one at the LTAC facility I have been able to really get to know my patients, which wasn’t the case in the acute rehab setting. In the acute setting, I worked with many patients and most of the patients were only there for a short time so it was very difficult for me to remember who the patients were just from a name. I would keep notes on each patient and characteristics of the patient to remember who’s room I was about to walk into. Who knows, maybe that is a skill that becomes easier with time but I have enjoyed being in the LTAC facility and knowing exactly who I was going to see along with possibly knowing their family and even knowing stories about their lives.
My experience in a LTAC facility has been very rewarding. I have been able to see progress with most of my patients, even if this progress is sometimes very small. I believe that working with each patient every day while getting to know them has caused me to become more aware of the small steps towards their rehabilitation goals.
I have been working with one woman for the entire time I have been at this facility which is five weeks now. I have gotten to know her and created rapport with her. She is a larger woman who spends her day in a bed because she is unable to get out of bed without assistance. The physical therapy student and I have been working with her and getting her to sit on the edge of the bed. Eventually we were able to help her stand with a rolling walker. During our first few standing sessions, she was unable to sift her weight or take side steps but it didn’t take long until she was able to step towards the head of the bed with assistance and the walker. Last week when she was able to take a few steps, we decided to try a transfer to the bedside commode this week. Finally this week, we were able to transfer to the bedside commode and I felt so excited for her. I know that these were only small steps just to get a transfer but seeing this progress made my day and I have enjoyed getting to know her as well as many of my other patients, which is exactly why I particularly enjoy this facility.
- Amanda
