This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/healthcare-network/2016/aug/11/prick-finger-taking-blood-my-first-week-junior-doctor

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'I prick my finger while taking blood': my first week as a junior doctor 'I prick my finger while taking blood': my first week as a junior doctor
(12 days later)
MondayMonday
I’m shadowing the junior doctors, whom we will replace on Wednesday. It feels very alien to answer calls with “FY1 doctor here” after being a medical student for so long. Given the recent events in the NHS over the past year regarding the junior doctors’ contract, my morale towards starting my first job is low. Today I am working on the wards along with another junior doctor. It is not too busy and we get to go home at 5.30pm. I spare a thought for our colleagues on other wards, who do not make it home until 7pm or 8pm.I’m shadowing the junior doctors, whom we will replace on Wednesday. It feels very alien to answer calls with “FY1 doctor here” after being a medical student for so long. Given the recent events in the NHS over the past year regarding the junior doctors’ contract, my morale towards starting my first job is low. Today I am working on the wards along with another junior doctor. It is not too busy and we get to go home at 5.30pm. I spare a thought for our colleagues on other wards, who do not make it home until 7pm or 8pm.
TuesdayTuesday
There are normally three FY1s on call but due to sickness and annual leave there are just two of us. A lot of patients are anxious as we do not yet know what is wrong with them, when they can go home or if they need an operation. To make things worse, there are not enough slots for all of them to have their CT scans done today.There are normally three FY1s on call but due to sickness and annual leave there are just two of us. A lot of patients are anxious as we do not yet know what is wrong with them, when they can go home or if they need an operation. To make things worse, there are not enough slots for all of them to have their CT scans done today.
In the afternoon, I get a bleep from my registrar, asking me to come and assist in theatre. Later, my colleague and I are handed an ECG from a patient with chest pain and he goes to assess if she’s had a small heart attack. I offer to finish some more jobs for him as he is very busy with this sick patient. It has been a long day but I have felt appreciated by all members of staff I have worked with, and I am a little less nervous about tomorrow.In the afternoon, I get a bleep from my registrar, asking me to come and assist in theatre. Later, my colleague and I are handed an ECG from a patient with chest pain and he goes to assess if she’s had a small heart attack. I offer to finish some more jobs for him as he is very busy with this sick patient. It has been a long day but I have felt appreciated by all members of staff I have worked with, and I am a little less nervous about tomorrow.
WednesdayWednesday
The stabilisers are off. It is the first day I am officially an FY1, along with 28 others in the hospital. My anxiety is eased by my supportive registrars who emphasise that I can call them whenever I have questions. In the midst of a high-pressure moment, I accidentally prick my finger with a needle while taking blood. Not only am I embarrassed, I have to go to occupational health and I feel guilty about leaving my colleagues with one less doctor for 45 minutes. The to-do list keeps growing so I stay an extra hour to avoid handing over too many jobs to the evening on-call team.The stabilisers are off. It is the first day I am officially an FY1, along with 28 others in the hospital. My anxiety is eased by my supportive registrars who emphasise that I can call them whenever I have questions. In the midst of a high-pressure moment, I accidentally prick my finger with a needle while taking blood. Not only am I embarrassed, I have to go to occupational health and I feel guilty about leaving my colleagues with one less doctor for 45 minutes. The to-do list keeps growing so I stay an extra hour to avoid handing over too many jobs to the evening on-call team.
Related: The secret junior doctor's diary: 'After 40 minutes of chest compressions, we stop'
ThursdayThursday
The night on-call FY1 hands over a very sick patient on the ward as soon as I arrive. Today tests our teamwork and delegation skills, as our sick patient requires discussions with various other departments and we are all nervous about approaching senior doctors whom we are not familiar with. While we review the patient, her family arrives and my colleague and I update them on their relative’s situation. As I go to inform another patient that he needs to be started on a drip to correct some abnormal blood results, he is upset to learn he cannot go home today and I, too, wish he could be at home, without the endless intrusion of doctors and nurses.The night on-call FY1 hands over a very sick patient on the ward as soon as I arrive. Today tests our teamwork and delegation skills, as our sick patient requires discussions with various other departments and we are all nervous about approaching senior doctors whom we are not familiar with. While we review the patient, her family arrives and my colleague and I update them on their relative’s situation. As I go to inform another patient that he needs to be started on a drip to correct some abnormal blood results, he is upset to learn he cannot go home today and I, too, wish he could be at home, without the endless intrusion of doctors and nurses.
FridayFriday
As I am on a week of night shifts from Monday, I have today off. I may not physically be at the hospital but I can’t stop thinking about one of my unwell patients from yesterday. I take some time at home to update my online portfolio, which is a requirement for us to progress past this year and in our careers. I can’t help texting my colleague to check on the patient from yesterday. I am happy when she replies to tell me he is much better and even walking around the ward.As I am on a week of night shifts from Monday, I have today off. I may not physically be at the hospital but I can’t stop thinking about one of my unwell patients from yesterday. I take some time at home to update my online portfolio, which is a requirement for us to progress past this year and in our careers. I can’t help texting my colleague to check on the patient from yesterday. I am happy when she replies to tell me he is much better and even walking around the ward.
Before Monday, the NHS had been sold to me as an overstretched, uncaring and outdated body. It may be busy, and there may be a very steep learning curve, but I have genuinely enjoyed my first week. Among other things, the level of support I have received from my peers as well as my seniors has restored my faith in our healthcare system, and I would urge everyone to take the sensational headlines about its failures with a pinch of salt.Before Monday, the NHS had been sold to me as an overstretched, uncaring and outdated body. It may be busy, and there may be a very steep learning curve, but I have genuinely enjoyed my first week. Among other things, the level of support I have received from my peers as well as my seniors has restored my faith in our healthcare system, and I would urge everyone to take the sensational headlines about its failures with a pinch of salt.
If you would like to contribute to our Blood, sweat and tears series which is about memorable moments in a healthcare career, please read our guidelines and get in touch by emailing sarah.johnson@theguardian.com.If you would like to contribute to our Blood, sweat and tears series which is about memorable moments in a healthcare career, please read our guidelines and get in touch by emailing sarah.johnson@theguardian.com.
Join the Healthcare Professionals Network to read more pieces like this. And follow us on Twitter (@GdnHealthcare) to keep up with the latest healthcare news and views.Join the Healthcare Professionals Network to read more pieces like this. And follow us on Twitter (@GdnHealthcare) to keep up with the latest healthcare news and views.