Some Nurses are Angels

Honestly, they really are! Man alive.

Today a group of four medical students (including myself) had to go to the clinic that is attached to our school and, along with the help of a midwife/health-educator and a nurse, learned how to do a breast exam, speculum exam, bimanual exam, and rectal exam on the nurse. I can't get over how wonderful the nurse was to do this for us fumbling medical students.

We watched the midwife do each of the exams and then each of us four students did the exam on the nurse. I am thankful that my first time doing these exams was on somebody who was giving me feedback as to how I was doing and what I could do better to improve my future patients' comfort and ease with getting a breast/pelvic exam. Even though I had a bit (rather a lot) of guidance whilst doing this, I got the cervix right centered in between the speculum bills on my first time! I was pretty pumped since I was the only one who got the cervix centered on the first try.

I thought that it was going to be awkward, but it really wasn't that bad. It was, though, visibly more stressful for the guys in the group. The two of them were pretty nervous, you could tell the way they were talking and the way they 'tried' to play it cool, but these hot-shot guys (which is definitely what they are!...to say the least) was a bit amusing. I guess it helps us girls since we have the same plumbing as the patient!

We learned how to phrase words that will make the patient most at ease and exactly how best to do all parts of the exam. In all honesty, we learned A LOT more, but I suppose that it would not be appropriate to go into too much detail in a post that can be seen on the Internet. Needless to say, it was a very helpful experience and I am so, so grateful for the women that give their time to teach us the best way to do it. Imagine having 5 full pelvic/rectal exams in one afternoon. I don't think I could do that; but blessed are those that can.