Finley Family: Visit to Beckley

Last week I made a solo trip to Beckley, WV to visit my school, Mountain State University. So far in my schooling, I have taken all of my classes online. On June 14th, I start full time doing clinical rotations at Roper St. Francis. Before I could start my clinicals, I had to do a 3 day orientation on campus.

I was a little nervous because this was my first trip away from home by myself. (When I studied abroad in Italy I had roommates that I did stuff with, so I don't count that). Overall it wasn't as scary as I though it would be. The only dumb thing I did was getting into someone else's car. I had a rental car, so I wasn't used to it yet. I went to where I thought I had parked. There was a silver car so I pressed the unlock button. It was open, so I got in. I put my seat belt on, adjusted the mirrors and was about to stick the key in when I noticed the car didn't look right. It said Ford on the steering wheel and that is when I realized I was in the wrong car! Opps. I got out really fast hoping the owners weren't around. In my defense though, who leaves their car unlocked at a Quality Inn hotel?! It is 2010 people, you can't do that.

I had a blast on campus. It was so great to finally meet all of the faculty I had been working with online and get some hands on experience. Everyone was really nice and helpful. I basically spent the entire three days scanning. The staff all took turns in the lab letting me scan them. I did full abdominal protocols (aorta, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, and spleen), thyroid, and female pelvis. One of the instructors was even 19 weeks pregnant so I got to do an OB exam. It was amazing to see that little life moving around inside her. I felt like I had met him and knew him and he wasn't even born yet!

The time I spent there was really helpful. There is such a big difference in looking at pictures in a book and seeing the images on the screen in real time. I also got familiar with the machine and how to use the controls to get the best possible images. I learned lots of little tips like it is ok to press hard during an abdominal exam, asking them to take a deep breath can make all the difference, when in doubt put color flow on it, the cine loop is your friend, and small movements can make big differences. I feel so much more confident and excited about starting clinicals now!

This is the lab we used to scan in. It is right inside the DMS department next to the faculty offices.

This is the machine I learned on.

This is Bre, my clinical coordinator. She taught me almost the entire time.

Me and Bre

A few of the staff. From left to right: Tammy (clinical lab and small parts instructor), Nashella (abdominal instructor), Bre (clinical coordinator), and Ashley (DMS administrative assistant)