Over the years I’ve precepted loads of students and trained a bunch of PAs, nurses, medical students, residents, scrub techs….
As you might have guessed, I love teaching. I love watching people grow into themselves.
One of the best things about students on their first rotation is that they are excited to be out there. Out doing. Out in the world. And out from behind a desk.
My first rotation was OB/GYN. I don’t know if I loved it because of the specialty or just because I was so happy to be out of the lecture hall I had lived in for a year and half. I loved every second of it.
I’ve noticed how easily you can stand out on rotations. And the way you stand out on your rotations can be applied EVERYWHERE. On your first job. On your second job. At a new hospital. At a new office. In a job interview.
You can have everyone singing your praises, and it is so EASY.
No matter what, when you start as a student or new hire, you are a drain on the system. As a student, as a new hire, whatever. People have to take time and energy to teach you. You can say thank you and show your appreciation by doing ANYTHING to help. Anything, no matter how small. BUT here’s the key, do it really well.
In surgery – get blankets. You can be the king of the blankets. Find the blanket warmer and make sure that no matter what, at the end of the case, you’re the first one to grab the warm blankets for the patient. Every case, every time. You can put yourself in charge.
You can’t screw it up, it’s super easy. It’s a job you can take on right away, and take that little bit of work off someone else’s plate. Sounds dumb, but there is a huge difference between the person who stands around waiting for instructions or looking bored and on their phone and the person who has taken over the title of Warm Blanket Getter.
You will be a rockstar. It might sound ridiculous, but it is 100% true.
The Warm Blanket Getter gets a job offer while on her rotation. The person looking bored and on her phone while the patient is being moved wonders why there aren’t any jobs available.
Even better is that it is totally self-serving. You will get way MORE out of your rotations, and they will be more FUN.
How exactly will getting blankets lead to a better experience and more fun?
The scrub techs have A LOT of control over your experience. The nurses have A LOT of control over how much fun or stress you have in a day. You slow them down and make their days harder? They have to watch you and keep track of you.
Getting the blankets is how you say thank you. SAYING thank you at the end of case is a good start but showing thanks is 100x better.
The next time they have to gown and glove you they won’t leave you standing their feeling awkward as you are blatantly ignored.
Instead of scowling and sabotaging you for fun, they’ll teach you and help guide you.
You can find the “Warm Blankets” on any rotation. You just have to look a little. It won’t be on day one or two, but by the end of the first week you should have an idea of what small thing you can do to help and not just be a drain on your preceptor. Anything, no matter how small. Take the job on yourself and make it yours.
– Get the charts
– Pull up the notes
– Get a partial story from the patient first.
You will blow people away regardless of your medical knowledge and surgical skills (of which you may have none) if you are the Warm Blanket Getter.
This philosophy works EVERYWHERE. New job. New hospital. New office. You’re a little clueless early on. Find what you can help with and do it. Everyone will think you’re amazing. And that will be because you are amazing.
Be the Warm Blanket Getter and you will do amazing on your rotations.
Brian Wallace
P.S. I’m running a “thank you in November” sale this month. You can take a look at the shop holiday shop here. See anything that catches your interest, and enter the coupon code “Thanksgiving” at checkout for 25% off. Seriously, I’m so thankful for all of you and how you’ve helped me grow the community.
You’ve told your friends about PAER. You’ve told your classmates who aren’t your friends, and you’ve spoken with your preceptors, students, and professors. Thank you so much.