The semester, I have my Pediatric rotation at Shriner’s Hospital in Philadelphia. If nobody is sure, Shriner’s is an Orthopedic Hospital and many of the patients have spinal cord injuries and scoliosis. This past week I had the opportunity to go to their clinic. Which is their outpatient clinic where people from all over come to be evaluated by a doctor. Many are previous patients who are getting a checkup, many come with concerns, and many for evaluations. I was able to follow a Physician’s Assistant around all day and observe her when she was with the patients. I learned so much, and I could pick up which were some of the priorities for patients, such as being on antibiotics when they have external fixator device on their legs.

There was one girl who had the biggest smile on her face and everyone working there remembered her. She was born with a genetic disease and previously had surgery for scoliosis, where they placed magnetic rods in her back and she would travel from New York to come to Shriner’s where they would move the rods a little bit each time to try and lengthen her back out with a device they called a lengthen-er and she was called a magic kid. Its very interesting because before this device, she would of had to had several surgeries every 3 months or so to get these rods moved. It makes you consider how far technology, especially medical technology had come and the impact it can have on peoples lives.

There was another patient and their Mom who came into the clinical and who only spoke Spanish. I was able to help them get checked in and settled because I understand and speak some Spanish, however not fluently. It was really rewarding and made me realize how much I enjoy knowing another language and the gratification that I was able to help them and to understand and try to relate when no one else could. It gives me more motivation to work on my Spanish and to keep up with it.

This week at the clinic was another great experience and many of the cases gave me different perspectives on life and the medical field and the nursing field. I cannot wait to really be a part of it.