ElizaMarie, future RT
ElizaMarie, student RT’
Ummm hey, My name is ElizaMarie.
All three are variations of an introduction I’ve use at the hospital just this week. I have a hard time speaking up when it’s needed. Idk why I’m like this but it’s been an issue my entire life.
There are so many people to meet. There are the hospitalists. So far, I count 4. There are the ER physicians–I’ve met 7 so far. And so on. There are the ICU RNs, the ER RNs, and the floor RNs. There are a million a one PCTs, a few unit secretaries, X-ray techs, and the chefs. For such a small hospital, there are a lot of people here.
I notice most people are polite and welcoming. Some of the ER staff in particular get annoyed when I say ‘I can’t do *that’ (whatever *that is varies from time to time, but it’s most assuredly something I have yet to learn or be checked-off on). So I try to explain that I’m a student, a helper of sorts, with the added bonus of learning while getting paid. They don’t understand. I get it. It’s been a long time since Respiratory Student techs were even allowed in the hospitals so most have never come across one. Sometime I try to say I’m the respiratory version of a PCT, but even that gets people confused. PCTs have specific job duties. I do not.
But it’s exhausting–not only having to introduce myself to everyone and remember who they are in turn, but also, trying to explain my not-so-clear even to me role. Chris has been most helpful in introducing me when I work on his shift. He’s a nice guy, that one.
So allow me to give a proper introduction:
Hi My name is… ElizaMarie Montgomery. I’m 24 years old and a 2nd semester RT student. If things go according to plan, I’ll graduate next year and will be a Registered Respiratory Therapist, but for now, I’m here to learn and help out in any way I can.