MY JOB AS A NURSE EXTENDER AND THE PATIENTS I ENCOUNTER

By: Angela Bohr

My colloquium will be based on my job as a nurse extender in the Susquehanna Health System, which I have occupied for almost two years. In the beginning I will talk about what a nurse extender is, how I became a nurse extender, and what I do on a daily basis in my job. Next, I will discuss the three types of patients we care for in my department. These three types include, OR patients, endoscopy patients, and infusion patients. In the OR section I will talk about specific examples of OR patients we treat and I will explain some common surgeries, such as lithotrispies, knee arthroscopies, tonsillectomies, and hernia repairs. In the endoscopy section I will explain colonoscopies, esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGDs), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCPs) along with common diagnoses that accompany these procedures. Finally, in the infusion section, I will explain procedures used and diagnoses that require patients to receive intravenous therapies, such! as blood transfusions, antibiotics, and PROCRIT injections. I will conclude with how to attain a nurse extender position like my own and with my acknowledgements.