One. Week. Left.

A lot has happend since my last post. I completed my rotations on the Oncology Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and now am running the whole hospital! I apologize for the amount of time since my last post.

Oncology- I learned so much about the different phases of treatment for cancer patients. I was also able to observe procedures such as: Lumbar puncture, radiation treatment, port access, re access, and suture removal.  I provided procedural support and collaborated with child life. This unit is very unique because patients have frequent hospitalizations and you follow them during their treatment process.

PICU- I loved my rotation on the PICU. The staff on this unit provide appropriate referrals and understand the purpose of the music therapy profession. I'm more included in rounds and have the opportunity to contribute to patients care.

I'm currently in charge of the whole hospital. It is very difficult to be one therapist in charge of four different units. I have learned a lot about prioritizing patients and time management. I don't know how my supervisor does it! I have so much respect for her and look up to her. She has accomplished so much with her position and I hope to be as successful as her one day.

Pediatrics Surgical Unit

I completed my rotation on the PSU last week. I worked with patients pre-op and post-op. One common goal was decreasing anxiety and pain. During rounds I identified who was going to surgery and assessed their coping prior to the procedure. I often used music as distraction or relaxation to decrease pre-op anxiety.

During post-operation I was there to help with pain management. I would educate patients with pain management techniques using music. I incorporated iso-principle and guided imagery during interventions. Upon arrival I asked the patient to rate their pain (using Wong Baker Faces or Likert Scale). I assessed music preference and a place they like to go to relax. With the Q-Chord, I provided patient preferred music using iso-principle and led into the guided imagery. In my experience, iso-principle and guided imagery was effective in decreasing pain as evidenced by a decreased pain level rating following the intervention.

I love the feeling of going into a patient's room and already having their preferred music. Music learning doesn't take up a majority of my time anymore, I can dedicate it to learning medical concepts and treatment plans. As Olivia put it, we are a personal pandora station to patients. :)

Mastering the Q-chord

I usually get sick at least once a semester. I was surprised that I've gone about four months without catching anything. Well, sadly I missed two days this week because of a sore throat. I actually tried to go to work today and my supervisor sent me home to rest.

With the extra time on my hands I went through the manual and learned all about the Q-chord. I already knew the basics and used the Q-chord once during procedural support with an older patient. The patient had very high anxiety and the Q-chord helped promote relaxation. Sometimes the guitar can be a barrier and having alternate interventions in your bag can make you stronger as a therapist. In a future blog (and once I feel better) I will reflect on how the Q-chord and skills I learned this week benefited me in future sessions. I might just post a video tutorial on the basics of the Q-chord, so stay tuned!

New Way of Thinking

My supervisor has helped me look at music therapy in a whole new way. When I go into a room I have to explain how what I did is different than a volunteer. Everything I do in a session must have a purpose. So the answer to patients or staff in the hall who ask us, "Oh, do you just play music for patients?" Is of course no. Or it can be bothersome when some people ask us if we are volunteers. We have to explain to inquirers that no, we don't just play music. When we have the time we go in depth of what we do and how it is different than a volunteer. It is tough when I get asked "Do you play music to patients?" I say, "Yes" because technically I do but it's much more than that.

At the hospital we have a lot of nursing students learning from the staff and doing case studies with the patients. It can be overwhelming with the amount of people at the nursing station. The other day I was in a room during a session and they asked that same question. I took the time to educate them about music therapy and the importance of it. It was refreshing that I could explain this concept to them because I remember one day when it wasn't so easy.

One exercise my supervisor had me do is write out two definitions for music therapy. One is written for staff using their language. Another is for patients/family with understandable terms. It's good to plan what to say beforehand so you sound confident and articulate in what you do.

Being Attentive

One skill I'm learning is to be attentive. Last week, I overheard an IV start was about to commence and I approached the nurse and said "I would love to help." Nurses don't always refer music therapy for a procedure so when I am on a unit I make sure to keep my ears peeled. IV starts happen almost every time the hospital receives a new patient. So I can see why nurses don't refer music therapy unless their patient seems to have high anxiety.

I have also learned how to advocate for music therapy on my first rotation. I gave my pager number to the secretary, built rapport with staff, and posted a flyer introducing myself on the unit. Now I can implement my knowledge sooner on the next unit. I am currently working only on the general pediatric unit and will soon transition to the pediatric surgical unit. After my rotation on each unit I will be in charge of the entire hospital for two weeks.

Midterm Evaluation

This week I completed my midterm evaluation! I can not believe I'm half way done. Time is starting to fly a little more each week. After my midterm, my supervisor commented on how much my music has improved. It was a nice time to reflect on how much I've grown as a therapist and has helped build my confidence for the final advance to the finish line.

The Path from Student to Professional

The path from student to professional is very unique to every music therapy student. I was on the same path as my fellow peers in my music therapy sequence while at FSU. I didn't really have to think much about it, if I had a question I asked my friends what they did for a course or an assignment. But here we are at the part of the path where we need to decide what internship to apply for, job to take, and population to work with. The scary part is we have to leave our peers behind and walk down the next part of the path alone. I knew I wouldn't be completely alone but metaphorically speaking, alone.

When I was at regional conference and a professional covered this topic, I was scared. I knew others were scared too when someone asked "What if I don't get an internship?" I personally felt like I was entering into some sort of limbo until finding a job. Now that I'm almost half way done with my internship (crazy)! I feel more at ease and now I question why I was scared in the first place. I now know why. I was about to enter a new chapter of my life and I didn't know what to expect. I was scared because I had to live by myself, live in a new place, and be with a new supervisor. The whole situation can be very overwhelming, but eventually you will see the light at the end of your path.

The moral of the story to all of you who haven't started internship yet is this. All you have to do is take one step at a time and everything works out on its own. It's like jumping into a cold pool. It's going to be very different and you will be anxious until you finally take that jump. But once you are in the water you will adjust quickly to the new environment.