Just last week, newFNP was lamenting her Groundhog Day-like hum-drum clinical existence. A pap here, a diabetic med refill there. Nothing but the same old, same old. In fact, she thought that should an abscess walk in the door, she would not have the slightest recollection as to how to treat it.
Well, the universe listened. She had one of those Field of Dreams type of scenarios. All she had to do was imagine an abscess and voila!! Not one, not two, not three but high five abscesses walked into the clinic. On the same woman.
Now, newFNP loves her some Hot Tub Time Machine, but she is remarkably less enamored with Hot Tub Folliculitis. It is not a sequel one would recommend. Apparently, this woman and her paramour took a romantic getaway to a local hotel and enjoyed a soak in the hotel jacuzzi. A fun time was had by all until newFNP's patient began experiencing some angry booty blemishes. By the time newFNP saw her, two of the five abscesses were ready to go.
It was the first time newFNP had ever incised and drained two abscesses on the same patient on the same day and the first time she had ever seen so much necrotic detritus exit the newly opened wound.
As is generally the case with incision and drainage, newFNP's patient felt immediately improved and newFNP felt a renewed enthusiasm for her role in clinic.
And just like in the movies, newFNP (and her patient) experienced a happy ending.
4 comments:
So gross, but so satisfying. Either a great I&D or a super huge cerumen impaction removal can make my week. Seriously, what is wrong with me?
I'm in FNP school and looking forward to your blogs. When I was in EMT school, I did a round in the local ED. Got a pt with an enormous abcess in her groin area b/w the folds of fat! I thought I was going to die! My stomach has come a long was since then! LOL!
Hi -
I'm currently considering applying to a Direct-Entry MSN program to become a PNP. I have an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science & had planned on going to medical school or a PA program. I just recently found out that the direct-entry program was an option...I had no idea! I've been struggling trying to figure out if the NP route is something that I would be interested in...& your blog pretty much just gave me the encouragement I need. I was worried that most NPs were the "rah rah nursing!" type, but you seem funny, down to earth, intelligent & exremely capable - just the kind of health provider I would hope to be someday. So basically, I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your experiences & helping me decide to pursue the NP route!
Jess
I confess that I am a picker too. I love to do the surgical stuff in the office. It does break up the boring routine things.
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