Like many nursing students at Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Emma Wall’s college journey began with clinical rotations in her very first semester.
Having that hands-on approach from day one was beneficial to the rising fourth-year student—so much so that she’s sought out additional opportunities. She’s now gaining experience through a nursinginternship at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Centers’ Emergency Department, a role she finds both demanding and enriching.
Wall cares for four to five patients at a time, gaining exposure to various fast-paced subareas, including triage, urgent care, the clinical decision unit and critical care rooms with regular trauma and psychiatric care patients.
“The emergency department is the beginning of most patients’ journeys through the hospital, and it has been very interesting to see how each patient is cared for during their time here,” she said. “You see a little bit of everything and take care of so many patients throughout the day.”
One of the most profound lessons Wall has learned is the importance of prioritization in patient care.
“It is important to be confident in that prioritization in the emergency department,” she said.
The fast-paced and unpredictable nature of the department has honed her ability to make swift decisions, a skill that is vital for an aspiring nurse. However, the internship is not without its challenges.
“The biggest challenge I’ve faced has been working through the process of losing a patient and not knowing what happens to a sick patient once they are admitted to the floor,” she said, noting she’s driven to make an impact on her patients’ lives during critical moments.
Despite these emotional hurdles, Wall’s experience at the hospital has been transformative, reinforcing her decision to move from her hometown of Marshfield, Massachusetts, to Cleveland to pursue her bachelor’s in nursing at Case Western Reserve University.
“This internship experience has solidified my commitment to the nursing profession and highlights how important real-world experience is in shaping competent, compassionate nurses who can adapt quickly from day one of class,” she said.
This story was originally published in The Daily as part of a National Intern Day. Read the full story in The Daily.