Internship thus far

So I think I may be the worst blogger. As an intern I find it really hard to keep up with this blog, but I will be attempting to get better at it. Since the last post I have finished my Food Service rotation and begun my Clinical Rotation. I have also completed a half marathon with my mom. Woohoo!!!
The next part of my Food Service rotation was at Davis, which is a long term care facility. It was actually a great and very educational experience. I was able to see the future of long term care facilities. Davis is currently switching to household models for all residents. It is a really cool concept. They have private and semi-private rooms that are part of a house of 23 residents that all share a kitchen and living area. The new households will be able to specialize the menus to their residents, which is a really interesting concept. I was able to serve in all areas of the long term care and rehabilitation facilities while there. I got to get my hands a little dirty (with gloves and a hairnet of course). My last project was to help with catering an event for the board members. I set tables with centerpieces and full flatware, plated food, and helped serve desert. 
Next I spent some time in the New Hanover County School system. One of the best perks.... I got a free school lunch every day :) I was able to spend about four weeks with the director of child nutrition and the supervisors that work with her. I was able to observe a lot of different jobs that the supervisors do on a daily basis. I also got a good idea of the multiple jobs the director of child nutrition does on a daily basis. They have a joke at the office that on their job description it says "and any other duties" and that can encompass pretty much anything. With the supervisors I was able to act as a health inspector of sorts. Part of their job is to inspect the kitchens three times a year. They have a checklist that is similar to that of a health inspector. It contains information about HACCP, which is ordering, receiving, storage, rotation, cooking, serving, disposing and cleaning. The only difference is that the supervisors look at the production sheets and financials of the specific cafeterias. The production sheets help to tell them about whether or not they are meeting the USDA guidelines for reimbursement. It was actually a very interesting experience to complete. I was able to complete a few by myself. 
The next part of my internship was still with the school system, but it was in management. I was assigned to a cafeteria that was close to my house as an assistant manager of sorts. I was assigned to a school that is not in the greatest area of town, and has about 90% of children on free and reduced lunch. It was a great experience! I got to experience a ton in my two weeks there.... more than I can recall probably. Kathy the manager that I worked with was a fantastic teacher. She threw me into cashiering breakfast my first day, and let me tell you... it was a shock haha. The kids spit out their number at you so quickly. They have 7-10 digit numbers. The next day I was thrown into inventory and ordering. It was a lot to take in, but it was very educational. I was also thrown into serving, helping the cook and back-up in the kitchen. My real life experience was dealing with some disciplinary issues with the cook. It was an eye opener. It was definitely uncomfortable, but allowed me to see the appropriate way to deal with situations.  The personalities in the kitchen did not click. On my last day, the cook passed out, which was an exciting way to exit. 
The people that I have worked with so far have been absolutely amazing! The child nutrition office threw me a going away lunch, which was amazing! Tacos and cookie cake :) They definitely try to feed you in food service. I was not excited about food service at all when I entered into my internship, but I ended up really enjoying it! 
In other news, I completed the outer banks half marathon with my mom. I set a goal of 2:45:00 for myself. Through my training I hurt my knee. I think it was just from overuse. I was able to finish in 2:44:50. I am glad to have completed my goal and check that one off the list. Haha. I have since taken a break from running, but I did end up enjoying it, so I think I will start back up after Thanksgiving. 
I will try to write next week after I finish my rotation with my first clinical preceptor. I am currently working in pulmonary/oncology and CVICU. Most of my patients are in pulmonary/oncology, and there are some interesting cases.