3 days left!

While I have learned a LOT over the past 12 weeks, I have to admit I'm pretty excited to take my summer vacation. The past 2 weeks at Duke Health Raleigh have been really slow. For example, we've had 10-15 patients to see total (per day), for 2 dietitians and me. And since I function almost 100% independently, it's been like 5 patients per person. Unfortunately it's just a slow time- apparently the hospital goes through trends like this, the summer typically being the time when people manage to stay out of the hospital. It's been nice on one hand to close out my experience on a "relaxed" note, but I think it might get a bit boring if I were an employee here. My CNM mentioned at our last RD meeting that we're not where we should be concerning Aramark's clinical productivity standards. If Aramark decides to start making cuts, labor tends to be the first area they investigate for opportunities to save money. There must be a better way to organize the RD schedule and job structure here, to maybe cut down on labor during the summer months but still have the manpower to cover the floors in "high season", usually the winter months. I don't think my hospital has quite worked out the best plan yet, but I'm confident they will figure it out. The RDs have told me that this summer has been the slowest that they remember.

Anyway, I have to say the clinical experience has been an important part of my RD training. I would never have learned what I did this summer by writing papers and attending classes. I am confident that what I've learned here will enhance my nutrition knowledge no matter what job I end up getting next year. Duke Raleigh has been great, and I'm looking forward to keeping in touch with a few of the people I've met here. Filling out the evaluations this week and receiving feedback from the staff has shown me how much I've accomplished.

I wish everyone luck next week with their last days!