Site Swap Weeks

Over the past couple of weeks I had the opportunity to partner up with one of my fellow Coordinated Program classmates and show her around my site for a week and the following week she showed me her semester internship site.

The two sites could not have been anymore different.

During the week at my site, a hospital, we were able to deliver patient trays, take cookies to patients recovering from joint replacement surgery, taste test different nutritional supplements, help prepare food for an event and set up for the event taking place on the Friday.

Taste testing the nutritional supplements was an interesting experience. We tried all the available ones in stock, including the thickened liquids. Glucerna, Suplena, Ensure, Boost, Ensure Enlive, Boost Breeze, Thickened water, thickened apple juice and thickened milk. For the most part they tasted good, chocolate was our favorite flavor, the Enlive tasted like apple juice but had a very dark color, the Breeze tasted like super sweetened Kool-Aid, and the thickened liquids had a very interesting texture. But at least we have an idea for clinicals what to suggest to patients who need supplements.

During that week, much of our focus was on the event being held on that Friday, Doctor's Day. The hospital was hosting a lunch to thank all of the doctors for their hard work. It was an Italian Garden Theme with a Pasta Station, Carving Station, Cheese, Meats and Crackers, Dessert station and various Italian themed foods. The best display was an ice carving of a Gondola one of the chefs made in the kitchen, to hold the shrimp and oysters. They are truly talented chefs working at the hospital!!

Cutting the ice with a chainsaw



Before



The finished Gondola

The week spent with my partner was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed being able to see a site/facility so different from mine. It is cafe and catering company and most of the week was spent making deliveries to various locations throughout Fort Worth. Several of them were made to TCU campus and it was fun being able to be out and about during the work day. (I am so used to being indoors with fluorescent lighting) We also helped prep several dishes at the cafes for the deliveries and cafe service.

Of course I got to try some of their food, and my favorites were their chicken salad and of course the macaroni and cheese. YUM!!!

Tuesday was interesting, it was reported approximately 12 tornadoes touched down in the DFW area, but we had finished our deliveries before the storm really hit!! When our day was up, we made a run for the car in the torrential rain pour, it wasn't letting up anytime soon, so we got soaked, but we were laughing at the insanity! Luckily we missed most of the real damage from the storms.

Wednesday night we catered an event in Fort Worth. We helped set up the location: tablecloths, napkins, silverware, glasses and desserts, and throughout the event assisted in clearing dishes and replenishing food on the buffet line. I knew it was going to be a late night, and at the beginning I was slightly anxious about working such a large crowd, but the time flew by and everyone attending the event was very polite. (I honestly have no prior table waiting experience, so this was first real crack at it!)

I wish I could see every one's site and how they function, but there is definitely not enough time in one semester. That being said I am super glad I was partnered up with my partner! Overall it was great experience both weeks.

Just a few more weeks and I have one year of my internship completed!!

~Brittani

"Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice." ~Proverbs 27:9