Crisis Averted

Community outings are an important part of the therapeutic recreation department at my internship site. It helps us evaluate the patients' safety, orientation, awareness, money management, and many other valuable skills for being independent. I have been on several outings since being in Galveston, but today was the first time I was in charge. I had to figure out all of the details like, vehicle assignments, patient to staff ratio, and observe all of the patients for progress notes. The day started off great with everyone excited about the outing, brunch and a walk along the beach. Thankfully brunch went well without any major mishaps or outbursts. The walk on seawall, was not only hot, but a bit of a challenge. Long story short, I thought I lost a patient. Thankfully that was not the case, however, I never again want to experience those two very long and worry filled minutes again. Accidentally killing my patients was my only out of portion fear of the internship, at least until today. Connect Four, Jenga, and Scategories, as far as I know haven't been linked to any deaths, but people do wander off. My nerves and anxiety are now that of a young mother tending to her newly, mobile set of sextuplets in the mall...constant counting of heads, judgmental glances from the onlookers, and absolutely no peace of mind until everyone is back home, safe and sound. Luckily today there was not a crisis and all of my patients made it back to the facility (let's hope it stays that way). Tomorrow is another outing (due to the legal holiday) to a local coffee shop. I am learning fairly quickly that real life doesn't take a time out for holidays or celebrations. I worked today (July 4th) and I am working tomorrow when the rest of the treatment team staff gets a paid holiday. Just another day in the life of a student intern, right? Gotta love it!