19 DECEMBER - JANUARY By Nicole LaRoche MHA RT(R)(M)(CT),Radiology Manager at Alice Peck Day Memorial HospitalIpassed out in the operating room on my first day of radiography clinical rotation in college. Our class had spent our first semester in the lab, learning radiographic physics and positioning by theory. I was eager to get into the clinical portion of our training and really put to use what I had learned -- see things in real-time and ask questions of those that I hoped would someday see me as a peer.My first clinical assignment was in the operating room at a level 1 trauma center in New England. I was so excited. I remember watching the clock in the early morning hours, waiting to get up and put on my freshly pressed Caribbean blue scrubs, the required color for our class that screamed, `I'm new here!' My mind raced with what type of cases I might get to see the next day: a tibial nailing? Perhaps a hip replacement or some sort of traumatic facial reconstruction? It didn't really matter what it was -- I wanted to see it all, and I was preparing myself mentally for the sights, sounds, and smells of the orthopedic specialties.I listened intently to my clinical instructor as she helped fit heavy lead aprons to me, suiting me from my knees to my chin. `Time, distance, shielding' echoed the ALARA principles in my head. Our first case was with a urology specialist, something I hadn't considered.The clinical instructor was patient with me as she quietly explained the technologist's role in the operating suite so as not to interrupt the surgeon. I remember thinking how hot it was in the suite and asked her where the nearest restroom was. In the next instant, I felt the velcro on my lead being pulled and released, weight lifting off my chest and neck. My eyes fluttered open, and I stared at the operating room ceiling. Just inside the border of my tunneled vision, a seemingly amused urologist glanced down at me.Nicole LaRoche is the Radiology Manager of Operations at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, New Hampshire. She has been working in Radiology for 16 years across various acuities. She has a Bachelor's in Science Radiology focus and a Master's in Healthcare Administration. She lives in Andover, N.H., with her family.CXO INSIGHTSLooking Up: Your first day might not be your best day, but things can only go up from hereNicole LaRoche
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