My name is Khloe, a rising senior at Bishop Kenny High School and an aspiring Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). As a member of the 2025 AnnieRuth Foundation Summer Internship Experience cohort, I recently completed a six-week internship at Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside Hospital under the guidance of Mrs. Denise Olafson, who is the lead volunteer coordinator for Ascension’s St. Vincent’s Duval County. During the first four weeks, I gained direct exposure to patient care through rotations in the Pulmonology Lab and the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) recovery room. In the final two weeks, I contributed to special projects and assisted on the nursing floors and in the surgery and recovery front desk. This closing phase provided a dynamic environment, allowing me to engage and participate in a broader range of healthcare operations after my initial clinical rotations.
Through, my entire internship at Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside Hospital, I gained invaluable exposure to the healthcare field, extending far beyond the basics of clinical etiquette. This experience allowed me to observe real world patient care and the collaborative nature of healthcare environments. For example, in the Pulmonary Lab, I assisted with filing and patient data calculations, contributing to the organization of medical records for crucial patients. On more active days, I had the opportunity to shadow healthcare professionals as they conducted diagnostic trials to assess the strength of the patients’ cardiac system, which is needed in identifying the stage and severity of respiratory or cardiovascular problems. With the PACU recovery room, I helped with transportation and moved the patients coming out from anesthesia to their rides and pickups from family and caretakers. During the last part of the internship, I helped the nursing levels by restocking the burning stations by stocking the nursing cubbies with gowns, gloves, socks, wipes, masks, etc., and by making personal guests’ bags for the patients that are in a serious condition and were planning to stay in the hospital for several days or more. At the surgical front desk, I helped check in families, ensured accurate communication between staff and visitors, and provided nurses with physical descriptions of family members to help with patient pick-up from recovery in the PACU. Through this amazing six-week experience, this internship strengthened my understanding of patient care, hospital operations, and the importance of teamwork in clinical settings. I developed communication skills by direct interactions with staff and patients, along with learning the value of accuracy and empathy in healthcare environments, mainly in nursing and surgical environments. Most importantly, I gained confidence in a professional medical setting as a teenager, which is a hard feat and an experience that has further inspired my goal of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Through the AnnieRuth Foundation’s summer internship program, I have developed a deeper understanding of the responsibilities and impact of healthcare professionals. I am committed to continuing my education and training to become a CRNA and make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients.