Krishneel & Kimberly Daljit: Kailua, Hawaii August 2013

August 4-16, 2013 Oahu, Hawaii

For my 2 week clinical rotation I was assigned to go to Castle Medical Center in Kailua, Hawaii located on Oahu. I absolutely love Hawaii! I love the sun, the beaches, the rainforest...what's not to love about Hawaii. It's a beautiful place! But, for the first time ever, I would be coming to Hawaii in order to work. I wouldn't be coming alone though. Marisa flew in to Hawaii on Sunday and spent the entire week with me. Kris flew in on the following Friday and so I had my two most favorite people in Hawaii with me!

Waikiki Sunset

Marisa came for 1st week

Kris flew in Friday night

Acute Care Internship at Castle Medical Center in Kailua

This internship was my first very experience working in the acute care setting. And I'm very thankful that I was able to spend it here. Talk about a beautiful hospital with updated equipment, supportive nursing staff, and the most exceptional clinical instructor that I could ever ask for. Even the short drive from our beach shack to the hospital was gorgeous.

Aerial view of the hospital. Photo from castlemed.org

My CI's name was Cheryl F. and she was a Chinese-Hawaiian gal who was soo petite I felt like I could put her in my pocket. She was very knowledgeable and she really helped develop my clinical reasoning and skills. She always had a smile on her face and answered all of my questions as well as challenged my thought process.

We worked 8a-4p and also worked through the weekend (wednesday & thursdays off). It actually wasn't horrible to work weekends but it was definitely more quiet in the hospital. Typically, joint replacement surgeries occurred on Mondays and Fridays. So, on Monday and Tuesday we would care for the joint replacement patients and the patients in the nearby wards including Paulama and Laulima. Saturday and Sundays were our responsibility to care for the joint care patients. By Saturday, we had conducted initial evaluations on all patients and at 2:00p we did a group class. She said it was a good opportunity for the patients to connect and gain support.

There were a couple things that the hospital did which I thought were pretty genius. All fall risk patients wore yellow socks. Rooms that had fall-risk patients had a picture of a leaf (i.e.Fall) on the outside of the door. Also, there were flowers on the wall every 20 feet so that when you walk the patients around the ward, you can gauge the distance.

Our Acccomodations: 725 Wanaao Rd, Kailua, HI

I found this place through a vacation rental website. It has no bells and whistles and I honestly think that it is just a master bedroom of a house. But it had all of our essentials. We entered from the side gate of the house and through a sliding door, we come to our room. On the left you see a little breakfast table and kitchenette. On the right was a queen size bed and full closet. Staying here was the most feasible option considering I had to stay in Hawaii for at least 13 nights. 5 minute drive to the restaurants, 5 minute drive to the beach, 10 minute drive to the hospital. Ideal spot!

Paddleboarding at Ala Moana Beach Park

On my day off, Marisa and I rented paddle boards from Souled Out Surf using a Groupon we had purchased. Gorgeous paddle boards! We got a couple compliments and some thought we were local because these boards were just too nice to be rentals. We were recommended to go to Ala Moana Beach Park to paddle board as these waters are the most calm. It was a beautiful day!

Haleiwa

On my next day off, Marisa and I road tripped to Haleiwa aka the North Shore, which we learned is pronounced to sound like "Halley Eva". There are plenty of private beaches on this side of the island and as we walked along the beach we encountered this amazing sea turtle. He was gigantic and just resting there on the beach.

Lanikai Pillbox Hike

The Lanikai Pillbox Hike was a moderately difficult hike, and also very popular! The red dirt trail gave way to some steep terrain, but with each additional step up, the view became more and more beautiful.

view from the Trails of the Lanikai Pillbox Hike

Aoha Stadium Swap Meet

Our very first visit to the Aloha Stadium Swap meet was filled with lots of great things to buy. We went 3 times! The first time I went with Marisa and I picked up beautiful bangles for only $2 each. I bargained for my purses which were originally $13 each, I said, "I'll give you $25 for 2!". It was only $1 less than the original price, but for me it was a triumph! The swap meet is definitely a great place for souvenirs. When Kris arrived to Hawaii I went a couple more times. We got fresh coconut each time and it was beyond delicious. The coconut water was very refreshing and when the coconut was cracked open, the coconut meat was soft and delicious. I also tried sugar cane for the first time. Kris knew how to eat them all!