Despite a school snow day, 13 high school students enrolled in nursing classes at Vienna High School were given an in-person opportunity to watch a 2-1/2 hour open heart surgery. The students observed the surgeons and operating room staff perform the surgery live and then interacted with the physicians. The surgery observation took place at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois.
The “Live from the Heart” event was organized by nursing instructor, Sherie Taylor Smith and Illinois Area Health Education Centers. "It is real-life learning exposure like this that aids our students in becoming passionate about their career goals. This experience allows students to see more than just surgeons; it also shows them the many hands that support operating rooms daily," said Sherie Taylor Smith.
"I often make the comment that the school building never really closes. Today is one of endless examples of students in our community always being engaged and learning. I am thankful that our nursing instructor ensured that students could have this experience despite the weather disruption. Vienna has worked hard to ensure that exposure to career opportunities for all students is a major priority. We want and expect that every student will have meaningful post-high school plans and be Life Ready and Career Connected," said Dr. Joshua Stafford, superintendent.
Feedback gathered from the students proved the opportunity was a beneficial experience that exposed them to not only the work of a surgeon but also the work of the whole operating room team, thus providing a look at many other careers that provide support in the O.R.
Vienna student reactions to the experience:
Nevaeh, "I felt that this was very beneficial and gave a lot of helpful information about various roles and materials. This gave me more information about the future career I want as an anesthesiologist and what path I will head down to get there. It also reassured me that I definitely want to do this for a career."
Karina, "I really enjoyed this. It was an awesome learning experience. I did get a little concerned when they would pause. The only thing that grossed me out was when she was doing the incision and was using that yellow instrument because I could almost smell the burning from the last time I went to job shadow a surgeon. Overall, if there are any more opportunities like this, I will definitely do it again and it really made me think about being a surgeon assistant instead of a PA since they are more focused around the OR."
Gabby, "I really enjoyed getting the opportunity to see a surgery in a different field. Seeing this surgery will help me know how other surgeries look so if I decide I want to switch back to the route of surgery."
Jackson, "I felt that this was very helpful, and it showed me what this work environment is like in the real world."
Abby, "This was a great experience, and it was cool how the surgeons could answer questions and perform live surgery. Like how she was talking about what stitches she was using while closing the veins."
Danika, "I really liked this! Honestly, being an anesthesiologist seems interesting."
Tori, "I feel like this was a really great learning experience and just really goes to show that a lot of the TV shows are not like how actual surgeries go. They're super calm, and there's not a lot of yelling. I also didn't know that when you directly shock the heart, you don't have to say clear."
Savannah, "Seeing the incisions and blood made me uncomfortable, but once it was mainly the heart, I was fine. I can't see myself being a surgeon, but they do a good job for what they do."
Chloe, "I thought it was really interesting and a good learning experience."
Kristen, "I knew I didn't want to go into surgery but it was interesting to learn about and see more of how real surgery takes place rather than the TV version. It was also really cool learning about how they take an artery from the leg and put it in the heart."
Joscelyn, "I thought it was interesting but a little more gruesome than expected. I didn't realize just how many steps and preparation it takes. I am thankful that I got to experience it though."
Job, "My takeaway was that I am very appreciative of those doctors and surgeons. What they did was a lot of work and I know I could never do those things. I’ve taken away that being in the healthcare field will come with hard work and dedication. I feel like it will drive me to become better with my work and take it more seriously."
Braden, "I took away that I’m definitely not going to be a surgeon. I don't have steady enough hands and I really don't know how she was so calm and talking while focusing on the heart. I don't think this changed my future career for now but it was a great watch and very informative."
