In Class Blog: Observation Process

I though the observation process was a little bit weird. In the hospital lobby, there were not too many people just sitting around and observing, so even though my presence was not really a big deal to most of the people in the space, it felt somewhat weird being there and just sitting, watching and writing. Additionally, It was surprising that I was paying attention more to the people in the space and their actions rather than what was medically going on. It was interesting to notice how much I dont notice in such a big space when I walk through there so much. I did not expect to become aware of so many more things by just taking some time and sitting and observing. I also was not aware of how busy and rapidly the people in the space, not just healthcare professionals, are moving. Everything seemed to be sort of out of control for everybody but they were all in a space that helped them contain it.
Contrastingly, on the patient unit, it felt more natural to be observing. Since there were many nurses and other people around me taking time to chart and write, I almost felt as if I were part of the setting rather than an observer. This made it even harder to keep and objective standpoint and remember that I was there as a third party observer and not as a nursing student. I observed lots of things physically on the unit that I do not notice when I am there otherwise. I did not think there was that much I had not previously picked up on but I found out that there was. Additonally, It was weird for me to be trying to see what the space offered to the people in it rather than being a part of the resources that are offered. I saw objectively the goals of the space and what people are looking for when they come there. This has been hard to observe and figure out since the hospital, from my observations, is not some place that the general population voluntarily goes to unless it is the last option.