This fall, 10 members of the United States Navy joined the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC) trauma division in a unique three-year partnership to broaden military clinicians’ experience in a trauma setting between deployments. We checked in with two of them to hear about their first weeks on the job.
Lieutenant Hyun Kyoung Na, RN, emergency medicine nurse
Hyun Kyoung Na
What were the first cases you saw?
My first day, I saw two strokes, two gunshot wounds, and one STEMI (acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction, the deadliest type of heart attack). The next day was no different except for the fact that it seemed busier. I saw more gunshot wounds (including a bedside thoracotomy), strokes, and drug overdoses.
What are you most looking forward to learning here?
I am looking forward to learning everything it takes to be a great trauma nurse. Additionally, being a great trauma nurse also entails being a great leader. I plan on joining various nursing committees at Penn to see if there is anything I can contribute from my military experiences. After only being here for a few weeks, I can’t help but feel so welcomed and so lucky to be chosen to be part of this program.
What’s on your Philadelphia to-do list?
I love running, so I have researched some trails that take me through City Hall, the Art Museum, and of course the Rocky Steps. The biggest thing on my to-do list is to find out, once and for all, who has the best cheesesteak!
Hospital Corpsman Second Class Navy* Nguyen, surgical technologist
Navy Nguyen
How did you spend your first days at Presby?
The team in the operating room is extremely inviting and very knowledgeable so I have been learning a lot and how they operate. My focus since arriving has been understanding how Presby operates. This is the third hospital I’ve worked in; everywhere has their quirks and differences and I want to make sure I adapt properly.
What drew you to trauma care?
The most fulfilling days of my career in health care have been when I was supporting patients in critical need. I want to help to the best of my abilities, and hopefully those abilities get better by being here.
Have you gotten to explore the area at all?
Outside of work, I have been enjoying Fishtown, Chinatown, and Center City. I plan on eating at all the pizza shops in the Philadelphia area to find the best one! I also want to attend a couple of Eagles games and hopefully the Navy vs. Army game here in Philadelphia.
*Yes, you read that correctly: Corpsman Nguyen’s first name really is Navy! He was named for his grandfather’s occupation – his grandfather served in the Republic of Vietnam Navy.