Clinical internship orientation

Dear Heather Ayn, I had my first day of clinical internship on Tuesday (yesterday). I visited the site the day before (memorial day) because I wanted to be sure I know where everything is. Yesterday morning, I woke up excited. I wanted to present my most positive and confident self on my first day. Little did I know I would be sent home early as well as not return for the rest of the week. I felt a bit nervous when I got there. Fortunately I bumped into an employee in the parking lot, who took me to the department as well as introduced me to the department head, who would be in charge of me and other students. There were three other students from other schools. Everyone was friendly-everyone except the supervisor, who would be my clinical instructor. My CI, who is also my clinical coordinator, is all business. He is certainly responsible for many different things. There was not a moment that he was not talking on the phone or to one of the staff about what needs to be done. He was not only in charge of the staff-he was also in charge of the students. The first thing he said to me was that he didn't have my contract, therefore he isn't sure if I should be there or not. Things immediately turned sour. I called my director of clinical education, who wasn't in office yet. I stayed there waiting for the call back. My CI isn't one to sit around or have me sit around. He decided to give me the orientation anyways. During the orientation he was nice enough. After the orientation my DCE finally called and I put her on the phone with my CI. Apparently my contract for the internship was not signed by both parties. I was allowed to observe for the day, with special instruction not to touch any patients. At noon, my CI wanted me sent home. He didn't want someone whose contract wasn't in place to hang around anymore than I had. I expressed interest in seeing more things, but that was a bad request to ask. He became annoyed at my request and the only place I could go was out the door. I felt frustrated that my CI was not just my CI. He was three other students' CI. He was also the entire department's supervisor. On my student profile form I had checked off that I'd prefer meeting with my CI frequently. I guess that ain't happening. If it does happen, I'm probably doing something wrong. It's starting to feel like no meeting is good meeting. After I got home, I felt unwanted. My DCE called shortly after I got home and told me to stay home until my contract gets figured out. She gave me an estimate of three weeks. I won't be returning until the second week of June. I chatted with a classmate later that day as well as today. It seems that everyone is doing fine. I appear to be the only one who got... Postponed. I retread my clinical education manual. I'd probably reread it again tomorrow. I'm thinking about ordering a book on neuro rehab tomorrow... Maybe I'll get to finish it before the internship starts next month.