Tonight marks the end of my first two weeks of residency (actually the end is Sunday, but I have this weekend off). I decided to wait until the 2 week mark to add to this blog and update you on my progress in the emergency department mostly because my first night was crazy and I was hoping that it would get better. Of course, it did!!
So tonight I give you my 2 week progress report:
- I quickly realized (the first night) that my 4th year of medical school was a huge waste of time. I know that I had a better understanding of medicine after 3rd year, especially since I was studying for Step II. I now feel like I am constantly second guessing my knowledge. I strain to find the answers in my brain, answers that used to come so quickly. Every night as I leave the department and walk to my car, I mentally shuffle through everything I should read up on and after 14 days, the list is incredibly long.....already. All I can say is I hope I can learn fast!
- Learning new computer systems really slows me down! My first night was tough....lots of missed and incorrect orders. I have noticed that each day I get better with the computer, I find the medications or tests I need quicker, and my speed has increased with each shift. I still keep forgetting to "update" my patient's status which means that my patient doesn't go to CT scan in a timely manner or my Attending has no idea where I am in dispositiong the patient. Hopefully by the end of the month I get it!
- My enthusiasm for my work is beyond description!!! I love picking up patients....seeing patients....talking to patients. I have the mentality that I need to see and do as much as I can in each shift because I don't have too many of them. I have worked with a few of the second year residents and I can see they have already lost their excitement....I can only hope that my enthusiasm continues throughout my 3 years here.
- So far (I haven't worked with all of them), my attendings are awesome!! They don't hold my hand but are there to challenge my thinking and guide me. Exactly what I was looking for in a program.
Over the past 2 weeks I have seen some interesting cases and I am sure I will see a hell of a lot more. My future posts will highlight the most interesting of my patients. Of course, I will also update you on my life outside of medicine.
Speaking of which....my beer is getting warm ;) Everyone have a great night!!
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