Ending ... and a new beginning.

Last day with Surgery today. All in all, it was hard work but a great experience. Tomorrow's the exam and then I jump right into my first of two preceptorships. Preceptorships are basically long rotations, each of them lasts ten weeks. One has to be in Family Medicine, the other can be Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, or Family Medicine. Even though I have ER experience, and even though it was probably not the most lucrative choice (ER would probably have looked better on the CV, for a larger amount of employers), I chose Peds for my first one. Even if I never do go into the field, it's an area where I've had a lesser amount of training and for me it's all about learning. So, come Monday morning, I'll be back working with newborn to 21 year old patients and their families.

I really enjoy Peds. I value being an influence on the formative years. My Peds rotation preceptor recommended on my evaluation that I consider working with adolescents. I guess I remember what it was like, to be that age. In all honesty, I think they just respond well to me treating them like they're human beings who deserve to be understood. Maybe it's that or my bad jokes! Still, while teens are fine and dandy, I get just as much enjoyment from working with the little ones. Most Peds practices see a combination of both. I enjoy caring for the family unit as well.

The practice where I'll be working has a PA on staff so I'm looking forward to seeing things from her standpoint, especially if I might consider this as my chosen field. My Surgery experience was so positive that I'm also thinking of a possible career in Pediatric Surgery. I'm hoping there might be some room on this preceptorship to get some hospital/OR time in. Either way, I'm probably in for a lot of viruses, shots and lollipops. It is, however, important to remember that the anatomy and physiology of the pediatric population bring a completely new set of variables, including specific considerations, conditions and pathologies. Amongst the myriads of kids you'll see who are there for their immunizations or yearly check-ups, you can't miss the one who is in serious need. I think that's where the challenge lies for me, and the reward.

20 more weeks and it's time to graduate, but the road is not yet quite over.