I think I'm growing up bit by bit

Third year of medical school is insane, though fun and rewarding. We spend countless hours on a weekly basis on the hospital floors, in the operating rooms, or in outpatient clinics learning all that we can, devoting our time to patients, and paying a great deal of money to do so. It's exhausting and some days I want to just explode in frustration, but when I think about it, I'm ridiculously happy and privileged to be where I am today.

I recently went to volunteer at the student-run free clinic, as I usually do, but it was the first time I was serving as a clinical student. That means that I'm the one conducting the main patient interview and physical exam, AND that I have to come up with a plan for the patient. This means addressing new meds, changing old ones, and appropriately managing someone's health. It was kind of nerve-wracking, but my time on medicine and ambulatory has shown me a lot in the past few months. It felt pretty good to be able to tackle things head on for the first time and have a fair grasp on all patients that I saw. I was comfortable with each plan I made, and was even able to teach fellow students along the way.

Ultimately, it seems that I'm realizing more and more how ridiculously-paced and voluminous medical school really is. I'm glad I have a wonderful support system, and that I love what I do, otherwise, I'd easily burn out. Not so hard to see why so many docs come out of the process jaded and cynical. I'm keeping my resolve and promise to not let that happen.