As the third week comes to a close, I feel as if I'm trying to get off a roller coaster...while it's still moving. Trying to get approved for surgery has been a whirlwind of paperwork, meetings, restrictions, and a boat-load of emails.
To recap, when I first confirmed my internship with Dr. Butzen, I was told I would be able to watch surgeries with him. Then, a couple weeks before the internship started, I was told I wouldn't be able to because of my age. Then, a week into my internship, I was told that I actually hadn't been denied the privilege, it just hadn't been confirmed yet. After that, a meeting was held, and they decided that I would be allowed to watch surgeries, but it would take months to work out all the details and paperwork and such. Then, another doctor, with and intern of his own, had decided to just get basic/momentary consent for the intern, allowing the intern to observe surgeries. That doctor then pushed Dr. Butzen to do the same, and he did! If my tuberculosis test comes back negative on Monday, I will be cleared to watch surgeries!
As you can see, there were a lot of ups and downs to go through for a seemingly simple idea. In the end, I am so glad I will finally be able to see what it's like to be an orthopedic surgeon, not just on orthopedist. I think this opportunity is so valuable so that I am able to see all aspects of this career, and really understand what I'm getting myself into. In addition, I will also be able to see what other jobs are like in the medical field, like being a scrub nurse, anesthesiologist, or surgical technician.
I think I would really enjoy working in this kind of career, but I'm kind of afraid of all the responsibility I'd be given. You know the saying "always a bridesmaid, never a bride"? I think I would actually prefer always being the bridesmaid. Or as I like to say, I don't want to kill people, I just want to help people kill people. I think something in the medical field is definitely what I would most enjoy, but maybe not something so high-risk. I look forward to seeing some of the other jobs associated with this line of work in the coming week so I can see what the best fit for me would be.
I've also noticed how I've become so much more inspired to learn about human anatomy than before. Now, instead of watching cats jump in boxes, I'm watching a video on a total knee replacement. I'll find myself locating the ulnar and radial nerves in my hand, wondering why someone walking down the street has a limp, or researching new medical procedures. (Also, if you're wondering, it's way more fascinating to watch someone repair an ACL than it is to watch a bunny fall asleep.)
To recap, when I first confirmed my internship with Dr. Butzen, I was told I would be able to watch surgeries with him. Then, a couple weeks before the internship started, I was told I wouldn't be able to because of my age. Then, a week into my internship, I was told that I actually hadn't been denied the privilege, it just hadn't been confirmed yet. After that, a meeting was held, and they decided that I would be allowed to watch surgeries, but it would take months to work out all the details and paperwork and such. Then, another doctor, with and intern of his own, had decided to just get basic/momentary consent for the intern, allowing the intern to observe surgeries. That doctor then pushed Dr. Butzen to do the same, and he did! If my tuberculosis test comes back negative on Monday, I will be cleared to watch surgeries!
As you can see, there were a lot of ups and downs to go through for a seemingly simple idea. In the end, I am so glad I will finally be able to see what it's like to be an orthopedic surgeon, not just on orthopedist. I think this opportunity is so valuable so that I am able to see all aspects of this career, and really understand what I'm getting myself into. In addition, I will also be able to see what other jobs are like in the medical field, like being a scrub nurse, anesthesiologist, or surgical technician.
I think I would really enjoy working in this kind of career, but I'm kind of afraid of all the responsibility I'd be given. You know the saying "always a bridesmaid, never a bride"? I think I would actually prefer always being the bridesmaid. Or as I like to say, I don't want to kill people, I just want to help people kill people. I think something in the medical field is definitely what I would most enjoy, but maybe not something so high-risk. I look forward to seeing some of the other jobs associated with this line of work in the coming week so I can see what the best fit for me would be.
I've also noticed how I've become so much more inspired to learn about human anatomy than before. Now, instead of watching cats jump in boxes, I'm watching a video on a total knee replacement. I'll find myself locating the ulnar and radial nerves in my hand, wondering why someone walking down the street has a limp, or researching new medical procedures. (Also, if you're wondering, it's way more fascinating to watch someone repair an ACL than it is to watch a bunny fall asleep.)