In case you don't already know via other social networking sources, I got my 7th preference (out of 14) for internship. It's Wollongong.
Pros:
I have lots of relos down that way
It's near the beach
I went to Wollongong Uni for four years (in the mid-90s), so I'm familiar with the area
It's not too far from friends and family in The Shire.
Cons:
It's too far from friends and inner-city lifestyle in the inner west
It's not in Sydney
I have to move house, and a considerable distance.
I've been whinging about it, but the pros outweigh the cons - I need to just shut up and get over it. I tried to swap, but no-one wants to swap into Wollongong - only out of there! So today I bit the bullet and accepted the place.
It seems like people either got their first choice or their 7th/8th/9th choice. I've heard of a few in-between, but they're the minority. So much for IMET telling us that everyone gets within their top 4 or 5! On average, maybe.
In other news, I've just finished my week of holidays. I had grand plans for the holidays - especially working on my photography. Unfortunately I got the (most likely, swine) flu last weekend, so that ruined it. I had no energy and was very unwell, especially earlier in the week. I seem to have come good now, but my throat's still not 100%.
So it's back to uni tomorrow, and I feel like I've hardly had a break at all. I'm doing Paediatrics, and I really wish I had more energy before starting this block.
Also, I recently agreed to take on the role of Yearbook Editor for our class. This may prove to be a very unwise move - I always over-commit and end up stressed out. Although it certainly is a good role for me - project management, editing, proofreading. It'll really test my powers of delegation! (And I'm very happy to have Liz helping me out...)
Does anyone remember this song? I loved it back in the day:
So the Hottest 100 of All Time has come and gone. No surprises about #1 (Nirvana, "Smells Like Teen Spirit"), though I was very pleased with #2 (Rage Against The Machine, "Killing In The Name Of"). Thought there would've been more women in the list - the only lead vocals were Massive Attack's "Unfinished Sympathy" (LOVE that song, and the video) and "Teardrop" (not a fan, can't believe it charted so highly). Surprised that Björk didn't make an appearance, let alone Tori Amos and PJ Harvey. (I know I didn't vote for them, but they're JJJ favourites.) Only one of my top 10 songs made it into the list - Jeff Buckley's "Lover, You Should've Come Over" at #56. No R.E.M.! Devastating.
In other news, I've pretty much finished my GP rotation. Just one presentation and one quiz left on Wednesday. The second part of my rural placement in Menindee was, as predicted, very dull. Many days with no doctors and very few patients. As planned, we got our assignments done, and I also worked a lot (gotta keep earning the big bucks).
We were in Menindee for a weekend without a car, and it was very painful. We asked to borrow one of the Health Service cars, but we were declined in no uncertain terms. In fact, the whole time we were there no-one took us for a drive around town. And seeing as Menindee is all about the lakes outside of town, we were not impressed. The sunrises and sunsets were lovely though. And we frequented the pub, playing pool (badly) against the locals. Aaaand of course there were some good photo opportunities.
Foggy sunrise in Menindee
Alongside the Darling River in Menindee (I really like this one for some reason)
Back in Sydney (finally), I started my three-week urban placement at a bulk-billing GP practice in the city. I expected a lot of transient patients, but was pleasantly surprised to find that a lot of people use the GPs there as their regular GPs, because they don't have time to visit their local doctors outside of work hours. Unfortunately, being a bulk-billing place we had SO MANY people with colds, wanting medical certificates. If they'd had to pay, there's no way they'd have bothered coming to the doctor. I caught two colds during the rotation. Plenty of 'flu cases around too, including swine 'flu.
My GP supervisor was very friendly. He was happy for me to see patients, so I was relieved that I didn't have to sit there and watch him all day. (Watching him type notes onto the computer was especially painful, but he soon realised that and let me do the typing.) We alternated with each patient who came in (unless it was a WorkCover matter, which I let him deal with). I did heaps of vaccinations and am very confident with those now. Far too many patients needed their ears syringed - gross! I'd be happy to never do that again! Lots of STIs, a bit of this, a bit of that. It wasn't too bad.
My supervisor gave me some nice feedback. He said that I'm a good listener and can quickly establish rapport with patients (which I knew already, but it was nice to hear anyway). On my evaluation form he wrote, "Will make a great doctor". Awwwww.
So why am I ponderous? Well of course doing this rotation makes me think about my career path again. My main areas of interest so far have been Psychiatry and Anaesthetics. GP is also a possibility, because I could do a lot of Psychiatry as a GP. I'm good at establishing rapport and talking to patients - considering that, perhaps Anaesthetics isn't for me? Perhaps I wouldn't be playing to my strengths. Hmmm much to think about, but no rush...
Hit 30 and decided to change careers, so now I'm a doctor. It's good, bad, fascinating, mind-numbing, but ultimately wonderful. I think I've found the thing that I should be doing. I hope.
