Things are better and brighter!

Mainly because I think I rid myself mostly of the roach problem :). I still see a couple sometimes, but I figure I just have to fog every once in awhile and it'll be ok. 

So I'm now two rotations down, but I fear they were my easiest ones!

August was Peds ER which I surprisingly found myself enjoying, since as a student I held kids out at arms length and didn't want them near me! But I had fun for the most part, except when asked to stay 1.5 hours overtime to "supervise" the other peds residents doing lacs (how f-in ridiculous! just because I'm 2 months into ER does not mean I'm expert at lacs, and why the hell can't the more senior residents or the attending supervise?!). And also when playing mind games with some of the peds residents who get lazy and try not to see any patients and shove it on you, or when they don't manage ER cases properly. Once, I actually shouted at one of the residents, took 3 of his cases from him and told him which case to take, then took another 2 at the same time and cleared the ED in an hour after that. The attending loved it, but I was like "That is NOT my job, that's YOURS." Of course I didn't say that :). I was lucky with nurses too cuz one of them would shout publically, "You're not to take that case, there are other people SUPPOSEDLY working here too!" hehehehe!

But I'm just venting. Most of my frustrating with peds was working with my co-workers, not the actual cases coming in. It's nice and chilled in our peds ED although it can get really hectic at times. Still, it's got a more uplifting feel than our adult ED, and I don't know why that is. Maybe because you can have a quicker flow and faster dispositions in peds. I really enjoyed playing with the kids and using little tricks to get them to respond to you. It's especially rewarding when they wrap their cute little arms around your legs to give you a hug afterwards. 

Then in September, I had CCU at one of our peripheral hospitals. That was pretty chill too with downtime during the day (most days). The only problem is that it's a long commute. At least 40 minutes in the car, about 2 hours by public transport. Fortunately I was able to grab a lift from a friend of mine (who was late more often than not, heh!) but I was getting up at 5:30 to be there for 7, and when I had to get public transport, I got up at 4:30 and wouldn't get home til 9. The first couple weeks were tough because I didn't really know my job description and didn't seem to be having any responsibility, plus learning an outdated computer system. But definitely the last two weeks I could see my input into the team and pre-empt orders, etc. I learned a bit, but I'm not sure how much was relevant to my own training. Some on pressure support, swan-ganz which i still need to read on, but what was really cool was learning how to do a bedside Echo. 

Anyway, back to ER at my home city hospital and I've got a fairly good schedule - mix of nights, peds, etc. And no getting up ass early and leaving really late! Hopefully I'll now have more time for gym and study. I just bought a new bike too so I can't wait to have a go in central park!