I attended the pediatric rheumatology conference earlier this month. It was like a mini-vacation and I learned so much! My mind was blown at how much there was out there (and how little I knew). I ran into a resident who's doing her residency back where we did med school, so that was a pleasant surprise.
I just finished my clinic month, which was mostly urgent care. It was useful and my Spanish got exponentially better (because I refused to use the translator phones after a while, and like 2/3 of the parents speak Spanish-only). But it was really bread-and-butter and much of it didn't require much "thinking." I hate to say it, but an NP or PA could easily do what I did this month without much difficulty. It doesn't surprise me that NPs are trying to expand their "power" and scope of practice.
But the most brutal truth is: if I could go back in time, I would NOT do med school and residency. This is not worth it. As much as I love my patients, as adorable as my toddlers are, as amusing as my teens are; the hours, the hospital politics, the paperwork (oh god the paperwork!) is not worth it. I daydream of what I've given up to become a doctor. It's not a career I'd recommend anyone pursuing. And that's the most brutal truth. Perhaps I'll elaborate on this more later.
I came across the following coming out video and the way the person spoke, the honesty and anxiety in his voice, really resonated with me.
Apologies that this post is all over the place. I'm on call tomorrow (again, yay) and have to do yet another 13-hour shift. At least I'm on with good residents who I admire and respect. The day should hopefully not be too painful.
