Updates and Interviews

As I sit here at a tiny table in the med school library, chugging away at my appointed 25 pages of First Aid for Step 2 (cardiology...ugh), I am just bored enough to realize that a lot of time has gone by since posting. I finished my AI on the pediatric wards with great success, dove into two weeks at the outpatient clinic where I'll be doing a continuity clinic (one afternoon a week) for the next several months, and took my Step 2 CS exam. Now I am "blissfully" off of rotations until October 24, with the joy of vacation somewhat tempered by the fact that I have to take the written portion of my Step 2 board exam on October 20. I did at least give myself the week or so after the CS exam off and played a lot of video games, though.

CS was interesting--12 "standardized patients" (actors) who present a fake illness which we have 15 minutes to question them about and do a physical exam pertinent to, followed by 10 minutes to write a detailed note on the encounter. And repeat. Mine wasn't horrible, mostly bread-and-butter medicine cases, though there were at least a couple where, upon the leaving the room, I had the unmistakable feeling of being completely at a loss. I think I did well enough to pass, so I'm letting it go. At least with CK (the written portion of the exam), I know how to prepare--standardized tests, bring it on.

I finished my residency application and turned everything in on September 1, and so far I have 7 interviews at places throughout the country (though mostly within a 4-5 hour drive of home). I plan to try to stay at my home program since D has a job and we have a house and our families are here (and hey, it might be nice to think about starting a family before I'm 35), but I have to admit I'm kind of excited to see what other cities and programs have to offer. I sent applications to some very highly-regarded programs and already have interviews to a couple, so maybe I'll fall in love, who knows? I'm excited to do some traveling, if nothing else. Hopefully my bank account won't be too much the worse for wear at the end...