OSCE & my first PAYCHECK

Yesterday:

Well, I survived OSCE. It was a bit nerve racking since I felt a bit rusty. They observed me through a video camera. It's not pass/fail but rather a way to critique us. They were really good at evaluating. I would cringe as soon as I was ready to present the patient to my preceptor thinking that I probably could have done a better job or performed a better physical exam. Also knowing the camera was there made me more nervous than usual.

It turned out that I did much better than I expected. Next, I had to go back to the patient room and pretend it's a follow up visit and tell the patient her lab results which revealed that she had cancer. Briefly before going in, the preceptor (as well as a clinical psychologist) would ask how would I break bad news to the patient and what could I offer for her. I never really had to break bad news before so I really felt unsure of how to tell her. When I did go in the room to tell her, she broke into tears. I was like, wow, she really knows how to make this feel like the real deal.

Then I had to return to the preceptor to get critiqued again. They said I did a great job. Whoo! I felt surprised to hear that. They would comment on specific things I did or said. I was really impressed at how they gave really good constructive criticism.

As much as I initially dreaded doing this OSCE, it turned out to be very beneficial. I really got to learn what my strengths and weaknesses were. I later went back again to the patient's room where the patient critiqued me. She was really good. She told me that I would lose eye contact at times and look around the room (I didn't realize I was doing that, but I know it was when I trying to think of more questions to ask her). But she complimented me and said that I was very good about listening to her concerns.

Today:

Lots of boring talks - you know like EMTALA, more computer training, etc.

But the highlight was my first PAYCHECK !!!!!!!!!!!!

It was for just the 2 days of orientation last week so I expected to get very little. But the check was surprisingly big - $300. Not bad for 2 days. It is so nice to finally get paid. My next pay check will be July 9th.