ScrappyDoc

Finding my way

I just got home from my second ED shift, and I am happy to report that, while I do feel like I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off some of the time, there are moments of clarity when I do something right and don't feel like a complete idiot. As I was driving home tonight after my shift, it occurred to me that the Emergency Room functions in a state of controlled chaos. Each shift borders on spinning out of control, but never really does (as long as you know what you're doing). Any good ED is a well-oiled machine, sorting the good from the bad, the well from the sick, all while being "Nice and Fast" (that is our program director's motto).

OK, just wanted to get a few bits down so you didn't think I got eaten at work last night... I have to get up for conference in a couple of hours, but otherwise have tomorrow off, so I'll post more. Nick and I are going to head over to the house after he gets off, so hopefully I'll have some good pics too.

2 hours and 10 minutes...

...until I start my first ED shift as a resident. It still seems somewhat surreal, that this day is actually here and where the heck did the last 5 years go? I've been straighting up our "home" and paying bills and putting away laundry, trying to use up some of my nervous energy. The biggest thing for me is going to be getting comfortable in the actual department. We went on so many interviews that I can't for the life of me remember how their ED is laid out and what happens where. I keep getting it confused with UNC and Vandy, I think?? There are always all those pressing questions, you know, like where's the bathroom, where do I put my lunch, where is the sacred nurses area that I shouldn't sit in, let alone put my coffee down, do we do teaching rounds at shift change, do I get a break for dinner...

I hope I can remember people's names as well, since I've met what feels like a million people over the last 2 weeks. We had our welcome party at Dr. Hoekstra's house, which was great, but it was impossible to tell staff from residents from spouses, etc. It would have been nice if we all had name tags. OK, gotta run and eat and shower and get ready and try not to be a disaster tonight.