So this week I started my two week long Oncology rotation with a different preceptor. It's somewhat challenging changing from one style to the next, and while I don't find it that difficult (it's honestly as simple as saying "This is how I learned it, do you do things the same or differently? and then adjusting your ways) but I do feel somewhat bad for the preceptor. They all have their own way of doing certain things. When writing notes, some things are worded differently, and that's just the way they prefer them. My first note in Oncology, there weren't really any corrections, just modifications to fit the way she writes her notes. So by the time I'm done, I'll have so many different ways that I could write a note! That skill is going to become really useful when I start an actual job and they have a completely different charting system, with different ways of charting, and even different ways of doing things altogether!
As for the rotation itself, I'm not as in love with Oncology as I was with Cardiology. The battle between these two is easy: Cardiology wins hands down. I'm just not as busy in this rotation, and I like being busy. Last rotation, the whole day flew by. This rotation, my days goes like this:
1. Make list for patients we need to see today; go over list with preceptor
2. Walk over to conference room for rounds; wait 30-40 minutes for doctors to show up
3. Go over all the patients in the BMTU (Bone and Marrow Transplant Unit)
4. Proceed to walk around in the hall and re-talk about everything we just talked about
5. See the patient, talk to patient (doctor, not us usually), leave
6. Do that for everyone, go to lunch
7. Preceptor gives me patients for the afternoon; go work on PIFs (Patient Information Forms - basically I just use the computer program to fill out an informational sheet that include the patient's history and nutritional relevant information while here at the hospital).
9. Write notes on patients
10. Go over notes with preceptor
And while that may seem like a lot, the morning is what drags on and on. I just feel like we are being slightly counterproductive by going through all the patients in the conference room and then again in the hallways. But, that's how they do things, and they win awards for their service, so... I guess I shouldn't complain. Anyways, the doctors, nurses, and entire team in the BMTU is really friendly and so that makes things go a bit better!
Overall, I'm 20% done with this rotation (yes...I'm counting) and after the next 80%, I wont have to come back for this rotation again! I'm definitely glad that I get to see so much in this internship, otherwise I wouldn't know what I do or don't like to do, and may end up applying for a job that I don't like. This way, I'll hopefully know which areas I really do like and those are the jobs I can focus on.
