The final 500...

Last week I started the final 500 hours of my internship required for my FNP. I am working at the Joliet Doctors Clinic a multi specialty private practice near Plainfield. My designated preceptor is a young female family physician but I'm also spending quite a bit of time with an endocrinologist who is also the owner of the practice. I've become very comfortable with treating primary care patients and my time spent on the family practice wing is pretty much a review of everything I encountered last semester. Diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorder, osteoperosis, upper respiratory tract infections, tendonitis, the occasional fracture, lots of well woman exams...primary care stuff. But, on the endocrine wing, I'm seeing some very interesting and rare cases.

At first, I was really nervous about being completely "on my own" there is so much responsibility assumed with this position. There is so much room for error in ever assessment, diagnosis, and treatment plan. I am constantly checking and double checking my every move. Did I forget any labs, did I check for ALL possible drug interactions, is my prescription complete, is my documentation complete...this list goes on and on. It has been a little nerve racking. Still, the feeling of finally being competent enough to know what steps need to be taken, what questions to ask, and what needs to be ruled out, is a good feeling.

It's all starting to come together and I know I'll be ready to practice in May. I'll always be a student because a good physician preceptor explained to me, "you can never know everything...it's impossible!" Medicine is constantly advancing and guidelines are always changing. I have to update my Palm on a weekly basis to make sure I stay current with all the medications on my Epocrates program! I don't mind, in fact this is what I enjoy most...there is always something new to be learned.

This is my little wing, if you were one of my patients they would put you in one of these rooms :)

My little corner of the world, this is where I do all my charting.