How much clinical work do you actually do?

[nightowl]

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I recently started working at a hospital and am training to be a phlebotomist to familiarize myself with some basic clinical skills. I started thinking about it, and I have absolutely no idea how "hands on" 3rd and 4th years are. I mean, do you mainly watch other people do stuff, do you get to do lots of stuff and learn lots of procedures, and if so, what do you learn to do...?

 

[sophiejane]

It depends on the hospital, the program, the residents, the attendings.

Personally, as a 3rd year DO student, I've done a fair amount of suturing, placed NG tubes, done I&D's, casted fractures, placed IV's, done injections, numerous blood draws, first assisted in multiple surgeries, done LPs, assisted with central lines, delivered babies, repaired perineal lacerations and episiotomies, assisted with C-sections, done endometrial biopsy, colposcopy, and colonoscopy, done surgical excision of warts and cryotherapy, spirometry, and ultrasound. Unless I mention that I assisted (as in the surgeries and central lines), I was the one doing all of these, with supervision, of course.

I'm sure there are many others with similar and even more experience.

You have to be aggressive and act like you know what you are doing even when you don't...you have to be confident, even when you aren't, but if you are, you can get plenty of clinical experience.

 

[tigershark]

As little as possible, I'm going to school to be a doctor not a technician.

 

[deleted87716]

I'm sure there are many others with similar and even more experience.

Second that. Third year's what you make of it. If you want to do a lot, you usually can. If you don't, well...it's your education.

 

[nabeya]

are you going to be one of those doctors that dont know how to suture or maybe even place a peripheral line, do a LP, central line? Or maybe something as simple as a blood draw? A good doctor is one that is well rounded one and not just one that only knows how to write the orders and progress notes.

As little as possible, I'm going to school to be a doctor not a technician.

 

[RonaldColeman]

are you going to be one of those doctors that dont know how to suture or maybe even place a peripheral line, do a LP, central line? Or maybe something as simple as a blood draw? A good doctor is one that is well rounded one and not just one that only knows how to write the orders and progress notes.

Yep. Nothing wrong with that. Tigershark is a 260+ USMLEr going into rads. Unless he's going into IR, he will never need to know how to suture, draw blood, etc. These skills will not make him a better radiologist.

 

[cdql]

good lord...260+?

Instead of going into medicine, he should open up a clinic and show the rest of us the proper way of studying! 🙂

 

[deleted87716]

These skills will not make him a better radiologist.

If he'll be doing interventional radiology, they will. I don't recommend that anyone go through third and fourth year thinking, "I don't need to know that, since I'll never use it in specialty 'X'." Otherwise, you'll end up looking like this guy:

In case anyone hasn't already seen Michelle Au's "Twelve Med Students" cartoon, here's the whole thing. 🙂

 

[tigershark]

are you going to be one of those doctors that dont know how to suture or maybe even place a peripheral line, do a LP, central line? Or maybe something as simple as a blood draw? A good doctor is one that is well rounded one and not just one that only knows how to write the orders and progress notes.

Those things are good to know and all, but they are really more in line with the responsibilities of a nurse or technician. Sure I read about the concepts, and do a few of them to get the basic idea, but they are not something that anyone with our level of education should be spending their time on.

It seems as though many med students miss the forest for the trees when it comes to "procedures". Almost anyone can be trained to do these simple procedures (blood draws, simple suturing etc.) but the doctors job is to know when, why and what procedures and to develop new ones. The actual execution of said procedures should and can be delegated to those whose time is less valuable.

I'm not saying you shouldn't know how to do the simple procedures, only that as a doctor it is a very poor use of your time, and they are definitely not what makes a doctor a doctor.

I would much rather be the guy that invents a new procedure or device than be the guy that mindlessly follows the procedure a thousand times with no original thought.

 

[Samoa]

Ancillary staff, with the exception of some PA's, don't suture or put in central lines or do LPs. Yes, they can draw blood, but, newsflash, you're the one who gets called for a peripheral iv or a blood draw when everyone else has tried and failed. So you need to be skilled enough to succeed at it when the people whose job it is have failed.

By all means, be the person who invents that spectacular new procedure. But you'll do a better job of that, and people will be more inclined to pay attention to your ideas, if you're skilled at and know the limitations of all the basic and not-so-basic procedures currently in use.

 

[BACMEDIC]

Ancillary staff, with the exception of some PA's, don't suture or put in central lines or do LPs. Yes, they can draw blood, but, newsflash, you're the one who gets called for a peripheral iv or a blood draw when everyone else has tried and failed. So you need to be skilled enough to succeed at it when the people whose job it is have failed.

By all means, be the person who invents that spectacular new procedure. But you'll do a better job of that, and people will be more inclined to pay attention to your ideas, if you're skilled at and know the limitations of all the basic and not-so-basic procedures currently in use.

Perfectly said!

 

[tigershark]

Ancillary staff, with the exception of some PA's, don't suture or put in central lines or do LPs. Yes, they can draw blood, but, newsflash, you're the one who gets called for a peripheral iv or a blood draw when everyone else has tried and failed. So you need to be skilled enough to succeed at it when the people whose job it is have failed.

By all means, be the person who invents that spectacular new procedure. But you'll do a better job of that, and people will be more inclined to pay attention to your ideas, if you're skilled at and know the limitations of all the basic and not-so-basic procedures currently in use.

PA's, NP's, CRNA's etc. do all of that stuff, a doctors expertise is not needed.

And like I already said, a doctor should know how to do it, it's just a poor use of time.

Lack of desire does not equal lack of ability.

I could do an awesome job at mowing lawns and landscaping, but just because it's an important job that should be done does not mean I should spend my time as a doctor doing such things.

 

[Samoa]

So you can do all of those things well already? Your time is only better spent learning more advanced things if you can already do those well.

 

[Entei]

PA's, NP's, CRNA's etc. do all of that stuff, a doctors expertise is not needed.

And like I already said, a doctor should know how to do it, it's just a poor use of time.

Lack of desire does not equal lack of ability.

I could do an awesome job at mowing lawns and landscaping, but just because it's an important job that should be done does not mean I should spend my time as a doctor doing such things.

You're not able "to do an awesome job" at these things until you've done them a million times and can, say, do them in your sleep at 3 AM. If you turn up your nose at every opportunity to do these kinds of things during med school, there's no way to get the practice you need to be that comfortable. I personally don't think it's "poor use of time" when it's the middle of the night and for whatever reason, the patient needs some suturing, or a LP, or an IV, or whatever. How much luck do you think you'll have getting some ancillary staff to come and do that stuff for you then?

 

[xaelia]

I've barely touched a patient. I did minimal suturing during surgery. I caught one baby during OB, and did one vaginal laceration repair. I haven't drawn blood except when practicing, placed an IV, or done anything but watch LPs, lines, etc.

Am I concerned? Not terribly. I will be appropriately trained for my responsibilties when I have them. Right now, the clinical decision making is more important to learn than technical skills. Procedures are fun, of course, but I've got plenty of time the rest of my life to poke needles in people's eyes.

 

[funkless]

I've barely touched a patient. I did minimal suturing during surgery. I caught one baby during OB, and did one vaginal laceration repair. I haven't drawn blood except when practicing, placed an IV, or done anything but watch LPs, lines, etc.

Jeezus!

Should have come to Memphis...

 

[sophiejane]

It's all about your priorities. I want to do rural medicine, so I need to actually know how to do this stuff and be comfortable with it.

My friends who are going into radiology or pathology or psych...not so much.

Still, I think 3rd year is a great time to get as much exposure to everything as you possibly can. I didn't slack on my reading to do all those procedures. It only take 15 minutes to do an LP--how much serious learning are you going to do in that time? But now I can say I've done one, and got a crystal clear tap on the first try, thank you very much. 🙂

I can still develop a differential and think as critically as I should be able to at this point in my education, but I can also use my hands better than I could a year ago.

I'm not saying you have to become a phlebotomist by the end of 3rd year. But you ought to be able to put in an IV or deliver a baby in a pinch if you are going to call yourself a doctor. Otherwise, contrary to what one poster above claims, you truly are a "technician" in your little special niche.

The best docs I've worked with can do lots of stuff not related to their specialty. We are not walking brains and consult machines. Docs should have hands and hearts too, and you get proficiency with both by lots of contact with patients.

 

[Magnus67]

Right now I'm in OB, NOT my favorite rotation by far, but my attending makes a great point. "Every DOCTOR,(that is MD or DO), should be know how to deliver a baby." You never know when the woman sitting next to you during your first class cruise to the bahamas is gonna rupture her membranes. When people call for a DOCTOR are you gonna say "I'm a doctor but I just( administer anesthetic, read x-rays, look a slides...etc.) or are you gonna be able to man up (or woman up) and help somebody. This is just one of many examples of what being a doctor should be all about. Being specialized doesnt give anyone the privlege to skip-over non-relavant third year skills and knowledge.

Those that are going to be doctors and need to have some F*&*&*& pride and respect for what that means.

Dont ever take for granted what being a doctor is, because there are people that would kill to be in your position.

 

[CatsandCradles]

Those that are going to be doctors and need to have some F*&*&*& pride and respect for what that means.

Dont ever take for granted what being a doctor is, because there are people that would kill to be in your position.

Amen. 👍

 

[DarkWingDuck]

Those things are good to know and all, but they are really more in line with the responsibilities of a nurse or technician. Sure I read about the concepts, and do a few of them to get the basic idea, but they are not something that anyone with our level of education should be spending their time on.

It seems as though many med students miss the forest for the trees when it comes to "procedures". Almost anyone can be trained to do these simple procedures (blood draws, simple suturing etc.) but the doctors job is to know when, why and what procedures and to develop new ones. The actual execution of said procedures should and can be delegated to those whose time is less valuable.

I'm not saying you shouldn't know how to do the simple procedures, only that as a doctor it is a very poor use of your time, and they are definitely not what makes a doctor a doctor.

I would much rather be the guy that invents a new procedure or device than be the guy that mindlessly follows the procedure a thousand times with no original thought.

WTF???? Sounds to me like you need a real good ass beating to bring you back to planet earth. I'd be willing to bet that one of your lowly ancillary staff will end up helping you with that.

I say sometime within the first 5 years. And probably around the same time as your first Nobel.

 

[tigershark]

WTF???? Sounds to me like you need a real good ass beating to bring you back to planet earth. I'd be willing to bet that one of your lowly ancillary staff will end up helping you with that.

I say sometime within the first 5 years. And probably around the same time as your first Nobel.

Luckily for me I wont have any ancillary staff besides my dog sitting next to me. I'll be working from home.

Enjoy dealing with your oh so pleasant ancillary staff.

And I dont see where I implied ancillary are "lowly". Everyone has their job to do, doctors and nurses are not the same.

Project your insecurities much?

 

[SurgeryChef]

Luckily for me I wont have any ancillary staff besides my dog sitting next to me. I'll be working from home.

Enjoy dealing with your oh so pleasant ancillary staff.

And I dont see where I implied ancillary are "lowly". Everyone has their job to do, doctors and nurses are not the same.

Project your insecurities much?

I agree with tigershark, however, I LOVE doing procedures. Maybe it's because I want to be a surgeon and this is as close to the real thing as I can get right now. I think procedures are "fun" for 3rd years since they make us feel important. Sure it might help out once in a while when we're residents, but as attendings we won't be doing LPs, placing central lines, etc. Tigershark has realized that this will ultimately not matter and although he doesn't have the greatest attitude in the world, admit it, it makes sense...

 

[souljah1]

To answer the OP's question.

I feel like I got to do a decent amount of hands on. Aside from being my patient's primary go to person on sub-I's and stuff I have: done a ton of ABGs, a few peripheral IVs, a handful of LPs, one epidural, a bunch of central line re-wires and about 3 fresh central lines (2 IJ and 1 femoral), nerve blocks, a good amount of suturing in the ED, sowing in the OR, got to pull the trigger a bunch of times on the argon laser in the OR, arterial lines, delivered babies, placed foley's, rectal face lifts, intubations (oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal) while on anesthesia, ng tubes, and some other stuff I probably can't think of.

I'm going into medicine so suturing won't really be all that necessary aside from suturing a line in place, but I want to be able to do it properly if I have to. ABGs, art lines, central lines, LPs, draining pleural effusions, paracentesis, etc are all things that are expected of an IM doc at some point or another.

I hope to not have to do a bunch of the stuff listed above in my career, but if called to do so - I want to be capable and not look like a fool.

 

[2TIM4:7]

Most of you need to reread the posts and realize whose ego is inflated...it's certainly not Tigershark's.

People, just worry about what you need to get done each day. Don't make comparisons with others in an attempt to boost your egos. Your insecurities are glaring...so sad. 🙁

 

[Antiviral22]

The actual execution of said procedures should and can be delegated to those whose time is less valuable.

I am shocked to read something like this. Anyone that cares for a patient is valuable. You know what happens when a medical unit cannot be staffed with enough nurses? IT SHUTS DOWN. What happens when there aren't enough doctors? The patient case load increases and increases.

 

[bigfrank]

Yep. Nothing wrong with that. Tigershark is a 260+ USMLEr going into rads. Unless he's going into IR, he will never need to know how to suture, draw blood, etc. These skills will not make him a better radiologist.

Get up off your knees, Ronnie.

🙂

 

[remedios]

To answer the OP's question.

I feel like I got to do a decent amount of hands on. Aside from being my patient's primary go to person on sub-I's and stuff I have: done a ton of ABGs, a few peripheral IVs, a handful of LPs, one epidural, a bunch of central line re-wires and about 3 fresh central lines (2 IJ and 1 femoral), nerve blocks, a good amount of suturing in the ED, sowing in the OR, got to pull the trigger a bunch of times on the argon laser in the OR, arterial lines, delivered babies, placed foley's, rectal face lifts, intubations (oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal) while on anesthesia, ng tubes, and some other stuff I probably can't think of.

I'm going into medicine so suturing won't really be all that necessary aside from suturing a line in place, but I want to be able to do it properly if I have to. ABGs, art lines, central lines, LPs, draining pleural effusions, paracentesis, etc are all things that are expected of an IM doc at some point or another.

I hope to not have to do a bunch of the stuff listed above in my career, but if called to do so - I want to be capable and not look like a fool.

Wow you got to do a lot of central lines. Do you think it's because of the three hospital system at UCSF?

At my school, even in MICUs, we don't get to place central lines as interns don't have enough yet. We mostly scrub and observe. Kind of makes me nervous about next year...

 

[RonaldColeman]

Get up off your knees, Ronnie.

🙂

You mean, you didn't hear about the "other" advantages of breaking 260 on step1? 😉

 

[DarkWingDuck]

Luckily for me I wont have any ancillary staff besides my dog sitting next to me. I'll be working from home.

Enjoy dealing with your oh so pleasant ancillary staff.

And I dont see where I implied ancillary are "lowly". Everyone has their job to do, doctors and nurses are not the same.

Project your insecurities much?

See!! This is exactly what I'm talking about!

Either you don't have much respect for the hired help, or you're using "dog" in the vernacular, and you've hired a friend to help you at home.

Which is it dogfish??????????????????????

 

[bigfrank]

You mean, you didn't hear about the "other" advantages of breaking 260 on step1? 😉

Actually I have. 😉

 

[oudoc08]

I am shocked to read something like this. Anyone that cares for a patient is valuable. You know what happens when a medical unit cannot be staffed with enough nurses? IT SHUTS DOWN. What happens when there aren't enough doctors? The patient case load increases and increases.

He didn't say THEY were less valuable, he said their TIME was less valuable. When a RN makes 20 bucks an hour and a doc makes 100 bucks an hour, by definition, the RN's TIME is less valuable. Therefore, it is not good economics for the doc to be doing things routinely which can be done by someone who makes 1/5th the money.

In addition, someone mentioned on here that as a doc, YOU will be the one called when everyone else has been unsuccessful in putting that peripheral IV.

I call BULLSH*T on this one. You are trying to tell me that outside of anesthesia and ER docs, a doctor, by virtue of his title, is supposed to be able to outstick an IV nurse?

Ummm. I think not, no matter how many 3rd yr. IV starts they have.

 

[tigershark]

I am shocked to read something like this. Anyone that cares for a patient is valuable. You know what happens when a medical unit cannot be staffed with enough nurses? IT SHUTS DOWN. What happens when there aren't enough doctors? The patient case load increases and increases.

Nowhere did I say that a nurse's/tech's/whatever time is not valuable, I have respect for anyone who goes to work and does a good job.

However, if you dont understand that a doctor's time is more valuable than a nurses or techs, then you have serious misconceptions about reality.

Perhaps you should spend less time being shocked and more time comprehending what you are reading.

 

[Smurfette]

I can assure you, as a doctor I often get called when IV services can't get an IV in a patient. They only try to get IVs in upper extremities, so they page a doctor to attempt an IV in the leg/foot or neck and also so the doc can decide if the patient needs a central line since they have poor access. It is laughable that they call me (they obviously put in many more IVs than I do), but I *have* managed to get IVs in the arms/hand when the RN couldn't. Usually though, the pt is a tough stick.

Edit: I am neither anesthesia nor EM. So yes, by virtue of my title they call me.

 

[Entei]

In addition, someone mentioned on here that as a doc, YOU will be the one called when everyone else has been unsuccessful in putting that peripheral IV.

I call BULLSH*T on this one. You are trying to tell me that outside of anesthesia and ER docs, a doctor, by virtue of his title, is supposed to be able to outstick an IV nurse?

Ummm. I think not, no matter how many 3rd yr. IV starts they have.

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
CLASS OF 2008 - MS II

How can you call "bullsh*t" with such authority when you don't have any experience to back it up? Smurfette and the others are 100% right. When the patient's a difficult stick, and no one else can get the IV, you as the doc WILL be called for these things, believe it or not.

 

[deleted87716]

Smurfette and the others are 100% right. When the patient's a difficult stick, and no one else can get the IV, you as the doc WILL be called for these things, believe it or not.

Yes, indeed. Usually in the middle of the night, too. 😉

 

[GoodMonkey]

You're not able "to do an awesome job" at these things until you've done them a million times and can, say, do them in your sleep at 3 AM. If you turn up your nose at every opportunity to do these kinds of things during med school, there's no way to get the practice you need to be that comfortable. I personally don't think it's "poor use of time" when it's the middle of the night and for whatever reason, the patient needs some suturing, or a LP, or an IV, or whatever. How much luck do you think you'll have getting some ancillary staff to come and do that stuff for you then?

heh, and seriously - good luck if it's at a VA, which it will be if you do a transitional year or something as such in an academic program where there's a VA nearby. no ancillary staff outside of "regular business hours."

 

[GoodMonkey]

[/B]

How can you call "bullsh*t" with such authority when you don't have any experience to back it up? Smurfette and the others are 100% right. When the patient's a difficult stick, and no one else can get the IV, you as the doc WILL be called for these things, believe it or not.

exactly right. they call it a "doctor draw." no bull****.

 

[oudoc08]

exactly right. they call it a "doctor draw." no bull****.

Ok, wow. I was wrong. I just have a hard time seeing how a doctor has any advantage starting a difficult IV over an IV nurse who does nothing all day long but going around and starting difficult IV's, PICC lines, etc.

Kinda like saying, I want the engineer who designed the motor in my car to come rebuild it.
While he may know the enging very well, he doesn't necessarily have the "grease monkey" experience of a well-seasoned mechanic.

Same analogy, IMO, but I guess I'm wrong.

No offense to the medical students or doctors out there, but if I'm ever the patient in that situation, I believe I'd rather have the "grease monkey".

 

[bessybug]

I have worked at hospital for six years on every floor and every shift and I have yet to see a doctor get called in the middle of the night for an IV. Now that being said if the IV is really that crucial in the middle of the night there is already going to be a doctor around because the patient is serious trouble. Very rarely does the E.R. or Surgeon on call come in to place a central line. NEVER do they come in to start a regular ole IV. I sure that at these teaching hospitals in which you guys are at the students or residents come in to start IV's but it just doesn't happen that way in the real world. How pissed would you be to be called at 2:00 am to come and start an IV on Mrs. Smith who only getting fluids at TKO. What happens is the on-call doc gets a call from the nurse saying they can't get an IV started patient has been stuck X amount of times and then doc says turn the IV and reevaulate in the morning.

 

[YouDontKnowJack]

don't hate the player, hate the game.

don't hate on rads just cuz they get to stay home and read radiographs over the internet.

man, i would love rads if i could get in. you can do your **** anywhere in the world with a laptop.

 

[BMW19]

Wow! Do you actually learn how to do this stuff (theoretically) in 2nd year? How the heck do you know what your are doing? I am only a 1st year so I am looking foward to learning all of this, but I didn't think you start doing LP's and delivering babies when you start your clinical rotations! Should I be reading up on these things now?

BMW-

It depends on the hospital, the program, the residents, the attendings.

Personally, as a 3rd year DO student, I've done a fair amount of suturing, placed NG tubes, done I&D's, casted fractures, placed IV's, done injections, numerous blood draws, first assisted in multiple surgeries, done LPs, assisted with central lines, delivered babies, repaired perineal lacerations and episiotomies, assisted with C-sections, done endometrial biopsy, colposcopy, and colonoscopy, done surgical excision of warts and cryotherapy, spirometry, and ultrasound. Unless I mention that I assisted (as in the surgeries and central lines), I was the one doing all of these, with supervision, of course.

I'm sure there are many others with similar and even more experience.

You have to be aggressive and act like you know what you are doing even when you don't...you have to be confident, even when you aren't, but if you are, you can get plenty of clinical experience.

 

[mysophobe]

You should have done at least 4 or 5 appies by now.

 

[loveumms]

TO answer the OPs question - you will get to do many things during third year.

I was a phlebotomist at a community hospital prior to coming to med school - mainly b/c it was one of the highest paying hospital jobs I could obtain as an undergrad. The hospital trained me so it was a win-win for me.

I can say it has come in handy many times. I've gotten blood when the nurses couldn't (and in our hospital it takes forever for phlebotomy to come up for the draw - aka, it got me out of the hospital on time b/c I wasn't waiting around for the lab result). I've also placed IVs in several patients (even though I could still use some more practice).

Tigershark is right that these procedures should be performed by ancillary staff since they are the ones who are experts at that particular task. I can tell you, if I ever had an intern coming at me with a needle in the middle of the night to place an IV or draw blood, b/c the IV therapist or phlebotomist failed, I would make sure I got some Versed first b/c these are the LEAST qualified people in the hospital (not bashing on interns ... just stating that most of the interns I've worked with are not the best at drawing blood or putting in IVs). It’s funny though b/c most patients think that docs are the ones who are best at drawing blood or placing IVs.

Also, the time being less valuable argument is true. We had a lecture by a MD MBA about the practice of medicine. He was talking about this sort of scenario - where an MD was drawing blood and filing their own charts. He said that, it was a very bad business practice b/c they were loosing a TON of money by doing these tasks. Someone who has 12+ extra years of education (4 undergrad, 4 med school and 4+ residency) should not be doing anything but skills related to that education. Now, I am not saying that a doctor should not be able to do these tasks - ****, I spent two years of my undergrad life working in a car dealership where I was filing and doing payroll - when I could have been doing much higher capacity jobs with the education I had acquired up until that point. What I am saying is, we didn't go to school for this long to be drawing blood or starting IVs - it equates to a loss of money for us and the hospital.

OK - so in the end, you will benefit from having practice placing IVs and drawing blood prior to med school but, it’s not necessary.

 

[tupac_don]

Those things are good to know and all, but they are really more in line with the responsibilities of a nurse or technician. Sure I read about the concepts, and do a few of them to get the basic idea, but they are not something that anyone with our level of education should be spending their time on.

It seems as though many med students miss the forest for the trees when it comes to "procedures". Almost anyone can be trained to do these simple procedures (blood draws, simple suturing etc.) but the doctors job is to know when, why and what procedures and to develop new ones. The actual execution of said procedures should and can be delegated to those whose time is less valuable.

I'm not saying you shouldn't know how to do the simple procedures, only that as a doctor it is a very poor use of your time, and they are definitely not what makes a doctor a doctor.

I would much rather be the guy that invents a new procedure or device than be the guy that mindlessly follows the procedure a thousand times with no original thought.

Your argument is weak, it's like saying, a general does not need to fight in the battle. Every general was a soldier at one point. You need to know that stuff, so if something goes wrong, you can fix it. Also often when the pt is a hard stick, for the nurses, they call in the doctor to do it.

 

[xaelia]

Also often when the pt is a hard stick, for the nurses, they call in the doctor to do it.

If you mean by calling IR to place a PICC, or do an LP, under fluoro because no one can get it on the floor, sure. 😉

 

[stephend7799]

if you do an internship you will do all that stuff until you are freakin blue.. ng tubes, draw labs,etc

 

[SurgeryChef]

Wow! Do you actually learn how to do this stuff (theoretically) in 2nd year? How the heck do you know what your are doing? I am only a 1st year so I am looking foward to learning all of this, but I didn't think you start doing LP's and delivering babies when you start your clinical rotations! Should I be reading up on these things now?

BMW-

god no. you learn this in third year. keep studying your anatomy for the time being...

 

[sophiejane]

You should have done at least 4 or 5 appies by now.

Yeah, I practiced a lap chole on my cat, and my husband let me put in a central line on him a couple of times when he was drunk, but other than that, I was totally green when I started 3rd year.