Preceptor: That was great. Let’s hear what the patient thought.
OSCE Patient: Uh, if this is graded on a curve, everyone else is in serious trouble.
Me: Er.. sorry, what do you mean-?
OSCE Patient: That was amazing. You knew what you were doing – and I’ve been doing this for a long time, and no one knows what they’re doing. So when you open up your own practice, I’d be the first in line to be your patient.
Me (Outwardly):
Me (Inwardly):
Yes, I’m a huge dork.
Honestly, I’d rather write about my total inability to do anything clinically, but if I never post about the small triumphs, one of you might actually call the state medical board with some… legitimate concerns. (“She wears 7 scents at a time, can’t operate a blood pressure cuff, and sometimes can’t figure out how to take her own medications. Stop her.”)
More importantly, I’m about to go draw blood on a classmate. Phlebotomy training day! So I’ll be reminding you guys about my shortcomings soon enough. (Unless you’re that classmate. In that case, please note that I have no shortcomings. I’m absolutely going to get your vein on the first try and not pass out when you try for mine.)
(On an unrelated note, phlebotomy partner, I plan on buying you a Peace Latte afterwards. So you will still speak to me.)
Action Potential 
Woohoo!! You rock, AP!
Congratulations! It’s very gratifying, isn’t it? I had a senior med student tell me that I was the only one that made him feel like he was really being thoroughly examined when they ran a prep session for us (second years’) – my reaction was rather similar to yours! 🙂
Won. Der. Ful! Congratulations, AP!
congrats! one day i too hope to know what i’m doing. this week i put my stethoscope earbuds in backwards for a lung exam with a standardized patient – i’m sure you can imagine how much useful information i was able to get out of that experience…
Like Elena, your triumphs give me hope too.. We just had our 1st End-of-Unit OSCE and I didn’t even remember to BRING my stethescope – which I didn’t realize until I had taken the enitre history and attempted to do the CV & lung exam. Clearly my future in medicine looks BRIGHT.
Nice!! From how clever, humble and friendly you are in your blog, I am not surprised in the least!