Surgery and half way through rotations!

My surgery rotation has been an awesome experience so far. I have some really great surgeons as preceptors who have been helpful and so supportive of my learning. I was a little nervous and excited about starting surgery, I had never scrubbed in before, and although was taught everything in the classroom, I was still a little unsure of myself at first. I had a really great team who was there to help me and remind me of proper sterile technique... which made things so much better. I feel a lot more comfortable with scrubbing in and a lot of general surgical procedures.

I have yet to "contaminate" myself yet while in surgery, although I have had itches and had to think to myself not to itch!

 I was given the opportunity to place foley catheters in women and men, and to intubate a patient. 

I have been able to suture a lot, and am getting a lot more comfortable with using needle drivers and pickups. 

I also have a preceptor who really likes to pimp me on lots of different topics. Because he is so smart and retains everything he has ever remembered (I swear he does)... he makes our time together a really great learning opportunity. He will quiz me on things I may not have thought of before, and it has really helped me to think about what i'm doing.

Also I have seen a lot of breast cancer patients and have come to appreciate all that goes into the treatment of breast cancer. I have been in on a few partial mastectomies where I was able to see the resection of the cancer. I have yet to do a sentinel lymph node resection, however we have at least one schedule before I am finished here. 

Also... I am now over the mark of the halfway point for my clinical year! I cannot believe how quick things are moving. I only have 4 more rotations left and about 6 more months. I can't wait until I can get out there working as a PA-C!