Dear Clinical Student,
You made it to clinicals- congratulations! You are about to begin one of the most exciting and uniquely privileged years of your training. Reflecting on my own student clinician ceremony, I distinctly remember the feelings of anticipatory excitement and uncertainty that come with beginning clerkships. So, in the whirlwind that is finishing MSK, STEP studying, and starting third year, I hope to share with you a few certainties flecked with the advice that was passed down to me just a few months ago.
You will mess up. Maybe you’ll present an ICU patient just like any other patient, not knowing there is a different format. Or you won’t have a clue what a Kerlix is when you’re asked to grab one for a dressing change and instead ask the nurse for Keflex. You might not answer a single pimp question correctly in a 4-hour surgery. I’ve done all of these things and it was always okay- you really are expected to mess up. Be honest, learn and understand the answers to every question you get wrong, and do your best not to get something wrong twice.
You will connect. Take the time to get to know your patients and listen to them. Time spent with a patient is never wasted. You might share the excitement of hearing a fetal heartbeat for the first time after your patient opened up about prior infertility struggles. Or maybe your conversation about Marvel movies with the patient who brought in a Spiderman water bottle is the reason he feels comfortable talking to your medical team. Maybe the patient who you’ve seen every day for 3 weeks straight suddenly confides in you his history of abuse as a young boy and you are there to hear him. Empathize with and understand your patients and remember that being human isn’t unprofessional.
You will learn so, so much. You will learn by just showing up, but you will learn so much more by trying to learn. Introduce yourself to the people you work with, tell them you’re new, and that you’re ready to learn and willing to help. Ask your residents for feedback. And, importantly, say thank you to your teachers- the scrub tech who stays after the case to walk you through the names of each instrument, the surgery attending who stays in the pit to teach at 3AM despite having an office he can retreat to, the busy intern with a 16 patient list who answers all questions with a smile, and so many more. Their clinical pearls, encouragement, and guidance will shape your clerkships.
Most importantly, you are ready. You may not feel ready- I definitely didn’t- but you will make a difference with the knowledge, skills, and compassion that you already possess. Believe in yourself and pay attention to your growth. Effective presentations, organized problem lists, one-handed ties, and plan-making will come. For now, listen to your patients, advocate for them, do the work, help out where you can, and enjoy your third year.
I am so excited for each of you!
Claire Schenken