Wiped Out

The last two night shifts have left me wiped out. Emotionally-difficult patients, and always the less sick ones demanding more time than the really sick ones. Last night we seemed to be having a special on drunken lacerations that required a lot of time to repair. And for it being a week night, there just have been way too many patients coming in lately.

Right now, we're transitioning through the end of the year. The senior residents are done, so rather than running stuff by them, every one of us have to present to the attending directly. This wouldn't be so bad but we have been so busy lately that the attendings have been having to see patients on their own, so there ends up being a waiting line to talk to the attendings. So basically, my fastest, most-efficient coworkers are gone, so I'm feeling a little frustrated with all of the delays.

And on top of the working, there are numerous other activities going on this week, and morning meetings and simulation labs that have been keeping me busy. Fortunately, someone asked me to trade my shift tonight with them, so I can go to bed at a decent hour tonight after this evening's softball game.

Finally, the results of our national exam came back today. I am disappointed with my performance, but our program doesn't really place a whole lot of importance on the test. I didn't prepare for it at all, and that is pretty much obvious by my score. Basically, I just need to show improvement next year, and I managed to score low enough that I can pretty much guarantee that. Maybe this is the kick in the butt that I've been needing though to motivate me start seriously studying for my upcoming licensing exam next month.

Deadlines

I may not have touched on this before, but I am a person who thrives on deadlines. Papers in college got written in massive marathon sittings the night before. Often things were printing as class was starting. Sometimes I didn't have time to spell-check them first. And yet, papers I cranked out generally tended to get scored higher than the ones I edited, and re-edited to the point that the original passion behind my arguments was diluted out.

I have signed up for a 10K next month. I HAD been working out pretty regularly, however I have done nothing for over a week now. Today I tried to do some speed intervals on the treadmill, but I died on the second segment. I think that a good part of that is due to getting up on 5 hours of sleep, and consuming nothing from 6:30 am until after my failed 6 pm run. I just didn't have anything left.

Part of my problem is the last three shifts I have worked have been starting earlier each day, so I have been building a sleep deficit. I start later tomorrow though, so hopefully I can put a stop to it tonight.

Here's to hoping I can step it up a notch.