Happy almost-Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope you all are gearing up for some days filled with pie and turkey :)
I am feeling very grateful these days! I completed my first clinical externship this summer at SCO, and I am almost done with my second rotation at a private practice in Western PA. I am so happy to be seeing patients every day, and to be getting a chance to experience a real-life practice setting. My clinic is very medically-based, and I am loving every second of it. It’s exactly the type of place where I’d like to practice someday, so that has been very inspiring.
In addition to working full-time, I am trying to study as many hours as possible for Part 2 of NBEO. This portion of the exam will be focused more on full patient cases, as well as the treatment and management of ocular disease. It’s been super helpful to study for this at the same time I’m in clinic every day, but also stressful to try to fit everything in, and I will certainly be happy when this chapter is finished for me. On the bright side, I have completed (and passed!) the other two parts, so it feels like the end is very near!!
After I finish up with NBEO in early December, I will continue making plans for after graduation. As I’ve said before, I am in a bit of a unique situation because my fiancé is in the Army. I won’t know where we’ll be stationed more permanently until later in 2018, and we won’t be moving until the end of that year. I am hoping to do some fill-in or part-time work in the Western PA area for as long as possible before eventually moving to be with him (If anyone needs a fill-in doc after May 2018, let me know!)
It’s definitely been a challenge to plan ahead, but I am thankful that I’ve chosen a field with many unique practice modalities to allow me to make it all work.
Whew, that’s a lot, but that’s all for now. Again, I wish you all the best during this season. I know I will be taking some time to appreciate all of my blessings.
Thanks for reading!