Toto, We're Not in Rochester Any More!

Today was my first day on the new job as an Interventional Cardiology Fellow.

Things are done very differently here. The cath lab environment here is a huge change for me. They use tools that I've never used in my life, like this thing called a manifold. They use different types of equipment than I am accustomed to. And the staff in the lab are very nice and helpful, but I keep forgetting their names.

I did one case today. My attending, fortunately, was quite patient. There is the assumption when you're new that you know nothing. I like that assumption. And, I do know a bit more than I let on, but for now, I would hate to pretend I know and make a mistake.

Being new isn't as anxiety-provoking as, say, when I was an intern fresh out of medical school seven years ago. Back then, I smiled a lot and was extra-nice to everyone. I even baked cookies for the nurses and patient staff! Because, when you're nice, people tend to be more forgiving, especially when you're a 23-year-old who looks way too young to be anyone's doctor. So, I was that nice new intern who bakes cookies, and that got me far during my first month rotation.

So, lots to learn about how to do cardiac interventions, and lots to learn about the system. I still smile a lot and am friendly. We'll see how things go -- I may be baking some chocolate chip cookies very soon.