Post step bliss

OK, so I had every intention of writing something sooner but I have just been enjoying my time off and my summer vacation with my daughter. We have done a lot of sitting by the pool, plenty of beach days and lots of catching up on TV shows and movies. I've also read a lot this summer. I finished all the Sookie Stackhouse books (yes all 12), the Hunger Games series, Fifty Shades books, and I'm working through the Game of Thrones books now. Overall I have had a great time relaxing and I am ready to get back to work and start my clinical rotations. Boredom comes not a moment too soon as I am scheduled to begin my clinical rotations on August 27th.

So you maybe asking yourself how did it go and what happens next? Well, I took STEP 1 on June 11th and received my score on July 11th. Although I have never discussed grades or scores, I can say that I did really well and I am feeling very relieved. I didn't realize just how tired I was until it was all over. The last two years have gone by in a flash and juggling motherhood, family life, and school has been a difficult and rewarding challenge. But at this point in my life I feel VICTORIOUS. My USMLE step 1 study plan took 8 weeks and included doctors in training (I went through it twice), and USMLE World. I also did NBME practice tests in the end to make sure I was getting the score I wanted, or at least close to it. In the end my NBME practice exams were pretty much right on at estimating my score. Because all of my assessments at the end were really similar in scores I felt very confident and comfortable when I showed up at the Prometric Testing Center. I was not very nervous at all. This surprised me greatly. The exam was so similar in style to the USMLE World and I really felt like I was taking another practice test. I felt really well prepared. I can honestly say I walked out and knew that it had gone just fine, how fine I was not sure of but I knew I did well and I knew I could not have been more prepared. 

Next I get to do my clinical rotations. I feel so fortunate to be able to stay in South Florida for 5 out of the 6 core rotations as well as pretty much all of my electives, unless I want to go somewhere else. I will have to leave to do surgery. I am not excited about leaving my husband and daughter but we are prepared for this and we knew it would be the case. It's only for a few months and it is so much better than moving around every 6-12 weeks. Originally we were not very excited about having to come to Miami for 5th semester but once we were here we really liked Hollywood, Florida. So we decided to stay and just signed a 12 month lease. My husband was able to find a job in his field, Gabby is headed into second grade in a week and we love our apartment complex. So here is what I will be up to in the next little while.

Aug 27-Oct 5    Family Medicine
Oct 8- Nov 16   Ob/Gyn
Nov 19-Feb 8    Internal Medicine
Feb 11- Mar 22 Psych
Mar 25-May 3    Pediatrics

That is it for now. I will continue to chronicle my clinical experiences.