2 steps forward, 1 step back.

I've finally figured out that these rotations are not about getting better each and every day. They are, instead, about being fantastic and infallable one day, and a total idiot the next. Each day when I head into work I don't know which type of day it will be.
The last two days have been pretty good. I've removed an ingrown toenail (which my classmates might understand as being somewhat of a feat), excised a possible extra nipple (seriously), and did running subcuticular stitches (with visibly shaking hands). When I did the toenail, I broke it off without getting the whole nail out - preceptor had to fix. When I did the excision, I cut so deep that my preceptor accused me of trying to biopsy her heart rather than take off a skin lesion. The running subcuticular stitches were pathetic at best...but luckily they are subcuticular....which means they are just under the skin, where no one can see them. I'll call that a victory.
Another victory: today when I introduced myself to one of the patients, she dryly replied that she had already heard of me. Apparently I look confused, because she said "it's a small town, honey." All I could say was, "well, you're still here, so that's good!" She said she hadn't heard anything bad about me.......which isn't the same as saying she'd heard anything good, but nothing bad is a good enough for me, if that makes sense.
Finally, I nailed down my housing in Montana, and it's going to be quite the adventure. For the first 3 weeks I will be living in an apartment provided by the hospital. For the last 3 weeks, I will be living IN the hospital. Yes, my very own converted patient room with a TV, bed and shower. Apparently the ER docs use these rooms when they don't have time to go home between shifts. Bitchin.
Jen