The last clinical day

4/21/09

Today was my last clinical and the best one yet! I was able to independently work with the students in L&D. I thoroughly enjoyed making the assignments and pulling them here and there to see exciting delivery experiences. What a fun day! Between deliveries I had the opportunity to come up with critical thinking test questions for the students to think through. It was exciting to see their minds work through the problems and rewarding for me when they were able to conclude the correct answers.

At post conference I encouraged them to share their experiences from all the women's health areas. Dr. Arnold stayed with the students in the other clinical areas so basically we rotated positions from last clinical. Dr. Arnold told me that I have spoiled her this semester because she has enjoyed having more face value with the students. The OB instructors are pulled from one clinical area to the next and have very limited time with each student. This limits the student's clinical experiences and the instructor's teaching opportunities. I was encouraged to hear that I had positively influenced this semester for her.

4/22/09

Today we had another postpartum lecture and not only is it a boring topic but the instructor was boring. When you worry if she is going to fall asleep during her own lecture then you know something really must be boring. She basically just read the slides really slow. It was her last lecture so it was sad to see her say bye to her students.

I had my evaluation with Dr. Arnold and I was so grateful to hear all her encouraging comments. It is great when you feel like you have made a difference for the students and the professor. What an emotional but good day. I have one last goodbye at lecture next week. I know it is going to be bitter sweet.