Self-reflection and Learning Goals 3: Level 2

        On the first day of my last term as a level 2 intern, I arrived to find a first term level 1 intern, Jordan, had accidentally been put in a treatment room alone and without a resident. She was clearly nervous and upset to be alone in the room, so I asked my partner, who was also a last term level 2 intern, if it would be alright if I treated with her. Once I moved into the room we quickly fell into an easy rapport and I ended up acting as a sort of resident to her. When the next week came around our supervisor said she had talked with Lesley and she was planning to set up a resident for Jordan. To my surprise and delight, Jordan asked if it was alright if she simply stayed partnered with me and if I wouldn't mind continuing to help her as I had the first week. That first week I had truly enjoyed helping Jordan, so I quickly agreed.
      We spent the rest of the term as partners and, aside from enjoying the work we did together, we quickly became friends. I loved assisting her, asking her questions and giving her advice. So much of my TCM clinical knowledge was solidified during those twelve weeks. I've always been the type of person that needs to talk through ideas. I gain so much from just saying thoughts out loud and hearing other's opinions. Sometimes even saying something out loud to myself provides enough inspiration to make an important decision or accomplish a task. The experience also gave me a great deal of confidence. Having to articulate one's thought process and defend one's ideas can be challenging. Doing that with Jordan every week showed me I understood TCM much better than I gave myself credit for.
      I remember when I first came to AOMA, before there were residents, talking to interns and they would say the best thing to do was find a more advanced intern who was willing to mentor you. The idea of that sounded great but also stressed me out. It was not something the school helped put together for you and it made me nervous to think I wouldn't find an advanced intern to be my mentor. When I found out they were doing the resident program I was so relieved and thankful. Having a resident when I was a new intern made that experience vastly more secure. As a new intern the main benefit of having a resident really ends up being to calm your nerves so your brain will work through a treatment. While the main benefit of being in a resident position is you learn a great deal about yourself as a leader and teacher as well as solidifying your TCM knowledge and proving to yourself just how much you know.