My first day of residency was completely overwhelming. I at least knew what I was getting myself into, as I had worked with all of the faculty members and technicians as a student and I knew my way around the hospital. That stress was out of the way. In its place, however, was the stress of how little I knew in just about every facet of radiology, anatomy and physiology, my abyssmal ultrasonography skills and my inability to appropriately interpret radiographic studies.
I went home every night during the first six months of my residency and for the first time in my life happily and eagerly read straight from a textbook. Two of the most pertinent textbooks that were recommended to me prior to starting the residency included a total of over 1,000 pages of which I was able to read through in two weeks. For the first time in my life, I was doing exactly what I felt like I was supposed to be doing. I was so excited to be learning about this specialty and the textbooks were the way in which I was able to acquire the basic knowledge I
Now, as a second-year radiology resident, I am still as excited about each new case, reading textbooks, relevant literature and pretty much anything to do with diagnostic imaging in general. It is such a treat to wake up each morning and come to work and be excited about what the day has to bring because I love my job that much. I love the collaborative environment in which I work, my incredible senior faculty members, and my fellow resident-mates in the hospital. Being back in this sort of learning environment, even after only a year hiatus in equine private practice, has solidified that I am happiest when I am learning each and every day.
