The beginning of the end.
With the fall semester in full swing and NAVLE preparations going full throttle, I’m reminded that this year marks the end of a very (VERY) long journey to making my dreams come true. Though it hasn’t been a lifelong dream to be a veterinarian, every move I’ve made in the last 8 or 9 years has been with the ultimate goal of one day being Jasmine Jones, DVM. It seems surreal that I’m about 7 months away from saying “mission accomplished.”
My fourth year actually started over the summer, and with each rotation I’ve been through (being significantly more involved than when I was a third year), I get a deeper glimpse into what I would like to do with my life in practice. A lot of what I’ve learned has been trial and error, sprinkled with some trial and triumph, and the guidance I’ve had along the way has been invaluable. This is not only the beginning of the end, but the beginning of the beginning.
I’m anxiously excited about finally moving into my career and on to the next adventure. I think for me, the biggest obstacle to overcome will be having confidence in my own knowledge base. I’ve noticed this a lot particularly when I was on small animal medicine rotation and in my studies for the NAVLE. When people tell you that you “know more than you think you do,” that’s actually a true statement. My Achilles heel right now is that I’m second guessing myself, because it “can’t be that easy.” While I wouldn’t necessarily characterize veterinary medicine as “easy,” there is a certain level of natural progression when you get the basics down. Too bad we can’t be taught to follow our instincts.
I think for a while I was dreading it, but I’m actually looking forward to my first year out in practice (although I hear it’s the toughest). I would like to get to know myself as a clinician and to work on my own brand of medicine. Hopefully I won’t struggle too hard!
