This was the last rotation that I left of the dietetic internship! It was also my last of four weeks of being at the VA. Most of the rotations at the VA were fun, but I am just thrilled that I don't have to drive through the south Dallas ghetto anymore and see dead stray dogs on the side of the road and pack my own lunch. I'm so done with Dallas traffic. And the VA has a weird smell and some people are creepy. This week I practiced my outpatient counseling skills, which is not my best skill. I did lots of educations: weight loss, weight gain, diabetes, Warfarin (drug-nutrient), and high cholesterol. There were quite a few very interesting/challenging patients. I feel so helpless when money is an issue and patients can't afford to buy food or when the patient is in denial that he has diabetes even though he has been diagnosed for several years and has done nothing but gain weight. I just have to realize that not everyone can or wants to be helped. I gained a lot of confidence this week by talking to veterans and educating them. I had a lot of good laughs with some of the veterans, some with them in the office and some once they left. I still need practice with motivational interviewing which would also help me with keeping a flow of conversation during counseling sessions. I know I'm smart, it just doesn't come out like I want it to. Monday-Wednesday I was at the library until 12:30 am. Not much sleep this week.
On Thursday, June, 9th I presented my case study on Polycystic Kidney Disease to the interns and dietitians at Presby. I'm not sure what the time was once I was done, but it was suppose to be ~40 minutes long, including questions afterwards. It felt like I was talking forever up there. I was pretty nervous. I am very happy to have that behind me, now I have to finish up the 20 page paper. Lots to do yet.
TWO WEEKS LEFT!!
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| Pre-presentation Pep-talk from Alyssa |
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