(Me and my favorite resident on his last day)

Tomorrow marks the end of my first floor month in the most scutty unit in the hospital. If only I had a nickel for every patient that was admitted and discharged on the same day. And those like Mr. L who still cannot leave because of unresolvable social issues.

But still, not all was a loss. I learned to speed through paperwork like never before, learned how to speed-round before the 9AM hour, how to bargain with patients over dosing of pain meds, how to beg for consults with no clinical indication what-so-ever, and how to drop NG tubes like it's nobody's business.

Last week was hell, and at this point I am so burnt out that one more day will make me seriously contemplate changing careers. But still, I know that the next month of repose will make me yearning for more of this madness. Because in the end, I can still feel justified being called doctor.