cheerful2) Call everyone you don't know who isn't a medical student "sir" or "ma'am", and mean it. Surgeons didn't get to be surgeons overnight. They're much more likely to explain instead of pimping if they like you. And you never know when the attending you almost bowled over in the hallway will be your next faculty member. And the OR nurses love being able to tell you to call them "Joyce" or "Amy" or "Roger" instead.
3) Get out of the way. Especially of doctors, nurses, or anyone moving at faster than a brisk walk. Also fluoroscopy. Also anyone who is clearly already scrubbed. Also anyone with a hospital bed.
4) Take the stairs. Not only is it faster than waiting for an elevator, you don't get stuck in an enclosed space with a staff doctor who might ask you about the patient you haven't gotten to see yet this morning for three minutes. You don't need an aneurysm. Plus, it's the only bloody exercise you're going to get.
5) Introduce yourself. Nothing's more embarrassing than having a parent or physician or OR nurse ask you "Who are you?" Going along with that, always have your nametag, especially when your last name is hard to spell.
6) If you have a connection to someone, use it. You're going to need every nepotistic favour and fond memory you can get when the world around you intrudes on your surgery rotation heaven. It never hurts to have higher-ups rooting for you.
7) Take time for yourself. If you don't have time to get lunch or dinner, then (I kid you not, O Best Beloved) go find a less-used hallway and sit in the bathroom for longer than you need to. Enjoy the quiet and the chance to breathe, and just stop thinking for a bit. I have a favourite bathroom in every hospital. And none of them stink, but the one in W had really bad lighting, so I was sitting in semi-darkness.
That's some of what I've learned on Peds Surg. I'm sure there's more, medical stuff even (saw a rigid bronchoscopy today, that was cool), but the more important things right now are the intangibles.
And now I'm going to go play with the babies. Angel will be here tomorrow, and I'll get to get shagged rotten, so nyah, Andrea.
