Conference Time!

Happy March! It's hard for me to believe that another month has come and gone in 2008, and I only posted once during the short month. Classes and clinicals have been whizzing by, and I only have FIVE more days at the clinic! My finals start late next week, then this quarter will officially be over on March 17! Reflecting back on this quarter, I will admit that MANY things have been easier, and the time really did seem to fly by. I'm wondering if that is because I'm used to the techs at the clinic (we've sort of become co-workers in the past six months) or because I'm just more comfortable period. I've had several discussions with the techs over the past couple of weeks about my progress, achievements and shortcomings. Some fellow students have said that I'm a "glutton for punishment," but I'm actually getting really good feedback! Everyone I talk to says that they are pleased with my progression and that after some more clinical experience, I will be a good tech. They praise me on my patient care and positioning skills and remind me to watch the use of my markers (sometimes getting in the anatomy) and collimation. I'm pleased to have an honest assessment and am looking forward to moving on to the next site...after a three-week break, of course! :)

I am blogging tonight from the Student & Radiographer's Seminar hosted by the Atlanta Society of Radiologic Technologists. Today was the first of four days filled with general sessions, workshops and networking. The keynote speaker this morning was Dr. Steve Sobel, and he was INCREDIBLE. He spoke a lot about passion, ambition and drive. I think everyone left the general session with the "warm and fuzzies." He was hysterical without being over the top and really delivered a message that I have been trying to live by: try your ABSOLUTE best in everything you do, don't sweat the small stuff and try to laugh about something silly every single day. I also got the opportunity to hear authors Philip Ballinger, Ph.D., RT(R) (Merrill's Atlas of Radiographic Positioning) and Terri Fauber (Radiographic Imaging & Exposure) present on the topics they know best. Because I use both of these books in my classes, it was a neat feeling to be learning from them. My favorite presentation of the day was by Dennis Bowman, RT(R), who spoke about the art of techniques. This one hit home for me because the techs at the clinic are "encouraging" us to set manual technique no matter what. Mr. Bowman was a fantastic presenter (very enthusiastic, etc.), but because it was at the end of the day, my brain was having a hard time keeping up. Luckily his power point presentations are online. While it's exciting to be at the conference and meeting students from all over the country, I'm finding that I'm not really LEARNING anything that hasn't already been taught in my classes. Maybe tomorrow will be different!

Since the last time I blogged, I have comped on several more exams:
Pediatric Chest (EXCELLENT patient. The kind that makes you want to have a kid!)
Tib/Fib (finally!)
Clavicle (fluke - first order I've ever seen for a clavicle!)
T Spine
L Spine
Upright Abdomen
Barium Enema
Small Bowel Series

I've been able to knock out several of my fluoro comps that technically aren't due until next quarter, but since we do so much fluoro at the clinic, I grabbed 'em while I could. I have some trauma comps that were scheduled to be completed this quarter, but because of the nature of my site, I won't be able to get them. I'm feeling good about what I've accomplished this quarter and hope that I can at least get my Rib comp before I leave.

Have a great week!