July1st, 2012 is traditionally the day that all residents across the country begin their medical training after completing medical school. Because it fell on a Sunday this year, I was not required to go into work. However, I did volunteer to go in and round with two of the other residents as it is a completely new hospital system for me. I don't know my way around the hospital, I don't know the computer system, and I don't know the patients on my service. Heck, I didn't even know where to park this am.

After 2.5 hours, I feel much more comfortable and hopefully, will transistion through the week more easily. I also feel more comfortable with the two residents I rounded with today. They are both very nice, supportive and crass(which I love!). I know my transition to being low man on the totem pole will not be fun but working with these people will be!

Tomorrow, my first day will consist of rounds beginning at 0700. Then plastics clinic for the rest of the morning. Then in the afternoon we have a very big case...an ALT flap, for which I am reading the dissection and anatomy today so I can follow along.

Overall, I am slightly more relaxed having gone into work this morning yet, I still have some anxiety about beginning residency again. As a  good friend put it, "you need to hurry up and start your residency so you can hurry up and finish." Very well put! I need to take this first step to reach my lifetime goal of practicing plastic surgery. Deep breath....