Passing

There are lots of things that pass.

You pass cars on the road that are going to small. You pass the time. You pass the butter, salt, or pepper. You pass from one stage of life to another.

But few things are more gratifying than passing into the second semester of medical school.

Seriously.

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I thought I knew what I was getting into when I went to medical school. I had been a nurse for several years, I knew faculty at the school I was attending, and I knew lots of physicians. Although strangely enough, very few of the physicians who found out I was going to medical school had much more than a concerned look on their face.

I probably should have paid more attention to that.

Not because I am not happy to be where I am -- on the contrary, I am beyond thrilled to be in medical school. And even more thrilled to have survived the first semester. But now I know why they gave that look. It was much less about not being encouraging and much more the look of "Oh my goodness, I remember what it was like...."

I now completely understand the look.

People say that it doesn't take long for those in medicine to being to discourage those who are thinking about that career path. I can see why -- not because they don't think it's a fantastic path, but because medical school is like nothing words can explain.

The volume of information. The constant stress level. The effort it takes to be around people who are stressed to the max day after day. The feeling like you know absolutely nothing. There are no words that can prepare you for that. You know medical school is going to be tough, but you have no idea that it's going to be the way it is.

Some things no one can tell you, you just have to learn on your own.

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So this is what it feels like...

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I'm in school. Again. When I graduated from high school, I went to college and got a bachelor's degree in nursing. And then I was a nurse. Which was great. But I wanted something different. So I left nursing, and I went back to school to finish my medical school requirements. And I can say with complete honesty that I had no idea when I started what it was going to be like. I can also say that it was one of the best decisions I've ever made - it isn't always the most fun, but I am so happy I did it.

And now I remember why.

After all of your wonderful well wishes for my interview, for which I couldn't have been more thankful, I'm in. A Master of Arts in Bioethics, and a guaranteed seat in their medical class the following year. And as shocking as it may seem, that has rendered me completely speechless. Speechless, and thrilled in a way that no words can describe.

So how does one celebrate, when they've managed to make their dreams come true? Well, I'll be studying for my biochemistry final.

See, I told you it wasn't always very fun.