Hurry up and Wait for Graduation!

The task is done. The goal I set out to achieve mid-summer will be realized on the 17 Dec 2010. I did not doubt my abilities to get through, nor the drive to do what had to be done. Still, it feels like a major achievement to have succeeded. I know in the grand scheme of things this is just a milestone to my life long goals. For the first time in five months I can mentally relax.

I have done the work, now I just wait on gradation, but more importantly the responsibility I have chosen to partake in. I will be graduating as a Health Services Technician third class. As for being a HS, we will be able to do Venipuncture, IV’s and Medical Assessments. We will always work under an MD, but will have the opportunity to be very diverse in our duties.

The final tests we had to perform were things we had done on several occasions, but to have someone look over your shoulder and judge every step adds a different kind of stress. I suppose to be able to perform the task under those circumstances served a dual purpose. One, to ensure we understood and executed every step with precision. Two, to make is more stressful than it would be in the real world to ensure we are prepared. As my instructors know, I am one to question many things and ask many questions. I considered not asking anymore questions some weeks back, but that did not last very long.

I can summarize it as 19 week of high expectations; expectations of our behavior, decision-making, skills, precision, attention to detail and dedication. We had to perform every task without error. Along with this expectation came the support of the instructors and the support we would have to forge as a class.

It has been a long road to where I can proudly stand now. Well almost, I just have to keep my nose clean until the 17th. Those that have read the blog know the experiences I have had the opportunity to partake in. In reflection, I would not have changed that journey.

Just today I had the opportunity to visit a place I believe I visited during my childhood. Ever since I have been here I have wanted to make a visit to there, but always found something else to do if I was not working on the next section of class. It was a somewhat dreary day with the fog rolling over the hill, but still reminded me of a beautiful morning that may have been a reality hundreds of years ago. Olompali State Park is about fifteen minutes south of Petaluma and is a combination of Indian and early settler structures. It is preserved for the period in history in which the traditional ways of life gave way to the modern ways. As you can see from the pictures, it is quite beautiful. I believe I went there with the Boy Scouts years ago. I did not find the ceremonial smoke shack that I thought was there before, but it was still a relaxing morning.
 

All is well and I hope to see everyone soon. Thanks for all the support.