On Training Wheels

For the past 5.5 weeks, I've graduated from pouring over books and literature, studying for stressful tests to being able to somewhat contribute productively to society instead of leeching resources and knowledge from the brains of my teachers. Instead, I'm now doing (and still learning at the same time) and not getting paid for it. (..alas, the paycheck will come with the responsibility) Right now, I feel like I'm back when I was seven and learning how to ride a bike with training wheels. I don't have the risk of hurting myself or other people with my medication counseling, filling, checking, typing, recommendations. I always have a final check, a safety net that my preceptors have set up for me at work. hella easy, that's norcal speak for all of you socalers. I'm still getting used to the training wheels, gaining confidence with just the pedaling. I'm learning how to deal with demanding doctors, demanding patients, demanding colleagues.
The tricky question is what happens when the training wheels are taken off? I no longer have the check after me. After graduation, in about a year, I'll be the final check and I could have interns working under me. ooooo let's not pull on that string just yet.

I've learned that even if you have the perfect answer but respond timidly, people won't take it. In this culture (America or whatever western developed world you live in), confidence is i'd say 75% of it. You may not have the best answer, but if you say it confidently, darnit, people will listen to you. Coming from Ms. Timid, this has been a huge challenge. Sure I can be all confident on my own blog. shoot, but telling people what to take for their sickness? i... well,... you could try... yeah... try that. I'll mumble something and hope that it'll be right.

NO ROZ

Put your head up. Make eye contact. Smile. Say it with confidence. No one's gonna listen to someone who mumbles or stutters.

yes that's right. I'm talking to myself. maybe i'm talking to my constituency... whatever.

I'll end with something I say a million times a day: Thanks for calling Safeway Pharmacy, I hope you have a nice day!