Day #1

Okay, first day of the week long internship orientation is officially over and done with! I don't remember the last time I felt jitters like I did this morning getting ready to go...oh my goodness. Alas, I made it there with a few minutes to spare, found my spot which was labeled with my name tag, and was "ready to rock n' roll" (phrase heard often throughout the day:)

Of course, we did the "go around" where we introduced ourselves... and found out that the group of interns this semester is the most diverse Iowa State University's ever had. There were people from all over the country.  Many of them are participating in a distance program where they can actually find their own preceptors where they live and not have to be stationed in Iowa.  I, however, will be located in Sioux City, IA working mainly at Mercy Hospital, but also at Siouxland District Health Department, ISU Extension, a private practice (I get to choose!) , Sioux City schools, and Siouxland Dialysis Center. 

There really isn't too much to report today. I basically just had to sign my name a whole bunch. I started off signing really pretty and fluent, and by the time I reached the last few pages I couldn't quite tell it was a name anymore. 

We had a buffet style lunch that was catered by the school; broccoli cheese soup on top of a baked potato. Also a side salad and a brownie. Yum! 

The rest of the day consisted of a speaker Dr. Denise Vrchota presenting "Communication Skills for the Dietetic Professional". It was basically the same info that you would learn in college speech or seminar class, but it's nice to review. Every once in a while I need to be reminded that my posture needs to be worked on so I appear confident and to stop with the "ummmms" while presenting in front of a group. Does it ever get easier?!? It just isn't natural for me to stand with shoulders back and nose up in the air, and while one person is telling me to do so despite my lack of comfort, another person says to just be comfortable and act like yourself and that's when you make a good impression.

Overall, it was a successful first day! I now need to get to bed because I've been running a little bit of a fever that I blame on the Flu or tetanus shot that I received last week.

Goodnight my friends, you'll read more tomorrow!

Always chase your dreams instead of running from your fears.

Author Unknown