Today, I took my last final for this semester. I've just completed my first semester as a diagnostic medical sonography student. If you are unfamiliar with that subject, you might know it better as ultrasound. One semester down, three to go. For the last few weeks I have been consumed with studying for my first registry exam. The hope was that I could take the exam before the summer session of school begins. It is a major step in continuing in this process. If I don't pass it, I'll have to take an additional class this summer to review for it, and then I will only get one more chance. It costs money to take it each time. Money I really don't have. If I don't pass it by the end of the summer (I'll have to wait 60 days before I can retest), I will be removed from the program. That is scary.
Scary because I absolutely love what I'm doing, and I don't want to get kicked out.
Admittedly, the actual act of scanning a patient does not come easily to me. I have a pretty good grasp on the lecture and textbook material, but scanning is a challenge. That's a good thing. It means that I have to work to improve. As a student, I've never really been challenged. This is pushing me to rely on God and to focus on what he is calling me to do. I want to get better. My patients' lives depend on my ability to perform an ultrasound study with accuracy and completeness.
This first hurdle of the registry exam is looming large. I want to get it over with so that I can enjoy a little bit of a break before classes start again in two weeks. Unfortunately, the logistics involved don't seem to be working out for the timing I'd like. But, I'm not going to panic. Well, I'm going to try not to panic. I trust that God will work it out.
This has been a great Spring. I have learned so much and I am so thankful that God has called me to this new path. I'm not sure what exactly will happen when I'm finished, but I'm enjoying the ride so far.
