The personality of a bulldog

I got switched to arthroplasty in the middle of the day today. The learning curve steepened again.

My preceptor explained that with arthroplasty - it is more detailed oriented. And that he equated me to a bulldog - that when I attach onto something that I don't let it go. I took it as a compliment and started to think about how I am perceived by others. He said that I was "teasable" and that I would dish it right back. And I started to think about my role as both an adolescent and teacher.

The goal of my youth was to survive and I learned various ways to do it. On one end of the spectrum - I tried to be amicable and try to find acceptance - but at the same time (and I think I mentioned this before) that when backed into a corner, I come out swinging. In the midst of my rotation I have done both. I find that I am still paranoid that the people I come into contact with - as in other professionals - that they dislike me and I consciously have to talk myself down off that ledge. When I feel like this - I find my interactions clunky and awkward.

But with the patients - I find that I am at ease.

So I need to work on my interactions with other professionals - but know I am right on track with what is most important - the patients.