The afternoon after my last night shift, A and a barely coherent self boarded a train to Birmingham for I had an interview for paediatrics the day after. It wasn't the most ideal of arrangements - but I got to Birmingham in one piece, albeit with a throbbing headache out of lack of sleep and a hangry attitude that only a nap could cure. I wasn't too anxious about the interview, but I ready to get it over with.
The next morning, I woke up early and got smartly dressed into the new blazer and trousers I purchased earlier this month. I also slipped on my pair of smart black shoes - ones that when I bought them, thought would last the test of time but disappointingly became ripped at the seams a few months after. When the shoe cobbler at Timpsons told us nothing could be done for the rip, it was up to A and his knowledge of superglue that became the only quick fix. We took an Uber through the Midland breeze and journeyed to the Birmingham City Football Stadium.
I was surprised to see a familiar face amongst the candidates - a friend from university whom I have not seen in over a year. We had many placements together, and back then, we shared a lot about our individual lives. What were the odds that we would find ourselves in the same interview slot in the same city? But seeing her made me feel at ease - my nerves began to slacken and I introduced myself to some of the other candidates around the table (very unlike my introverted innate self).
The interview itself was quite an interesting experience. Modelled like an OSCE circuit, there were 5 different stations - each with a different theme. We began with a prescribing task, then according to which number you are on the list, you will go through a communications station, a reflective and clinical governance station, a clinical thinking station and a portfolio station. Once the ball was rolling, it ended quite quickly - and Alhamdulillah, I felt that it went well. Hopefully enough for me to get a trainee number in London, but only time will tell! I have done everything within my power, now its time to leave it up to God. For only He knows where best to place me.
In all honesty, I can't believe that I am at this stage already! My medical student self would have been floored to witness my future self taking the same steps as those paediatric trainees I admired so much at school. I remember looking at them and thinking "Will I ever be good enough to be like them?" Time is moving on fast, and now I am already halfway through my foundation 2 year. Then, inshaAllah, I'll join the ranks as a speciality trainee! No more adult medicine for me from September on out, hopefully!
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