Internal Medicine was my last rotation, located at Northshore University Hospital. The site provided an amazing educational experience, as majority of the time I was working with the same 1-2 preceptors. I got to understand the integral role that physician assistants play in the coordination of medicine patients. The patient population presented with a wide range of medical issues, including complex cases of diabetes management, heart failure exacerbations, infections, and various gastrointestinal and pulmonary complaints. I improved my ability to present cases concisely and effectively communicate with the team.

This rotation also provided the opportunity to build upon procedural skills, such as performing arterial blood gas draws, NG tube placement, and blood draws. Moreover, I gained confidence in interpreting laboratory data to help guide clinical decisions. I also witnessed the importance of daily interdisciplinary rounds in managing chronic illnesses and coordinating care for patients with multiple comorbidities.

One of the challenges I faced during this rotation was learning to manage time effectively while juggling multiple patients. My preceptors often emphasized the importance of prioritizing tasks and anticipating patient needs, which became easier with experience. Another challenge was recognizing when to escalate care or involve specialists, but the guidance from my preceptors helped me develop a stronger clinical acumen. Overall, I found the rotation to be very rewarding. I appreciated the high expectations and constructive feedback, which pushed me to improve. The variety of cases, the emphasis on clinical reasoning, and the teamwork I observed made this rotation a valuable experience. NSUH provided an excellent foundation in internal medicine, and I look forward to applying these skills as a practicing PA.

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