1.
Guidelines are just guidelines. Nothing is set in stone. Common sense should always prevail.
2.
Be fully prepared to deal with the results when you order a test. Have a plan and a reason for why you ordered it. As in art, it is more often the strokes you don't make than the strokes you make.
3.
Be knowledgable and be a good observer, but most importantly be vigilant.
4.
Be a "Child Whisperer" rather than a "suture ninja" and always make sure that pain management is effective before "diving into" a repair.
5.
Believe sickle cell patients who tell you they're 10/10 ! Every crisis is a reminder that they have a life-shortening disease that disrupts their lives.
6.
Don't resent parents who are overly anxious or overly demanding for their kids - both are manifestations of care applied with ignorance.
7.
Err on the side of compassion.
8
Only the clinician at the bedside knows.
9.
It's not about what you think is wrong with the patient, it's what you can be certain is right.
10.
Refuse to be refused - get what you want for your patient.
11.
You will screw up ! If you haven't yet, you haven't seen enough sick patients.
12.
When you do screw up, forgive yourself and move forward, you are the one who do this job.
