Anyone from Maryland knows that Marylanders have a lot of state-pride! I am a very proud Marylander, and even attended University of Maryland, College Park. My clinician, who is also the Chief Clinician of the Naturopathic Department is also from Maryland, and studied the same thing I did at the University of Maryland! Shout out to the School of Public Health Kinesiology department!

I know I have said this in several previous blog posts, but I have genuinely loved my clinic experience at the National University Whole Health Center. That is in large part to my amazing clinician, Dr. Bose. She has encouraged me when I needed it, challenged and pushed me when I did not always want it, and helped foster an environment of learning. I was able to see interesting cases that I never expected to see, and have learned so much in the process. I would be remiss if I did not also express my sincere appreciation to the Naturopathic Clinicians I have had the pleasure of working with (even though they are not from Maryland)…so this also goes out to you Drs. Keating, Pearce, Green, Botterman, Bogaard, and Coe. I love the way the ND clinic is organized, and the way we really do get to learn from all of the clinicians.

Proud Marylanders (left) Amanda Bose, ND, DC, MSACP, Chief ND Clinician, and soon-to-be ND Belinda Smith, (right) Class of August 2021!

I know I was super nervous about entering clinic. It seemed very scary, and I felt I did not know enough to actually help patients at that point. My biggest advice to incoming interns is to trust your training. You have learned a lot more than you think! Your clinicians will be there to help guide you, but confidently go to them with ideas and approaches to the patient cases. There will be cases that stump you, but you will learn from them. Sometimes those were my favorite cases because they helped teach me how to use available resources to come up with ideas that were safe, effective, and scientifically supported.

My next piece of advice would be to always take initiative. If a patient does not show up, call them to reschedule. If you have a break in your shift, see if any of the other interns need help. Take advantage of every opportunity to sit in with a patient, because that is the best way to learn during your internship hours. Enjoy it, the year in clinic will go lightning fast!

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