#hivenaijaweekly
I love writing in this community, if not for anything else but because the contest topics are relatable so I write freely without cracking my brain at all. I'll be writing on my dream career, so sit pretty, pick a glass of wine and sip gently while I take you through my journey.
After secondary school, I wrote jamb but somehow my score was too poor for a medical course. It was a good one to get me admited into the university but I knew exactly what I wanted, so I didn't mind staying behind at home to write another jamb.
This time I studied like my life depended on it, I got tired bored and frustrated from just staying at home while my mates were in school so I gave it my all. My result was so amazing, I was so happy and I knew I'll surely be admitted so I gently sat back and waited and at the end I was admited to study Medical laboratory science which has been my dream.
100 level days was lots easy, life was a whole cruise and the only thing that stressed me was changing environment and adapting to the system and ofcourse I lost pounds of weight in just 2 weeks. I didn't understand what really the profession was all about as most of courses we did were same as O level, the chemistry and Physics plus English language and nothing different. I didn't appreciate them as it's more like a repetition until I crossed over to college in a different campus.
College life was hell, it was more of the reading every now and then yet the grades weren't a proof of the efforts put in. I did my very best to study with less distractions and despite all odds I did really well, maybe not to my expectations but that not withstanding I still pat myself on the back cause I'm progressing really.
The moment I stepped into 300 level, we started with departmentals and clinicals and that was the beginning of it all. That was actually when I began to appreciate this profession of mine and I fell so deeply in love with it. The 6 weeks clinical postings which we go for at intervals in University hospital for practicals exposed me to a whole different view, I mindset changed cause long ago I was tired already of the whole theory, reading and cramming.
From the very first unit I entered which is Medical Haematology the practical lessons began, I watched as the scientists and interns run the analysis and with time I learnt to do them myself. From making a good blood film, to PCV, HB test, ESR etc. While in Blood Group Serology I got the details of how blood is drawn, screened before transfusing and the first time I drew blood from my colleague I was proud of myself.
The most interesting part of the learning which I loved most is that this time it wasn't theory anymore but practical. Starting from the scratch to know when to do which analysis, eg doing HB and PCV test to check the blood volume before blood donation, to learning the different steps, clinical significance, the reference/normal range. I was marveled and to an extent I get really excited once it's posting time.
The only thing I didn't like about posting is that the hospital is so far away, an hour drive away from school that I get really tired before work starts. The hike in fuel has as well made transportation costly that we pay twice the actual amount and we students have to sort out transport daily for these times making one broke easily.
The different units I've been to all treated us nicely and gave us room to learn, entertained our questions and as well made the necessary corrections when need be. But a certain unit has almost all their staff being so rude and mean, or rather I'll say wicked cause that's exactly what they are and this gave me and most of my colleagues sleepless nights that we dread that unit so much.
Being a student leader of my department as well exposed me to a lot, we carried out HBV awareness to teach people of the causes and preventive measures. Also we carried out the COVID 19 test which was the first ever, Hepatitis B and C and as well HIV test too.
Currently I'm in my penultimate year, I have 2 semesters left to graduate before ASUU went on strike and that was a huge vibe killer. I was supposed to start my 1st professional exam in 6 days time before the strike started but well what can I do? I decided to utilize my time well by going for my makeup master classes to upgrade and improve in my skills.
I have no regrets choosing this path and when I look back at how far I've gone and where I am right now, I simply tell myself "you've gone so far, it is too late to give up so you're definitely getting that degree". These and more keeps me going day after day despite all odds, this career path I've chosen makes me happy and I'll do this till the end.
After graduation, a year internship and service I'll definitely practice and do what I live doing which is "diagnosis of ailment and diseases". I won't waste 6 years in school only to sit back as a house wife, NEVER. I will combine both with my beauty salon as a side hustle and I know that won't be difficult anyways, I'll cross the bridge when I get there.
