Honestly, it's not a TOY!
I still giggle when I bring out my stethoscope to examine a patient and they look at me with surprise.
"You're like a REAL doctor!"
No one is more surprised than myself. When I started my journey to become a naturopathic doctor, I had NO IDEA what was ahead. I probably would have hit the hills running.
I thought I was just going to learn about nutrition, acupuncture and herbs. I was clueless that I would perform physical examinations, learn venipuncture (I hate needles), prescribe drugs (only in BC), assess laboratory results and diagnose disease.
The day I had to do a digital rectal exam for the first time was a real shock. You mean I have to do WHAT?!?!?
"You're like a REAL doctor!"
No one is more surprised than myself. When I started my journey to become a naturopathic doctor, I had NO IDEA what was ahead. I probably would have hit the hills running.
I thought I was just going to learn about nutrition, acupuncture and herbs. I was clueless that I would perform physical examinations, learn venipuncture (I hate needles), prescribe drugs (only in BC), assess laboratory results and diagnose disease.
The day I had to do a digital rectal exam for the first time was a real shock. You mean I have to do WHAT?!?!?
The truth is that Naturopathic Doctors have SECRETS that I wish they'd warned me about...
WHO KNEW (not me):
WHO KNEW (not me):
- Naturopathic Doctors go to school for 8 YEARS?!? 9 years in my case. What was I thinking?
- In 4 years we complete 98 courses, which is an equivalent class time to 10 years of full time university or 2.5 bachelor’s degrees. This doesn't even include our clinical education (1,500 hrs) or undergraduate degree
- In order to graduate, we have to pass 250 tests, 75 final exams, 200 assignments, 25 presentations, and 15 practical exams (thanks Dr. Long for calculating our suffering)
- All ND's graduate with a nervous eye twitch and a stress induced ulcer (well, at least we know how to treat it)
Honestly, becoming a naturopathic doctor was more challenging and more amazing that I ever imagined. And being an ND is even more wonderful. I am incredibly proud of my profession, the heart and dedication of my colleagues and the high standard of education and regulation that give us our designation of ND. I feel so grateful to say that I'm living my dream.
In Wellness,
Dr. Heather Eggleston, BSc, ND, WD
BSc = Bachelor of Science
ND = Naturopathic Doctor
WD = Witch Doctor (I don't actually have this designation but maybe HogWarts is next)
In Wellness,
Dr. Heather Eggleston, BSc, ND, WD
BSc = Bachelor of Science
ND = Naturopathic Doctor
WD = Witch Doctor (I don't actually have this designation but maybe HogWarts is next)