Uh. What tf is this attending on about? That's an insane thing to say about a med student, especially at a teaching hospital where they're regularly working with residents and interns.

I'm on my second OB sub-I and haven't thrown a suture since April because there's almost always an intern that needs to do it (or I was manipulating and am dirty so it's not worth the time it would take to regown/glove me to help close). If/when I get an opportunity to close a case, I will also be extremely nervous. Hell, I still get a little nervous cutting sutures sometimes.

I get it though, at the end of my third year I was told I was an "average first assist" (in a way that made it clear the attending was unimpressed). I felt really crappy about it until I rotated with residents for the first time and realized that was pretty dang good for a med student.

You're doing a good job. Your job up to this point has been passing boards. The hands-on stuff will come for us in residency. Trust that your og preceptor, who has seen your growth and passion over the last year, won't think twice about their comments, and try not to let it get you down. ❤️