Ok it's about one month to go till I am an Int med intern -trying not to freak out- I have lots of fun stuff (trips and such) planned but being neurotic I couldn't help spending $124.12 on amazon.com yesterday on intern on call, wash manual, new ferri's and such... Is anybody else slighlty nervous? What are you doing (if anything) to prepare?! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

I'm just making sure I take care of all personal things--managing my loans, getting my new apartment in order, etc.--before I sink into internship. Also, I'm reading a few novels, and of course taking a trip after graduation! :D

I'm sure some current residents can shed more light, but I don't think anything can prepare you for what you're about to face. Best to just dive right in!

And, oh yes, I'm nervous!

Do you have a book fund? If so, I wouldn't go hog wild buying books and even if you do, wait until you start - often drug reps will give you handbooks, pocket books or certificates toward purchasing books. In addition, your senior residents will be good guides as to what books are most useful to you.

The second poster is correct in that you should spend some time getting your apartment in shape - I didn't set up my second bedroom (the one for guests) and I had to use part of my vacation time (4 months later) to clear it out for guests...I had so little time and energy during the work week to do it.

Get some rest. :D

You had time for guests your first year, Kim? Boy, am I jealous! :)

No book money, but I do get free parking! <img border="0" alt="[Clappy]" title="" src="graemlins/clappy.gif" />

Well, I'm sitting at home and hoping that the documents for my visa arrive in time for me to make the orientation/ACLS sessions!

And I better check about the book fund....

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by NuMD97:
<strong>You had time for guests your first year, Kim? Boy, am I jealous! :) </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">During my vacation week! Another friend came into Philly on business and stayed with me a couple of days - fortunately I had Saturday off and she knew someone else here in Hershey so she could eat dinner with them when I was on call.

Otherwise no one else has (wisely) visited. :D

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by intern in waiting:
<strong>No book money, but I do get free parking! <img border="0" alt="[Clappy]" title="" src="graemlins/clappy.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Really? We only get $250 a year which is enough for 1 major text and maybe a small handbook - some of the seniors say they've never bought books, but Drug Co. aren't as lavish with gifts as they used to be.

Free parking, I imagine that to be nice in Philly!

Just checked: $150 for the intern year AND free parking. Since books are so much cheaper here, I guess I'll buy a handful before I leave.

the'll be giving us 500$ but my dept. says we should use it for a PDA....one that they recommend. Still I went ahead and bought the intern survival guide and wash manual. Well they also sent some books for the ACLS and BLS....and expect us to read it before the orientation...for a test!! Well I guess I have to now. I think takin a nice short vacation surely helps...me plans to take a hiking trip in VT :) end of this month.

PS keep receipts of books you buy, you can redeem them for cash from the book allowance.

I am crappin' in my pants....when I talked to friends who are already in residency they suggested that the only thing I wory about is planning a vacation. BTW, I am very jealous, my hospital doe NOT give us ANY book stipend and we pay for parking! So, if anyone has any extra cash that is just lying around, the can foward some to me. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

I'm trying to deal with the PA. Licensing Board,(see thread on this forum). How did you deal with it Dr.Cox? They are totally incompetent.

My book allowance is $1,000. and that takes care of about 2 books that are mandatory. Don't know about parking as I'm renting right across the street from hospital and can walk over. Otherwise, playing golf with college buddies, softball for definitely older guys, walking the dog, and generally R&R for the last time for the next 4/5 years. Starting orientation June 21st. Lifestyle will take a sharp turn. No regrets though.

The MOST important thing that everyone should know is that life will be different, but you WILL still have a life! All things considered, I must say that internship hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. Granted, the first 1-2 months were white knuckle time, but, just like everyone else, I got through it, and so will you! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! :D

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by carddr:
<strong>I'm trying to deal with the PA. Licensing Board,(see thread on this forum). How did you deal with it Dr.Cox? They are totally incompetent.

My book allowance is $1,000. and that takes care of about 2 books that are mandatory. Don't know about parking as I'm renting right across the street from hospital and can walk over. Otherwise, playing golf with college buddies, softball for definitely older guys, walking the dog, and generally R&R for the last time for the next 4/5 years. Starting orientation June 21st. Lifestyle will take a sharp turn. No regrets though.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">$1000? Wow...I'm jealous. Probably one of those generous community programs, eh? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

The PA licensing board, like most, is a real pain - I fortunately didn't have too much of a problem but had the advantage of having friends go through it the year before me who advised me to make sure all my t's were crossed and i's dotted.

The OK licensing board has some absolutely ridiculous requirements for IMGs, such as requiring a recording of a Lewis Carrol rhyme they sent me to test my spoken English, but the person I corresponded with via e-mail was extremely helpful. My friend had some problems with the MO licensing board, though.

hey mddo2be,

If you don't mind revealing this info, where are you going to do your residency? I noticed that you have Brooklyn listed and I will be at one of the hospitals there. If you don't feel comfortable posting, could you send me a private message, I would appreciate it. thanks.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Stormreaver:
<strong>The OK licensing board has some absolutely ridiculous requirements for IMGs, such as requiring a recording of a Lewis Carrol rhyme they sent me to test my spoken English....</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Geez...nothing like a little Jabberwocky to test the lingual capabilities of even a native English speaker.

Weel, this is what the board required me to record, and I quote:

"The time has come," the walrus said,
"To speak of many things.
Of shoes and ships and sealing wax,
And Cabbages and Kings,
And why the sea is boiling hot,
And whether pigs have wings."

BTW, Kimberli: since you graduated from a med school outside the US and Canada, you'd have to do the same in my stead! :)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Stormreaver:
<strong>
BTW, Kimberli: since you graduated from a med school outside the US and Canada, you'd have to do the same in my stead! :) </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Oh, I have no doubt that I would. I'm still scratching my head over the whole TOEFL requirement. :D

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Kimberli Cox:
<strong>Oh, I have no doubt that I would. I'm still scratching my head over the whole TOEFL requirement. :D </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I've figured it out: in Australia, they speak Australian, so English is OBVIOUSLY a foreign language :) Similarly in the Caribbean they speak, well, Caribbean. And in England they speak... English? Now THAT'S a foreign language if I ever heard one.

Care for a cuppa? :)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Stormreaver:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Kimberli Cox:
<strong>Oh, I have no doubt that I would. I'm still scratching my head over the whole TOEFL requirement. :D </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I've figured it out: in Australia, they speak Australian, so English is OBVIOUSLY a foreign language :) Similarly in the Caribbean they speak, well, Caribbean. And in England they speak... English? Now THAT'S a foreign language if I ever heard one.

Care for a cuppa? :) </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shucks... have you ever heard the irish??
Now that's english as a foreign language... love Ireland just takes awhile to get in the local yogo mode!!!

yes, "Oirish" is definitely a foreign language!

Hey tedsadoc2002,
I start at Brookdale in july <img border="0" alt="[Clappy]" title="" src="graemlins/clappy.gif" />

hey mddo2be,

I sent you a pm. Thanks!