I am coming to the end of my intern year in pediatrics at a very reputable program, but am wracked with a sense of disappointment in my choice to pursue a career in pediatrics. I did well in medical school, with scores that would have left any field open to me, however, I chose pediatrics out of an interest in pediatric pathophysiology and a genuine love for caring for children. However, the reality of my life for the last year has been endless rounding, note writing, coordination of care, talking to upset parents and maybe all of 10 minor procedures. This is not what I went into medical school to do and I leave almost every long day feeling absolutely drained and feel like I have accomplished very little. Classic for burnout, but remember, with only 10 minor procedures in a year I have, by many objective metrics, done very little to concretely help my patients. The real problem is, I don't see it getting better anytime soon. Most of the senior residents in my program are very good people, but obviously worn down. The attendings seem to do just as much care coordination, very few procedures and when you look up their salaries, are making little more than the NPs. As a matter of fact, the NPs are actually better than most residents because the only thing we actually do is coordinate care and make minor decisions, something which a background in nursing prepares you to do better than medical school. The truth is, I just had no insight into how little "medicine" is involved in being a pediatric resident.
The real question now is, what should I do with myself now that pediatrics has lost its charm? I did enjoy NICU and PICU to a certain degree, but the endless rounding and care coordination still killed me. Also, procedures happen uncommonly in those fields. I have not done pediatric emergency medicine, so that is still a possibility. The reality is, I don't know if my soul can survive another two years of endless rounding and care coordination, let alone a lifetime. I am seriously entertaining a switch to emergency medicine at this time. I would also be interested to learn more about anesthesiology, but honestly I have had no exposure. I will have to finish at least a PGY2 year in pediatrics, so I have some time to decide on the matter. At any rate, I would love any input that you readers might have. I'd be especially interested to hear about the expericences of anyone else that has been in a similar situation.
The real question now is, what should I do with myself now that pediatrics has lost its charm? I did enjoy NICU and PICU to a certain degree, but the endless rounding and care coordination still killed me. Also, procedures happen uncommonly in those fields. I have not done pediatric emergency medicine, so that is still a possibility. The reality is, I don't know if my soul can survive another two years of endless rounding and care coordination, let alone a lifetime. I am seriously entertaining a switch to emergency medicine at this time. I would also be interested to learn more about anesthesiology, but honestly I have had no exposure. I will have to finish at least a PGY2 year in pediatrics, so I have some time to decide on the matter. At any rate, I would love any input that you readers might have. I'd be especially interested to hear about the expericences of anyone else that has been in a similar situation.