4th years wanting to do peds!

[CrazyPeds527]

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Hey all!

Just wanted to start a thread for those of us that are getting ready to apply for peds residencies. What peds based electives is everyone doing?

I'm doing --> Sub-I, PICU, Cards, Heme/Onc

Trying to liven up this board! 😀

 

[TexasRose]

Surprise! (j/k)

I'm also a 4th year applying to peds.

Done: Pedi ID, Sub-I, clinical research elective in Nutr/Neo
Doing: Pedi GI

 

[lovelyaries]

Also a fourth year applying to peds this year!

Hi all

Done: Sub-I, Heme/Onc Sub-I, NICU
Doing this year: Ped Nephrology, Ped Surgery and another NICU

How many programs are people thinking of applying to? I was thinking around 15-20. I am a D.O. student applying for an allopathic ped residency.

 

[Marigold]

Me too!!

Doing right now: Pedi Rheum
Doing in the coming months: Lvl I/Lvl II Nursery at county hospital, Pedi GI, and maybe something else, like Pedi ER

 

[oldbearprofessor]

Me too!!

Doing right now: Pedi Rheum
Doing in the coming months: Lvl I/Lvl II Nursery at county hospital, Pedi GI, and maybe something else, like Pedi ER

Okay 4th yrs going into pedi, this is your challenge:
Post good threads for those thinking about pedi as you do these rotations. Talk about what you like and don't like about these rotations, pedi, etc.

Most years, by October, the pedi forum is 90% "Where should I apply?" and "What are my chances at CHOP?"

Some years it's so bad I have to beg the SDN trolls to post here about how all pedis will only make 60K at most ever, just to liven the forum up....

You can do better with this forum!

Remember, sometimes, I hear, undecided folks about pedi can be swayed by enthusiastic "mentoring" about how great the field is!🙂

 

[TexasRose]

Also a fourth year applying to peds this year!

Hi all

Done: Sub-I, Heme/Onc Sub-I, NICU
Doing this year: Ped Nephrology, Ped Surgery and another NICU

How many programs are people thinking of applying to? I was thinking around 15-20. I am a D.O. student applying for an allopathic ped residency.

If I read your post correctly, that's 2 sub-I's and 2 electives in NICU? That seems like a lot! Any particular reason?

 

[CrazyPeds527]

Good call Old Bear...

When I was browsing through last year around this time, it was scary...nothing fun and light.

No one ever talks about the fact that peds is a field where you get to high-five your patients when you walk in! (My favorite part of the day)

Plus, this story is only for peds...a buddy of mine was doing his first 3rd year rotation on Peds last year, and he is kinda balding and when he walked in to see his first pediatric patient, the 5 year old's first words were "What happened to your hair??!!" So of course, my friend responded "Wild monkeys ate it!" And the mom cracked up laughing and whispered to the child "That's what is happening to your dad's hair too"

 

[andyh]

Count me in as well!

I just finished my 3rd year a month ago so I haven't had much of a chance to start off with Peds electives.

The only one thus far is Peds Emergency Medicine. Awesome.

Then I am going to do either Peds Hem, Peds Onc, or Peds Path for a month.

Then PICU ... a couple months of basic sciences / research, Peds Neurology, Genetics, and Peds Palliative Care.

Cheers!

 

[lovelyaries]

If I read your post correctly, that's 2 sub-I's and 2 electives in NICU? That seems like a lot! Any particular reason?

Hi Texas Rose,

My school requires us to do a lot of primary care electives and as a third year I had already done one NICU and a core rotation in Peds so I didn't want to repeat those. I found one hospital that would let me do a Peds SubI and Peds Heme/Onc Sub-I as a third year and I am definitely applying to this hospital for residency. Those were the only two electives that third year students were allowed to do. During our fourth year, we have 4 electives and have to complete 12-4 week rotations so my first two electives are Peds related and my third one is NICU at a hospital that I have done many rotations at....scheduled during interview season...I figured I would do something I am familiar with and I am really interested in Neonatology.

 

[lovelyaries]

I know most pediatric programs require three letters of recommendation. I worked with a pediatric orthopedic surgeon in college and again after my first year of medical school when I got a Pediatric Research grant. She is going to write me a LOR and my question was whether or not it would be okay to submit the LOR as one of my main letters? I have worked with her in the OR, but did not officially done a clinical rotation with her as she is now at a different instituition. Thanks for your help!

 

[CrazyPeds527]

Lovely,

Maybe this would be better coming from other people who have applied, but from what I have been told by deans, advisors, etc is that your recs should come from those you have done clinical work with for Peds. Anyone else heard otherwise?

 

[TexasRose]

Hi Texas Rose,

My school requires us to do a lot of primary care electives and as a third year I had already done one NICU and a core rotation in Peds so I didn't want to repeat those. I found one hospital that would let me do a Peds SubI and Peds Heme/Onc Sub-I as a third year and I am definitely applying to this hospital for residency. Those were the only two electives that third year students were allowed to do. During our fourth year, we have 4 electives and have to complete 12-4 week rotations so my first two electives are Peds related and my third one is NICU at a hospital that I have done many rotations at....scheduled during interview season...I figured I would do something I am familiar with and I am really interested in Neonatology.

That all makes good sense. 🙂 I would definitely do a familiar rotation for an away rotation.

Since you're interested in Neo, have you gotten onto the Neo thread that OBP has? I'm still trying to figure out if I can do a NICU Sub-I in the Winter. It seems to have mysteriously disappeared from our catalogue at this point.

 

[Droopy]

I know most pediatric programs require three letters of recommendation. I worked with a pediatric orthopedic surgeon in college and again after my first year of medical school when I got a Pediatric Research grant. She is going to write me a LOR and my question was whether or not it would be okay to submit the LOR as one of my main letters? I have worked with her in the OR, but did not officially done a clinical rotation with her as she is now at a different instituition. Thanks for your help!

You do not need 3 peds letters. Unlike some specialties that require only electives in their particular field, you can have a broad range of electives and it not count against you. Someone from my school matched at their top choice and had not even done a peds sub-I (she couldn't decide between peds and medicine so did a medicine sub-I).

I had one LOR written by a women's imaging radiologist, which is the letter that most of my interviewers commented, if they mentioned anything at all in regards to LOR's. She actually knew me the best having done a summer research project between 1st and 2nd year similar to you and then another month during 4th year with minimal clinical exposure. A well written letter from someone that knows you personally may be better than a form letter just talking generically about you.

I believe that most will agree that peds is a field that cares more about you as a well rounded person than just "numbers".

This is a good thread. Please consider doing things that you might enjoy as a 4th year student, such as international health, alternative medicine or even ortho. This is the last time you have free reign over most of your schedule so take advantage of this opportunity.

 

[lovelyaries]

That all makes good sense. 🙂 I would definitely do a familiar rotation for an away rotation.

Since you're interested in Neo, have you gotten onto the Neo thread that OBP has? I'm still trying to figure out if I can do a NICU Sub-I in the Winter. It seems to have mysteriously disappeared from our catalogue at this point.

Hey TexasRose,
I have been on the Neo thread a little...I definitely hope to read some papers on the field after I am done with boards and applications. I was trying to do a NICU Sub-I at Penn State for my first elective, but it was filled so decided on Ped Nephro at Children's Hosp of Pittsburgh. I realized that I was better off not doing NICU Sub-I this month since I have boards early next month. I hope you find a NICU Sub-I rotation!

 

[lovelyaries]

You do not need 3 peds letters. Unlike some specialties that require only electives in their particular field, you can have a broad range of electives and it not count against you. Someone from my school matched at their top choice and had not even done a peds sub-I (she couldn't decide between peds and medicine so did a medicine sub-I).

I had one LOR written by a women's imaging radiologist, which is the letter that most of my interviewers commented, if they mentioned anything at all in regards to LOR's. She actually knew me the best having done a summer research project between 1st and 2nd year similar to you and then another month during 4th year with minimal clinical exposure. A well written letter from someone that knows you as important may be better than a form letter just talking generically about you.

I believe that most will agree that peds is a field that cares more about you as a well rounded person than just "numbers".

This is a good thread. Please consider doing things that you might enjoy as a 4th year student, such as international health, alternative medicine or even ortho. This is the last time you have free reign over most of your schedule so take advantage of this opportunity.

thanks for the reply droopy 🙂

 

[mdphd2b]

Hi all,

I'm also applying to Peds residency, probably ~10 programs in East Coast cities (Pittsburgh is as far "west" as I can be!)

Regarding electives/rotations:
Done: Ped EMed (agree w/ Andy H's "awesome!" Feb was a very busy month! I even had a kid seize right in front of me!), Ped GI, Ped Heme/Onc (I really liked the Sickle Cell Clinic), Well baby nursery (lots of cuteness, then you send them home), Peds Neuro, Peds Anesthesia (good practice with tiny airway intubation and tinier IV's on asleep pts!).
Non-peds done: Adult ID and Adult Endocrine/Diabetes.

To Do: Peds AI (next month), Peds Cards, Peds Nephro, NICU.
Non-Peds electives to do: CCM @ VA (doing now), Adv Radiology (for Step2 study), Medical Toxicology, Blood Coag, and (hopefully) an Int'l rotation in Feb!

My LoR's will come from 2 Peds, 1 IM (She was my inpt and outpt attending, and I've known her over 7 years from being a class officer), and my PhD thesis advisor (I'm told it's a "red flag" if I don't include his letter, even though it's strictly research-related, blah, blah).

I just finished my last clerkship (Surgery) in June...Currently working on ERAS and LOVING being a 4th year 😍

 

[TexasRose]

Wow, I've been surprised to see how many peds electives everyone seems to be doing. We have 5 months of electives that we have to take, with time for more if we want. I've opted to do one of my electives in International health, with 2 weeks in a clinic in Honduras as part of that rotation.

Now I'm wondering if my fellow interns will be much more "on the ball" than me because they've done so many peds electives. Thoughts? Has anyone been advised to load up on peds electives?

 

[CrazyPeds527]

TexasRose,

Not to worry. We were flat out told NOT to do our residency before residency and take electives in stuff we will never see again. At the same time, I think some of us (myself) want to take electives in stuff we are interested in for career/sub-specialty (Peds Cards/ Peds Heme-Onc). Plus, the one thing I was advised to do was to take a PICU or a NICU rotation, but to not necessarily do both.

OldBear, you have any thoughts about loading up a 4th year schedule with peds vs doing other stuff? Residents?

 

[ESPNdeportes]

I'm also a 4th year applying to peds.

Electives I'm taking: Peds sub-i (this month, loving it), month of peds cards outpatient, one month of Peds ED, 2 weeks peds rads

Other related electives: one month derm (mainly will be adult though), also have a month of neuro where there is a lottery system and some students end up at children's

 

[oldbearprofessor]

TexasRose,

Not to worry. We were flat out told NOT to do our residency before residency and take electives in stuff we will never see again. At the same time, I think some of us (myself) want to take electives in stuff we are interested in for career/sub-specialty (Peds Cards/ Peds Heme-Onc). Plus, the one thing I was advised to do was to take a PICU or a NICU rotation, but to not necessarily do both.

OldBear, you have any thoughts about loading up a 4th year schedule with peds vs doing other stuff? Residents?

I think a couple pedi electives are worthwhile, especially if you can do them in time to get letters of support. At least one of pedi cards, pedi ID and of course neo are worth doing. Otherwise, I'd be looking at some of the specialty non-peds things, like pedi ENT, pedi derm (or general derm), pedi radiology, pedi gas (learn to intubate!), etc. Of course, I'm a huge believer in spending a month outside the US if you can arrange it, or at least outside your home state.

 

[Tone2002]

I will be applying to Peds this year also.

4th year schedule is still up in the air right now.

 

[mdphd2b]

Regarding electives/rotations:
Done: Ped EMed (agree w/ Andy H's "awesome!" Feb was a very busy month! I even had a kid seize right in front of me!), Ped GI, Ped Heme/Onc (I really liked the Sickle Cell Clinic), Well baby nursery (lots of cuteness, then you send them home), Peds Neuro, Peds Anesthesia (good practice with tiny airway intubation and tinier IV's on asleep pts!).
Non-peds done: Adult ID and Adult Endocrine/Diabetes.

To Do: Peds AI (next month), Peds Cards, Peds Nephro, NICU.
Non-Peds electives to do: CCM @ VA (doing now), Adv Radiology (for Step2 study), Medical Toxicology, Blood Coag, and (hopefully) an Int'l rotation in Feb!

Also, I should point out, some of these peds experiences were not fourth-year electives. Some of these were options I chose as part of our third-year clerkships. For example, in the rotations "done" list, I chose Peds Neuro for my 3-wk Neuro clerkship, Peds anesthesia for our 2-wk anesthesia clerkship, Well Baby Nursery as part of our ambulatory clerkship, etc, etc.

This led to a more meaningful third-year experience for me, plus I was motivated to work hard for better evals.

 

[Goldenrod]

Some years it's so bad I have to beg the SDN trolls to post here about how all pedis will only make 60K at most ever, just to liven the forum up....
Remember, sometimes, I hear, undecided folks about pedi can be swayed by enthusiastic "mentoring" about how great the field is!🙂

Hello,

I hate to ask this question, but here goes. How does one find out about salaries for Pediatric physicians (general pediatricians vs. specialists)? I'm an out-of-state student at a state school and have a lot of loans to pay back. When I mention that I'm interested in Peds, I invaribly get asked how I plan to pay them back. Is that a valid concern?

😳

 

[oldbearprofessor]

Hello,

I hate to ask this question, but here goes. How does one find out about salaries for Pediatric physicians (general pediatricians vs. specialists)? I'm an out-of-state student at a state school and have a lot of loans to pay back. When I mention that I'm interested in Peds, I invariably get asked how I plan to pay them back. Is that a valid concern?

😳

Figuring out how to payback loans is always a valid concern. Doesn't matter what specialty you go into. If you make a large salary and buy a new expensive house and a new Lexus, it'll be a concern despite your income. Point is that at any income, you have to consider the other factors in your life and your lifestyle as a very large factor.

In terms of salary, you'll find all the usual sources of salary information out there on the internet. They probably converge on fairly accurate current numbers. Consider the following though:

1. If you do a specialty, you won't be in the job market for 7-9 yrs depending on where you're at in the job market. A lot changes in that time frame.

2. Salary offers on these sites and that others may tell you often don't make it clear what the benefits are. For example, travel, college tuition, retirement, etc.

3. Salary offers listed often do not account for additional salary that may be obtained via night call, moonlighting, etc.

4. For academic jobs, loan repayment and substantial retirement benefits are all possible and affect the calculations.

There are many more issues. This topic is debated daily on SDN. Bottom line is that general pedi makes about the same as any other primary care. Some specialties, such as neo, have the opportunity to make a lot more, others don't make any more.

Do what you'd like. You'll be able to pay the loans back if you pick a reasonable lifestyle. You might always drive a Subaru like I do, but that's okay for me. You can decide the trade-offs for yourself.

 

[TexasRose]

There are many more issues. This topic is debated daily on SDN. Bottom line is that general pedi makes about the same as any other primary care. Some specialties, such as neo, have the opportunity to make a lot more, others don't make any more.

I'm tempted to make a sticky of this topic due to the frequency with which it appears here. What do y'all think?

 

[oldbearprofessor]

I'm tempted to make a sticky of this topic due to the frequency with which it appears here. What do y'all think?

Pedi needs a FAQ, not just this Q.

 

[TexasRose]

Hello,

I hate to ask this question, but here goes. How does one find out about salaries for Pediatric physicians (general pediatricians vs. specialists)? I'm an out-of-state student at a state school and have a lot of loans to pay back. When I mention that I'm interested in Peds, I invaribly get asked how I plan to pay them back. Is that a valid concern?

😳

Please see OBP's well written response in the FAQ thread!

 

[ChildNeuro]

wow, this thread makes me feel old, I'm celebrating ~9 years of wanting to do peds! I would say go into whatever you want to go into totally regardless of income. Because, after working in the hospital for long hours, it doesn't really matter what car you drive home, more importantly that you are awake enough to find and recognize your car. A big house is a royal pain in the booty when it comes to upkeep, electric bills, etc. . . fancy houses are built like fortresses as are gated communities, I would want my kids to grow up in a normal middle-class neighbor. I do hope they figure out how to power airplanes on something other gasoline as I hope to do international work in the future, who knows, maybe we will go back to a large number of ships making the trek across the atlantic and trains, I do love trains, that is how people are meant to travel.