Actually making it to Neurology: PGY2 tips?

[ShrugsNotDrugs]

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As I move towards finishing up this year of IM I’m starting to think about actually starting Neuro.

At this point the last time I’ve done anything Neurology has essentially been the summer of 4th year. Any tips or thoughts about preparing, ( or not preparing, which worked out pretty well this year) for PGY2?

Additionally, should I have been trying to find research mentors already? I cant imagine pgy2 schedule permits me to get much done but I dont really know anything about fellowship timelines.

I found my reflex hammer, so at least that's checked off.

 

[calibrate]

I'm in the same boat.

Any tips on what neurology tools to get? ie types of reflex hammers, fancy neurology bag
Any must have textbooks?
Any advice on how to survive PGY2 year?

 

[typhoonegator]

Hit the reset button and prepare for another internship. Attitude matters so much. Tools matter less than how you use them, but do not ever let a neurologist see you with a tomahawk hammer. Textbooks only really matter if you're the kind of person who learns from them. Bradley and Daroff is the gospel if you like to read didactically during residency.

Research is a potentially critical component of residency, but can take many forms beyond writing papers depending on your interests and motivation. Don't go in with an overly reductive idea of what research looks like. At any rate, it's hard to tread water while reading a journal, so keep your eyes open to what you find interesting but don't go nuts picking a mentor during your PGY2 year. I hold multiple NIH grants and I spent most of my free time during PGY2 sleeping or making sure I had clean underwear.

 

[Epic786]

MGH hand book of clinical neurology and neurology on call, are the best books that you can keep in your lab coat.

 

[NeurologyHopeful2018]

Hit the reset button and prepare for another internship. Attitude matters so much. Tools matter less than how you use them, but do not ever let a neurologist see you with a tomahawk hammer. Textbooks only really matter if you're the kind of person who learns from them. Bradley and Daroff is the gospel if you like to read didactically during residency.

Research is a potentially critical component of residency, but can take many forms beyond writing papers depending on your interests and motivation. Don't go in with an overly reductive idea of what research looks like. At any rate, it's hard to tread water while reading a journal, so keep your eyes open to what you find interesting but don't go nuts picking a mentor during your PGY2 year. I hold multiple NIH grants and I spent most of my free time during PGY2 sleeping or making sure I had clean underwear.

How long and how often did you go with a urine/feces stained worn underwear?

 

[typhoonegator]

How long and how often did you go with a urine/feces stained worn underwear?

Never once, but I always wore a leg bag so I never had to take bathroom breaks. If you have to stop working to pee, you've already lost.

 

[ShrugsNotDrugs]

Thanks for the thoughts!

I have already successfully minimized my bathroom time at the hospital, so I feel well prepared.

 

[dodobirddh]

I'm in the same boat.

Any tips on what neurology tools to get? ie types of reflex hammers, fancy neurology bag
Any must have textbooks?
Any advice on how to survive PGY2 year?

In books Bradley and Continuum series are a great help
Mobile apps like "NIH stroke scale" and "Neurology Dx" are also helpful