Advice for 4th Year Externship

[Pawdawan]

Hi everyone, I'm currently a 4th-year veterinary student. I have enjoyed my clinical year so far, and I am interested in pursuing an internship after graduation, however, I am still undecided about residency and exactly what specialty to further pursue. Some of my interests are cardiology, internal medicine, and radiology.

In 2 weeks, I will be going out of state on externship. I intend to move to this new state after graduation, so I hope to make a good impression at this hospital that I will potentially rank for the VIRMP match. The hospital is a Blue Pearl, and so far, I have had no luck finding any information on what their externship program is like, other than what is included in their site. I was wondering if anyone has any advice regarding what the Blue Pearl externship is like, how to get the most of the externship, and how to make a good impression since I hope to potentially work there. So far during clinics, I always try to do the following: keep a positive attitude, stay engaged, and make the most of every opportunity. I intend to do the same for this upcoming externship, so I appreciate any other input. Thank you!

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[that redhead]

Paging @pinkpuppy9 for Blue Pearl specifics.

For any externship, I think the key things are professionalism (punctuality, dressing appropriately, being polite/friendly to all staff you encounter), showing some level of initiative appropriate to your experience level and a good attitude (to encompass working hard, seeing tasks through [not just leaving when it's time to go] and taking some of the less desired activities or tougher cases).

 

[Pawdawan]

Paging @pinkpuppy9 for Blue Pearl specifics.

For any externship, I think the key things are professionalism (punctuality, dressing appropriately, being polite/friendly to all staff you encounter), showing some level of initiative appropriate to your experience level and a good attitude (to encompass working hard, seeing tasks through [not just leaving when it's time to go] and taking some of the less desired activities or tougher cases).

Thanks for the solid advice! I always strive to do all of that, but it's always helpful to have a reminder. I'm super excited.

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

Paging @pinkpuppy9 for Blue Pearl specifics.

For any externship, I think the key things are professionalism (punctuality, dressing appropriately, being polite/friendly to all staff you encounter), showing some level of initiative appropriate to your experience level and a good attitude (to encompass working hard, seeing tasks through [not just leaving when it's time to go] and taking some of the less desired activities or tougher cases).

So much of this. Don't be an a-hole. That is at least 60% of passing clinics.

I'd also add that having a good sense of self-awareness. Knowing when to jump in and ask questions, and knowing when people need to concentrate. Noticing when people are struggling and asking if they need help. Be polite to the techs, especially. The techs will save your ass.

 

[Pawdawan]

Yes, thank you for pointing that out. A big challenge of mine personally is knowing when to jump in and ask q's vs letting people do their jobs. I become overly eager to stay engaged, sometimes I lose sight of the appropriate time to ask qs. I try my best not to get in the way of efficiency, and I think I've been better about this over the years, but I still have room for improvement.

 

[Minnerbelle]

My pet peeve with externs is “ok it’s 4 or 5 o’clock now so I’m leaving.” I get that the perk of externships is that you don’t have major patient care responsibilities and therefore is a lighter rotation, but it doesn’t leave a very good impression. Especially if there is something a bit more exciting that is still going on or about to happen. At least feign some interest... It’s even more annoying when they do that after the extern keeps bothering me during the day while I’m trying to make phone calls/get records written slowing me down (not with relevant questions, just chatting because they’re bored since I’m doing nonexciting things, and they can’t be bothered to follow around the other doctor). I do try to be as engaging as possible, and will even thaw out cadaver heads and give externs the chance to practice dentistry or schedule rescue spay/neuters that they can do, even if it adds extra hours to my day. So i find it extra disrespectful.

 

[Pawdawan]

Great point. I understand how that would be annoying, and I agree that it is super important to try to be respectful of a clinician's time and aware of the sacrifices they make for the benefit of student education. Thanks for the input.

 

[pp9]

Pretty much what everyone has already said.

I'm most familiar with the Michigan and Florida BPs. What state are you hoping to end up in?

 

[Pawdawan]

Pretty much what everyone has already said.

I'm most familiar with the Michigan and Florida BPs. What state are you hoping to end up in?

Thanks. All helpful stuff! I'm hoping to work in Seattle, Washington. *fingers crossed*

 

[pp9]

Thanks. All helpful stuff! I'm hoping to work in Seattle, Washington. *fingers crossed*

Can't say I'm familiar with that location but definitely visit. Take case ownership, ask intelligent questions, do paperwork if/when appropriate and they give you the opportunity. make sure you get q+a time with the current interns as well.

 

[Minnerbelle]

Also, if it’s a place that has electronic records, and the doctor doesn’t have time to keep up with the SOAP notes as they go, ask if you can give a stab at some. Unless you do a horrible job, it’s actually helpful. And it gives me a lot of information about your knowledge and ability to doctor. As I’m making edits, it also gives me good information on what to discuss the next day.

 

[Pawdawan]

Thanks all for the tips! The SOAP thing sounds like a good way to be helpful while challenging myself as a student at the same time, and tbh SOAP-ing/DAP-ing is something I've struggled with during clinics since each clinician/dept has their own way of doing them. I'll give it a shot! I am definitely planning to speak with the current interns and ask them their thoughts/advice regarding the program.

I'm getting very anxious since I'm leaving in a couple of days. I know I've made it this far, but I feel like the more into my 4th year I progress, the more I don't know, but that may just be the nerves talking. 🙈

 

[Minnerbelle]

I'm getting very anxious since I'm leaving in a couple of days. I know I've made it this far, but I feel like the more into my 4th year I progress, the more I don't know, but that may just be the nerves talking. 🙈

No no it means you’re making progress!!! The most important thing about clinics is realizing how little you know and learning how to deal with that and how to figure it out.

 

[pp9]

Thanks all for the tips! The SOAP thing sounds like a good way to be helpful while challenging myself as a student at the same time, and tbh SOAP-ing/DAP-ing is something I've struggled with during clinics since each clinician/dept has their own way of doing them. I'll give it a shot! I am definitely planning to speak with the current interns and ask them their thoughts/advice regarding the program.

I'm getting very anxious since I'm leaving in a couple of days. I know I've made it this far, but I feel like the more into my 4th year I progress, the more I don't know, but that may just be the nerves talking. 🙈

Spoiler alert: that feeling doesn't go away as an intern

 

[that redhead]

Thanks all for the tips! The SOAP thing sounds like a good way to be helpful while challenging myself as a student at the same time, and tbh SOAP-ing/DAP-ing is something I've struggled with during clinics since each clinician/dept has their own way of doing them. I'll give it a shot! I am definitely planning to speak with the current interns and ask them their thoughts/advice regarding the program.

I'm getting very anxious since I'm leaving in a couple of days. I know I've made it this far, but I feel like the more into my 4th year I progress, the more I don't know, but that may just be the nerves talking. 🙈

I think it’s a great thing that you respect the breadth of knowledge required and acknowledge you don’t know it all. You’ll never know it all, but a willingness to learn and the ability to adequately research something to come up with a plan is a lot more important than having memorized every little detail from the textbooks 🙂