Asking for time off before a rotation starts

[studyingforever]

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I start my surgery rotation in a few weeks. During the third week of my rotation...I need to take a weekend off for my brother's wedding. I'm not sure if I should wait until the first day of the rotation to bring this up or talk to them ahead of time. I certainly don't want them to think I'm looking to take breaks before the rotation even starts, but then again, its a family member's wedding. Any suggestions? Just wait until the first day of the rotation?

 

[cpants]

Contact the clerkship director ASAP. You should have already. This is a valid excuse, and they will likely be glad to work with you on it. It's much easier for them if you contact them before they make call schedules.

 

[Water011]

You might try calling the clerkship coordinator. At our school, I don't think the clerkship director is the one who makes the schedules. It's usually his/her secretary (who we call the "clerkship coordinator"). You could probably call the secretary, ask for the weekend off and get everything taken care of without ever talking to an attending.

Still, I wouldn't worry about it, even if you do have to go directly to the clerkship director. It's totally reasonable to ask not to be on call for your brother's wedding. Still, if you can solve the problem without bothering an attending about it then that's obviously better.

 

[Jolie South]

I would contact the clerkship director as they're the ones that have to approve absences such as these. Do it NOW.

Then, when you start your rotation, bring it up immediately to the team and say that you have the permission of the clerkship director to miss that weekend.