Biggest Fluff Rotations Fourth Year

[fever106]

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Hi all. I was just wondering what are the biggest fluff rotations you are taking as a fourth year now that grades don't count anymore (post October). I am currently doing a rotation that is mandatory, but we were given the choice between two. This rotation is really of no value to my future career, but I am trying to keep an upbeat attitude and learn just for the sake of learning. However, I am being harassed on a daily basis by attendings telling me I made a horrible mistake choosing this rotation instead of the other option, and that it is a waste of my time. Some have even been so nasty as to tell me that I am NOT welcome in this elective and then they procede to ignore me...I mean seriously, it is like 15 days total (4 weeks, no weekends, and three days off for interviews) and people are acting like this is the biggest tragedy to ever take place at my school. I just want to know if other people are also taking rotations just for personal enlightenment or to fullfill a requirement, even though they don't really pertain to their future specialty. Thanks.

 

[Jason110]

Hi all. I was just wondering what are the biggest fluff rotations you are taking as a fourth year now that grades don't count anymore (post October). I am currently doing a rotation that is mandatory, but we were given the choice between two. This rotation is really of no value to my future career, but I am trying to keep an upbeat attitude and learn just for the sake of learning. However, I am being harassed on a daily basis by attendings telling me I made a horrible mistake choosing this rotation instead of the other option, and that it is a waste of my time. Some have even been so nasty as to tell me that I am NOT welcome in this elective and then they procede to ignore me...I mean seriously, it is like 15 days total (4 weeks, no weekends, and three days off for interviews) and people are acting like this is the biggest tragedy to ever take place at my school. I just want to know if other people are also taking rotations just for personal enlightenment or to fullfill a requirement, even though they don't really pertain to their future specialty. Thanks.

With regards to what electives are fluffy, it really varies from school to school. At my school, ER is super-intense while at others it's almost a blow-off. I would ask other students what they're taking.

I can't believe your attending is harping on you for taking an elective that takes more time. It's really sad when the attending says you're wasting your time. Every attending I've had has stated that they appreciated me on their service (even if there were easier options) because I was interesting in their subject.

Bring up the topic with the dean of your school. Especially about the attending saying you are not welcome on their service. That's right for you as the student. You're there to learn.

As fourth years, people really should be taking electives that don't necessarily apply to their future specialty. This might be your last time to get pediatric or ob/gyn or surgical exposure (for example) if you're going into internal medicine. Learn for the sake of learning! Sadly, from the standpoint of most students, fourth year is to find the electives that require the least amount of work while still fulfilling requirements. Many residents have stated that they wish they took this or that elective as a fourth year (since they didn't have that background and needed it later).