help: Failed Step 2 CK, risk losing new residency

[lost_soul]

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Hi everyone..

I just found out I failed the Step 2 CK this Friday. O-week for IM residency starts this Monday..in the O-week email, it stated it is a requirement to pass Step 2 on the 1st attempt..I feel so depressed..think I'm going to lose the spot..

I've been battling some health problems and took the exam during a critical period of my health..I had no choice..the results were needed before residency starts.

I don't know what to do..don't even know if I should go on pursuing a residency..my health problem is something chronic of which my body does not seem to adjust well to medications with severe side effects..i know residency is very demanding..and I'm not sure if my health will meet it's requirements..I'm so lost... the health field has been the only field I have ever known my whole life...please help me with some advice..i feel so lost..

 

[MD'05]

Hi everyone..

I just found out I failed the Step 2 CK this Friday. O-week for IM residency starts this Monday..in the O-week email, it stated it is a requirement to pass Step 2 on the 1st attempt..I feel so depressed..think I'm going to lose the spot..

I've been battling some health problems and took the exam during a critical period of my health..I had no choice..the results were needed before residency starts.

I don't know what to do..don't even know if I should go on pursuing a residency..my health problem is something chronic of which my body does not seem to adjust well to medications with severe side effects..i know residency is very demanding..and I'm not sure if my health will meet it's requirements..I'm so lost... the health field has been the only field I have ever known my whole life...please help me with some advice..i feel so lost..

What exactly is your health problem, if you don't mind sharing?

 

[TraumaJunkie]

What exactly is your health problem, if you don't mind sharing?

An allergy to patients during your third year? Other than having an MI or CVA during that exam, I can't image how you'd fail it after completing third year. It would be like failing a test on how to breath...

 

[Quixote]

Hi everyone..

I just found out I failed the Step 2 CK this Friday. O-week for IM residency starts this Monday..in the O-week email, it stated it is a requirement to pass Step 2 on the 1st attempt..I feel so depressed..think I'm going to lose the spot..

I've been battling some health problems and took the exam during a critical period of my health..I had no choice..the results were needed before residency starts.

I don't know what to do..don't even know if I should go on pursuing a residency..my health problem is something chronic of which my body does not seem to adjust well to medications with severe side effects..i know residency is very demanding..and I'm not sure if my health will meet it's requirements..I'm so lost... the health field has been the only field I have ever known my whole life...please help me with some advice..i feel so lost..

Here's a thought, hope you take it as well meant and not cheap psychobabble: maybe, deep down, you did not want that residency? And you found failing step 2 as a way out? It is not very easy to fail step 2.
I would certainly take this as a way to take some time to heal in all aspects that need to be healed, whatever they are. Tons of IM residencies are out there waiting for you when you have sorted things out.

 

[MD'05]

An allergy to patients during your third year? Other than having an MI or CVA during that exam, I can't image how you'd fail it after completing third year. It would be like failing a test on how to breath...

Oh, bullsheat. If you don't practice test questions, you most certainly would fail.

I repeat, what kind of health problem??

 

[krkuhl]

ouch, not a lot of sympathy or kind words out there. true, most people felt that step 2 was easier than step 1, but there are people who dont do well for many reasons.

as for my advice, i would call the residency program and explain the situation--better to come from your mouth and face the consequences than for them to hear it from the USMLE 2 or 3 months into your internship. i wouldnt try to use too many excuses or throw out reasons, just admit that you didnt pass it and anticipate passing it easily the next time. JMHO, though.

as far as chronic health issues, it would completely depend on the health issue. some are difficult and tend to wax and wane. others are steady. how long have you had this? how bearable are the symptoms? number of doctor visits needed on average? would a different or less physically or emotionally demanding residency help things out? perhaps taking a year off and re-applying for a different field would me a consideration. iknow doctors who made it through residency with crohn's disease (he joked that he always got paged about 20 seconds AFTER a bout hit him), cystic fibrosis (frequently had to leave rounds for breathing treatments), bipolar (he didnt do too well--kept going off his meds), and we had a resident battle cancer while still staying on rack for her residency.

best of luck to you with your situation.

 

[ekydrd]

I would have to vote with krkuhl. Residency programs can help you deal with situations like this. Just give the program a call and talk to the director. It may seem like the end of the world, but it's really not. The director may have some suggestions that we didn't come up with here as well. Good luck to you and feel better.