How to Prepare for the First Month of CA-1

[lfesiam]

Any advice from those who walked the path would be greatly appreciated 👍

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[Fastrach]

Read as much as you can.
Get up to speed on the basics.
Ask lots of questions. If you're wondering if you should ask about something before you do it, the answer is you should ask first.
Know that if you flub something during a case it's to be expected, but you better learn from it and hopefully not repeat it.

Your first month is definitely a steep learning curve, but luckily very little is expected of you. As one of our crusty old staff says: "Just don't kill 'em!"
😉

 

[Narcotized]

Get that little blue NMS Anesthesiology book and read it thoroughly before July 1, and read it again during July when it will make more sense and before you get bogged down in the bigger slower moving books. As an attending I am still amazed how much shtuff is in that little blue book. It makes all that confusing new field you see and watch during the first month come together and make sense.

You can jump right to the bigger books, but remember you will get about as far as reading up on OR fires and electrical wiring before you are left alone in the room. The NMS book has limited use after the first few weeks, but it's an awesome readable introduction to get you going.

 

[usnavdoc]

The NMS book is a decent read for the last few weeks prior to CA1. But honestly if you are asking this question this early you can go ahead and start on M@M. Other things you can do now: Make sure you know how to read an EKG. Know your ACLS. And get beafed up on your Pharm.


Beyond that live life and dont let work prevent you from being healthy and enjoying yourself.