I'm an Intern, and I'm bored.

[spritezero]

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Hi all,

Please tolerate me while I vent a little. After 2 months, 40+ vag deliveries, 20+ c/s including a challenging repeat or two, several open and lap GYN cases, I hate it.

Let me clear this up, I love my program, fellow residents, hospital, etc, I just don't like what I am doing. I'm actually excited about my ICU rotation next month.

I spent most of medical school wanting to do Anesthesia, but I had fun on my 3rd year Ob elective. I was strongly encouraged by my 3rd year clerkship director to pursue it because she thought I would be good at it. I never really asked myself if I was going to be happy doing it. Of course, being a student who stands around watching, drinking beer with the upper levels, is a far cry from being the one standing there actually making the decisions and doing the real work.

Also, I work with a lot of community docs, and I really, really don't want their life! Too much call, too much CYA. I like to work hard, and enjoy taking care of patients, but I don't think OB i for me now. I think you really have to love it to live as one.

My fellow residents all complain about being tired and stressed, but LOVE delivieries, etc. I am the exact opposite. I feel pretty comfortable here, I hate what I am doing.

Help! What's wrong with me? Is it intern blues? Does anyone else feel this way?

 

[nightowl]

well, I am a M3, so I can't say I can relate to what you're going through, but I do feel like I can relate to where you were a few years ago. I really enjoyed my OB rotation and am considering the specialty, but am really hesitant for a few reasons, most of which you mentioned: 1. the work is really redundant, it seems 2. the hours are terrible even once you're out of residency 3. I worry I'll miss other parts of medicine.

If you have any words of wisdom for a third year, I'd love to hear it.

You could always try to switch into anesthesiology- I think they're used to getting people from other specialties =) and it seems like barely anyone actually switches out of anesthesiology, so they must be doing something right... Good luck whatever you choose!

nightowl

 

[smq123]

I spent most of medical school wanting to do Anesthesia, but I had fun on my 3rd year Ob elective. I was strongly encouraged by my 3rd year clerkship director to pursue it because she thought I would be good at it. I never really asked myself if I was going to be happy doing it.

Have you looked further into anesthesia? Because it sounds like you really liked it, but just never pursued it.

Maybe you could try talking to some of the anesthesiologists who hang out on L&D. See if you reallly do like that field.

I really enjoyed my OB rotation and am considering the specialty, but am really hesitant for a few reasons, most of which you mentioned: 1. the work is really redundant, it seems 2. the hours are terrible even once you're out of residency 3. I worry I'll miss other parts of medicine.

1) If you found the work to be "redundant" after only a 4-6 week stint, how do you think you will find it after a 4 year residency? I would be willing to bet that you will find it even more boring after that amount of time.

2) It's still early in the year. Why don't you wait and see what other rotations you like? There's no need to decide right this month. You have time.

3) Have you considered doing FP and then an OB fellowship?

 

[Royalty]

This is my first time joining a SDN conversations...I was so compelled when I read your "vent" because I feel the same way! The only difference is I want to go into OBGyn!

I love, I mean really love my FM program! I love the people I work with, the attendings, patients, all of that...I just dont like doing all the chronic disease stuff. I love when I have an OB patient or have to deal with gyn related issues (I know, sounds creepy).

I think you (we) got some good advice. I am just kinda letting some time pass before I make any big decisions. I do want to talk to my program director but Im too nervous; on the other hand, Ive already scheduled an appt to talk to the OB PD, so Ill have to say something sooner or later. I think after all the labor and commitment we put into being physicians, we should do what we really love...you want to be happy and your patients want you to be happy as well!

Much success on your journey! 😀

 

[OB/GYN RNtoMD]

I did a year of internship and I loved OB (hate gyn) but I switched into Anesthesia mainly 2/2 lifestyle issues. Didn't really know how I would like it but I knew I was unhappy in OB. GREATEST thing I've ever done. Yes, I have rough days and some times I work harder than I did in OB but overall I am very happy. I also think of the lifestyle as an attending, can't wait! Any q's pm me!

 

[lroberts]

To spritezero is suggest that you find your self a place to unwind to feel better andi you think of good reasons on why you choose your field

 

[daisyduke]

Give it a few more months to be sure, but seriously, if you aren't happy the best time to get out is your intern year that way you will not have invested too much of your time in the program. Also, it is much easier for your program to find another pgy1 or new pgy2 at the end of the year than later in the game.

 

[civic4982]

I'm a MS4 with a past similar dilemma in deciding b/t ob and anesthesia. interested to hear how you make your decision.

I'm applying to only ob programs and hope that I made the right decision for me.