Input from current/past residents needed

[deleted205891]

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I know that I'm only a P2, but I'd just like to hear some people's experience with residency, and and how much better their career and quality of life is after one. Is a residency really worth the extra 1 or 2 years? Also, how stressful are residencies. I have heard some people say that nearly all residents have a nervous breakdown at some point during their program. If it's that stressful, is is really worth it?

 

[type b pharmD]

wow... you know it strikes me that pharmacy students in general are prone to nervous breakdowns. . I try to stay away from these people as much as possible. in all probability, the high stress types are probably most likely to be the ones who go on to residencies too.

seriously, life is as stressful as you make it. i would certainly imagine it is possible to get through residency without having a "nervous breakdown" . Take things a day at a time.

 

[Priapism321]

I know that I'm only a P2, but I'd just like to hear some people's experience with residency, and and how much better their career and quality of life is after one. Is a residency really worth the extra 1 or 2 years? Also, how stressful are residencies. I have heard some people say that nearly all residents have a nervous breakdown at some point during their program. If it's that stressful, is is really worth it?

Your post is in the wrong area.....perception of career and quality of life are highly subjective. Most residency trained pharmacists will probably say their careers are "better," but that may be because most of them felt this would be the case before they embarked on post-graduate training. It is very stressful, but I had zero nervous breakdowns in two years. It was worth it to me, and my current (and future) position(s) likely would never be occupied by someone without residency training.

 

[njac]

it is very residency specific.

And don't forget that you aren't being graded - you get out of it what you put into it.

 

[evilolive]

Your post is in the wrong area.....perception of career and quality of life are highly subjective. Most residency trained pharmacists will probably say their careers are "better," but that may be because most of them felt this would be the case before they embarked on post-graduate training. It is very stressful, but I had zero nervous breakdowns in two years. It was worth it to me, and my current (and future) position(s) likely would never be occupied by someone without residency training.

How many hours of sleep did you get a night? Were/are you happy with your life? there was one resident I talked to that admitted to me that she wanted to quit several times, which made me a little sad on the inside that my life may be like that in the future. Apparently the stress comes from different program intensities with some having comfortable 8-5s, while others have horror stories of 60 hour weeks and the like.

 

[Priapism321]

How many hours of sleep did you get a night? Were/are you happy with your life? there was one resident I talked to that admitted to me that she wanted to quit several times, which made me a little sad on the inside that my life may be like that in the future. Apparently the stress comes from different program intensities with some having comfortable 8-5s, while others have horror stories of 60 hour weeks and the like.

Hours of sleep (this is over two years of residency): 4.5 - 7. I weaned myself down to 4.5 for only a period of weeks, until my co-residents could no longer tolerate me in the office.

I was and continue to be happy with my life.

I never was tempted to quit during the two years.

I worked between 50 and 70 hours a week for the two years. I went over 90 hours in a week one time as a PGY1 resident.

 

[evilolive]

I guess if I ever did a residency I would have to force myself to start drinking coffee just like everybody else. I just feel that I don't have the energy to get through an 8 hour work day as is, let alone feeling stressed out and constantly overworked. Anyone still floating the idea of marrying rich and working part time at an ambulatory clinic?

 

[Priapism321]

I guess if I ever did a residency I would have to force myself to start drinking coffee just like everybody else. I just feel that I don't have the energy to get through an 8 hour work day as is, let alone feeling stressed out and constantly overworked. Anyone still floating the idea of marrying rich and working part time at an ambulatory clinic?

I do not drink coffee.

 

[bigpharmD]

I do not drink coffee.

I did and still do drink a ton of coffee....the above poster prob drank sugar filled energy drinks instead

 

[Priapism321]

I did and still do drink a ton of coffee....the above poster prob drank sugar filled energy drinks instead

Yeah right!!!!

 

[bigpharmD]

and anyone who works 90 hours in one week as a PGY1 has no life

 

[BMBiology]

How many hours of sleep did you get a night? Were/are you happy with your life?

The more direct question would be did he get laid during his residency. That says a whole lot.

 

[MSSM2013]

How many hours of sleep did you get a night? Were/are you happy with your life? there was one resident I talked to that admitted to me that she wanted to quit several times, which made me a little sad on the inside that my life may be like that in the future. Apparently the stress comes from different program intensities with some having comfortable 8-5s, while others have horror stories of 60 hour weeks and the like.

the horror of 60 hours a week!

 

[deleted205891]

the horror of 60 hours a week!

TBH, 60 hours IS a lot, unless it's only done for a week or so at a time. I was under the impression that residency was about 40hrs a week plus a weekend every 3rd week or so and an evening ever 3rd week or so, so it would be 40 then 45 then 56 or something like that and repeat, which isn't bad.

But I'm thinking I'll do it anyway, regardless of the stress. I'm slowly becoming more interested in ambulatory care, so I might try for VA residencies (since the VA is pretty proficient in that field)...At any rate, I still have 2 years to decide.

 

[evilolive]

The more direct question would be did he get laid during his residency. That says a whole lot.

Any job that interferes with natural inclinations is frowned upon.

 

[delano2000]

 

[njac]

All I can say is that due to geography, BF is 2000 miles away.

If he were here, or I were single, I don't think there would be the same lack of lack of natural activities.

 

[evilolive]

All I can say is that due to geography, BF is 2000 miles away.

If he were here, or I were single, I don't think there would be the same lack of lack of natural activities.

unfortunately most physicians, residents, and pharmacists aren't exactly the best lookers 🙂 at least where i am it's noticeable, but every once in a while...

 

[apteryx]

^^^^ That's why I married a hot chick before I got into pharm school. Gotta have all your needs taken care of 😎