Making the most out of what is left of residency

[meerkat111]

---

Members don't see this ad.

In order to learn as much as possible during the last yr of residency should one moonlight (money is not great, just to gain experience) or just pick good rotations for electives? Ideally one would do both but I am trying to not overwork myself unnecessarily.

 

[exsanguination]

Would like to hear the wisdom on this as well (PGY2 over here)

 

[gutonc]

What specialty? What are your future plans? What do you think you're weak in within your specialty? What do your attendings think that you're weak in?

 

[meerkat111]

Fam med, trying to become a hospitalist. Thus, plan to do my electives inpatient.

 

[typhoonegator]

Personally, I never was able to learn as much during moonlighting as I was on rotations. It's like my brain knew I was there for the paycheck and adjusted accordingly. Kudos if you can be better.

I would therefore focus on electives, and really diving into them. If you are interested in being an IM hospitalist, then I would focus on medical systems where people regularly suffer poor outcomes if you miss things.

 

[gutonc]

Personally, I never was able to learn as much during moonlighting as I was on rotations. It's like my brain knew I was there for the paycheck and adjusted accordingly. Kudos if you can be better.

This. So much.

For me, moonlighting was about paying for my kid's school, not any additional learning. I did the work required, thought as little as possible, and laid back down as soon as I could. Now, if you could figure out some daytime moonlighting options (weekend coverage) while on a chill outpatient rotation, that might be worthwhile.

Otherwise, add some ICU and more inpatient stuff. Your co-residents will love you for it.

 

[meerkat111]

gutonc and exsanguination,
Thank you. I understand what you are saying and agree with you both. Will work towards more ICU, and inpatient care. I will have 14-15 mo of solid inpatient by the time I am done, and this should help me find the right position.

 

[KnuxNole]

I'm in a similar boat, im in family medicine and want to be a hospitalist. I am scared because I don't think I will graduate with adequate inpatient experience...I have barely seen any hospital patients my 2nd year, and it's been over a year since I have a ward rotation, which made me feel rusty having to re-learn the ins and outs of the floor. All of this is starting to freak me out, and makes me afraid of being out in the real world.

I was thinking of doing my last elective with an inpatient rotation, but other than that, I dunno what to do to make my residency give me more hospital time. Part of me wants to be out of the clinic and focus on 2-3 more months on straight hospital medicine. However, that is unrealistic. I know it's too late to try for a hospitalist fellowship. I was thinking about moonlighting(if I could find a way to get it approved), but like mentioned, maybe that isn't the best option.

I feel stuck...part of me is getting depressed that I chose the wrong field, the past year I was thinking of switching but realized it's better to finish it out. Ugh.

 

[meerkat111]

Knuxnole, you can do the fellowship a year late. You are doing the right thing by finishing your residency. Dont feel depressed, normal to have some level of fear.

 

[jondoe123]

Just out of curiousity what made you guys wanna do hospitalist? Cuz I assume most people doing family initially want outpatient medicine. Was it your experience when u started residency or was this always im mind?
As for experience, general IM months will help the most in making you " feel " ready. I assume you guys do the usual cards/pulm/nephro etc rotations.

 

[meerkat111]

Just out of curiousity what made you guys wanna do hospitalist? Cuz I assume most people doing family initially want outpatient medicine. Was it your experience when u started residency or was this always im mind?
As for experience, general IM months will help the most in making you " feel " ready. I assume you guys do the usual cards/pulm/nephro etc rotations.

 

[meerkat111]

Because we can. It is a free country and people can change their mind. We do all the time.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

I signed up for a few moonlighting shifts in urgent care... I was miserable. Money ain't worth it.