med school and such

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

epidural man

Full Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2007
Messages
4,878
Reaction score
3,284
Today as I was walking into work way late, I passed a med student walking out (about 8:05) and I thought...good for him.

Now he could have been post call - but based on his swagger and shifty eyes, I think he was cutting out early.

I remember doing that a handful of times as a med student during a rotation where someone doesn't know where you are half the time.

The point is, that will NEVER happen as a resident. Free days are few...so take some as a med student.
 
But it is important to know for sure that it is ok. Fourth year was good for me. I didn't chance it during 3rd year. Getting busted at it one time can potentially ruin your Dean's letter if you are truly slacking off. There are many 4th year rotations available where you can get some free days. I think that is the time to do it. It will be the last time for quite a while.
 
My third year was all core rotations. I never missed any days.

As a 4th year I was doing electives. I remember around interview season I asked the residents I was working with to leave early for an interview the next day, or once when my interview was rescheduled during my medicine sub-I I skipped the day.

I think most attendings don't care in your 4th year as long as you don't make a habit of it. The residents also understand because they were in your shoes in the recent past. On some of my electives, I was told me to go home because there was nothing more to be learned that day.

I would not advise anyone to just sneak off. That is more likely to land you a negative comment, especially if they can't get in touch with you.

As I tell the students on their 1-week anesthesiology rotation through the main OR: You are paying for your education. You will get out of this rotation what you put into it. If you want to do something, speak up. If you don't say anything, I will assume you don't care. If you want to leave early, just tell me.

I obviously have a different standard for the 4th year students doing a longer rotation and who want to go into anesthesiology.
 
Top