No one has mentioned this yet, but I want to write a post I think is important, because these are so easy to avoid and yet I see every single one perpetrated every year that I've been an attending:
Things that will kill your chances at an ortho program
During your rotation (away or home):
1. Being arrogant to the non-resident staff. Nurses, PAs, NPs, the janitor. Your job is to smile, be helpful, and do whatever they ask, even if it's "scut." You may think it's a no-brainer, but I've seen rotators tell our NPs, "I think you're mean" or "I think you could do better." Oh yes. Treat everyone like an attending, because you never know whose colleague/friend/cousin/wife/secret lover they may be. Shut your trap and keep your opinions to yourself (unless you see a patient being harmed).
2. Being the first to leave at the end of the day. Conversely, staying past the point of comfort and "hovering." To figure out when you can leave, meet with the chief resident on the service on the first day of your rotation and talk about your expectations-- ask "how can I best be of assistance, what are my responsibilities during rounds/conference/consults, and what are your expectations for me in terms of hours?" After that, play by ear-- if the junior resident is slammed, help them out and leave later.
3. Being on your smartphone during conference. It's such a temptation to quickly check your email OR even look stuff up--avoid it at all costs. If you hear a topic in conference, write it down for later, on paper.
4. Stealing cases from your co-rotators. We get it, most of us were gunners, but ortho is collaborative. Make sure the residents assign you somewhere and stick with it (if it's a free-for-all, make a schedule amongst yourselves). Don't fall all over yourself trying to scrub with the "most important," big name guy. It's really not as important as you think; plus, you never know what "little guy" has his ear and who would appreciate some student help in a difficult case.
5. Making fun of residents in front of other residents (this includes joining in when residents are making fun of their classmates)-- just don't say anything, 'smile and nod.'
6. Complaining about cases, length of the day, etc etc. Leave that for your spouse. There is no crying or whining in ortho (at least not at work-- I feel like I must have cried on a daily basis in PGY2, but always at home.)
7. Not preparing for cases. It's okay if you don't know the answer to a question, but no one will ask you super specific things--- basic anatomy suffices. Go over the cases for the next day with the residents and at least read the OrthoBullets section on the topic. Most residents will give you tips on what the attending might ask.
8. Flirting. You're there to work, so be professional. If you find yourself head over heels for someone in the program, leave that for when you're done with the rotation.
9. Lying. Just don't. Ever. Even if you messed up or forgot to do something, just admit to it so it can be fixed. If you didn't check a pulse, don't say that you did-- because if that patient has no pulse, it will make the resident think something happened.
10. A consequence of doing the above things: if you get a bad eval from the residents on any form during your rotation, your chances are almost nil. Most programs don't give residents the power to choose people for the match, but they do have the power of blacklisting-- no matter how good the letters/attending opinions/step scores may be, if the residents put you on their "do not take list," it's over.
During your interview:
1. Lying about anything on your application, including the extent of your involvement in a project.
2. Not knowing what your research involves or why you did it.
3. Saying, "Do I have to answer that question?" Unless they're asking an illegal question, just answer to the best of your ability. Anything else makes you sound shady.
4. Talking **** about your home program or any orthopaedic surgeon or resident (even if they don't come from that program). You would think this never happens, but I guarantee you there's at least one every interview season.
5. Getting drunk during the resident dinner. Bonus points for dancing on the table (yes, this happened too).
