Penn anesthesia?

[xiaomeimei]

Hey,

New user here ... interviewed at Penn anesthesia recently but met very few residents. Can anyone shed some light on the program for me? Mostly, I'm curious about how hard the residents actually work -- I'm certainly not against working hard in residency but I'd also like to have some semblance of a life!

Thanks so much

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[Guillemot]

I had the impression that it was on the very high end for hours when compared to other programs where I interviewed. They pay for staying late, and its quasi-mandatory. They will ask for volunteers first but if nobody volunteers its mandatory.

 

[xiaomeimei]

Does anyone have any idea how it compares to Cornell or Columbia? I've been told that people work a lot at both of those programs (but yet when I ask for work hours, people generally say 60-65 hrs/wk)!

 

[loveumms]

I did not do residency there but several of our faculty that I work with did.

I've been told they work very hard and are given a great deal of independence (sometimes too much). They do get "paid" for after hours however when our program looked at doing this for our residents we contacted their chiefs and basically the program just paid the residents less in their salary and then gave them extra money for working after hours. So essentially, they were making close to the same amount of money. This may have changed but this is what many programs do to keep the residents 'happy' when working late.

The reputation speaks for itself and you will get great training - the people I work with who have graduated from there are top notch and know their stuff.

 

[Lysinee]

Penn had some unmatched spots in last year's match. I know they have a strong reputation, but is it mostly because of the location?

 

[scudrunner]

Penn state had openings, I believe, not Penn (aka UPenn).

 

[Lysinee]

You're right. UPenn was full.

Penn state had openings, I believe, not Penn (aka UPenn).

 

[BigMAC3]

Does anyone have any idea how it compares to Cornell or Columbia? I've been told that people work a lot at both of those programs (but yet when I ask for work hours, people generally say 60-65 hrs/wk)!

In terms of workload: Penn > Cornell > Columbia

I actually think Columbia could be around 65ish hours. But for the other two programs, I think the 60-65 hour range is a gross under-estimate. (Both great programs, but I had to go back to Cornell for a second time before I could finally get someone to honestly tell me their call schedule.)

 

[PulseOx]

Hi everyone,

UPenn CA3 resident here. We work around 60-65 hours a week total (includes call, staying late to make extra money, etc.) It is really not bad I have plenty of time outside of work. We only take around 3 calls a month, one of those 3 calls is a weekend day (either a saturday, friday or sunday). So you basically have 3 weekends completely off each month. We generally get relieved for the day at 5:30 and then can do preops. I have friends at other programs who get out earlier during the day (around 4pm BUT they have 6 calls a month and work 2 weekends). Personally I prefer to work full days duing the week and have my weekends off.

We work hard during the day and have the option of staying later to make extra money at $100/hr. Our salary is NOT decreased, you can check the website it has the current figures.

• PGY 1 (Intern): $51,084
• PGY 2 (CA1): $52,478
• PGY 3 (CA2): $54,059
• PGY 4 (CA3): $57,116

I also know some residents who have doubled thier paycheck by doing extra hours. You can also choose not to stay.


Overall it is a great program with incredible residents and faculty located in a city where there is a lot to do outside of work. Our graduating residents this year all got thier choice of fellowships and private practice jobs.

As you can see I am a big fan of the program, if you have any questions please let me know I am happy to help.

 

[letheon]

I would have to say that of all the places I interviewed at that Penn was the hardest working program. If I understood the residents correctly doing pre-ops doesn't count for the staying late (has to be in on a case or something like that) so even if you're at the hospital until 630-7pm doing pre-ops you don't get the extra money. Their call is also 24 hr where I know most other places I visited the call was 12-18 hr. ICU call was about 30 hr but post-post call day was off. The chair mentioned that he was hiring more crna's to take on low acuity cases and to get residents out. With all this being said, I found the residents to be very happy and satisfied with their training. I think the program attracts hard-working individuals that will mesh well with the culture they are promoting. I am admittedly one of the lazier med students out there so I know Penn wouldn't be a good fit lol.

 

[japhy]

former resident. other people who clearly didn't go here do not know what they are talking about. i got paid for being there afterhours, the base pay was the same, not decreased as others have said.

now that i've finished residency and have had a few years to reflect heres what i can tell you:
- big cases on sick as hell patients from day 1. i started doing liver transplants in november of first year and had 40-50 liver transplants by the end of residency
- tons of cardiac and trauma (GSWs, in philly? shocking!)
- to address the issue of independence - you'll get it from the attendings once you've earned it. you'll notice you start getting the harrier cases, sicker patients, they will put you on 1st call earlier
- 1st call: this is one of the best things penn does. as the senior resident on call you are in charge of 3 junior residents, serving as the point person for the OR. you get calls from ED, neuro, etc about emergencies. you are responsible for airways in units and floor

as an attending now i feel very comfortable with sick crazy cases thanks to my training at penn. yes i worked hard (65hrs/week) is a solid estimate in OR weeks.

you only get to train once. make it count.