PGY2 in Ireland

[UQgrad]

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Hi Guys,

I'm an Aussie student graduating in December and, though it might seem a little premature, am working on plans to do PGY2 in Ireland (Dublin preferably). I was wondering if there's anyone out there who's currently an intern or resident in Ireland who could give me a bit of an idea about working hours, conditions, quality of teaching, and of course holidays. Is there a hospital that everyone tries to avoid or loves? Is Dublin super competitive and the rest of Ireland less so?

Thanks 👍

 

[UQgrad]

oh yeah, and what's the pay like? the recruitment sites aren't forthcoming with that info. cheers.

 

[leorl]

Hmm...usually PGY-2 Irish go to Australia, not the other way around!! Honestly, in the current climate, it might be hard to do...especially if you are a non-EU citizen. However, just for knowledge's sake... I'm not sure what PGY2's are paid, this is kind of hard to nail down because you have your base pay and then overtime pay so there isn't a clearcut salary. I know for interns, base pay is around 33500 (but then with overtime you could be earning 50-70k). It might be somewhat similar for PGY2's then. Working hours are specialty dependent, you'd probably be expected to work more for surgical specialties. However, they are looking to enforce the EU Working Time Directive beginning in Jan 2008 which would limit hours to 55 per week. Having said that, we really don't know if it's actually going to happen or not and there may be drawbacks to it. You get 6 weeks off.

Dublin would be a lot more competetive than elsewhere in the country...especially for surgical specialties. I don't think there is a particular hospital people clamor for, but then not many students know hospitals outside their own teaching hospitals (which is where graduating students obtain jobs from). Quality of teaching...I'm not sure yet. It depends on personal preference in style, which you get a feel for while in the teaching hospitals as a student. I don't think there's anywhere that's like...substandard.

 

[UQgrad]

thanks leorl,

for some reason my particular uni has something set up where UQ graduates who are also registered with my state's med board can register with the irish medical council without sitting extra exams or anything. and word on the street (albeit indirect) is that some kids in years gone by have managed the swap. (my partner's irish though so if worst comes to worst and he really wants to go home he'll just have to bite the bullet and marry me 😉)

fingers crossed anyway. good to know that if I do get there the pay wont be too dreadful and 6 weeks holiday sounds good too.

anyway - back to the fascinating world of neck lumps...😴

 

[PaddyofNine]

There's a few Aussie docs in Vincents ED - know of two that have come through working as SHO's (and one Reg now) straight after their intern year.

 

[leorl]

That's great that UQ has that relationship with the Irish medical council. The marriage idea sounds like a plan 🙂 hehe...keep working with that. Before, it didn't used to be as big a problem but I can anticipate it being one in the very near future. Already, competition for PGY2 spots is getting fierce...with many Irish overseas returning home, which "take spots" away from current interns looking to rise into a PGY2 year. So, practice is that they must prove that a non-EU citizen is more qualified than an Irish/EU citizen in order for him/her to get that spot, or that there aren't any suitable/qualified Irish/EU citizens...which of course is not going to happen.