Premed interested in EM; would like info

[Messerschmitts]

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Hi everyone, I'm a premed recently accepted into a medical school (finally! second time's the charm 😛), and EM is one of the two specialties I'm most interested in (the other being OB/GYN). I'm appreciate some insight into the EM lifestyle. How many hours do EM docs work per week? Is a 12-hour shift pretty much the norm/mandatory? How is the job market for EM docs after completing residency? Are hospital positions very competitive? What about in California specifically? My long-term goal is to live permanently in California, my home state. However, CA is very competitive for both med school and residency positions (in fact I'm probably not going to be able to attend a CA med school), I was wondering about the job market. Are there newly-minted EM docs who can't get a job in California and are thus forced to accept positions elsewhere?

Also, concerning EM residency programmes (or residency programmes in general), how does one know how "good" or prestigious a programme is? I don't think there's anything comparable to the U.S. News rankings for medical schools concerning residency programmes; there's no official "ranking". So are the levels of prestige all based on hearsay? How would you know how competitive a programme was, short of contacting each individual programme about their past entrance statistics?

Thanks alot, any input would be appreciated.

 

[colforbinMD]

Too quick facts that will get you far in your research.
A) There is a FAQ
B) Fatty McFattypants

That being said I will try and help a little.
Congrats on your perseverence and acceptance. Ca is kinda a special nut in that they tend to be self selective when possible on just about everything in medicine. Meaning if you went to med school there you have a better shot getting a res there and if you got a res there you have a better shot getting a job there. ALL that being said you have learned an important lesson in applying for med school. If you want something. Go out and get it no matter what it takes. Good luck. Once you have read the FAQ if you have more specific questions post away. Now my question to you is. Why EM and why OB? In my mind (not exactly the most normal well adjusted place mind you) {boy I love parentheses} [oh and brackets, etc.]
These two being top of your list probably indicates a lack of understanding of one or both as practice patterns of the two are very different. Allthough we both get to look at dirty bajingos

 

[leviathan]

Also, concerning EM residency programmes (or residency programmes in general), how does one know how "good" or prestigious a programme is? I don't think there's anything comparable to the U.S. News rankings for medical schools concerning residency programmes; there's no official "ranking". So are the levels of prestige all based on hearsay? How would you know how competitive a programme was, short of contacting each individual programme about their past entrance statistics?

Thanks alot, any input would be appreciated.

Well, I think this stuff is in the FAQ. 🙂 I'll give you some insider info right now and tell you to set your gunsights on the In & Out Burger residency. They are a new program (circa about last year), but they are gaining their reputation quite quickly.

 

[SoCuteMD]

Hey Messer. - regarding your question about EM programs "rankings", what everyone on the board seems to be saying is that in fields like IM, Peds, etc. there are a wide variety of programs. EM programs on the other hand, are fewer in number and more closely monitored. As a result, many are very similar in quality. A lot of people seem to be making their ROLs based on how they feel about a program, rather than how they perceive others feel about it!

 

[Messerschmitts]

Okay my apologies, I didn't notice the FAQ, but we all make stupid posts sometimes. 😛

 

[Mike MacKinnon]

Hey Mess

Let me start by saying I am Pre Med here. However, in real life I am an ER Nurse and have been for a long time. Here are some pros and cons my friends (ER Physicians) that i have been working ER for years (15+) have told me:

Pros:

1) Shift work. Go home no pager.
2) Start and reach highest end of income potential fast (good and bad)
3) Never know whats comming through the door
4) Get to so a little of all parts of medicine
5) Often, you see the fruits of your labor (catch an acute treatable problem and fix it pt gets better)
6) Often work with top notch RN's as well (not the run of the mill)

Cons:

1) Reach maximum income potential fast.
2) Often treated as the red headed step child of medicine
3) Oft times do not get the respect deserved from other specialties.
4) EM is a realitively new specialty. There are still ER's where family boarded physicians act as ER physicians. This effects the specialty as a whole negatively. You would not see a Family doc subbing for a cardiologist.
5) The patients never stop comming in and you can easily be placed in a position of danger in regards to liability (pt dies in waiting room etc).
6) ER's are often used as peoples PCP and can this can be very frustrating for the physician.

This is a small subset. In reality, like any specialty you will have to do your clinical time in med school and see what you like then. ER may, or may not be for you.

 

[Messerschmitts]

This is a small subset. In reality, like any specialty you will have to do your clinical time in med school and see what you like then. ER may, or may not be for you.

Thanks for the list! I'm definitely looking forward to doing some rotations and getting a better idea in med school. One of the main reasons I'm attracted to EM is because I want to know a little bit about everything, and be able to handle a wide variety of medical situations. I think the opportunity to "moonlight" as PCP for poor patients is interesting though, because it's yet another area of medicine that I would be able to get a little taste of.

 

[EctopicFetus]

Have you thought of Family Practice?

 

[11-44]

Also, don't forget to add as many acronyms after your name as possible. Name badges really are like chest real estate - the more you own, the more you show your import.

It speaks volumes about the many many years of relevant experience you garnerd before medical school. Among the neophytes who lack a long list of initials after their own except MD or DO, with initials like CCRN, CEN, TNCC, ACLS, PALS, APLS, EMT-P, NREMT-P, BA, BS, BTLS, BSN, CFRN, ATLS, EMT-IA, CRT, you will show your classmates and attendings that you have already (Yo Yo) been there, done that...

 

[Mike MacKinnon]

unless im mistaken, nice sarcasm. Sadly, its the lowest form of insult, speaks volumes about intelligence.

I am very proud of my relevant accomplishments and it certainly will make a difference in my application as well as my practice. Typically, the only people who balk are the ones who couldnt do it, didnt make it or were not self-motivated enough to do it.

 

[leviathan]

unless im mistaken, nice sarcasm. Sadly, its the lowest form of insult, speaks volumes about intelligence.

I am very proud of my relevant accomplishments and it certainly will make a difference in my application as well as my practice. Typically, the only people who balk are the ones who couldnt do it, didnt make it or were not self-motivated enough to do it.

He has 0+ posts, so I'm guessing it was sarcasm/trolling. Nobody should be ashamed to show their credentials, in fact I think you should be proud.

 

[TysonCook]

I'm in the same boat, I know a lot of nurses in the ED who are much more proficient than the entering interns w/the MD on thier chest. I fully respect anyone that at least a. has a job, b. is trying to help, and c. is friendly (those 3 are sometimes very hard to find in the ED 🙂 )

 

[Mike MacKinnon]

tyson

too true. Those abc's are great in any situation! Interns and 1st year residents are always weak clinically when they first come to the hospital. Thats how it is supposed to be, they are learning. I have always felt that it was my job as an RN to help them in anyway i can. In my local area i do alot of teaching for the med students and interns, I think it is alot of fun. Personally, with few exceptions, i find that med students and interns/residents are so interested in learning that it is infectious and that makes it fun.

Alot of the reason im going to med school (as i sure praet will attest) is becuase i feel ive gone as far as i can in the medic/RN world. I see these interns and med students and I get excited for them 🙂 For the same reason ive gotten as many certifications and done as many professional exams as i can I am going to med school, to learn what i dont know and test/challenge myself. I cant wait!

 

[pm2do]

tyson

too true. Those abc's are great in any situation! Interns and 1st year residents are always weak clinically when they first come to the hospital. Thats how it is supposed to be, they are learning. I have always felt that it was my job as an RN to help them in anyway i can. In my local area i do alot of teaching for the med students and interns, I think it is alot of fun. Personally, with few exceptions, i find that med students and interns/residents are so interested in learning that it is infectious and that makes it fun.

Alot of the reason im going to med school (as i sure praet will attest) is becuase i feel ive gone as far as i can in the medic/RN world. I see these interns and med students and I get excited for them 🙂 For the same reason ive gotten as many certifications and done as many professional exams as i can I am going to med school, to learn what i dont know and test/challenge myself. I cant wait!

Hear, hear, I think you summed it up why anyone who was in the "field" in some way, shape or another has gone onto to med school 👍 I'm just to lazy to put the initials behind my name 😀

 

[Mike MacKinnon]

hehehe 🙂

pm2do: Welcome to the "I cant believe Im starting over!" club!

 

[basementbeastie]

I'm in the same boat, I know a lot of nurses in the ED who are much more proficient than the entering interns w/the MD on thier chest. I fully respect anyone that at least a. has a job, b. is trying to help, and c. is friendly (those 3 are sometimes very hard to find in the ED 🙂 )

great avatar!