RANT HERE thread

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
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catsandsnakes said:
I failed my comm OSCE and they don't give feedback so I don't know what skills I missed. I walked out feeling like the conversation was fine. I'm so scared. I don't know what to do.
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You repeat it and do your best. Although it's crap they don't tell you how you failed
 
battie said:
You repeat it and do your best. Although it's crap they don't tell you how you failed
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It's just disheartening when I thought I gave my best the first time around. I'm sad that, out of all the exams/OSCEs I've had this year, this is the thing that gets me. I'll be practicing with a friend the next couple days. Hopefully I can update after Tuesday with good news :/
 
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catsandsnakes said:
It's just disheartening when I thought I gave my best the first time around. I'm sad that, out of all the exams/OSCEs I've had this year, this is the thing that gets me. I'll be practicing with a friend the next couple days. Hopefully I can update after Tuesday with good news :/
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Ugh. I am sorry. As a tOSU student, the comm OSCEs are incredibly subjective. The best way to go about them is not with authenticity, but with a script. Know how to use the skills verbatim among many different scenarios!

"Hi, my name is Dr. blah blah. Its lovely weather we are having, isn't it?"
"Today, we are going to discuss x, y and z. First, I will start with x"
"What I'm hearing you say is..."
"Tell me more about..."
"I know you mentioned wanting to vaccinate Fluffy. Tell me what you know about vaccines?" "Great, it sounds like you know a lot about vaccinations! Something to consider is x, y, z. What questions do you have?"
"Now that we have finished x, we will talk about y..."
etc.
etc.
etc.

It is formulaic and formulaic only. They are literally checking boxes to see if you used specific skills; some graders are able to parse these out even if you don't use the skills verbatim, others expect a deliberate and clear use.
 
I have two jobs this summer. One I've been working per diem since February. One that's a full time opportunity with a corporate hospital that I know has internships/residencies that they sometimes fill outside of match.

Per diem job has been scheduling me (which, if I'm not mistaken, is not what per diem is). They wanted my June schedule set by today.

Corporate job said they would have my first month's schedule to me by today.

I have no schedule, so I've had to just agree to my per diem shifts and hope for the best even though I KNOW I'm going to get double booked somewhere.

Help?
 
flotus said:
Ugh. I am sorry. As a tOSU student, the comm OSCEs are incredibly subjective. The best way to go about them is not with authenticity, but with a script. Know how to use the skills verbatim among many different scenarios!

"Hi, my name is Dr. blah blah. Its lovely weather we are having, isn't it?"
"Today, we are going to discuss x, y and z. First, I will start with x"
"What I'm hearing you say is..."
"Tell me more about..."
"I know you mentioned wanting to vaccinate Fluffy. Tell me what you know about vaccines?" "Great, it sounds like you know a lot about vaccinations! Something to consider is x, y, z. What questions do you have?"
"Now that we have finished x, we will talk about y..."
etc.
etc.
etc.

It is formulaic and formulaic only. They are literally checking boxes to see if you used specific skills; some graders are able to parse these out even if you don't use the skills verbatim, others expect a deliberate and clear use.
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Thank you so much for this, flotus. I think I was more focused on having an authentic conversation, though I’m still at a loss for what skill I didn’t hit. I hate that’s it’s more important to talk unnaturally.
 
On a separate but related note, people need to be more careful about how they talk about pass/fails for exams, OSCEs, etc.

I was in a group work class today and people started talking about wondering when they’d hear if they failed the OSCE. Someone in my group said that they heard only one person had actually failed it (I doubt that’s actually true). I had to sit there for another 20 minutes trying to not cry, because that person would be me.
 
_rae_ said:
I have two jobs this summer. One I've been working per diem since February. One that's a full time opportunity with a corporate hospital that I know has internships/residencies that they sometimes fill outside of match.

Per diem job has been scheduling me (which, if I'm not mistaken, is not what per diem is). They wanted my June schedule set by today.

Corporate job said they would have my first month's schedule to me by today.

I have no schedule, so I've had to just agree to my per diem shifts and hope for the best even though I KNOW I'm going to get double booked somewhere.

Help?
Click to expand...
What are the benefits to the per diem job? Good hourly, flexibility, etc? Would there be consequences if you rejected a shift that was double booked? What would be the long term loss if you dropped this one?
Asking bc I'd be leaning towards prioritizing the full time hospital that you (it sounds like) want to make a good impression at.

Also as someone who did the multiple part time jobs thing all through undergrad, I'm always in favor of dropping the job thats less receptive to flexibility 😅
 
catsandsnakes said:
On a separate but related note, people need to be more careful about how they talk about pass/fails for exams, OSCEs, etc.

I was in a group work class today and people started talking about wondering when they’d hear if they failed the OSCE. Someone in my group said that they heard only one person had actually failed it (I doubt that’s actually true). I had to sit there for another 20 minutes trying to not cry, because that person would be me.
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I'm sorry, that's not particularly professional on their part. Fwiw I know you aren't the only one!

Like flotus said, the grading is very subjective. I know people (myself) who straight up missed explicitly listed things and have not gotten a notice to resit yet (but also not a notice that I've passed 😬)
 
apoptosis09 said:
What are the benefits to the per diem job? Good hourly, flexibility, etc? Would there be consequences if you rejected a shift that was double booked? What would be the long term loss if you dropped this one?
Asking bc I'd be leaning towards prioritizing the full time hospital that you (it sounds like) want to make a good impression at.

Also as someone who did the multiple part time jobs thing all through undergrad, I'm always in favor of dropping the job thats less receptive to flexibility 😅
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Per diem: Better hourly pay, guaranteed to keep me on during my third year as that's why I was hired, ER only. Probably fine to drop a shift but I'm going to need to find someone to cover it.
Full time: Better resume builder, specialty exposure (and goddamn do I miss specialty medicine so much), more networking opportunities for VIRMP letters etc., only guarantee is the summer position but they've mentioned if it goes well they MIGHT keep me on as relief through the school year.

I want this to work because I would consider dropping the per diem position if corporate wants to keep me at the end of all of this, but I need a guaranteed income and job hunting amongst a sea of vet students is actually kind of difficult right now.
 
(I am not in vet med.) Everyone I know in my program has a graduate internship placement but me. I emailed the coordinator and she said she is working on it. I am still nervous, especially because I work and need to get in my leave application in, like, now.
 
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catsandsnakes said:
Thank you so much for this, flotus. I think I was more focused on having an authentic conversation, though I’m still at a loss for what skill I didn’t hit. I hate that’s it’s more important to talk unnaturally.
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No worries! You will sadly never know. It’s frustrating. But I promise, it is not a reflection of your ability to effectively (or not effectively) communicate. Also, I know tons of people who failed Comm OSCEs. Remember, it’s graded compared to peers on a curve, so a certain amount of people literally have to fail (even if every student “scored” above what a passing average would be). Don’t worry about it. It’s dumb. Also, there are some graders who NEVER give students a “low enough” grade to be on the bottom of the curve, and some who tend to have a much higher % of students who end up with failing grades. It just shows how subjective it is.
 
catsandsnakes said:
On a separate but related note, people need to be more careful about how they talk about pass/fails for exams, OSCEs, etc.

I was in a group work class today and people started talking about wondering when they’d hear if they failed the OSCE. Someone in my group said that they heard only one person had actually failed it (I doubt that’s actually true). I had to sit there for another 20 minutes trying to not cry, because that person would be me.
Click to expand...
For this same reason, I hate when professors share class averages and highest/lowest scores.
 
**** the BBB!!!

I should be happy to have been accepted to vet school but I’m just disappointed rn. I feel like I’m in a lose lose situation.

Attend Ross in May: Lose because I don’t want to move to St. Kitts for school after working so hard to get accepted stateside

Attend US school in August: Lose because I’ll have to take out $100-150k in private loans

Just trying to tell myself everything will turn out for the best 🙁
 
_rae_ said:
Just got my first C of vet school that will actually show as a C on my transcript instead of a P (pass).

**** pharmacology. Plumbs exists for a reason, right?
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Pharmacology was my worst subject, and also my first C!

It's so much easier to remember stuff about drugs once you're actually prescribing them and such. I had a hard time with them outside of clinical context.
 
WildZoo said:
Pharmacology was my worst subject, and also my first C!

It's so much easier to remember stuff about drugs once you're actually prescribing them and such. I had a hard time with them outside of clinical context.
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It's just also the way this particular professor asks questions. One question was what medication would work for bladder storage disorders and then which medication wouldn't work for bladder emptying disorders, what specific sites a diuretic works on, but then which specific transporters they work on, and I get all turned around.

Side rant: I am now almost officially into a month of suddenly worsening migraines and arthritis symptoms that has really knocked me behind to the point I feel as if I'm barely treading water. I had a B in pharm and only needed a 6/15 on my exam to keep that B, but I'm so short on time and knew that I could get a 0/15 and still pass the overall class that I just took it and shot myself in the foot. With the way the school is currently handling our accommodations, I don't feel like I can ask for extensions right now. But I also can't get my health under control (when it has been FINE and manageable for almost a year now).

I'm less frustrated with pharm and more frustrated with life right now I think.
 
supershorty said:
I really wasn't planning on starting my surgery residency on crutches, but based on the timeline I was given at an ortho appointment today, I may have no choice. Ugh.
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In an effort to pull myself out of my self pity miasma over this, I got a new cross stitch pattern that will be the first one I've ever kept for myself

but now it's 11 pm and I need to go to bed and all I want to do is hyperfixate on the shiny new thing :laugh:
 
Also @catsandsnakes and other OSU peeps, know that I'm quietly working behind the scenes to try and effect some changes when it comes to the comms OSCEs. Hang in there :biglove:
 
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supershorty said:
In an effort to pull myself out of my self pity miasma over this, I got a new cross stitch pattern that will be the first one I've ever kept for myself

but now it's 11 pm and I need to go to bed and all I want to do is hyperfixate on the shiny new thing :laugh:
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I wanna seeeeeee
 
I have an off-site externship scheduled and they scheduled me for 50 hrs lol. I'm excited to visit this place, but honestly feeling a little bummed it isn't 40 hrs. I am not opposed to long days orhard work, but tbh kinda wanted a bit more of a chill externship considering my long days in our school hospital. Would it be wrong to ask them to schedule me for 40 instead? or would I be perceived as a lazy student?
 
flotus said:
I have an off-site externship scheduled and they scheduled me for 50 hrs lol. I'm excited to visit this place, but honestly feeling a little bummed it isn't 40 hrs. I am not opposed to long days orhard work, but tbh kinda wanted a bit more of a chill externship considering my long days in our school hospital. Would it be wrong to ask them to schedule me for 40 instead? or would I be perceived as a lazy student?
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If your school doesn’t have set externship guidelines that suggest 40 hours a week, I’d just do whatever they set you up for. It’s probably just 2-3 weeks and I bet without rounds and all that other stuff like redundant academia paperwork you’re more efficient and still spending less time working than at school. I suppose asking doesn’t hurt if it’s something very important to you, but I wouldn’t personally risk their impression of me in that way, especially if 50 hours is their norm.
 
JaynaAli said:
If your school doesn’t have set externship guidelines that suggest 40 hours a week, I’d just do whatever they set you up for. It’s probably just 2-3 weeks and I bet without rounds and all that other stuff like redundant academia paperwork you’re more efficient and still spending less time working than at school. I suppose asking doesn’t hurt if it’s something very important to you, but I wouldn’t personally risk their impression of me in that way, especially if 50 hours is their norm.
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Ugh, you're right. Our school does have a 40 hr "minimum" week, but still. I think I am also going into this with a less-than-great attitude because my last externship was just shadowing and minimal teaching (not a bad experience, just a boring one).

I really don't think 50 hrs is bad, I am just being a baby because they sent us straight into clinics from didactics with no break, and I don't have a break until September. So, I am spent lol. Nevertheless, I will persist begrudgingly.
 
I wish other vets would communicate before throwing their colleagues under the bus.

I wish my awesome coworker wasn't moving on to a better position elsewhere when we're already understaffed and another coworker is about to go on leave (I get it, its a great opportunity, just sucks for the rest of us)
 
genny said:
exactly the mct type 🫂

hoping it's low grade with good margins!
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it's on his right elbow, both vets so far said its in a tricky spot so most likely dirty margins, but still hoping for low grade and something manageable. if it's just one little spot, low grade and keeping him on benadryl tid, then i can work with that haha
 
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vampyrica said:
it's on his right elbow, both vets so far said its in a tricky spot so most likely dirty margins, but still hoping for low grade and something manageable. if it's just one little spot, low grade and keeping him on benadryl tid, then i can work with that haha
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oh that is a tricky spot. sometimes with low grade, even narrow margins are good enough to be curative.
 
Sorry for you and your pup / bad luck Vampy.


On a totally unrelated note, Isn’t it cool how there’s new options like Stelfonta that can sometimes be useful for mast cell tumors in tricky areas? Of course pros and cons of using those newer treatments definitely need to be discussed and weighed by the owner and vet…
 
vampyrica said:
it's on his right elbow, both vets so far said its in a tricky spot so most likely dirty margins, but still hoping for low grade and something manageable. if it's just one little spot, low grade and keeping him on benadryl tid, then i can work with that haha
Click to expand...
You could consider a TD flap to help get margins, depending on where on the elbow and how large it is.
 
JaynaAli said:
Sorry for you and your pup / bad luck Vampy.


On a totally unrelated note, Isn’t it cool how there’s new options like Stelfonta that can sometimes be useful for mast cell tumors in tricky areas? Of course pros and cons of using those newer treatments definitely need to be discussed and weighed by the owner and vet…
Click to expand...
well its not all bad luck, the flint cancer center is pretty damn good. so atleast we will have excellent care and i get to be pretty involved with it so it becomes a good learning opportunity. regardless of what it is, i will deal with it and he will have a great care team and he's not going anywhere for atleast a couple more years
 
_rae_ said:
I have two jobs this summer. One I've been working per diem since February. One that's a full time opportunity with a corporate hospital that I know has internships/residencies that they sometimes fill outside of match.

Per diem job has been scheduling me (which, if I'm not mistaken, is not what per diem is). They wanted my June schedule set by today.

Corporate job said they would have my first month's schedule to me by today.

I have no schedule, so I've had to just agree to my per diem shifts and hope for the best even though I KNOW I'm going to get double booked somewhere.

Help?
Click to expand...
Update to this: I somehow only got double booked for one day so far!
 
vampyrica said:
it's on his right elbow, both vets so far said its in a tricky spot so most likely dirty margins, but still hoping for low grade and something manageable. if it's just one little spot, low grade and keeping him on benadryl tid, then i can work with that haha
Click to expand...

I just went to a CE in Denver about ECT, electro chemotherapy! You do surgery and get the histopath back. For low grade tumors, you can do 1-2 rounds of ECT and it can be curative. If the mass is small enough, you don't even have to do surgery; you can just do ECT!

My pittie had two MCTs removed at 7. Both curative. So good luck!
 
PrincessButterCup said:
I never realized this was a pibble thing! I have a mixed pibble pup, and she also has chronic allergies and had a low grade MCT when she was 6.
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Pibbles looooooove to grow MCTs. I had one patient in Onco who just came in every six months and we removed as many as we could in one surgery (all low grade). My in laws’ dog is part pibble and she’s had two low grade removed in the last few years.
 
catsandsnakes said:
I failed my comm OSCE and they don't give feedback so I don't know what skills I missed. I walked out feeling like the conversation was fine. I'm so scared. I don't know what to do.
Click to expand...
A good update (a rave, really): I passed the re-sit. Originally was told we wouldn't find out until tomorrow at 5pm, but the instructor sent a congratulations email just a little bit ago. Relieved is an understatement.
 
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battie said:
I just went to a CE in Denver about ECT, electro chemotherapy! You do surgery and get the histopath back. For low grade tumors, you can do 1-2 rounds of ECT and it can be curative. If the mass is small enough, you don't even have to do surgery; you can just do ECT!

My pittie had two MCTs removed at 7. Both curative. So good luck!
Click to expand...
The oncology service I worked at did ECT for those types of cases, it was very cool!
 
No one warned me before I got Invisalign that I would have 12 anchors on my top teeth (plus two additional rubber band hooks on my canines) and four more anchors on my bottom teeth.

I feel like sharkboy.
1776271242239.png
 
I am the only one working with mammalian cells in a microbiology/ synthetic biology lab and they never cooperate with me and I have no one to ask for help! Today: I was prepped to do a several hour long experiment that requires confluent cells, and after an hour of trying to get the microscope software to work, the image opens and the cells are like… 60% confluent.
I truly do not have the patience for science.
 
HorseObsessed said:
I am the only one working with mammalian cells in a microbiology/ synthetic biology lab and they never cooperate with me and I have no one to ask for help! Today: I was prepped to do a several hour long experiment that requires confluent cells, and after an hour of trying to get the microscope software to work, the image opens and the cells are like… 60% confluent.
I truly do not have the patience for science.
Click to expand...
Cell cultures were the bane of my existence. Somehow the ones I need a small amount of were like 90-100% confluent and needed to be diluted every other day. The ones I needed to grow were touchy touchy babies who couldn't fathom living in the same jar as another one of them. I was lucky if I got 40-50% confluence.

On the other hand, I once left my PIs genetically engineered cancer cells sitting in trypsin for like 3 hours and they were totally fine.

I like the mindlessness of washing, pipetting, passaging, and adding the culture material in. I didn't like actually having to do anything with them.
 
After a whole day where I was in the hood, it was like WOW GREAT WORKOUT TODAY and I was like what are you talking about lol and it was like YOU SWAM 12 MILES :laugh:
 
Rant: I'm sick. The gremlin finally got me sick this year. After I had just gotten better after spending a ton of time in a cat household when I'm heinously allergic to cats. I've been well two days this week.

Rave: I was going to call out sick anyways on Friday for book club. So now I won't live with the existential guilt of calling out sick just to play hooky. (I was going to be the swing doctor, so less guilt; I absolutely never call out if I'm the day/night doctor, who is in charge of ICU patients and harder to cover. I called out once last year.)

Reverse uno card rant: I'm probably going to miss book club on Friday. That's karma for my bad noodle self wanting to play hooky.

Reverse uno card rave: At least I'm using my sick time before I leave.

I've had a whirlwind of emotions the last few hours
 
HorseObsessed said:
Since we’re a big bacteria lab, we have a separate room in the basement where I do my cell culture, so I get to turn on music and line dance while my cells are centrifuging/ trypsinizing
Click to expand...
Try growing cells in D2O. Kinetic isotope effects are real y’all. So slow and so expensive.
 
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