Residency Issues

[legaldlr]

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PLEASE HELP

I am hoping to do a residency or fellowship next year and want to add some credentials to my CV and hopefully before interview invitation time, ie February 08. I have really bad grades from P1 year because I was very sick, hospitalized, etc, etc. I have a whole stack of med records to prove it, and a much improved track record since. However, I need to first get invited to an interview to be able to explain that to a preceptor. I am so scared my application will be tossed out b/c of P1 grades and I want to compensate!!

In my research, I see that getting published looks really good on an application. Where do I go and what do I do to get published? Any other suggestions beyond trying to get published to help myself out? I am very well rounded, great personality, very outgoing. Every last one of my preceptors this year has told me to do a residency, and I'm making straight A's thus far. I know this is what I need to do next year I just need to get my foot in the door. Want to go to Vegas, but don't know if I can afford to, especially if I'm not going to be considered qualified. Sorry if this post sounds whinny, I don't mean it too. I'm just really stressed out and deadlines for Vegas fast approaching.

Also, where do you go to find info regarding non-accredited residencies? I'm honestly not crazy about the ultra-structured P4-year-all-over-again agenda of most PGY1's.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[spacecowgirl]

Getting published is a long process and it's probably too late for that now, but poster presentations or any sort of public speaking, educating, etc you can do is good. Contact the residencies you're interested in early, let them know you are proactive.

Why would you want a non-accredited residency? 😕

 

[Tessalon]

I would be cautious about residencies that aren't accredited. Other than the residency programs just starting up, there are red flags if programs cannot get ASHP accredited. Every program is different - and not all PGY-1s have the same structure. Ours is very structured (which I love), but I know of programs that give more independence to the resident and their schedule. You will have to do your homework and find out the exact details of the ones you are interested in.

As far as getting published to make your CV look better, its probably too little, too late. Appications for our program are due in January, and it is too late to present student research at Midyear, so I don't know what your options are. If you are thinking that it would make up for a lack of participation in activities for the past 3.5 years, you are fooling yourself. Granted, having a severe illness your first year is a legitimate reason for lower grades, and if you talk with programs you are interested in and explain your situation to the director about why your GPA was low but improved significantly, they will understand and it shouldn't hurt you. But if you are using it as a crutch to make excuses for why you aren't as strong of a candidate as others but didn't participate in activities through the rest of school, I don't know what to tell you. The best advice I can give you is, talk with programs, work on your interview skills and try to get involved in projects during your rotations.

 

[Hels2007]

Actually, when the requirement for PGY-1 and PGY-2 residencies came into effect, a few programs dropped out of ASHP accreditation program because they would rather take those new grads who already know what they want and train them from scratch. There are some others who do not like the format ASHP requires as they do not believe it is beneficial for their field (some managed care residencies, for example)

The best two ways to find non-accredited residencies are to attend the ASHP Midyear (with the PPS, where some non-accredited programs may make an appearance) and mainly to ask around - your college may have a list of programs offered in you area, or your professors may know some. Perhaps there is a compilation somewhere, I don't know.

As far as publication, you are too late. Way too late. It takes at least a year to get published. I worked on that the summer after my first year of pharmacy school... Even a poster presentation would be too late for you now- the ASHP deadline has passed. You may still try for APhA and refer to it as a work in progress when interviewing.

 

[legaldlr]

Thanks to you all for your responses. I didn't mean to make it sound like I was looking to get published in leu of everything else on my CV. I had just heard that it was a great credential and didn't know much about it (but I do now realize it is too late). Fortunately I have been very involved for the last 2.5 years and perhaps that will make do. Thanks again.

 

[legaldlr]

Oh- and the reason I would consider a non-accredited residency is because I have been told and heard of (from numerous sources) that there are many excellent programs out there that just don't fit the structure of ASHP's accredidation. Have I heard wrong?

 

[spacecowgirl]

Actually, when the requirement for PGY-1 and PGY-2 residencies came into effect, a few programs dropped out of ASHP accreditation program because they would rather take those new grads who already know what they want and train them from scratch. There are some others who do not like the format ASHP requires as they do not believe it is beneficial for their field (some managed care residencies, for example)

Oh- and the reason I would consider a non-accredited residency is because I have been told and heard of (from numerous sources) that there are many excellent programs out there that just don't fit the structure of ASHP's accredidation. Have I heard wrong?

I would worry this would come back to bite me later on. If it's not accredited, is it still a residency or just underpaid intensive work experience? (serious questions, not trying to be snide) How can an employer down the line gauge the "quality" without some sort of accrediting body? (not to say all accredited residencies are quality, or vice versa, but you know what I mean) I thought that it would be like graduating from an unaccredited school, but then I didn't know much about the process until I actually applied. My site is doing a ton of work on my behalf to be compliant with ASHP rules, which is why lower pay makes more sense.

I am in a managed care residency that is undergoing accreditation right now and it's a boatload of work! I don't envy my preceptor at all. I would be wary of a residency that isn't accredited or seeking accreditation and find out exactly why.

 

[Caverject]

Actually, there is nothing wrong with doing an unaccredited residency. There are many great residencies out there that do not follow the ASHP Cookie Cutter model. Not every program or student fits into that model. As long as the people that are conducting it are reputable and have a name in the field, you should have no problem fielding jobs in the future

 

[spacecowgirl]

Hmm, good to know. I still wouldn't do it because I'm chicken like that, but it's nice to know there are options.

 

[dejerine]

spacecowgirl,

Which managed care organization sponsors radiiology residencies? How did you find it?

 

[spacecowgirl]

spacecowgirl,

Which managed care organization sponsors radiiology residencies? How did you find it?

😕 What?

 

[dejerine]

How did you locate an unaccredited residency since they do not appear at ERAS? What program are you in?

 

[spacecowgirl]

Mine was in the ASHP directory, if that's what you're asking.

 

[provigil]

I know someone who has completed a non-accredited residency this year in June. That person have been asked during job interviews wether his residency is accredited or not.

From my experience that if your residency is accredited, definately it adds value and your chances are higher for getting a job.

 

[DesiDuck]

HELP WITH LETTER OF INTENT

I am planning to do a residency and have finished my CV but do not know how to start my letter of intent or cover letter. I know the letter of intent is very important and do not want to mess it up. Any suggestions, samples, websites would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dejerine]

Provigil, what unaccredited program are you referring to. I must be daft but I have not identified any of these. PM me if you don't want to post openly.