Rotation order: Burning out too soon?

[sharklasers]

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Its about that time for my class (and I guess most classes) to choose rotation order.

I was thinking doing OB and Surg as 1 and 2, then two 3 week electives, then medicine and peds 4 and 5 (with christmas break in between the two).

I honestly don't care about anything else. I think I want to do medicine, so I figure it would be best to do that before or after Christmas break (or would it be better to do it maybe my second rotation to avoid the super medicine gunners?)

Anyways, I'm worried this will be bad and I will physically need a bigger break. Anyone have any suggestions or comments about this order?

 

[Stellar Clouds]

I'm not sure that I would put surgery and OB/Gyn back-to-back. During my third year, those were the two rotations that I put in the absolute most hours (followed somewhat closely by medicine).

 

[Trastuz]

I front loaded big time. Peds first (almost everyone's nice even when you don't know what you're doing, a good warmup), then medicine, then OB, then surgery. Wanted OB before surgery so I knew how to scrub and tie. In the end I don't think the order mattered too much but I was glad I front loaded. I was so burned out by the time I was done with those 4 but the rest of the year ruled - it was a breeze.

 

[JourneyAgent]

Its about that time for my class (and I guess most classes) to choose rotation order.

I was thinking doing OB and Surg as 1 and 2, then two 3 week electives, then medicine and peds 4 and 5 (with christmas break in between the two).

I honestly don't care about anything else. I think I want to do medicine, so I figure it would be best to do that before or after Christmas break (or would it be better to do it maybe my second rotation to avoid the super medicine gunners?)

Anyways, I'm worried this will be bad and I will physically need a bigger break. Anyone have any suggestions or comments about this order?

I did surgery and then OB right off the bat. It worked out awesomely. You learn how to be a clerk. The shelf material is focused enough that you won't get killed for not knowing more general stuff. And you have the worst behind you before Christmas.

If I would've known what a light rotation was like before those 2 it would've been more painful. If you're going to be scrambling around trying to figure out your @ss from your elbow you might as well do it at the expense of those that would have you scrambling around anyway.

Get those 2 done and the rest of 3rd year will seem decent to fantastic.

 

[jbar]

There is an advantage to doing some of the tougher (hours wise) rotations first, when there is longer day light (ie you might see the sun when you get off) and when you are still fresh. I would agree with doing what you think you want to do in the fall. That way you have a few months to get your feet wet and figure out how third year works, but you won't delay it too long. You don't want to save what you think you may want to do until the spring, find out that you hate it after you've already signed up for sub-Is.

 

[survivordo]

I think JBar makes the most important point. Make sure you do medicine early enough that you can "back out" and still have time to schedule sub I's. SOO many people decide they want to do something absolutely different during third year. You want to leave time to re-plan sub-I's if needed.

Survivor DO

 

[emboli]

Best thing that happened to me was being assigned into a front loaded schedule.

Had Med -> surg --> Ob. Medicine laid down the foundation. Surg was more foundation and reinforcement of medicine. Ob just sucked because of the hours. All in all, having med and surg in the beginning was invaluable to my later rotations. It made studying for the shelf that much easier!

I'd recommend taking surgery during the heart of the Winter months (e.g. Dec/Jan). You probably won't see day light for a month or so, but wouldn't you rather have your spring months for an easier rotation to actually enjoy life outside of school?