Step 3 during anesthesia residency

[gasology001]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi all,

I'll be starting my anesthesia training as a PGY-1 in July.
This question is for all the current interns and gas residents: When did you take step 3/are you planning to take step 3? Are there any benefits to taking it earlier than later (prior to internship year vs. after)? And did the internship year itself have any bearing on your decision (prelim med vs. surg vs. TY)?

I have found quite a few threads on this topic, but nothing about step 3 during a gas residency in particular. Would ideally like to know if there's much of a difference vs. other residency fields.

Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks

 

[agammaglobulin]

I think it depends on what your PGY-1 yr is like. If it's Med pre-lim then maybe waiting until the end of the year might be a good decision as you are using the medicine every day. If your first year is similar to a TY year (like mine), it doesn't help to wait until the end and I would recommend taking it ASAP to get it out of the way and focus on anesthesia. I took mine in Feb of intern year, which was fine. Pick a month you know you'll have more time to study/can take 2 consecutive days off for the test.

 

[partydoc]

Get it outta the way ASAP.

 

[Arch Guillotti]

asap

 

[Agast]

Fellowships will ask for your step 3 score, and many accept applications in the middle of your CA-2 year.

 

[shift_roro]

Middle to end of intern year. That way you have some internship experience under your belt, but you still have everything relatively fresh in your head. Definitely take it before CA-1 year. Good luck!

 

[Gas you down]

at end of intern year!!!

 

[Shimmy8]

Like above said, depends on type of intern year. Just took mine during a consult after 3 months of medicine, MICU, trauma. Felt very prepared with 2 weeks of studying a few hours at night, then 4 dedicated days.

Absolutely have it done by end of PGY-1.

 

[p30doc]

Middle of intern year during a lighter month. It's a relief to have that out of the way. The last thing I would want to be doing now at the end of the year is studying for step 3.

 

[geogil]

I wouldn't wait until after intern year. Depending on what state you're doing residency in, they may require that you take it before you can get a state license. This is definitely something to look into. I would take in the second half of internship. The things that you will have to review will likely be some of the outpatient medicine and some OB.

 

[deleted171991]

Take it ASAP. Most foreign medical grads, who have never seen the inside of an American hospital, pass it before even starting the internship. So you don't need to wait; you should know enough from medical school.

 

[Dwindlin]

I took it middle of internship only because my state requires 6 months. I would have taken it immediately after graduation if I could have, just get it done.

 

[gasology001]

Thanks everyone for the useful feedback. I guess the consensus is to take it asap, at the latest by the end of PGY-1. Will keep it in mind!

 

[sevoflurane]

Did it before intern year. Started studying for the anesthesia boards thereafter.

 

[scudrunner]

Meh, who gives a ****. Whenever you have an extra $900 laying around. Prep is the same. If I had a choice I'd take it earlier rater than later.

 

[Dwindlin]

Meh, who gives a ****. Whenever you have an extra $900 laying around. Prep is the same. If I had a choice I'd take it earlier rater than later.

Gogo educational funds!

 

[Random Anesthesiologist]

I took it October of intern year as a surg prelim. Perfect time for me.

Agree with everyone else about taking it intern year. I would recommend sooner than later as well.