Surgery rotation first

[whoknows2012]

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Hi everyone...current MSII and I just got my schedule for 3rd yr. I'm extremely happy with my placements (wanted to be in NYC hospitals) but I have one concern. I'm not sure how its done at other schools, but at mine the yr is broken down into 2 blocks, surgery, fam med, neuro and peds is one block and internal med, psych and ob/gyn is the other one. In an attempt to give myself the best opportunity to have some free time during the summer (rotations start 7/5) I chose the surgery block first because I figured I had a 75% chance of having a rotation in that block that would allow at least some free time. Well as it turns out, I got surgery first. Can anyone offer some information on their own experiences with having surgery as the first rotation during the summer? I know its going to be a huge time commitment but I'm wondering if I'll literally have no time. Thanks in advance

 

[bioteach]

I had surgery first this year. I wanted to get the worst out of the way first. So glad I did. It was 10 weeks of hell (for me, anyhow). Having surgery first was great because everything the rest of the year seemed so much easier. Since it was so intense it prepped me well for future rotations. Longest hours by far with the least pleasant attendings made the rest feel like cake.

 

[2012mdc]

Hi everyone...current MSII and I just got my schedule for 3rd yr. I'm extremely happy with my placements (wanted to be in NYC hospitals) but I have one concern. I'm not sure how its done at other schools, but at mine the yr is broken down into 2 blocks, surgery, fam med, neuro and peds is one block and internal med, psych and ob/gyn is the other one. In an attempt to give myself the best opportunity to have some free time during the summer (rotations start 7/5) I chose the surgery block first because I figured I had a 75% chance of having a rotation in that block that would allow at least some free time. Well as it turns out, I got surgery first. Can anyone offer some information on their own experiences with having surgery as the first rotation during the summer? I know its going to be a huge time commitment but I'm wondering if I'll literally have no time. Thanks in advance

Had Surgery 1st and it wasn't an issue at all. They knew it was our 1st rotation and if anything having it 1st was an advantage. You have the most energy and motivation and are excited to be out of the classroom. Yes the time sucks but it depends on what your goals are for the rotation. If you want to honor then you might have to decide between sleep and hobbies. If you just want to get through it then you will def have some free time.

 

[whoknows2012]

Had Surgery 1st and it wasn't an issue at all. They knew it was our 1st rotation and if anything having it 1st was an advantage. You have the most energy and motivation and are excited to be out of the classroom. Yes the time sucks but it depends on what your goals are for the rotation. If you want to honor then you might have to decide between sleep and hobbies. If you just want to get through it then you will def have some free time.

I'm glad to hear that thanks for the advice. Another reason I chose the surgery block first is because I want to most likely do an internal med. residency. Although a second choice of mine is ENT, which I conveniently have as an elective in the middle of my surgery rotation. I guess well see how it all works out. But I figured its more up to the individual in terms of how much free time you allow yourself. If you're gunning I doubt there will be much at all, as you said. I will definitely try to do well but I am by no means going into this with the attitude that I need to honor it.

 

[drizzt3117]

The problem with surgery first is the shelf, which is heavily medicine. I guess you'll be close to step 1 which will help, though.