what to do

[oldManDO2009]

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I am a first year osteopathic student, RN, and an old man.... I have always thought I would go into EM but I am having some serious second thoughts. The last few 12 hours shifts I worked (as an RN) just about killed me since we were packed and every ambulance apparently had only our address. I enjoy critical - procedure intensive work where you have to make decisions now and move on. I think that is one of the aspects of anesthesiology that interest me - the patient could crash at any moment and it’s your job to manage the crisis. That said I would like to get some feedback.

I have a family and work shifts at the local hospital when I can to supplement the budget. I was wondering if working critical care would be a better choice of jobs since there are many vasoactive drips and really sick patients. I have to work the summer between years (no externship for me apparently I have to feed my children) and wanted to know what would look better (if any of it would for that matter) on my CV.

What other experiences should I put together to develop a better profile that will get me into a residency (kind of a broad question)...

Anyway thanks in advance for any feedback -

 

[no oxygen]

I am a first year osteopathic student, RN, and an old man.... I have always thought I would go into EM but I am having some serious second thoughts. The last few 12 hours shifts I worked (as an RN) just about killed me since we were packed and every ambulance apparently had only our address. I enjoy critical - procedure intensive work where you have to make decisions now and move on. I think that is one of the aspects of anesthesiology that interest me - the patient could crash at any moment and it’s your job to manage the crisis. That said I would like to get some feedback.

I have a family and work shifts at the local hospital when I can to supplement the budget. I was wondering if working critical care would be a better choice of jobs since there are many vasoactive drips and really sick patients. I have to work the summer between years (no externship for me apparently I have to feed my children) and wanted to know what would look better (if any of it would for that matter) on my CV.

What other experiences should I put together to develop a better profile that will get me into a residency (kind of a broad question)...

Anyway thanks in advance for any feedback -

Honestly, no secrets here...just study hard, rock step 1/COMLEX, and get some exposure to anesthesia to make sure its for you. Would having some critical care experience help? Can't hurt but don't stress over it. If nothing else, it will give you things to talk about on your interviews.

 

[oldManDO2009]

appreciate the feedback - i reviewed the FAQ's and got some good information. I just have limited summer opportunities and would like to maximize my efforts.


thanks again

 

[ear-ache]

Hey Oldman,
Anesthesia research (clinical, bench, case reports) I think also helps. It also gives you something to talk about during those long, awkward interviews. I know it can be tough to find time for when you have a family, but I do think it makes your application stronger (assuming you have also done well on your rotations and Step1/COMLEX, got good LOR, blaa-blaa-blaa)

 

[veetz]

Honestly, no secrets here...just study hard, rock step 1/COMLEX, and get some exposure to anesthesia to make sure its for you. Would having some critical care experience help? Can't hurt but don't stress over it. If nothing else, it will give you things to talk about on your interviews.

I think board scores are the most important aspect...good scores will get you interviews, so study hard like no O2 said. If you have time, research never hurts. Good luck man!!

 

[rugtrousers]

Remember, not all research is bench research. You could do some clinically-oriented anesthesia research that lets you work at home with your family (chart reviews, data analysis, etc). Good luck!

 

[threepeas]

so here is where i am coming from briefly. 2nd yr allopathic med student, 37yo with 4 kids, M.S. in physiology, and physician asst who has worked in ER and CCM over last 8 years. i am still working PRN (12hrs/wk) on surgical services to feed the kids too. ER and many other things inspired me to go back to school, but now I am not so interested in it. The shift work is tough but not a big negative for me. ER sounds great, and can be fun but I really enjoy a deep knowledge base on a subject and knowing things others dont, etc. (ie being a specialist) this became evident during the basic science courses during these first two years. therefore being the jack of all trades, master of none is not for me. the reasons i like anesthesiology: anatomy, physiology, pharmacology. great procedures. great powerful drugs. great skills in managing airway and CV system, caring directly for patients, providing comfort and pain relief, instant gratification, good salaries, reasonable hours.etc. in addition i really love CCM b/c in incorporates traditional medicine stuff regarding patient evaluation and treating disease, and gives me a different practice venue besides the OR. so anesthesiology with CCM fellowship will probally be the ticket for me.

See what classes turn you on. Shawdow now ...dont wait unitl 3rd/4th year. I have been shadowing and it has really helped eventhough i have been exposed to alot of it at work. take an RN job in the ICU becuase you are interested in it, and it may add to your interview but there a hundred othe factors that will be more important when applying for residencies: board scores, grades, personality, etc.

i dont know if this helped, but i am going through what you are describing to some degree. send me an email if you want. good luck. enjoy the process.

 

[jennyboo]

What other experiences should I put together to develop a better profile that will get me into a residency (kind of a broad question)...

I am an allopathic MS-4, not an osteopathic student.... In my case, the answer is that I did nothing out of the ordinary. The main components that make your application competitive are the same things that make everyone else's competitive too, whether they did extra research or shadowing or not. Namely,

CLINICAL GRADES - Do what you can. During the clinical years, at my school the money was in doing well on the shelf exams. At other places, personality counts a lot more.

USMLE STEP 1 SCORE - Again, do what you can. The SDN Step 1 forum is very useful. Maybe other DO's can tell you more about choosing whether to take the exam, preparing for it, etc.

ROTATION - You need to try it in order to decide whether or not you'll really like it. If you're interested in the specialty, do the rotation earlier (but not first) so that you have time to decide whether you like it or not before application season rolls around.

LETTERS of recommendation - One from an anesthesiologist helps. One from a well known anesthesiologist goes even further.

AWAY ROTATIONS - Very helpful if you don't have a strong anesthesiology residency at your own school. I started applying for mine from January through March of 3rd year, and got everything I applied for.

I didn't do research (but if it helps you build connections or publish a paper, it helps) in the field, nor did I shadow before I did my rotation. They aren't, strictly speaking, necessary.

 

[oldManDO2009]

thanks for the replies - i appreciate the feedback. I am going to put together a shadowing experience and of course work hard on grades and so forth. I really need to get into the OR and talk with an anesthesiologist and get a feel for the field.

anyway thanks for your time...