The purpose of your hospital residency is to prepare you for the life-and-death matter of treating patients. It’s essential for your career, but it’s also a major life upheaval.
There’s a fine line between getting enough hours in residency to teach you everything you need to know and burning you out.
Once you hit the ground running, there’s not a lot of time to think straight or question whether you knew what you were getting into.
Some things, like your workload and sleep schedule, can’t be predicted until you start training. But aspects like preparing for your interview so you can be matched to the right program and making sure you’re on the right career path are in your control.
As you plan for your hospital residency, use these three tips to set you on the right path.
1. Prepare for Your Interview
If you don’t already have your residency lined up, the interview process is not something to put off until the last second. The committee that interviews you has to consider you a “good match.” Otherwise, you’ll be rejected and will have to keep searching for other residency programs.
Each interview consists of a regular process. You’ll be expected to be on time, dressed professionally, and behaving courteously.
Beyond that, there will be a set of behavioral questions where you’ll be given a performance situation. You’ll hear something like, “Tell us about a time you excelled under pressure.” If you haven’t prepared for questions like this before the interview, it’s easy to freeze up.
You will also be asked “why” questions, like, “Why are you interested in this specialty?” The more questions you have prepared answers for, the smoother the process will go.
2. Talk to the Program Director
As soon as you find out you are matched with a residency program, reach out to the director. You won’t be annoying—in fact, they’ll be happy to see that you’re already being proactive.
This person has extensive experience with what works and what doesn’t as a new resident. If you listen to them, you can avoid common new intern mistakes.
In a hospital environment, it’s nearly impossible to never make an error. But you’ll know what to do if you did do something wrong before it ends up hurting a patient.
By developing a good relationship with the program director early, they’ll also be able to give you advice. What they say will help you transition into the bustling hospital lifestyle easier.
And if you have problems during your residency, like needing time off, they’ll be the ones you turn to for assistance.
3. Get to Know Your Specialty
Why did you choose the medical field you’re planning to enter? Is it truly something you’re passionate about?
Are you hoping to make a lot of money? Does the thought of helping people get you motivated? Maybe you were interested in a medical career with weekends off?
There’s not a lot of time for introspection when your residency in a hospital starts. From the beginning, you’ll be plied with demands on your time and energy.
It’s Not Too Late to Change Your Field
Prior to this important time in your life, you should study the specialty you’re interested in. Is it really what you want? Does it fulfill the “why you’re in the field” answer?
Look at the demand and pay for that field in the areas you want to live in. How much does that specialty average, and is it comparable to other locations? If it’s not enough, should you change your specialization, or would you consider moving to a more lucrative place?
Make sure you check out the competition, too. Your specialty could be rare, like a physiatrist or a neonatologist. But if the industry is saturated with them where you plan to live, you may not find a job easily.
Should you decide your current path isn’t the one you want, you still have time to change it before you start your hospital residency. And if you’re on the fence, the residency gives you a good opportunity to see what else is out there.
Conclusion
The time you spend as a hospital intern is invaluable. You’ll learn things you didn’t know were possible, and you’ll experience moments that will stay with you forever.
What you won’t get, though, is a lot of time to second-guess yourself and your decisions.
Before you start your hospital residency, make sure your plans for your future are in place. Set your goals and prepare for a successful residency with these three tips.
