Trying to be as prepared as possible...

Hi Amy!

Welcome to our wonderful group! I started visiting this board when I became engaged to my now husband - and it has been a valuable resource!! (Read: when the going gets really tough, we come here to vent and so are able to have smiling faces for our dear, tired residents when they walk through the door!) We're starting our 4th year of gen surg residency right now - I can't believe we only have two left! I'm trying to find a job right now while taking care of my hubby, our beloved dog and cat - and a baby on the way which was a very nice surprise! My advice would be to prepare yourself to be alone quite a bit and to be very flexible as it's nearly impossible to make concrete plans. I was in graduate school (in another state) for the first two years of his residency and that was one of the best things for me - it really gave me something to do and now I have my "area" of interests. I have to admit that I have spent many, many days and nights alone here over the last year - but the times that you DO have together are wonderful and it's so important to make the most of those moments! All in all, I can't say that I won't be thrilled to be finished with this stage of our lives but it has been/is a fun adventure.

Looking forward to chatting with you more!

[Meenah]

Hi Amy,

I agree, be prepared to be alone. My husband is in private practice Pulmonologist/Critical Care and his hours are still crazy. We have to be creative with our time. When I get really peeved I come to this website to whine. This is also a great place to share the good stuff too.

Luanne

Hello everyone!



This may be redundant to what I put in my profile, but I will place it here as well.



My boyfriend is soon to apply for residency. At the moment he is working on a research project at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. I am trying to prepare myself for this whole residency "rollercoaster". So, here I am trying to gather as much helpful information as possible so that I can get through it while being a great support for my significant other.



So any insite on the good and/or bad is greatly appreciated!



-Amy

Amy,



Welcome!



What specialty is your boyfriend hoping to match into? That may have a pretty big effect on your lifestyle over the next several years. There are residencies that are just 3 years and are less 'malignant' (depending on where you do them) and on the other end of the spectrum are the surgical specialties where you'll likely find yourself on your own. It sounds like your boyfriend is looking at a specialty where he can do a fellowship and research? Is he looking at internal med and then specializing?



My dh did his residency in IM and then did a fellowship in ID...we've been out of training a year now....wow...that sounds soooo weird. It is hard to believe that we are finally done!



Welcome to the group!!



Kris

[DCJenn]

Welcome Amy-



Residency can be horrible or wonderful or both (sometimes at the same time). Trying to explain it is kind of like trying to explain any other life experience- Impossible but what you've done it, you'll just nod knowingly.



I haven't really minded most of residency- but I'm pretty self-sufficient and have had my job to keep me busy. It's critical that you be able to entertain yourself well. It's also critical that you have a support network of some sort.



That said- enjoy the ride-



and welcome to the group-



Jenn

[houseelf]

Amy,



Welcome to the group! I hope that you find that this is a valuable resource as you navigate your own medical adventure! I'm Kelly, wife of a 3rd year gen surgery resident and mommy to our two year old son. I look forward to meeting you below!



Kelly

Hi Amy! Good luck with the residency "preparations". We're in the second year of residency and so far neither my husband nor I have self-combusted (yet)! You'll do just fine!



Jennifer