How does fellowship compare to residency?

[Auspicious]

We're definitely expecting fellowship to be more difficult--that's what graduates of husband's residency report back from out in the wide world. And that's what it seemed like from husband's fellowship interview at his program-to-be. I am hoping for "whoa, hold on to your hats!" difficult instead of "ugh, I wish I were dead" difficult. I'll let you know.

ETA: I just mean this as a data point for anyone reading for general interest. Our experience isn't too relevant to surgical subspecialties and the like.

So, I guess the answer is another 'wait and see' type thing! Lovely!

Without going into detail, I'm really hoping it can't get much worse than what we've been through. We had a family day last Friday and before that hadn't had one since June. Kind of rough but the kids at least don't realize any different.

[Thirteen]

DH is interested in doing a Sports Med fellowship after residency. Not really sure about all that, but it appears that this is our year to figure out the next 5 years.
Apps, moving, debt forgiveness, programs, babies, even a new car.

...What did he do before we met and I took charge of this stuff?

...What did he do before we met and I took charge of this stuff?

I have told mine before that 'I need a wife!'.

[alison]

Oh no. And here I was thinking 1 1/2 years left then an easy fellowship in IR. Didn't realize the 80hour rule didn't apply. Well - more of a reason to become a SAHM by then.

Kudos to you, if you think you can do the SAHM thing without a whole lotta backup.

I wish my dh were home more often, so that I could hand off our newborn to him. Dh doesn't get home until the early evening on most days, and by 4pm, I'm chomping at the bit to have some me-time.

[SuzySunshine]

I'm expecting ours to be better then Chief year but like a regular residency year otherwise based on what DH has told me about the surgeon he'll be working one on one with. However everyone is right it varies greatly by specialty and can even vary within a specialty.

But I'm looking forward to being in a new part of the country and the experience that year will bring us.

[Rapunzel]

The fellowships in DH's hospital are actually more low-key than the residency program. More time off, better pay, and more flexibility.

Yuppers on our end as well.

Fellowship was kind of a break compared to residency.

But, I know there are some absolutely brutal fellowships out there (specialty and program dependent).

[Sheherezade]

Fellowship here (Gyn Onc) was much worse than OB/Gyn residency. Two fellows in the program, call was 24/7 for the first two years and Q3 during research time. DH went in each day around 4:30 AM and came home at 9-10 PM if he could. Suck fest.

Luckily that is over.

I'd temper my expectations. Now that DH is the attending, he can tell it is the fellows that expect fellowship to be a cakewalk that truly get slammed. You need to keep the resident mind set in many fellowships. You aren't an attending yet.

I love how brutally honest, yet caring, you gals are! Even though this isn't my thread, I appreciate your answers

[HouseofWool]

I have told mine before that 'I need a wife!'.

I told E this so many times. Now, with moving back in with my parents, I finally have one. My mom and I have been joking about this very thing.

[alison]

I second what Angie says. If you go in with expectations that it'll be a breeze, you'll get slammed. And this applies to the spouse, too! There are many days when I tell dh that this isn't what we signed up for! I'm the one who went into this year thinking we had paid our dues; dh did not hold that opinion and is much less upset about certain aspects of the fellowship--longer days, more call, less vacation time.

Most of dh's days are long. On the rare day that he's home before dark, I tell him "hey! Almost as early in the day as residency!"

That said, dh is happy, because he gets to do what ge really likes.

I second what Angie says. If you go in with expectations that it'll be a breeze, you'll get slammed. And this applies to the spouse, too! There are many days when I tell dh that this isn't what we signed up for! I'm the one who went into this year thinking we had paid our dues; dh did not hold that opinion and is much less upset about certain aspects of the fellowship--longer days, more call, less vacation time.

Most of dh's days are long. On the rare day that he's home before dark, I tell him "hey! Almost as early in the day as residency!"

That said, dh is happy, because he gets to do what ge really likes.

What type of fellowship is your DH in? I'm definitely not expecting it to be a breeze, but the last few months my DH has only been home before the girls 8pm bedtime maybe 2x a week. It's tough on the toddler. She goes through phases of really being mean to him - 'no daddy, go back to work, I want MOMMY!' - to literally being attached to his leg. I'd love one family day a month if possible, rather than one per season!

Her husband is in anesthesiology. But honestly - I can't imagine ANYTHING in critical care or Trauma being any easier than General Surgery. I mean, those are the *epitome* of specialties that have NO SET HOURS and MUST RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES. I still have PTSD from the rotations my dh did in Trauma during his intern year. Q2 for a month - in house.

At this point I would try to steele myself for it to be as bad as, or worse than your current experience, and then perhaps you'll be pleasantly surprised.

At this point I would try to steele myself for it to be as bad as, or worse than your current experience, and then perhaps you'll be pleasantly surprised.

This is basically the attitude I am holding for residency... Then you're never disappointed right?!

[L.Jane]

Her husband is in anesthesiology. But honestly - I can't imagine ANYTHING in critical care or Trauma being any easier than General Surgery. I mean, those are the *epitome* of specialties that have NO SET HOURS and MUST RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES. I still have PTSD from the rotations my dh did in Trauma during his intern year. Q2 for a month - in house.

At this point I would try to steele myself for it to be as bad as, or worse than your current experience, and then perhaps you'll be pleasantly surprised.

You're making me very very nervous for Nov and Dec when he is on Trauma. I guess I should just REALLY appreciate this month hope the "easiness" of this month keeps me on through till next year.