Have you ever heard baseball pitcher Vern Law's famous saying “experience is a hard teacher, because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards?" Luckily for you, we’ve compiled 7 pearls of wisdom about residency from physicians who have been there, done that:
Seek Out a Mentor During Your Medical Residency
Residency offers a unique opportunity to spend time with great faculty.
When seeking out a mentor during your medical residency, think about what you want your career to look like. Then, keep your eyes open for someone who you admire and who you are excited to learn from. Absorb their insights and expertise while you are there.
A mentor can positively impact your career, your leadership skills, and your ability to respond to the demands of medicine. If you don’t have a mentor, seek one out!
Prepare Your Significant Other for Your Medical Residency
This is hard to do before you experience residency for yourself, so take the advice of those who have been through it, and make sure both of you are aware of the challenges residency poses to family life.
Start a Roth IRA While in Residency
Learn About the Patient-Physician Dynamic During Your Medical Residency
Find Training on Job Hunting and Negotiation
Establish Work-life Balance to Avoid Burnout
Remember That You Are Not a Fraud
“My dear young colleague, you are not a fraud. You are a flawed and unique human being, with excellent training and an admirable sense of purpose. Your training and sense of purpose will serve you well. Your humanity will serve your patients even better.” Suzanne Koven, MD
No doubt there will be many lessons you’ll have to learn for yourself, and others that are unique to your own experience. No matter how much you learn, the lessons will never stop! So, whenever you can, lean into the wisdom of those who have walked the road before you. It can make the going just that tiny bit easier. Want more residency tips, like these? Follow along on Instagram, we also share Q&As, Flashcards, motivation and more.
