I have officially finished my first week of residency and let me tell you it is definitely not easy. My patients, colleagues, and staff make it all worth it! I am nowhere near being an expert at this whole managing my life with residency, but I wanted to share some of the Dos and Don’ts that I have learned this week for those that might come across this blog in the near future before starting their intern year. Let’s get started:
Dos:
- On your first day of any new rotation get there a little bit early especially if you have no idea where you are meeting your team. Usually, the night/day before the senior resident on that rotation will give you a call or text (you can also be proactive and reach out) to have a game plan ready for the morning.
- Be nice to EVERYONE. Having a good attitude towards nursing staff, house staff, and even your new colleagues can go a looooooooong way. People tend to gravitate towards positive energy and will be willing to help you. So put on a smile, remember to say please and thank you.
- Admit when you make a mistake and ask lots of questions. We are here to learn and no one will fault you for making a mistake. It is important to be honest about your mistakes to promote patient safety and also learn from them.
Don’ts:
- Don’t be too hard on yourself, especially the first few days. This is a marathon, not a sprint. You will make mistakes, you will feel defeated, and you will be wrong. But learning from it all is what’s important!
- Don’t forget about your wellbeing and self-care. Take a walk in the afternoon, go for a run, or cook with friends. Whatever you need to destress even if it’s for 5 minutes will make a big difference in the long run.
- Don’t forget to have fun while learning! I always like to learn something new every day and teach it back either to my patients or my team. This way I am not only remembering what I see but I make it a learning point throughout the day in a fun interactive way.
What advice do you have for the first week of intern year? Comment down below!
