[Off The Reservation]

Going well?

[thedarkknight]

(10-01-2017 05:29 PM)Off The Reservation Wrote:  

Going well?

I've entered arguably the most successful period of my life.

I passed the post-graduate internal medicine exam with a pass rate of 30%...comfortably. I just finished a two-month job in a busy central London teaching hospital in hematology and got asked to come back in December for a further three months. I've also been reading and studying Medicine for fun.

I'm playing guitar again and am learning Time Won't Wait by Jamiroquai. My teacher specializes in funk, which I enjoy very much. French is filled with women- 8 girls two guys (including me). Tinder is supplying dates a good number of dates.

The hematology job really opened my eyes. Seeing people in their early 20's having chemotherapy for life-threatening conditions due to the lottery of genetics really does evaporate most of the trivial concerns that occupy a lot of people.

If you're young and healthy better get living, fucking and working to improve to society.

TDK

P.S. Medicine is a very good profession mainly because if you see it as a sort tradesman type deal.... you can improve your skills and pretty much work anywhere. Just see it as a craft and I do not think you can go far wrong.

[thedarkknight]

UPDATE
Things have gotten worse.

Applied for the internal medicine two year training program to start in August.
Didn't get any of my top 300 choices in the country. Ended up on national reserve despite strong CV and addition experience and references from the London jobs I've done during this year out.

I had already thought about changing career direction but it sure looks like I'll be doing something else with my life in the long time. I'm still earning good money working as a temp staff doctor and will take second stage of three part post graduate physician exam later this month.

It's funny that despite the CV boosting and addtional experience and passing the exam in time for applications, I still end up with nothing. Thats life. Looks like interview skills let me down.

Any thoughts would be appreciated but the plan is:

(1) Ive saved over 16000 pounds since August, so continue to practice as temp doctor to save money
(2) get careers advice and find out more about any further qualifications I can get to maybe switich to finance or pharmaceutical industry


I still feel sick at the thought of doing meaningless projects to "get further in my career."
When I go to hospital I look in the mirror and don't even recognise the person looking back at me.
I'm not upset at all about not being internal medicine, I'm just scared about the future.


Thanks

TDK

[Kona]

Doctor, are you saying you applied to 300 medical schools and didn't get onto any?

And this is 300 in one country only, and that's just the top 300 because there are many more?

If that is the case, maybe it is time for a change.

Aloha!

[thedarkknight]

(03-01-2018 10:00 PM)Kona Wrote:  

Doctor, are you saying you applied to 300 medical schools and didn't get onto any?

And this is 300 in one country only, and that's just the top 300 because there are many more?

If that is the case, maybe it is time for a change.

Aloha!

I've done medical school. This is the two year core medical internship that lasts two years. There are over 1000 around the country but I only ranked the 250 I actually want to do. They put me on a reserve list to see if something comes up but i alreayd had the attitude of grind out two years and then take another career break.

I do think it is time for a change. I'm miserable but driven. Despite that drive I get slapped across the face.

[Dragan]

OP can you go to Canada, do doctor stuff there,, and then maybe use that as a springboard to getting into the US? I know there are a ton of phara/biotech companies in Canada, and it may be really profitable. Just a thought.

[Cyr]

OP, what do you think it is about your current situation that is making you 'miserable'? What inspired you to choose medicine in the first place? I understand that working very hard is stressful, but you shouldn't feel that working to get ahead in a career is a 'meaningless project'. You are already taking medicine, which is arguably the most meaningful work you can do. There's no need to be so opposed to necessary groundwork for progress, even if it seems mundane or tedious.

Regarding making friends:
If you have any experience playing team sports, particularly rugby, I would join a local team. Its a great way to instantly fall into a social group and make a lot of friends fast.

In your position I would:
1. Consider working for some sort of 'health clinic' rather than in a hospital. I am saying this as a laymen, so take this with a grain of salt, but I have always thought that if I were to study medicine, I'd rather work at an anti-aging clinic or something along those lines. The work is less taxing and arguably more rewarding.
2. Move into biomed. One of my friends did not get into medical school, but studied biomedical sciences instead and is having a great time. You would be well placed to pivot into that industry. I think it is also slightly more relaxed than medicine proper and there are good progression opportunties.

EDIT: Missed the part about 'meaningless projects' on my first read through.

[thedarkknight]

I'll make this brief

(1) I may just take a reserve internal medicine post. They are doing round 2 later this month and I'll see what I get. It's still internal medicine it may not be where id want to be but I'll ground out the two years.

(2) I have the 2nd of the 3 part post grad physician exam later this month. I'll pass it.

(3) I'm going spend a few months abroad with family to help get away from it a spend time with loved ones.

(4) I'll continue my guitar and language lessons and weight lifting

(5) ill keep working temporary medicine posts to get money up. I'm on cardiology right now so that's a good job

I shouldn't be so negative. Its not great but things are good. I'm entitled to nothing.

(03-02-2018 02:56 PM)Cyr Wrote:  

OP, what do you think it is about your current situation that is making you 'miserable'? What inspired you to choose medicine in the first place? I understand that working very hard is stressful, but you shouldn't feel that working to get ahead in a career is a 'meaningless project'. You are already taking medicine, which is arguably the most meaningful work you can do. There's no need to be so opposed to necessary groundwork for progress, even if it seems mundane or tedious.

Regarding making friends:
If you have any experience playing team sports, particularly rugby, I would join a local team. Its a great way to instantly fall into a social group and make a lot of friends fast.

In your position I would:
1. Consider working for some sort of 'health clinic' rather than in a hospital. I am saying this as a laymen, so take this with a grain of salt, but I have always thought that if I were to study medicine, I'd rather work at an anti-aging clinic or something along those lines. The work is less taxing and arguably more rewarding.
2. Move into biomed. One of my friends did not get into medical school, but studied biomedical sciences instead and is having a great time. You would be well placed to pivot into that industry. I think it is also slightly more relaxed than medicine proper and there are good progression opportunties.

EDIT: Missed the part about 'meaningless projects' on my first read through.

[thedarkknight]

UPDATE

Turns out I got my first choice location and stella jobs in cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterolgoy, haeamatology and oncology. I was on the reserve list and got bumped up due to people declining offers

So the plan is:

(1) Buy a flat. Live there for two years while I complete the training
(2) after the two years, I do an MD and do part time clinical medicine to earn cash at better rate due to completing internal medicine training

Like I said, if all goes to plan. I'll have 13 letters after my name by 31 years of age and I'll be well trained in a useful skill set. Its not ideal but I'm well positioned.They can take the job away but not the training or the money I will and have earned.

TDK

[Que enspastic]

Why don’t you just leave the UK like every other doctor in the NHS?

They’re not leaving because they’re idiots

[Svoboda]

Btw, did you start doing light therapy and significantly increase vitamin D intake?

It seems your positive mindset takes a hit every winter.

[ballsyamog]

Congrats man....