3rd year of medical school is officially in the books! In some ways that
doesn't seem possible and in others... it seems like we've been on this
medical school journey forever. And now (drum roll please) only ONE
more year to go! And really it isn't even a full year as match day is in
March (7 months), rotations end in April (8 months) and graduation is
in June (10 months)... all HUGE milestones that end within the next year :) Woo hoo!
The moment Nick has been waiting for for the past 3 years has finally come as he is officially BACK IN THE E.D to kick off 4th year with his Emergency Medicine Rotation. At St. John's EM is not a core rotation, so students do not do it during 3rd year so to say this guy has been getting super antsy waiting and waiting and waiting would be an understatement.
He's just about to complete his first week and I'm happy to report it has not disappointed him one bit. He has enjoyed many of his rotations, and really, just likes Medicine in general. However, this guy L-O-V-E-S being in the E.D. Loves it. He's excited to go in, clicks well with the attendings and residents, loves the pace and variety, and quite honestly just feels very at home down there. So needless to say, it's no shocker that this former Emergency Room tech and President of Emergency Medicine club in Grenada is officially hoping to Match into an EM residency program. Fingers crossed. He's already done his own consults, done suturing on his own, become a go-to for quickly needed IVs and needle sticks, and established great rapport with the staff in the E.D. Can't say this doctor-in-training doesn't dive right on in ;)
Speaking of Matching.... applications are sent out in ONE WEEK. What?! How did that come up so fast?! SO much work goes into these darn applications. You have research TONS of programs. You have to research TONS of secondary programs that you want to apply to as your backups. You have to write personal statements. You have to wait on final CK scores to be submitted. You have to attempt to control what you can in terms of deadlines and learn to accept the missed deadlines that were- unfortunately- not within your control. You have to fill out endless paperwork. You have to PAY a lot of money. And then, you sit and wait and pray interviews come your way. Why is everything about medical school SO stressful?! Sheesh.
I will say though.... and this is a wifey brag moment.... but, it's so cool to see all his accomplishments listed out. I kinda forget sometimes ALL the things this kid has done to get us to where we are on the journey. He has hospital experience and letters of recommendation from his years of working prior to medical school. He has research experience AND 2 publications to his name with hopefully 1 more to come prior to/during interview season. He got honors during basic sciences. He has honors in his rotations through 3rd year and several letters of recommendations from great sources at St. John's. He's been in many leadership positions within the hospital and medical school setting. Has done vast volunteer work. Was inducted into the Gold Humanism Society. Has memberships to a couple different medical organizations. Rocked his Step 1, Rocked his CS, and feels great about his CK. And I'm probably leaving stuff out. Really, he's done A LOT.
I might be biased, but I'm so impressed by him time and time again and hope the programs he's applying to are able to leave the bias against FMGs behind and give credit where credit is due. Apply for residency is SO SCARY. Eeek.
