So what is 4th year all about? More than anything, it is an “experience”. You have the opportunity to travel the nation and meet hundreds of people with different backgrounds and educational levels. You routinely test your knowledge base and realize you actually know a lot more than you thought, yet still know nothing. Ultimately though, you are one step closer to becoming “Doctor”. On the other hand, you are constantly lost. Once you get familiar with a place and the people you are working with, it’s time to pack your bags and head for the next city. For most, loved ones are hundreds of miles away and you are lucky to see them once a month, if even at all. And probably the most nerve-racking, everything you do or say can be used to determine your character, skill, and whether you will be a good fit for that residency.
Another important factor to take into consideration during 4th year is your human interactions. Make an effort to meet each of the attendings, residents, nurses, and OR staff, and make your interactions count. Figure out how you can make their life easier and what tasks and responsibilities you can undertake. The more you work as part of the “team”, the more you are trusted and given greater opportunities. Plus, it gives you something to do all day rather than stand around and observe.
It is also important to enjoy your time off. Be sure to hang out with the residents and other students. Learn what the city has to offer and try to figure out if you could see yourself living there for the next three years. Though 4th year is about gaining knowledge and finding a residency, you still need to take time to truly enjoy yourself and live in the “real world”.
Going into 4th year, I remember my greatest fears were getting pimped, taking part II boards, and interviewing for residency. I can soundly assure you that, yes, you will get asked questions! Some places ask more questions than others, and rarely will you know the answer. One time, while I was assisting in a surgery, the attending started asking questions (not the traditional ones) about the procedure we were performing. After repeatedly discovering my ignorance, I jokingly asked him why he kept asking questions I wouldn’t know the answer to. He laughed and replied, “Well, that’s the point. If you already know it then I can’t teach you anything, and what good does that do either of us?” This remark completely changed my perspective on pimping. I started to appreciate being asked questions as this guided my studies for the night, which ultimately helped me improve.
16
Year 4
From the kitchen of Kathie Whitt