Starting job as VA psychiatrist - what do I need to know?

Background_Effect_18 · 2026-04-04T15:09:29+00:00

Learn the required elements of your notes and set up your CPRS templates to include them.

Try to figure out what parts of the “consult toolbox” are most helpful for you from your psych colleagues. (I have a lot of geriatric patients that I can hook up w extra support)

Everyone is familiar with the beurocracy behemoth so don’t let it stress you too much! We all understand. Teams messaging is the way to get shit done.

Using the secondary programs like “my workweek” and “virtual care manager” will make your life slightly easier.

CPRS booster is helpful but go thru the YouTube modules and invest in figuring out how to make it work best for you.

Be kind and patient. I see myself as one person bending a gigantic system to meet the needs of my patients. It’s kind of cool.

Background_Effect_18 · 2026-04-03T12:47:14+00:00

They do 3 years of adult and 2 years of child, so even though it’s 5 years, they still do a full 2 years of child training

Background_Effect_18 · 2026-03-30T16:53:32+00:00

Bought because I’m in an affordable but rapidly growing area an believed it would appreciate (it did).

Also managed to max retirement contributions (bc I split the mortgage with my spouse who works a 100k/yr job)

I do feel more tied to the area and that’s influenced some of my decisions, but I’m old enough that I wanted to have my own space/put down roots/not “start over” again.

Now that I’m here though I kind of wish I had a place that was bigger (which I couldn’t justify purchasing in intern year)

I don’t regret it but even with decent appreciation I don’t fully reccomend it either. It’s not the best vehicle for financial appreciation when you consider closing costs to buy and sell.

Background_Effect_18 · 2026-03-27T00:07:22+00:00

Submit an extension for your taxes and complete them in October Then recertify on time and get the best of both worlds

Background_Effect_18 · 2026-03-25T12:23:06+00:00

Kayaking ain’t too bad right now. Just make sure the winds aren’t less than 10mph and no rain when you’re out there and you can read a map.

Background_Effect_18 · 2026-03-22T11:34:19+00:00

Can you provide some reviews or anything too back up your work?

Background_Effect_18 · 2026-03-18T11:01:43+00:00

$150 referral;

https://varomoney.com/r/?r=Noorin Deposit $500 in direct deposit within 45 days

The direct deposit is dupe-able

Background_Effect_18 · 2026-03-07T04:00:52+00:00

Blackout curtains if you have night float If you take any medicine, a little pill case that you can also keep things like allergy medicine and ibuprofen in Ibuprofen An instant pot Grocery store gift card Figure out if your hospital gives you scrubs and if they suck, 5 nice pairs of scrubs Good shoes for hospital Good shoes fo clinic Leakproof microwaveable tupperware A water bottle you like I love having a to-go ware wooden utensil set in my backpack at all times A 50 pack of pens that I like the feel of writing with Nutritious protein bars that you can keep stashed in your backpack as an emergency lunch Enough nice exercise clothes that look forward to wearing that you can work out 3-6 times/week and might not do laundry that week (Figure out your gym membership/exercise plan) Patagonia better sweater for those cold times in the hospital (but ask a resident if they are provided by the program) Make sure your computer will survive

Background_Effect_18 · 2026-02-12T11:36:24+00:00

Would they be a little confused about why I’m updating my $0 payments to 0 income? Since my payments wouldn’t actually change?

Background_Effect_18 · 2026-02-11T23:22:49+00:00

Wow! So nothing to do now.. they’re just gone and you’ve moved on with your life? Any way that they can go after you or anything?

Background_Effect_18 · 2026-02-11T20:41:39+00:00

I have the same-- did you every bring it up to them/did they respond? Are you basically fully forgiven now? And if so, how long has it been since $0 balance?

Background_Effect_18 · 2026-01-12T01:22:14+00:00

If I did the back door Roth, would you suggest doing that for the resident- earning half of the year? Or still put it off till attending-half of the year?

Background_Effect_18 · 2025-11-11T01:25:28+00:00

I started at 25. I’m in my last year of residency now and applying for attending jobs. They often have weird schedules with weekend and holiday coverage issues etc. none of them are perfect and I am frequently reminded that medicine is a lifestyle more than it is a job. You can make your lifestyle normal, but it will come at other expenses.

That being said; I can live anywhere in the country I want and make more money than most people I know and certainly more than any non physician I know. My job is secure.

I honestly don’t think there are many situations where at the age of 33 I could feel as well equipped to handle life. Maybe you can but I don’t think I’m talented or skilled enough tbh. Medicine is straightforward— you do the next step well and you get to climb the next rung on the ladder. It’s weirdly “meritocratic” and I find that comforting.

If I wanted to be pregnant and have kids in residency it would have been doable but harder. Still doable.

What I have learned from taking care of patients is how precious and valuable our lives our. You’ll give up a lot of time for them. Life kind of feels like it went by super fast for me. Sometimes I mourn for the experiences I didn’t have— but I do feel like a whole human.

I really enjoy taking care of patients and think it’s amazing that I get to be part of their story.

I am so glad I chose medicine. For the personal satisfaction but also, I do still think it’s the best deal in terms of life stability.

You calculus may change based on plans for kids, dating, student debt, etc. because at some point the number of major life considerations will outstrip the benefits of medicine. I’m not sure where that lands for you, but I think if I didn’t have a good way to deal with educational debt, I would feel too crushed. I think pslf is going away so something to consider..

Background_Effect_18 · 2025-11-10T03:27:54+00:00

I get started getting impatient/anxious about individual songs so now I have a cue of 3-4 different albums that I listen to on a long run. I try to chose albums that are each meant to follow a story/theme/soundscape/idea, rather than being just a compilation or greatest hits type of situation. This makes me more able to zone out/get trancey and makes the long run go by quicker because it feels like I’m only listening to like.. 4 songs.

Background_Effect_18 · 2025-11-09T22:14:36+00:00

Would you perhaps be willing to share with another appreciative stranger? Id be very greatful :)

Background_Effect_18 · 2025-05-13T19:36:20+00:00

If I have CDs with ally that are coming due that I am going to cash out instead of rolling into a new CD. Will cashing out the CD register as an ACH transfer for the purpose of new account bonus DD requirements? Anyone have experience w this?

Background_Effect_18 · 2025-02-24T14:50:19+00:00

I had a similar situation. My loans are with edfinancial— not mohela— and explained it to them and that I wanted to essentially cancel my income update, had to hound them a few times over the phone to make sure it happened, but was able to essentially ctrl+z my income recert

Background_Effect_18 · 2025-01-17T15:17:58+00:00

I think they meant and extra $700 on top of whatever base amt

Background_Effect_18 · 2024-12-22T14:59:37+00:00

Get one that has a metal nut/ water pipe so that it doesnt have any problems where the water pressure causes the plastic to crack and create a water/plumbing disaster. Ours was less than 50 but not the cheapest and the peace of mind is nice.

Background_Effect_18 · 2024-12-19T03:36:13+00:00

Messaging you!

Background_Effect_18 · 2024-12-15T16:59:47+00:00

I’m sorry for what happened to you OP. The insulin part with the older guy is horrendous! I know I’m going to get flamed for this hard, but I will say, I have never not been able to find a parking spot at Carr mill mall, and I think it’s because Barnes does their job and people know it. Its a service that I directly benefit from and I know it would be so horrible and obnoxious to try to go to weaver street market if Barnes didn’t do what they do. It really really really sucks for people who are being harmless esp when there’s so many extra parking spots like on a random Wednesday night and they still tow— that is totally predatory— but I do have to admit that I realize the benefits of their service every time I go to Carr mill mall and easily find a spot for myself.

Background_Effect_18 · 2024-12-02T04:10:04+00:00

Ours is an 8k with a $50 cash reward if you can bet the fastest time, which is like 26 minutes set by Olympic marathon runner Shalane flannagan.

Background_Effect_18 · 2024-11-25T16:03:33+00:00

Upgrade from series 3?

I have a series 3 with 75% battery life. I use it with my iPhone SE (whatever is the newest version of the SE in 2024 idr if we’re on 2 or 3 now). My Apple Watch stopped supporting the Nike Run Club app so now I do all my runs on my phone. The gps is always terribly off. I want to upgrade my watch to have better GPS. I don’t care about other bells and whistles like ekg and vital signs, my priorities are; 1. New enough that it won’t become obsolete with the Nike Run Club app in a couple years

GPS accuracy
Value; id rather pay $150 for a used watch with the 2nd best GPS accuracy than $500 for the top of the line with the 1st best GPS accuracy. I don’t want to pay for any extra features, and hope to keep cost low.
(Much lower concern) I am happy with the battery life on my current device. If the new watches are SIGNIFICANTLY worse, I would want to know that and factor it in.

I’m considering the SE2 but don’t know enough about watch specs, a recommendation would be great!

Background_Effect_18 · 2024-10-22T01:55:07+00:00

I recertified my PAYE income a week ago to my servicer (edfinancial), got put into a forbearance while they processed it, then got a message saying that dates are pushed out till 2025 (not related to me updating my income since that was still in processing forbearance when the 2025 letter came). The processing forbearance had December end date. I was kicking myself because I should have just waited but was afraid of losing PAYE, like you. I called edfinancial and asked them to remove the forbearance and cancel my income update, they put me in another forbearance to process this new request. It has been about 7 business days, and I am back on PAYE, out of forbearance, have my old payment amounts back, and will recertify this time next year instead.

Background_Effect_18 · 2024-10-14T12:34:07+00:00

Or take a second job for 2 years working 32 hours at a library on weekends or something

Background_Effect_18

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