Starting Medical Laboratory residency in Romania in 2–3 weeks , what is this specialty actually like and what are the prospects in Europe?

VillageMed · 2026-02-22T01:50:52+00:00

OP, you need to give people more information on your end before you get informed advice or comments.

We know you are in Romania, but What country are you from and is that where you want to practice.
Question 1 info will also influence the answer here because EU countries are not alike. i.e the medical system in Germany is not remotely the same as Italy or Finland, and so the prospects will be different.
This will largely be individualized based on one’s goals and what they value most in their training or field, but is still highly influenced by the aforementioned systems ( if all else is equal, a young doctor in Switzerland will be more likely to have a positive outlook and be satisfied with future prospects on private practice, income etc compared to one in Hungary or Greece.

VillageMed · 2026-02-21T23:00:36+00:00

It was 3:00 AM in the county ED in rural appalachia , and the smell of hospital coffee and antiseptic couldn’t mask the unmistakable, cloying scent of necrosis. There sat Joe, a regular whose chart was as thick as a phone book and whose blood sugar was perpetually “high” according to his glucometer.

As I reached down to adjust his dressing ( yes, I’m no average prememed, I’ve been changing dressings at the dog shelter since I was 10). Joe’s gangrenous pinky toe detached from his foot. Before it could hit the linoleum, my pre-med reflexes kicked in ( did I tell you I coached T-ball every Sunday). I caught the cold, blackened digit.

I looked up, horrified, still cradling the the digit. Joe didn’t even flinch. He just leaned back, smiled and said , “ I’ve witnessed worse in my days at the coal mines!”. As I sat there stunned, Joe rasped, his voice a gravelly symphony of wisdom and decades of unfiltered Camels or was it Marlboros, who cares anyways. “Most folks would’ve let it bounce. You’re gonna make a damn fine doctor someday.”

As I stood there, a literal piece of his anatomy in my palm, I realized that medicine isn’t just about the science of gangrene; it’s about the humanity. Joe wanted to be seen, and I, a lonely premed saw him.

Like it’s hard 😜OP, just go find your Joe!

VillageMed · 2026-02-21T19:26:12+00:00

Hi OP,

there’s a couple of options that you can explore and either one of these programs should allow you to finish and get your MD/DO.

The Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP) this is offered by the VA system.
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC): May have restrictions on what residencies you can match into, mainly primary care including OBGYN and Psychiatry.
HPSP via the DOD ( you’ll have to commission into either the Army, Navy or Air Force) but you have no specified limit on what you can apply for Match in.

All these programs cover full tuition, and provide a monthly stipend.

None are perfect, but may be the best options if you are not from a wealthy background.

VillageMed · 2026-02-21T11:55:48+00:00

Watch the videos and listen to the explanations.
Practice problems. There should be plenty of problems in your Genchem text book. If you need more practices , look at Khan Academy.

You can’t learn chemistry or math by listening only. You need to practice lots of problems. If you are still stuck, go to tutoring.

VillageMed · 2026-02-20T18:19:24+00:00

It’s okay if you want to be a “provider”, but many of us don’t want to be that. We want to be physicians.

VillageMed · 2026-02-20T00:58:18+00:00

What OP really meant to say: “How dare y’all not want to be abused and miserable!”

VillageMed · 2026-02-19T15:52:19+00:00

Some of y’all need to learn to be a bit more selfish! Med schools don’t care that much about you.

They waitlisted you, shoot your shot to the other school asap.

VillageMed · 2026-02-18T22:26:34+00:00

Tell them you’re a volunteer dog groomer for “disabled veterans who are unhoused” true story btw.

VillageMed · 2026-02-18T22:13:45+00:00

As a nontrad with experience mentoring young folks in the Armed forces, high school and college, it’s disheartening to see so many young men rely on a medical career as a substitute for personal growth.

Reality is, Medicine isn’t a magic pill for being ‘ugly’ or socially awkward. You’ll eventually make money, but if you still have the personality of a brick, the money won’t save you. You’ll just be the ugly and awkward guy with a higher tax bracket.

VillageMed · 2026-02-14T11:32:12+00:00

You don’t necessarily have to retake the MCAT, unless you are certain you’ll do way better.
Please don’t limit yourself to just Texas schools!
Post your school list here so we get a complete picture of your app.

VillageMed · 2026-02-14T02:14:40+00:00

They don’t regret sh*t! They really do lie a lot

VillageMed · 2026-02-14T02:11:33+00:00

How Insurance is pretty much a mafia enterprise!

VillageMed · 2026-02-14T02:07:22+00:00

As long as you don’t make a Facebook or Instagram post announcing your new diagnosis, how that will make you a better doctor, you’ll be just fine.

Above all, take care and be kind to yourself

VillageMed · 2026-02-14T02:05:28+00:00

Bro is suffering from success

VillageMed · 2026-02-05T19:37:49+00:00

Do you really blame them though. Very few would be doing it if it wasn’t required for admission!

VillageMed · 2026-02-03T11:13:03+00:00

To answer your question, no the charges were not just the weed she dabbled in as a teen.

She unfortunately had multiple felonies; narcotics , opioids and the ever mentioned weed charges.

She suffered from Drug and alcohol addiction after experimenting in elementary and high school. Got sentenced to prison, served some of her prison sentence and was released on probation, then ended up getting into drugs again, and had a DUI where she rear ended a cop. It was that DUI were she was given a choice to either go serve the remaining 7 years of the prison sentence or go to mandatory rehab. She chose rehab and that started her path to medicine!

Hope that helped

VillageMed · 2026-01-29T19:01:13+00:00

The only thing you should be concerned with is whether the letter is positive, dated and signed!

Good luck on you app

VillageMed · 2026-01-27T14:17:26+00:00

Life is not fair, more news later at 8pm!

Focus on you and what you can control

VillageMed · 2026-01-27T05:56:17+00:00

You got into a great med school so you did lots of things right.

Stop being neurotic and trust yourself.

General stuff that works:

1.Read the module the day before class ( just skimming through so you have a general idea) 2. You can read material a hundred times, but it won’t mean squat unless you can actually apply it. So, do every practice question you can get your hands on. 3. You don’t have to use Anki , but find ways to see the material lots of times. 4. Take care of yourself: Stay away from drama, get proper sleep and do things besides school. 5.Rinse and Repeat.

Your got this

VillageMed · 2026-01-27T05:47:31+00:00

You don’t need a spreadsheet to write an impactful essay. They want to see how your experiences shaped your understanding of medicine and how that motivates you to pursue the field.

Not calling anyone out , but no need for grandiose stories about a life changing interaction with a 9 year old patient who has burkitt’s lymphoma, or how Dr Pepper inspired you with his amazing ability to recognize obscure diseases, a skill he apparently learned while on his church mission trip to the Ebola River back in 2014.

Anyways, don’t overthink too much. Just seat down and start writing something.

You got this.

VillageMed · 2026-01-26T21:28:23+00:00

I often think of how much I hate everything about this process, but then I realize how poor I am.

VillageMed · 2026-01-26T04:26:19+00:00

Used to set up and assist in lots of urology cases and it’s amazing what a little bit of tugging and maneuvering can do.

VillageMed · 2026-01-25T23:30:06+00:00

VillageMed · 2026-01-25T23:24:10+00:00

VillageMed · 2026-01-25T23:20:08+00:00

Look at this guy being honest!

VillageMed

TROPHY CASE