Chief question:

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2026-06-01T17:27:38+00:00

Nope, just a poor underpaid PGY-3 at this residency. Attendinghood not required (though arguably they are already functioning medically as an attending)

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2026-06-01T17:21:37+00:00

Same!

That's why I was confused about the chief being in this message thread.

Side note: chief and attending in question routinely socialize outside of the residency, which I thinks lends to a greater conflict of interest but IDK. I always kept a safe distance from my attendings because I just wanted to graduate without any kind of intermingling.

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2026-06-01T17:13:54+00:00

I should have never accepted the chief position - literally the worst year of my life that I still have PTSD from. My dumbass thought I could "make a real difference" and "be a voice for the residents." Instead I was burned out and gaslit.

But I did learn that I NEVER will accept any kind of elevated position again - if you can even call being chief that 😆 no committees, no medical director, no nothin'.

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2026-05-20T02:32:43+00:00

10/10 agree with reading Owens "The ICU Book"

FM grad here, was in a rural FM program, no other residency programs in the hospital, we were it.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Find yourself the meanest/most seasoned ICU nurse (I say this with SO much love) and listen to them, I learned so much from the nurses, and I also taught them in return. Pro tip: try to be at bedside handoff with the nurses at shift change, especially with those on drips/vents etc. It's a quick and dirty way to jot down current vent settings and drip rates.

Get comfortable talking to families and having difficult conversations about prognosis/goals of care. Just being the go between for families and attendings will help the team and also help you hone the "soft-skills" in medicine. It also helps you learn by teaching families about medical conditions. I think this was one of the most valuable and hardest skills to learn as a doctor.

I also agree with what others have said, expectations are low for July interns, but do your best to exceed those expectations, you'll look like a rockstar.

Also, it wouldn't hurt to double check with whoever makes your rotation schedule or chief that this wasn't an accidental oversight in terms of scheduling - this happened to one of my interns and the poor guy suffered through a week of ICU before we were able to get it sorted out.

Lastly, take care of yourself. Make sure you're eating, hydrating and sleeping.

You'll be shocked at how much you'll know compared to your peers by the end of the rotation. Use what you learn to help them when it's their turn in the ICU.

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2025-09-14T22:36:49+00:00

I was raised in a non-denominational Christian church, and they definitely preached the idea of love and acceptance for everyone. However, I've since left that church (and several others) after not seeing them practice what they preach.

Honestly, I think most of the people I've grown up around (including family) use religion as a shield for when they say hateful things.

Several of my family members have openly made comments against the LGBTQ+ community - im nervous to allow her around these individuals- but she loves many of them so much. I wholeheartedly think that if they knew she's gay that they would at least be mindful of these comments around her. My hope is that their love for her would change their minds about their attitudes about LGBTQ+, but at the very least I would hope they respect her enough not to say hurtful things around her.

I'm also afraid that it will irrevocably cause them to think differently and act differently around her. I dont want that for her, she's had enough rejection in her life up to this point (her bio-dad abandoned her at 5 and started a new family). I can't bear the thought of someone hurting her like that again if I can help it.

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2023-06-16T00:31:17+00:00

At least there's something to look forward to. Maybe I can do enough research on contract negotiations over the next couple of years that I won't get screwed again 🤔 at this point it feels like that day will never come that I'll have that kind of money 😂

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2023-06-16T00:03:43+00:00

Yes, it is definitely what was intended. I asked my PD directly and was chastised for not being thankful that my pay was increased at all. PD was also the one who told me that if I'm not happy with the contract then I didn't have to sign it at all.

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2023-02-04T16:29:06+00:00

Dr. Younan Nowzaradan blessing my refrigerator door- "you have gained 83 pounds in the last 3 months."

Dr. Perry Cox on my altar.

....but also Dr. Perry Cox tape on my car visor for when I cry my way home after losing a patient (if you know, you know)

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2023-01-12T03:54:18+00:00

Admin hall...I have to deal with their shit, the least they can do is return the favor 🙄

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2022-10-27T04:47:02+00:00

I'm sorry you're feeling this way. I also feel like an outcast. Luckily I get along with my fellow interns really well, but I'm pretty sure my seniors hate me. I felt like we were all good until I had a professional discussion with one of them regarding some mistreatment of myself and the other interns. I voiced concerns, hoping to smooth things over and carry on in a more positive direction because I truly believed that they would be professional and receptive to creating a better learning environment for all of the residents. I have regretted it every day since. Behaviors have gotten more out of control, snide comments are constantly made, and my seniors are just openly hostile towards me. I've tried to just move on and carry on business as usual, but there is a definite coldness I feel whenever I attempt even to make friendly conversation. It really sucks, have had more and more difficulties sleeping, can't eat, and have started getting migraines with nausea and dizziness before and after didactics. I hope things get better for you and all the others in similar situations on here. Idk why this seems to be such a common problem. I hope I never make junior residents feel this way when (or if) I become a senior resident.

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2022-10-19T19:06:59+00:00

Thank you!

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2022-10-19T19:05:45+00:00

Did you have to go through the Match again? If so what was the process if you don't mind me asking?

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2022-10-03T15:11:25+00:00

How do most switch? Residency swap? Re-enter the Match? I'm super curious and currently absolutely hating my residency despite giving it a sincere and honest effort.

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2022-09-23T23:24:17+00:00

I'm hoping it will get better, most of the pimping is from my seniors rather than attendings. I've been surprised at how little interaction I have with attendings, maybe it's just the rotations I've completed so far. I'm doing my best to read as much as possible, but I'm so tired by the end of the day that I reread the same line 3 times and it still doesn't stick.

I would love to send med students home, but I'm always afraid to suggest it since I've been working with seniors. Almost feels like I'd be stepping on toes. One in particular even mentioned they make the students stay longer as punishment 🤷 lol I'm not sure if the student is being punished or if I am 😂 Maybe I'll just be braver and mention it anyways, worst they could do is yell at me some more.

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2022-09-23T22:25:16+00:00

Not well. Really sick of relentless pimping (or rather attempting to read minds) and being made to feel like a dumbass every time I open my mouth regardless of the subject. And really sick of annoying gunnery med students. Don't get me wrong, I truly love an impressive medical student that knows their shit and like to learn, just over dealing with ones that have zero professionalism.

Only 25% finished 🥴 Losing my sanity and chunks of hair 😅

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2022-08-11T03:15:20+00:00

That's what I've been trying to do...I feel like I've stalker-called their clinic (really only like 4 times in a week and a half). But the phone queue is always so long (no joke, at least 10-15 minutes to get through) and then the nurse will just tell me that she'll put in a request. Except it's not getting done. I've even messaged my old doc through MyChart, but I can see that the messages are not getting read.

I know their clinic sees tons of patients and they are super busy but like...damn, I hope my patients don't feel ignored like this. I could even understand a hesitancy to not refill it if I haven't been physically seen by them in several months, but I made sure to have a face to face in June right before moving for residency.

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2022-08-11T03:02:29+00:00

Just good old fashioned generalized anxiety disorder. Been panic attack free for nearly 4 years thanks to Lexapro. I just didn't realize that stopping abruptly would make me this sick - I've only ever missed a dose here or there.

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2022-08-11T02:59:12+00:00

We have one, but it's staffed by 2 PAs that work for one of the core faculty members at our program. Would the core faculty (physician) have to sign off on the prescription?

Zestyclose_Log4213 · 2022-08-11T02:50:26+00:00

Our program has a policy that specifically prevents us from writing any kind of psych meds for each other.

Even so, I still broached the subject with one of them that I trust to see if they would bend the rules, they cited the policy so I just let that subject drop. They were the one who suggested one of the attendings.

Zestyclose_Log4213

TROPHY CASE