Thread by @IEMcElroy

While I was waiting for my experiments to run today I had a chance to sit down with one of our interns and ask them how they were doing. Not just the in the small talk way but in the “no really, let’s talk” and she was gracious enough to open up. /1

We talked about everything. From the transition to a new place without any friends and family, to the humdrum of intern life, to the transitioning seasons. I remembered going through a lot of those same feelings as an intern and wishing someone had stopped to talk to me. /2

So this is me assuming that role for any intern that may be experiencing the “intern blues.” It’s going to get better, I promise you. Intern year is tough in a lot of ways. You are thrown into the deep end of a pool with what feels like no floaties and are told to “doctor”. /3

At first, there is excitement of all the new things, there’s definitely anxiety too, but everything is fresh and shiny and new. The adrenaline and excitement of everyone adjusting to new roles keeps you going. But now things are getting more routine /4

And some of you are realizing that even though you’re in the OR it may be a lot of watching and when you hear you’re pager going off with more work it’s not easy to focus on what your senior and attending are doing. Or you can’t see and thus you feel like a med student again. /5

Either way you definitely feel like this isn’t what you signed up for. But! I’m going to tell you: this is NOT what your the rest of your career or even residency will look like. You will be that senior performing Kocher maneuvers and discussing complex cases /6

With the attending soon enough. Around now I’m sure that dirty 5-letter test is starting to rear it’s ugly head too. You’re trying to figure out how you can possibly find time to study. Do what you can but also realize we all (PGY1-5) take the same exam./7

It’s important to know because 1. There are going to be questions someone your level just isn’t going to know 2. You may be realizing that you’re starting to forget all the stuff you knew in med school but it’s ok. /8

Residency is an Ironman, not a sprint and that definitely applies to the knowledge as well. You won’t be able to learn everything you need to know in a year (or even during residency) it’s why we train for so long. Take that pressure off yourself and know each year /9

You learn a little more. The senior you are looking at with admiration as they handle a crumping patient was in your shoes not too long ago likely feeling exactly how you are now. You will get there, trust yourself, study when you can, but also trust the process. /10

The next few months are going to be rough, the weather is colder, the days are shorter, and you feel like you’re stagnating/regressing. You’re not. Your building skills and solidifying foundation that is going to carry you into next year where you’ll face a whole new /11

Deep end that will again learn how to swim in. If you aren’t going home for the holidays try and do something with the other people around you. Continue to build that network of people that are going to bring a little sun in those gloomy December/January days. /12

And most importantly, reach out if you feel like you’re drowning. I wish someone had reached out to me but I also didn’t extend a hand and try. I wish I had. And as always my DMs are open. /13

Oh and take some vitamin d. The fluorescent hospital lights are definitely lacking. But I hope for those that are quietly (or loudly) questioning things it brought some peace of mind. You got this!

❤️ your favorite (or not, either way) Twitter senior /x

What say you #MedTwitter #BlackMedTwitter #MedEd? Any other advice on how to survive the intern blues?