Getting Ready for Residency Part II: Orientation Month

This should go without saying but show up prepared! As you’re fielding the emails you’re getting from the program before starting, begin to make a list on your phone or however of all the things you’ll need on to bring day one so when it’s time to prepare to go in your ready. 

This can include the paperwork that they may ask you to bring, identification documents for your I-9, immunization/health records, etc. Also, consider things that are good to bring on your first day: A notebook, pen, highlighter, water bottle, questions, and snack (like a bar or something that you can carry around with you)…etc The night before, have the items above ready in your work bag 

Lastly, be extra prepared by knowing where you are supposed to park and meet for your first day, plan your outfit ahead of time, come with questions, and do a test run of your commute!

2. Keep a Log of All Your Passwords 

This sounds silly, but during orientation month there will be a lot of systems that you’ll need access to such as the EMR, the CII safe, omnicell/automated dispensing cabinet, certain machines, and software that may require various passwords. Make a note of it somewhere secure like a passwords app (or any way you find easiest). This way, you’re not that person calling the help desk like ‘I forgot my password.’

3. Get to Know Your Co-Residents!

4. Take Notes 

Be sure to write notes and especially important due dates your program mentions. The first week is a WHIRLWIND – I remember feeling like I was being told new dates, timelines, information, and expectations every second. It was really helpful to have a notebook to write things down and a pen/highlighter to mark important things on any paperwork I was given. 

At the end of each day during orientation (or at least at the end of every week), put ANY and ALL dates that were mentioned or are in the paperwork given in your calendar (at my hospital, we used Microsoft Office, so Outlook calendar was my best friend). Dates can be things such as: when you need to have your rotation rank list in by, when your research topic needs to be submitted…etc. It is a great habit to get into in the beginning so when rotations roll around, you’re already in the habit of staying organized.

5. Making Important Decisions: Rotations, Mentor, Research Projects 

Typically, during orientation is when you’ll pick your rotations, mentor, receive information about projects and receive your residency graduation checklist.

ROTATIONS: In Part I, I recommended revisiting your program’s residency rotation list. Now that you have your program’s official list for the year, it’s time to get to planning. My program had rotations within the program as well as “off-site” rotations at another hospital which was really nice to have that option but also overwhelming because you just don’t know what to choose.

Take serious thought when picking rotations. While each program’s process for picking rotations is different, use your resources (RPD, preceptors, PGY2, and even past residents). Ask for advice on the rotations that you’re choosing and also consider the timing of when you want that particular rotation such as before or after midyear and/or before or after typical job search times. Although it is good to plan, keep an open mind because things can change – your preceptor may have a conflict, transition to another job, or be taking a long vacation when you want that particular rotation. 

I would go through the list, look over it and mark down the rotations you have to do (the ones required by your program) and then start marking down ones that interest you, that will help add to your future career endeavors, and also rotations that will strengthen the areas that you’re weak in clinically (think about being well-rounded!). Then, think critically about which do you need before midyear (if applying to PGY2 and/or looking for a job at midyear) or what you may need before the job search process, or whatever your next steps will be! 

Although you may have a certain specialty area in mind, don’t pigeonhole yourself so early in your career! Residency is a great year to expand your mind and skill set. Diversifying your knowledge base can come in many ways – rotations, your CE presentation, hospital committees, teaching certificate, your research project…etc. Remember, residency isn’t just about strengthening your interests but also building up areas you are weak in to make you a WELL rounded candidate. After all, you never know where life will take you, and being able to leverage the experiences you had during residency if you ever need or want to pivot your career later on in life will be key. While clinical rotations were the focus of my residency year, I still enjoyed my rotations in pharmacy management, for example. That management rotation taught me so much about people and organizational management and I still use those skills to this day! Another example could be if your residency has rotations in investigational drugs research, drug policy, informatics, clinical practice management…etc. My program was so flexible with those of us who had changing interests and I was so thankful for that. During my year, I was able to (with the help of the amazing RPC) essentially create my own new rotation – it was academia mixed with ambulatory care (it was such a great experience!) so if you don’t see something you were hoping for, it doesn’t hurt to ask.

RESEARCH PROJECT: Most programs have a list of projects that residents can choose from. Consider several factors when looking at a project: the feasibility, the preceptor/principal investigator, and the topic. Pick a research project that you’re interested in and that you can see may add value to the hospital and has the potential to be published (if you want to be published) or presented at a national conference. 

In residency, typically, the projects aren’t randomized prospective clinical trials. They are mostly retrospective in nature and focus on QI (quality improvement), so keep that in mind. 

MENTOR: Picking a mentor (if your program gives you a choice) is a tough one because you don’t really know the preceptors. A piece of advice that my RPD at the time suggested was to NOT pick a mentor that is in the specialty area you are interested in because you will likely be on a lot of overlapping projects with that person and it would be good to have someone from the ‘outside.’