I’ve been back at work for a week now, and I’m exhausted. I’m also feeling my long-gone grumpiness creeping back to get me. I’m sure it’s all a combination of just coming back from vacation, having been on some pretty slack rotations before that, not getting enough sleep, and working 11+ hour days every day.
My husband told me today that he can tell by the look on my face that I’m not really enjoying my life at this moment. I wouldn’t go so far to say that, but I have been feeling pretty rough. There is a small part of me that is wondering what I’ve signed up for and if I really want to be working this hard for at least the next 4 years. I never know what I want anymore.
Initially I was excited to be on service for the whole year and gaining some great experience in my field. While my preceptors have been much more invested in my learning than they were last year, I have quickly come to realize that I am still much more junior than everyone else in my program. So far, every day that I’ve been in the OR I have either been a second assist (usually what the medical student does) or I’ve been bumped by the chief resident. When I’ve been in the case room, even when the chief doesn’t come in for the interesting stuff, there has usually been a more senior resident who has taken the forceps or other complicated deliveries away from me.
I’m looking forward to a time when I am not at the lower end of the medical hierarchy. I guess that time is not now.
Wish me better luck and a better mood in the coming week. At least I’m not on call this weekend!
Oh, and I have, so far, stuck my pact to ride my bike to work every day that I’m not on call… And, I’ve made it to TKD twice, and got out to run once, too. So it hasn’t all been bad – Just an adjustment, I guess!
The Cranky Giraffe 
I’m sorry to hear that even as an R2 you’re still getting bumped down — that really sucks. 😦
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Yeah – but one day I will get to shatter illusions for other R2s and always bump them :). Positivity wins the day!!!
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Should you really be trying to shatter your colleagues or should you be trying to build them up and support them? A bit harsh and entitled imo
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I completely agree! But I’m currently in the position where I’m the one being shattered and given little opportunity – so at some point I need to get it for myself. I seriously dislike the way we do things here.
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So are you doing a different specialty since you have four more years and you’ve already done one year? Or why four more years? I hope you get lots of rest this weekend!
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Nope, same specialty – our residency is 5 years up here!
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Huge adjustments, but you are making them. ((HUGS)) to you on the exhaustion and all else.
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Thanks! I’m just going to keep staying positive! I made up 5 min up my bike ride this morning when I left later than usual. bonus!
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I think this is one of the downfalls of being a mature learner, the upside is that your maturity helps you see the big picture better than the younger residents, and that makes for a wise doctor. You’re patients now are already benefitting, and future patients will benefit even more.
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